When to visit an ENT specialist

Is it just a normal ache or something more serious? An ENT specialist can tell if the malady is a serious one or not.

The human body is a wondrous mechanism that heals itself whenever there is a slight disorder or illness. Adequate rest, taking the right medication and eating nutritious food can treat most health problems and body aches and pains. But some seemingly minor maladies have the potential to develop into bigger problems – and they may not be treated in time because one believes that they are not serious enough to warrant medical attention.

The cold weather brings with it cold, flu, headaches, migraines, body pain, joint stiffness and many other problems. Cold, cough and flu are particularly virulent in this season, and they give rise to such symptoms as clogged nose, scratchy or painful throat, fever and headaches. These are minor enough, but if there are symptoms such as dizzy spells, painful ears, mucus in the ear cavity, a lump in the throat that makes swallowing difficult and dizzying headaches, it is time to see a doctor. These are signs of an infection.

The doctor treating these (and more) problems is known as an ENT specialist. The best ENT specialists in Bangalore treat the problems and infections of the ear, nose, throat, neck and head. Consider the following reasons to visit an ENT specialist in Bangalore:

Ear problems: If you or a family member suffer from perennially blocked or painful ears, reduced hearing, flashes of pain in the ears, ringing or buzzing sound, a sudden feeling that the room is spinning (even if you are lying down or sitting), clear fluid oozing from the ears, etc.

Nose problems: See the ENT specialist for a nose blocked for over a week, no sense of smell despite the cold or cough healing completely, pain in the nose or sinus, sudden breathlessness despite not having a blocked nose, no sensation of taste when eating food, sudden onset of cold without runny nose accompanied by thick, clotty mucus.

Throat issues: If you or a family member suffer from a painful throat for over a week, have difficulty making sounds or framing words, have difficulty swallowing, inability to speak in a higher tone, chronic dry cough or incidence of phlegmy cough despite no allergies or change in weather.

Head and neck pains: These are reasons to see an ENT specialist at once: sudden onset of painful headaches that last for hours, dizzying headaches that impair the vision, heavy or swollen feeling in the head, headaches followed by vomiting, lumps that can be felt with the fingers, difficulty to make facial gestures as before, a ‘collapsed’ facial structure leading to partial facial paralysis, etc.

4 Everyday Things to Do to Prevent the Common Cold During Winter

The common cold, or acute viral rhinopharyngitis or acute coryza, is a condition when the upper respiratory tract is infected, due to a viral infestation, mainly caused by the coronaviruses or rhinoviruses. Catching a cold is so common and recurring because the human body is never able to build up resistance to all the viruses that cause this ailment.

When infected with the common cold, serious complications like Acute Bronchitis, Acute Bacterial Sinusitis, Pneumonia and Otistis Media can follow. It is always advisable to focus on the prevention of common cold, along with relief from its symptoms.

How Do You Catch a Cold?

One can contract the common flu from another person infected with the virus by simply touching or through airborne particles when the infected person sneezes or coughs. More commonly, we can get infected when we touch public surfaces, such as doorknobs, computer keyboards, etc., that could have germs on them. Then when we touch our mouth or nose without washing our hands, the virus then attaches to the lining of the nose or throat. As a result, your body' s immune system sends out white blood cells to fight those viruses. That's when your nose and throat get inflamed, creating a lot of mucus.

However, when the virus overpowers the immune system, infection occurs. When the mucus is penetrated by the virus, it enters the cell that makes proteins and uses this protein building element to manufacture more viruses that then attack the surrounding cells.

