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07/07/2021

Anatomy and common conditions of the ear canal
What is it?
Infographic
Itchy ear canal
Blocked ear
Other conditions
Ear care
Contacting a doctor
Summary
The ear canal is a small, tube-like pathway that extends from the outer ear to the eardrum. In addition to helping a person hear, the ear canal has many other functions, such as protecting the delicate inner ear from bacteria and dirt, and warming air before it enters the inner ear.

A range of health problems can affect this sensitive area, including infection, inflammation, and injury.

Read on to learn more about the ear canal, its anatomy, and some of the health conditions that can affect it.

What is the ear canal?
The ear canal, or auditory canal, is a tube that runs from the outer ear to the eardrum.

The ear has outer, middle, and inner portions. The ear canal and outer cartilage of the ear make up the outer ear. The ear canal transports sound from the outer ear to the eardrum, which is in the middle ear.

The ear canal is fairly exposed to the environment. That is why it protects itself with many specialized glands, which produce earwax, or cerumen.

The sticky earwax prevents insects, dust, and debris from entering the sensitive middle ear through the ear canal. It also repels water, protecting the ear canal and eardrum from damage.

The ear cleans itself by moving the wax gradually out of the ear canal, carrying any debris with it. The wax then dries and falls out of the ear, typically in small flakes.

Infographic

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Anatomy of the ear canal.
Common causes of an itchy ear canal
Many people experience itchy ears at some point. Although they may find it bothersome, this symptom does not typically indicate a serious problem.

Various conditions can contribute to itchy ears, including:

Allergies
In some cases, allergies can cause itchy ears. For example, food allergies, allergic rhinitis, and allergies to substances such as hair spray could cause the ears to itch.

Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts to specific foods as if they were harmful pathogens, such as parasites or bacteria. By contrast, allergic rhinitis can be due to pollen or dust mite allergies.

If an allergen is causing itching inside the ears, identifying and avoiding it can reduce symptoms. A person can also take over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines.

Skin conditions
Some skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema, can affect the ear.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition that causes raised plaques on the skin that can sting, itch, or burn.

Eczema is a group of conditions that cause patches of inflamed, itchy skin. Ear eczema may cause flaky, dry skin around the ear canal, as well as swelling.

Common causes of a swollen or blocked ear canal
The ear canal can become blocked by swelling, pus, earwax, and foreign objects.

Earwax blockage
If too much earwax collects in the ear canal, it can cause an obstruction. Sometimes, this results from cotton swab use. Pushing cotton swabs into the ear can compact earwax and push it farther inside the ear, causing a blockage.

People can often treat earwax blockages using olive oil drops, or medicated drops from a pharmacy. Sometimes, however, treatment from a doctor is necessary to remove the accumulated wax.

Swimmer’s ear
Ear canal swelling can be due to swimmer’s ear. This is the common name for an ear canal infection that a person can acquire while swimming. However, people who spend a lot of time outdoors can contract the infection as well.

Bacteria, and occasionally fungi, can cause swimmer’s ear. The symptoms includeTrusted Source:

inflammation in the ear canal
pain
discharge from the ear
Doctors usually treat this condition with antibiotic eardrops.

Surfer’s ear
Surfer’s ear causes bony growths to appear in the ear canal. Doctors believeTrusted Source the condition develops when people frequently experience exposure to wet, cold conditions, such as when surfing, diving, or doing other water sports.

The only way to treat surfer’s ear is to remove the growths via surgery. People can help prevent the condition by wearing special earplugs while in the water.

Other conditions of the ear canal
Many other conditions can develop in the ear canal, such as:

Abscesses
An abscess is a lump that contains pus. Abscesses can develop spontaneously or as a result of an infection. Symptoms of an abscess in the ear canal include:

pain
itching
irritation
swelling
temporary hearing loss
a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear
To treat an abscess, a doctor creates a small incision on the abscess to drain it. A person will then need antibiotic drops.

