ENTscope » Archive
Nasal endoscopy – How and Why It is Done
Nasal problems often require nasal endoscopy for accurate diagnosis. This is a simple, painless and quick procedure usually performed in the outpatient. If you have been advised to get one, relax and don’t worry. Read on to find out what to expect in a nasal endoscopy procedure. How is nasal endoscopy done Nasal endoscopes are straight, slim rods of about 15cm length and 4 mm diameter. The rods are packed with optic fibres that transmit light. While … Read entire article »
Filed under: Nose
Ear Fungus: Causes and Treatment of Fungal Infection of Ear
When I tell patients they have a fungal infection of the ear, the questions I most often hear are “How is that even possible?” and “Is it serious?”. Otomycosis, the condition characterized by fungus in the ear, is actually quite common. In this post, I will attempt to explain what otomycosis is, how ear fungus occurs, how fungal ear infections are treated and how to care for your ears. How does ear fungus occur If you leave … Read entire article »
Filed under: Ear
Examination of the Nose with Anterior Rhinoscopy
Anterior rhinoscopy is an important part of examination of the nose. I will try to explain how it is done, what instruments you will require for it and what structures of the nose you can visualize by doing it. What is anterior rhinoscopy Quite simply, anterior rhinoscopy is the procedure to examine the nasal cavities. It is called ‘anterior’ rhinoscopy because you look into the nose from anteriorly, through the nostrils (rhino – nose and scopy – … Read entire article »
Filed under: Nose
Middle Ear Infection Symptoms
A middle ear infection occurs when the small cavity in the ear, located just behind the eardrum, gets infected. This space has a connection with the respiratory passage via the Eustachian tube, so it is quite common for respiratory infections to affect the ear, too. This is a list of symptoms of middle ear infections. Earache While there are many conditions that can cause ear pain, an acute middle ear infection (acute otitis media) is one of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Ear
Middle Ear and Inner Ear: Are they Different?
I have seen the terms ‘middle ear’ and ‘inner ear’ often used interchangeably. People sometimes say ‘inner ear infection’ when they really mean a middle ear infection, especially when there is ear discharge. But they aren’t the same thing at all. They are two entirely different parts of the ear with completely different functions. So middle ear infections and inner ear infections are very different entities and have very different symptoms and effects. Let’s find out … Read entire article »
Filed under: Ear
Care of the Ear with Discharge
Is your ear discharge troubling you? Embarrassing you, even? What can you do about it? Is there a way to stop pus from pouring out of your ear? Here are some things you can do to care for your discharging ear. Keep your ears dry This is probably the most beneficial thing you can do for your ear. Keep your ear dry, as in prevent entry of water or moisture into your ear canal. Why, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Ear
How to Diagnose Otitis Media with Effusion
The difficulty with diagnosing otitis media with effusion is due to the fact that there may or may not be symptoms that lead you to suspect its presence. Also, there is great diversity in the appearance of the tympanic membrane with this condition. But with practice, you can learn to accurately diagnose and treat every case of OME. Symptoms of Otitis Media with Effusion Patients with OME are likely to have the following symptoms: Decreased hearing Fullness in the ear Earache Tinnitus But children with OME may or may not have any complaints. Parents sometimes report hearing loss or inattentiveness, but such complaints do not always correlate well with the child’s actual hearing. It may be safe to suspect OME in a child with history of: Recurrent upper respiratory infections Recurrent earache or other ear problems Mouth breathing or snoring However, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Ear, Ear Problems
What is Glue Ear: Otitis Media with Effusion Explained
Otitis media with effusion or glue ear is a common childhood ear condition. Let me first explain what the term means. Otitis media is the technical term for an inflammation of the ‘middle ear’, the part of the ear behind the ear drum. Effusion refers to the collection of fluid in the middle ear. This condition often goes by the name ‘glue ear’, a reference to the gluey, sticky fluid that collects behind the ear drum. So why does this happen? What causes otitis media with effusion to occur and what are the effects of this condition? Let’s find out. What You Should Know About the Ear First A little about how the ear works, first. Behind the ear drum lies a small bone-lined cavity called the middle ear. This cavity contains the three tiny … Read entire article »
Filed under: Ear
Examination of the Larynx – Methods to Visualize the Larynx
The larynx has to be examined when a patient presents with symptoms like voice change or chronic dry cough. But this structure is located deep inside the neck at the level of C4 to C6 and cannot just be visualized by looking into the oral cavity. Here are the various methods by which the larynx can be examined. Indirect Laryngoscopy (IDL) Using A Laryngeal Mirror This is a simple office or outpatient procedure to examine the larynx … Read entire article »
Filed under: Throat
The Discharging Ear – Causes of Ear Discharge
While ear discharge is a common symptom of chronic otitis media, several other conditions also give rise to it. They can be easily distinguished by the features of the ear discharge itself and also by the other symptoms that accompany it. Acute Otitis Media (AOM) This is an acute infection of the middle ear cleft. There is a short history of ear discharge, most often preceded by severe pain. The discharge itself may be mucoid or mucopurulent. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Ear, Ear Problems