Monday 26 December 2016

When to visit an ENT specialist



People are often confused about whether to let their painful ears heal themselves or to visit a doctor. We list the times you must visit an ENT specialist without delay.

Winter has now set in across the country, and the change in weather has brought the common cold and cough with it. Many people suffer from the cold and cough at this time of year. While the cold can resolve itself in a week’s time by causing symptoms such as a runny nose or sore throat, in some cases it can cause bigger problems.

Some people report more painful symptoms related to the common cold and cough. They may experience severe headaches, mild to moderate vertigo, painfully clogged ears and even the sensation of a lump in the throat every time they swallow. These are not normal symptoms of a common cold, but are indicative of an infection. If left untreated, it can progress into a more severe disorder.
If these or other symptoms do not go away in a couple of days, or if they are isolated issues not caused by cold, cough or the flu, it is time to visit an ENT specialist. The ENT doctor (or Otolaryngologist) treats the problems occurring in the ear, nose and throat, as well as the neck and the head. If you or a family member face these problems, it is time to visit the best ENT specialist in Bangalore:

Ear: Improper or low hearing, blocked ears, clogged ears (with mucus), pain in the ears, a tiny ringing or buzzing sound in the ears, a feeling of imbalance or ‘spinning’ of the room when walking or sitting.

Nose: Nose clogged for over a week, no sense of smell after the cold has healed, pain in the nasal cavity leading to the throat, painful sinuses, heavy breathing/wheezing, no sense of taste even when eating pungent or spicy food, etc. 

Throat: Painful or sore throat for over a week, difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in framing sounds or words, difficulty to eat despite having an appetite, inability to raise the voice, chronic cough even without change in weather.

Head and neck: Sudden painful headaches, headaches accompanied by vomiting, lumps or tumours, feeling of heaviness or swelling in the head, different facial movements than before, visible deformities, etc. 

The best ENT specialists in Bangalore can diagnose these ailments listed above and prescribe the course of future medical action. Look for an experienced ENT specialist in Bangalore who will run tests and take down a detailed case history before starting treatment. It is preferable to go to the same specialist in case of recurring ailments because the doctor will be familiar with your history.

Friday 23 December 2016

4 Amazing Nutrients for a Growing Child

According to an article on the PR Newswire website, 20% of kindergarten children lagged behind in cognitive development and 31% in social and emotional development. While the study agreed that schools base their criteria on age, it is also the child’s social, emotional, motor and language skills that define their school success.

Besides encouraging your children to have a healthy foundation that will last them in good stead for the rest of their lives; it equally important for you to ensure that children get the right amount of nutrition that they need to meet their developmental milestones. Following nutrients in food products are very important for children

1.  Choline

Choline is a compound nutrient made up of phosphatidylcholine and is found only in certain kinds of fats. It is similar to Vitamin B and plays a vital role in providing nutrition and energy for the functioning of your child’s brain development. What choline does is allow a very important neurotransmitter in our brains (acetylcholine) which is vital for nerve connections and helps muscle coordination as well.
To ensure that your child gets adequate amounts of choline, include plenty of eggs, cauliflower and sprouts in your child’s diet.  

2.  DHA

You might now know it but over 80% of your child’s brain is composed of fatty acids. These long-chain fatty acids are vital nutrition for children as children’s brains grow at an extraordinary pace. Did you know that before the age of five, 85 percent of their brain development has already occurred? During this stage, it is important that you include DHA in your child’s diet in the form of Enfagrow A+.

3.  Folic Acid

Folate or folic acid is an important regulator of DNA. Folic acid is also needed for the production of red blood cells. A reduction in your child’s folic acid intake will result in a loss of energy and listlessness. According to an article in Nutraingredients, folic acid is also important to neurodevelopment, especially in language development.
To ensure that your child gets enough of folic acid in their diet, include plenty of dark green leafy vegetables), fruits and fruit juices, nuts, beans, peas, beetroot, spinach, liver, yeast, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts.

4.  Lutein

Lutein is a naturally occurring carotenoid that is found in large concentrations in the human eye. It is present in the macula of the retina and deficiency of this nutrient is known to cause macular deterioration of the eyes.
Give your child plenty of turnips, spinach, peas, sprouts, carrot and avocado to meet their lutein requirements.

Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutein