6 Health Symptoms Your Ears Want You to Be Aware Of

To think that our ears are capable of doing more than hearing seems hard to believe. But the ears are in fact responsible for other major tasks too. For example, they regulate balance and send info about your head position to your brain. In addition, everything about your ears, including the wax they produce, can potentially provide clues about the state of your general health. Here are 6 things your ears may be trying to tell you: 

 

1. You have diabetes - or are at risk of developing it

In the US, hearing loss is the third most common health problem. But, it can also be a symptom of various systemic diseases like diabetes. In fact, a 2008 study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that hearing loss is twice as common among people who have diabetes. Pre-diabetic adults (whose blood glucose levels are above-normal) had a 30% higher rate of hearing loss than people with normal blood sugar levels. The link between hearing loss and diabetes is not yet known, but it may have something to do with blood sugar supply to the inner ear, which can be compromised in diabetics. Furthermore, metabolic changes that occur in diabetics can be toxic to the inner ear particularly when the disease isn't well-managed.

2. Your arteries may be clogged 

Next time you're in front of the mirror check your earlobes. Are they smooth and unwrinkled? Then you don't need to be concerned. If however you spot a diagonal crease, it might be worth bringing the subject matter up with your doctor, as this could be an indicator of heart disease. In fact, in a 2012 study, conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and published in The American Journal of Cardiology, found that subjects with a diagonal earlobe crease were more likely to show signs of heart disease in comparison to those with wrinkle-free earlobes. Nevertheless, some doctors are skeptical about this. Still, it doesn't hurt to look into it. 

 

 

3. You may need to visit your dentist

If you tend to experience ear pain often, the problem may actually be caused by a jaw problem. In fact frequent ear pain is often misdiagnosed. One frequent culprit is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, which connects your jaw to the bones that sit in front of each ear. This condition may trigger ear pain when you chew, talk or open your mouth wide. So, if you continue to experience ear pain, but get a clean bill of health from your ENT, you might want to book an appointment with your dentist. 

 

4. You're suffering from anxiety, high blood pressure, or rarely a brain tumor 

Ringing in the ears is a condition known as tinnitus, which can be a symptom of almost 200 different problems. Symptoms may vary from anxiety and depression to hypertension. It may also occur after you have attended a particularly loud concert. Consequently, the symptom by itself is no cause for concern. In rare cases, tinnitus can indicate a benign brain tumor known as an acoustic neuroma, which grows on the nerve, affecting hearing. If tinnitus occurs for a short time, you need not worry. See your doctor if it persists for a couple of months though.

5. You're struggling with allergies

Allergy symptoms are usually flagged when your eyes start to water or you get a runny nose. Nevertheless, you should pay attention to your ears too. If they itch, swell or feel clogged, it may mean that something is not agreeing with you. When you nose gets congested, it affects the functionality of the Eustachian tube that connects your nose to your ears, leading to a sensation of clogged ears. Using a humidifier, popping decongestants and drinking lots of fluids should help ease nasal congestion, relieving that muffled-ear feeling. 

 

6. You are predisposed to certain illnesses 

Earwax acts as a lubricant and antibacterial shield that prevents things from getting into your ear. Still, there may be a correlation with earwax and different diseases. In fact, the DNA of some illnesses, like hepatitis, may show up in earwax. Your earwax consistency may also be a predictor of disease. In 2009, a Japanese study linked mutations in a gene called ABCC11 - which is associated with an increased chance of developing breast cancer, to wet, sticky earwax. Still, you need not panic if your earwax is wet and sticky as studies still need to establish a causational relationship between earwax and breast cancer. Nevertheless, asking your doctor to analyze your earwax may be crucial.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for infor on cancer and health related topics
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs. I'm going to add posts there, do give me your valuable feed back on my blogs. Thanks a lot, take care, be healthy and be happy.