4 Things You Can Do for the Prevention of the Common Cold

1. Wash Your Hands Regularly: Hand washing is the primary step for maintaining personal hygiene. When protecting yourself against contagious diseases, washing your hands at regular intervals becomes a necessity. Use a good quality antibacterial soap and scrub it on your hands for at least 20 seconds or more to get rid of viruses completely. Ensure that you scrub the back of your hands, under your nails and in between your fingers, for overall removal of germs. You can use Liquid Handwash with a dispenser for more hygienic cleaning. In case soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based sanitizer like Dettol Instant Hand Sanitizer.
2. Get Plenty of Rest: When you rest, you give your body time to fight off diseases. It is found that if a person is not getting enough sleep, their immune system weakens. Good sleeping habits therefore increase your resistance to the common cold.
3. Eat Foods Rich in Vitamin C: It has been found that the intake of Vitamin C reduces the duration and severity of a cold due to its anti-oxidative properties, which reduce the risk of catching a cold in people who are under extreme physical stress. This important vitamin and antioxidant keeps you strong and healthy. Vitamin C is found naturally in citrus fruits and vegetables, especially oranges, lemons, amla and more. Vitamin C can also be consumed in the form of pills and chewable tablets.
4. Don't Forget to Exercise: Moderate physical activity not only improves your overall fitness, but boosts your immune system too. Since the immune system is the body's natural defense against infections, exercise is the safest way to prevent a cold. Exercise opens up your nasal passages and gives temporary relief to nasal congestion. Low intensity running or brisk walking should be taken up immediately for future prevention of cold. 

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.

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:

http://www.raisehealthyeaters.com/2011/12/pregnant-these-7-nutrients-will-give-your-baby-a-healthy-start/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choline

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DHA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folic_acid

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

How to Help Your Child's Fight Against Pneumonia

Did you know that pneumonia kills 2,500 children every day? According to data updated by UNICEF in August 2016, pneumonia is the leading infection responsible for deaths among children under five. Worldwide, this infectious disease killed 920,000 children in 2015, of which a large percentage was children less than 2 years. Poverty-related factors, such as malnutrition and the lack of sanitation and safe water, are found to be leading causes of this ailment among children in India. The drier and milder climate of cities like Bangalore offer good breeding grounds for such bacteria and viruses, say some of the best pediatricians in the country.

Pneumonia is a condition of lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection, in which the air sacs fill with pus and become solid. It can affect only one or both the lungs. Children might experience symptoms like dry cough, fever, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches.

Malnutrition: A Major Contributor to Pneumonia in Children

About 50% to 60% of children below the age of 5 suffer from moderate or severe malnutrition in India. In case a child suffers from pneumonia, then the severity of the disease increases because of malnutrition, increasing the chances of it turning into a fatal ailment. Malnutrition decreases muscle strength and muscle mass of the child, followed by a decrease in immunity or the power to fight various diseases.

The body secretes an antibody known as IgA, which is reduced in a malnourished child. There is also a decrease in T cells, which help fight infections. Hence, factors that could help with systematic resistance against diseases are missing in a malnourished child. In the country's IT hub, Bangalore, slums are increasing at an alarming rate, which is a major concern of the best pediatricians in the city. Due to poverty, children do not have access to proper food and water. In addition, the absence of breast feeding in the first 4-5 months of birth is also a major contributing factor.

Treatment of Pneumonia

• In case of severe pneumonia, the child needs to be admitted to a hospital immediately, where they will be given fluids and antibodies, along with oxygen therapy and breathing treatments, where needed.
• Children should be given plenty of fluids, which will help loosen secretions and bring up phlegm, recommend the best pediatricians in Bangalore.
• They should also not be allowed to participate in strenuous activities, which could deplete their existing energy level.
• Parents should encourage the habit of carrying a handkerchief everywhere and use it while coughing and sneezing to avoid spreading any infection.

It is strongly advised to take antibiotics, cough medicines and anti-inflammatory drugs only with a doctor's prescription.

What is devotion, and how do you practice Bhakti yoga?

Understanding the state of devotion is crucial to understanding the essence of Bhakti Yoga. Let’s examine the two.

You may have heard of somebody being ‘devoted to their job’ or their spouse or a certain movie star! In your idle moments, you may have wondered what this really means. Is it infatuation? Is it obsession? How is devotion different from love or worship?

