Med First ENT Centre

  One of the common causes for a parent to rush a child to a medical emergency is ear pain. Once we recollect our knowledge of the anatomy of the ear it is easy to understand that ear infection in children which causes ear pain could be affecting either the external ear or the middle ear.  EXTERNAL EAR INFECTION (OTITIS EXTERNA) Anyone who has experienced ear pain knows how excruciating it can be- this is because the external ear, as well as the eardrum, are richly supplied by sensory nerves.  Causes 1. Furuncle (boil) in the external ear canal- usually caused on account of misguided attempts to clean the ear with earbuds or fingernails, etc. This is a simple bacterial infection that is very painful. The ear is painful to touch. Treatment is usually with ear packing to reduce pain and swelling, local antibacterial cream, analgesics, and if not responding an antibiotic may be needed. 2. Swimmer's ear - usually after swimming in non-treated waters like lakes and ponds. It is caused b

Sore throat, throat irritation, or, using its medical term - Pharyngitis, is a common year-long medical problem. A sore throat is fortunately short-lasting and temporary but sometimes if it persists there may be an underlying sinister pathology. SYMPTOMS There are many common symptoms of sore throat Desire to clear the throat, hawking Soreness/ pain in the throat Foreign body sensation in the throat The feeling of a lump- Globus Cough Difficulty in swallowing Postnasal drip Excessive saliva/ mucus in the throat CAUSES 1. Allergy - Throat irritation is quite often caused by an allergy to something in the environment (like dust, pollen, pollutants, smoke) or to something that we eat or drink. There is usually a clear history of eating indiscretion like too much ice in the beverage, very spicy food like chutneys and pickles, etc. 2. Virus - There are many viruses that cause a sore throat. Viral sore throats last for a short while and are usually self-limiting. There may be accompanying pa