Tongue Cancer: Stay Vigilant, Do Not Ignore Any Signs Like Ulcer Or Mouth Pain

Tongue cancer is a type of mouth or oral cancer involving the cells of the tongue leading to tumours or lesions. Various factors including smoking and tobacco consumption, alcohol use, ulcers caused by sharp teeth and iron deficiency anaemia are linked to development of tongue cancer. The cancer can spread to the lymph glands of the neck. If the cancer is not tackled at the right time with appropriate treatment, patients may lose their entire tongue.

Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai is seeing a surge in the number of tongue cancer patients. "Around 5-6 complex cases of tongue cancer have been treated at Wockhardt Hospital," said Dr ChandraVeer Singh, a consultant otorhinolaryngologist, and head and neck onco surgeon, at the hospital.

The latest case is a 24-year-old woman with stage IVA tongue cancer, who was successfully treated via complex surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Stage IVA tongue cancer: Symptoms and treatment

Reshma Shah (name changed), an event manager and a resident of Mira Road in Thane district, had a 4.5 cm ulcer located right lateral border of the tongue, because of which she was unable to talk, eat or swallow and had mouth pain. She was having these symptoms for over 4 months during the lockdown.

"While working from home, I noticed an ulcer that prevented me from eating spicy foods and had to eat bland food. I was petrified when there was mouth pain, slurred speech, and inability to swallow and eat. My voice changed, and people would not understand what I want to say. I love singing and couldn't sing my favourite songs due to the ulcer and pain.

My world came crashing down after the diagnosis of tongue cancer as it was an unknown entity for me. I thought I will end up losing my entire tongue, and never will be able to speak again," said patient Reshma Shah. 

Before the diagnosis, the patient tried many home remedies like applying honey on the ulcer, having aloe vera juice which provides her no relief.

As time passed, the issue accelerated further, which disrupted her daily routine. Finally, she was referred to Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road wherein she was successfully treated by Dr Singh.

Dr Singh said, "On arrival, the patient came with complaints like mouth pain, inability to eat, talk or swallow, and 4.5 cm ulcer located right lateral border of the tongue. Her biopsy of ulcer, MRI, X-ray, and CT scan investigations revealed cancerous growth was on the tongue which extended to the lymph nodes of the right side of the neck. The ulcer infiltrative lesion arising from ventral surface of the tongue to the entire floor of the mouth, involving almost the entire anterolateral two-thirds tongue and not abutting the mandible in the entire length."

In order to halt the spread of cancer, the patient was scheduled to undergo Hemi glossectomy with FRAFF, followed by 35 cycles of radiotherapy and 6 cycles of chemotherapy.

"The surgery involved the removal of half of the right side of the tongue and adjacent tissues and reconstructive surgery is carried out to restore speech, swallowing and normal appearance. A skin grafting is done on replaced the tissue removed during surgery. The Hemi glossectomy with frat and reconstruction procedure where whole surgical procedure completed in 5 hours. She was discharged after 6 days and she could eat, speak and swallow properly. She was found to be alright on follow-ups," Dr Singh added.

Seek timely intervention

Following the treatment, Reshma is now able to eat solid foods comfortably and her speech quality has also improved, and she can even sing her favourite songs with ease.

"Do not ignore any signs like ulcer or mouth pain, and just seek timely intervention," said elated patient Reshma.

Dr Singh advised people to avoid tobacco chewing, smoking, or consumption of alcohol in any form to prevent tongue cancer. In addition, he said, oral hygiene should be followed, and sharp teeth that can cause ulcers need to be addressed by the dentist.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

 

Babies grasp word meanings even before they can talk

Babies develop a far better understanding of language even before they can speak to us in words, according to a study. 

"Even though there are not many overt signals of language knowledge in babies, language is definitely developing furiously under the surface," said an assistant professor. 

The study,  used eye- tracking software to show that babies also recognise that the meanings of some words, such as car and stroller, are more alike than others, like car and juice. 

By analysing home recordings, the team found that babies word knowledge correlated with the proportion of time they heard people talking about objects in their immediate surroundings. 

"Even in the very early stages of comprehension, babies seem to know something about how words relate to each other," Prof. said. 

"And already by six months, measurable aspects of their home environment predict how much of this early level of knowledge they have. 

"There are clear follow-ups for potential intervention work with children who might be at-risk for language delays or deficits," said the Prof. 