Devotion (or ‘bhakti’) is an intangible concept that may take one many years to fully understand. Simply put, it is a state of mind that is driven by intense emotion. Human beings are driven by emotion in daily life. But the difference between emotions driving devotion and other emotions is that the former are pleasant. These pleasant emotions are intense enough to keep one awake at night, just like a person in love cannot sleep at night owing to thoughts of the beloved. Bhakti makes the entire world seem like a lovely place to be in, and life seems rosy and bright.

Uniting devotion with yoga

You have control over only four things in your life: your body, mind, energy and emotion. You can use your emotions to search for and find the ultimate truth in life. This is called Bhakti yoga.

Bhakti yoga is the path of devotion, and it converts unpleasant intense emotions into pleasant ones that light up one’s life. It can be explained in terms of a love affair in which one does not expect a favourable end result – if you fall in love with someone but do not expect them to reciprocate or marry you, but you still continue to love them with the same intensity, that is devotion. Another example is that of Radha’s devotion to Lord Krishna. She did not expect favour or commitment from the Lord, she was a married woman who did not have romantic illusions about her relationship with Krishna. Yet, her devotion to him was unabated.

In the same way, Bhakti yoga is like a love affair multiplied several times over. A person practicing it places their ultimate devotion in God or their Creator, and sends out enduring love towards the Lord. God’s way is the only way, God’s wish is their command. They surrender themselves to God’s will and go along with the rhythms of the universe on a constant path to reach God.

There is no room for expectation of reward in Bhakti yoga. Nor is this devotion an obsession. Over time, bhakti becomes more and more committed to God and His will. It means that the person is able to convert unpleasant, nasty emotions into pleasant emotions at will. It induces a slightly euphoric state that may seem like a trance to the rest of the world. However, one is not in any hypnotical trance, one is simply in abject surrender to the object of one’s devotion. 

4 Major Reasons Your Feet Hurt by the End of the Day

A recent study in India revealed that excessive smoking may not only lead to heart and lung diseases but can also cause peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or in simple words, narrowing of the arteries in the legs. The disease was found in its severest forms in Patel Singh, a resident of Delhi.

Your feet carry the entire weight of your body and any problem faced by them can even lead to a collapse. Just to tell you the importance of these small body parts, the heel bone, which is the largest of the 26 bones present in the foot, not just supports you while walking but also acts as an insulator to absorb the impact of the body weight hitting the ground while you are involved in activities like dancing, running, etc.

It is obvious that there can be many cause of foot pain, given its vital role in our life. Interestingly, stress on your foot is 1¼ times your body weight, which increases to 2¾ when you run.

Common Causes of Foot Pain

1. Injury: One of the common reasons for heel pain in adults is a stress fracture in the heel bone. If you are involved in many activities through the day that involve pressure on the heels, it could trigger this pain. However, it is believed that one episode of injury might not be the reason for pain and repetitive stress fractures are the cause of persisting or frequent pain. Such fractures can occur due to strain on the muscles, bones, ligaments or because of repeated landing on harder surfaces.
2. Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the Plantar Fascia, a tissue that connects the heel bone and ball of the foot, is known as Plantar Fasciitis. Walking in flat shoes is considered to be the major reason for this issue, while in women, it can be triggered by wearing high heels, which lead to the tissue being overstretch. You can use products like Scholl Foot Care to get overcome this problem.
3. Bony Spurs: This refers to abnormal bone growth at the point where plantar fascia is attached to the bone. The reason for this is prolonged strain on the feet, which can occur due to various reasons. It keeps growing in the direction of the stretch, leading to pain.
4. Arthritis: This is a medical condition where your bones become weak and can lead to pain in various body parts. Rheumatoid arthritis is often associated with foot and heel pain. People diagnosed with this condition experience pain if they walk or stand for too long.

Cracked heels can be another cause of foot pain but it can be taken care of easily using a moisturizing cream like Scholl Heel Repair.

If you are facing frequent pain, avoid:

• Standing for long hours.
• Walking too much in a day.
• Getting involved in any physically demanding activities like sports that require running, trekking, hiking etc.
• Travelling for long hours.

Try to get as much rest as you can and have a balanced diet so that body gets enough nutrients to recover.