Med First ENT Centre

  Understanding Myringotomy: Relieving Ear Troubles Safely Myringotomy is a surgical procedure aimed at relieving the eardrum from the presence of pus, sticky glue-like substances, or accumulated fluids. In certain cases, tiny tubes known as ‘Grommets’ are delicately inserted into the eardrum to facilitate optimal ventilation of the middle ear. Occasionally, slender tubes known as ‘Grommets’ are introduced into the eardrum to facilitate ventilation of the middle ear. Myringotomy stands as a widely practiced procedure for managing a range of middle ear conditions, encompassing middle ear infections, chronic fluid retention, and barotrauma. During this surgical maneuver, a small incision is meticulously crafted within the eardrum, permitting the orderly drainage of any accumulated fluids. To aid in the drainage process and stave off future fluid build-up, a diminutive conduit, often referred to as a tympanostomy tube or grommet, may be thoughtfully positioned within the incision. Myr...

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...

THE AIR WE BREATHE •Molecules in the air include primarily nitrogen and oxygen as well as water, carbon dioxide, ozone, and many other compounds in trace amounts - some of these are naturally occurring while  others the result of human activity. •In addition to gases, the atmosphere contains extras such as smoke, dust, acid droplets, and pollen. •The composition of the atmosphere changes constantly and depends on the season, weather, time of day etc. WHAT CAUSES  AIR POLLUTION ? Most of the air pollution results from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and petrol/ diesel to produce electricity and power our vehicles.  Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a good indicator of how much fossil fuel is burned and how much of other pollutants are emitted as a result. AIR POLLUTANTS  are of three types •Gases •Particulate Matter Bacteria and Viruses  COMMON AIR POLLUTANTS  ARE •Carbon Monoxide •Ground Level Ozone •Lead •Nitrogen Dioxide •Particulate Ma...

There has been tremendous controversy recently about the "Asymptomatic Patient" - who are they and can they spread Corona virus infection? To understand the terminology in its context, let us look at three different but closely related situations -  1.  The Mildly Symptomatic Patient - This patient of confirmed Covid-19 has mild symptoms like fever, occasional cough or mild breathlessness. They gradually recover without any specialized treatment.  2.  The Pre-Symptomatic Patient -  These patients have been recently infected, have currently no symptoms, but will gradually develop them. They can transmit infection during this incubation period. This is usually about a week from contracting the infection, but could be up to two weeks. 3.  The Asymptomatic Patient  - This is a confirmed case of Covid-19 who never develops any symptom. What makes this disease pursue a relentless and fatal path in some patients and leaves many practically untouched is still ...

Secretory Otitis Media - also called Otitis Media with Effusion, sometimes referred to as Glue Ear is a very common ear condition in children in which there is sterile collection of fluid in the middle ear of the child. The collection of fluid dampens the movement of the ear drum leading to sensation of ear blockage and loss of hearing. There are usually two peaks in a child's life- at 2 years and then at 5 years of age. Secretory Otitis Media (SOM) must be distinguished from Acute Otitis Media (AOM, ASOM) which is usually an infective condition and there is accompanying ear pain, or Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) in which there is usually an accompanying ear discharge. What Causes SOM? The occurrence of SOM in very small children is linked to their poor/ immature immune status. A breastfed infant normally loses maternal antibodies by 18 months of age. At the age of 2 years the child is exposed to the outside environment and other children for the first time - ...

What is an Antibiotic? ANTIBIOTIC ANTI - Against BIOS - Life ANTIBIOTIC = Against Life In its most common use,  an Antibiotic is a medicine that destroys or slows down the multiplication or growth of a Bacteria. How do Antibiotics work ? Antibiotics work by either destroying the cell wall of the bacteria, or interfering with it's growth/ multiplication or by preventing protein formation. Based on their action Antibiotics are either Bactericidal (Kill Bacteria) or Bacteriostatic (Slow down the multiplication of the bacteria so that the body's own defense mechanism can then kill the bacteria). Though Sir Alexander Fleming is credited with having created the first Antibiotic- Penicillin - in 1928, as a class of drugs they were available before this also. In 1909, a highly toxic drug called ' Salvarsan' was used to treat Syphilis. The Sulphonamides were discovered in the 1920s and Prontosil was used to treat infections caused by Streptococcus and Stap...