To gauge word comprehension, the Prof. invited babies and their caregivers into a lab equipped with a computer screen and few other infant distractions. 

The babies were shown pairs of images that were related, like a foot and a hand, or unrelated, like a foot and a carton of milk. 

For each pair, the caregiver (who could not see the screen) was prompted to name one of the images while an eye- tracking device followed the babys gaze. 

The Prof. found that babies spent more time looking at the image that was named when the two images were unrelated than when they were related. 

"They may not know the full-fledged adult meaning of a word, but they seem to recognise that there is something more similar about the meaning of these words than those words," he said. 

The Prof. then wanted to investigate how babies performance in the lab might be linked to the speech they hear at home. 

"It turned out that the proportion of the time that parents talked about something when it was actually there to be seen and learned from co-related with the babies overall comprehension," Prof. said.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.   

PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                      

HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM/
FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                       

HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/
FOR CROCHET DESIGNS
HTTP://MY CROCHET CREATIONS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Understanding Stroke

What a stroke means?
Stroke is a medical emergency and a leading cause of death in the world. It occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or, more commonly, when a blockage develops. Without treatment, cells in the brain quickly begin to die. The result can be serious disability or death. If a loved one is having stroke symptoms, seek emergency medical attention without delay.

 

Symptoms

Signs of a stroke may include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the body, especially on one side.
• Sudden vision changes in one or both eyes, or difficulty swallowing.
• Sudden, severe headache with unknown cause.
• Sudden problems with dizziness, walking, or balance.
•  Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding others.
• Call help at once if you notice any of these symptoms.

Stroke Test: Talk, Wave, Smile

The F.A.S.T. test helps spot symptoms of stroke. It stands for:
Face. Ask for a smile. Does one side droop?
Arms. When raised, does one side drift down?
Speech. Can the person repeat a simple sentence? Does he or she have trouble or slur words?
Time. Time is critical. Dial 911 immediately if any symptoms are present.

Time is critical-Brain Damage
Every second counts when seeking treatment for a stroke. When deprived of oxygen, brain cells begin dying within minutes. There are clot-busting drugs that can curb brain damage, but they need to be used within three hours -- up to 4.5 hours in some people -- of the initial stroke symptoms. Once brain tissue has died, the body parts controlled by that area won't work properly. This is why stroke is a top cause of long-term disability.

Diagnosing a Stroke

When someone with stroke symptoms arrives in the ER, the first step is to determine which type of stroke is occurring. There are two main types and they are not treated the same way. A CT scan can help doctors determine whether the symptoms are coming from a blocked blood vessel or a bleeding vessel. Additional tests may also be used to find the location of a blood clot or bleeding within the brain.

 

Ischemic Stroke

The most common type of stroke is known as an ischemic stroke. Nearly nine out of 10 strokes fall into this category. The culprit is a blood clot that obstructs a blood vessel inside the brain. The clot may develop on the spot or travel through the blood from elsewhere in the body.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Hemorrhagic strokes are less common but far more likely to be fatal. They occur when a weakened blood vessel in the brain bursts. The result is bleeding inside the brain that can be difficult to stop.

Mini-Stroke' (TIA)

A transient ischemic attack, often called a "mini-stroke," is more like a close call. Blood flow is temporarily impaired to part of the brain, causing symptoms similar to an actual stroke. When the blood flows again, the symptoms disappear. A TIA is a warning sign that a stroke may happen soon. It's critical to seek emergency medical help if you think you've had a TIA. There are therapies to reduce the risk of stroke.

Causes a Stroke

A common cause of stroke is atherosclerosis -- hardening of the arteries. Plaque made of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances builds up in the arteries, leaving less space for blood to flow. A blood clot may lodge in this narrow space and cause an ischemic stroke. Atherosclerosis also makes it easier for a clot to form. Hemorrhagic strokes often result from uncontrolled high blood pressure that causes a weakened artery to burst.

Certain chronic conditions increase your risk of stroke.

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Obesity

Taking steps to control these conditions may reduce your risk.