Many of us live in Apartment Blocks and as the Corona virus continues to ravage our country we are rightfully concerned about the spread in our homes, specially if someone in the vicinity is diagnosed as positive. There are some facts to consider and some steps to take. For Management Be careful, not paranoid. Avoid instilling unnecessary fear among residents. Take precautions -  STAFF All guards and staff to wear  Masks  at all times - discard masks after duty if 3-ply, wash with warm water and dry in the sun if double/ triple layered cloth mask Guards to wear  Face shields  specially when interacting with outsiders, vendors etc - these can be disinfected at end of day and reused the next day Guards to wear  Gloves  which are disposed off once shift is over FACILITY Keep  hand sanitizers  at all convenient locations including Lifts, Block entrances, Floor entrances Encourage hand washing - dedicated wash basins with Soap...

The highly infectious nature of the Corona virus has everyone scrambling to get PPE.  PPE - Personal Protective Equipment - protects various parts of the body from catching the virus through contact. The concept of PPE is not new, nor is it related specifically to the health care worker. Many industries and workers use PPEs, including defence personnel.  NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical- now NBRC, including Radiological)) warfare scare led the defence forces to prepare a comprehensive PPE. Industrial workers faced with gas leaks or nuclear accidents need to use PPEs. PPEs help to protect various parts of the body from contracting an infection or a gas or radiation. What all needs protection? Eyes -Goggles, Face Shields Face - Face Mask, Face Shields Hands- Gloves - single or double layered depending upon level of exposure Feet - Shoe covers Body- impervious body suit Head Cover/ Hood - for health care workers. Pic courtesy Times of...

We are at that time of the year when most of us will enter the swimming pool to 'beat the heat!' Though swimming is a wonderful full body exercise, it can sometimes cause problems in the ears, a condition called  'Swimmer's Ears' . Due to the constant presence of water in the ears, and sometimes because of swimming in unclean waters of rivers and ponds  etc the ears get infected leading to 'Swimmer's Ears'. CAUSES OF ITCHY EARS Wax accumulation - The presence of wax in the ears, specially when it gets excessive or dry may cause the ears to itch Eczema and other skin problems - It must be understood that though the ear is a separate organ by itself the skin on the outside portion of the ear and ear canal is the same as skin elsewhere - so skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis can affect the ears as well Dandruff - dandruff from the scalp can enter the ear canal and cause intense itching - it needs to be treated aggressively Use of ...

A Hearing Aid is a device that amplifies sound and transmits it into your ears. PARTS OF A HEARING AID A traditional Hearing Aid will have the following components: Microphone - this picks up sound around you Amplifier - this makes the sound louder for you. Receiver - sends sound into your ear. The sound is louder TYPES OF HEARING AID  Depending upon the type and degree of  hearing loss , patient profile, ear anatomy, etc different types of hearing aids are prescribed. These commonly are: ITE - In The Ear - These are discreet and though visible they fit into the ear canal. Though preferred by patients on account of the fact they are practically invisible, the truth is that these hearing aids can only be offered to patients with a mild or moderate hearing loss. Unfortunately, by the time patients decide to use hearing aids their hearing loss is usually in the severe category and these hearing aids may not be adequate. RIC - Receiver In canal - This open fit...

One common emergency that ENT Surgeons are called upon to see is a fishbone stuck in the throat. A mishap of this kind is usually followed by an immediate sharp pain in the throat corresponding to the area in which the fishbone is lodged.  There may also be coughing, difficulty in swallowing, foreign body sensation in the throat and sometimes some blood-stained oral secretions. Realizing that they have swallowed fishbone patients usually resort to many well-tried home remedies. These are Forceful coughing or attempted vomiting Drinking dilute Vinegar with the hope of breaking down the bone Drinking aerated water/ soda Swallowing a large piece of bread soaked in water with the hope that the weight of the bread will dislodge the bone Swallowing a large morsel of rice or eating a banana Self attempts at removal of the bone - these can sometimes be dangerous and lead to serious trauma in the throat In case home remedies fail kindly visit your nearest ENT Spe...

Did you wonder why frequent hand washing with soap is being touted as the single most important precaution we can use in our fight against the Coronavirus?  The RNA sequenced SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped virus. It is a tiny bit of protein surrounded by a layer of fat.  Soap is a Surfactant - it reduces surface tension.   The bubbles in the soap reduce the surface tension on the lipid layer of the Virus thus releasing the protein and the virus dies.  This process needs foam (so bubble up the soap in your hands) and time - 20 seconds. And that is truly the cheapest, easiest, and one of the best ways of staying safe! And do it frequently, especially if you have entered the house from a visit outside. 2. Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Alcohol, in a minimum concentration of 60 %, preferably 70 % and above is effective in eliminating the virus. Alcohol denatures the protective outer proteins of the virus and dissolves the cell membrane thus killing it. Th...