Other factors responsible are-

• Smoking
• Getting too little exercise
• Heavy use of alcohol

 A poor diet may increase the risk for stroke in a few significant ways. Eating too much fat and cholesterol can lead to arteries that are narrowed by plaque. Too much salt may contribute to high blood pressure. And too many calories can lead to obesity. A diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish may help lower stroke risk.

Risk Factors Not Under One's Control-
 Some stroke risk factors are beyond your control, such as getting older or having a family history of strokes. Gender plays a role, too, with men being more likely to have a stroke. However, more stroke deaths occur in women. Finally, race is an important risk factor. African-Americans, Native Americans, and Alaskan Natives are at greater risk compared to people of other ethnicities.

Emergency Treatment

For an ischemic stroke, emergency treatment focuses on medicine to restore blood flow. A clot-busting drug is highly effective at dissolving clots and minimizing long-term damage, but it must be as soon as possible, within three -- or much as 4.5 hours for some people -- of the initial stroke symptoms Hemorrhagic strokes are more difficult to manage. Treatment usually involves attempting to control high blood pressure, bleeding, and brain swelling.

Long-Term Damage

Whether a stroke causes long-term damage depends on its severity and how quickly treatment stabilizes the brain. The type of damage depends on where in the brain the stroke occurs. Common problems after a stroke include numbness and/or weakness in the arms or legs, difficulty walking, vision problems, trouble swallowing, and problems with speech and comprehension. These problems can be permanent, but many do regain most of their abilities.

Rehab Therapies- Speech Therapy
Rehabilitation is the centerpiece of the stroke recovery process. It helps patients regain lost skills and learn to compensate for damage that can't be undone. The goal is to help restore as much independence as possible. For people who have trouble speaking, speech and language therapy is essential. A speech therapist can also help patients who have trouble swallowing.

Physical Therapy

Muscle weakness, as well as balance problems, are very common after a stroke. This can interfere with walking and other daily activities. Physical therapy is an effective way to regain strength, balance, and coordination. For fine motor skills, such as using a knife and fork, writing, and buttoning a shirt, occupational therapy can help.

Talk Therapy

It's common for stroke survivors and their loved ones to experience a wide range of intense emotions, such as fear, anger, worry, and grief. A psychologist or mental health counselor can provide strategies for coping with these emotions. A therapist can also watch for signs of depression, which frequently strikes people who are recovering from a stroke.

Prevention measures-

People who have had a stroke or TIA can take steps to prevent a recurrence:

• Quit smoking.
• Exercise and maintain a healthy weight.
• Limit alcohol and salt intake.
• Eat a healthier diet with more veggies, fish, and whole grains.

Medications

For people with a high risk of stroke, doctors often recommend medications to lower this risk. Anti-platelet drugs, including aspirin, keep platelets in the blood from sticking together and forming clots. Anti-clotting drugs, such as warfarin, may be needed to help ward off stroke in some patients. Finally, if you have high blood pressure, your doctor will prescribe medication to lower it.

Surgery

In some cases, a stroke results from a narrowed carotid artery -- the blood vessels that travel up each side of the neck to bring blood to the brain. People who have had a mild stroke or TIA due to this problem may benefit from surgery known as carotid endarterectomy. This procedure removes plaque from the lining of the carotid arteries and can help prevent additional strokes.

Balloon and Stent

Doctors can also treat a clogged carotid artery without major surgery in some cases. The procedure, called angioplasty, involves temporarily inserting a catheter into the artery and inflating a tiny balloon to widen the area that is narrowed by plaque. A metal tube, called a stent, can be inserted and left in place to keep the artery open.

Life After a Stroke

Many people who have a stroke regain the ability to take care of themselves if they follow their rehabilitation plan. Those who get clot-busting drugs soon enough may recover completely. And those who experience disability can often learn to function independently through therapy. It has been shown that 3% to 4% of all patients that experience a stroke will subsequently experience a second stroke.

 THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.








PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-

HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-

HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR CROCHET DESIGNS

HTTP://MY CROCHET CREATIONS.BLOGSPOT.COM