Narrowing of the ear canal
In some people, the ear canal can narrow. Doctors call this stenosis of the external auditory canal.

People can have this condition from birth or acquire it later in life. Among potential causes areTrusted Source surgery, radiotherapy, malformation, and chronic infections.

Treatment can include surgery to repair and widen the ear canal.

Cholesteatoma
A cholesteatoma is a noncancerous growth that can develop in the ear canal, although this is uncommon.

While people can have cholesteatomas from birth, they usually develop over time, typically following repeated infections.

Cholesteatomas can expand and block the ear canal, erode the bone of the ear canal, as well as cause chronic infections.

Cholesteatomas can lead to various problems and complications. That is why doctors usually opt to remove them through a small surgical procedure.

Conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss is a form of hearing impairment that involves the outer ear. Any type of obstruction in the ear canal, including stenosis, growths, and infections, can be a potential cause of the condition.

Signs of hearing loss include difficulty understanding spoken words, especially in a crowd or with a lot of background noise. People may also experience a gradual muffling or dulling of sounds.

For some, it is possible to remove the cause of the obstruction and restore hearing. Others may benefit from implants that deliver sound to the eardrum.

How to care for the ears
People can care for their ears and reduce the risk of developing common ear canal conditions by following some simple steps. These include:

Gentle cleaning: When cleaning the ear, it is important to clean the outer part only. A person should not push objects such as cotton swabs into the ear. It is normal to have some earwax inside the ear canal, as the ear uses wax to clean itself.
Protection from water: If a person regularly swims, surfs, or does other water sports, they need to protect the ears from bacteria and cold, wet conditions. They should wear protective hoods or earplugs and carefully dry the ears after getting out of the water.
Eardrops: If a person has a buildup of earwax, they can use olive oil or almond oil eardrops to soften the wax. People may also be able to purchase OTC medicated eardrops for minor ailments, such as mild infections.
Learn how to clean the ears safely here.

When to contact a doctor
A person should consult a doctor promptly if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms in the ears:

persistent itching
swelling
a feeling of pressure or fullness
pain
discharge
hearing loss
People should not attempt to remove blockages manually at home. If eardrops do not help soften impacted earwax, they should seek medical attention.

A healthcare professional will know how to remove the accumulated wax without risking hearing loss or damage to the ear canal.

Summary
The ear consists of three distinct areas: the outer, middle, and inner ear. The ear canal, which is part of the outer ear, is a tube that connects the cartilage on the outside of the ear to the eardrum.

Many conditions can affect the ear canal, including infections, earwax blockages, and skin disorders, such as eczema. If a person experiences any symptoms, a doctor can diagnose the cause and recommend the best treatment.

People should not insert any objects, including cotton swabs, into the ear canal.

06/07/2021

*ADHD* *IN* *CHILDREN*

What to do if a child with ADHD cannot sleep
Medically reviewed by Akilah Reynolds, PhD — Written by Zawn Villines on June 28, 2021
ADHD and sleep
What helps?
Sleeping pills and melatonin
ADHD medication side effects
Other causes
When to seek help
Sleep disturbances are common in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Hyperactivity may cause sleeplessness, and sleeplessness appears to exacerbate ADHD symptoms.

This information was confirmed in 2014 by researchers in the BMJ Open medical journal.

The relationship between ADHD symptoms and sleep problems can create a cycle that is challenging for children and their parents and caregivers. However, many strategies can help kids with ADHD have better sleep.

In this article, we look at the relationship between ADHD and sleep, techniques for improving sleep, and when to seek support from a doctor.

Does ADHD cause difficulty sleeping in children?

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Most studies on the subject suggest that ADHD can cause difficulty sleeping. For example, the research from 2014 suggests that 50–95% of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including ADHD, have trouble sleeping.

Behavioral insomnia is the most common cause, according to this research. The term refers to insomnia that is caused by bedtime habits and behavior, rather than an underlying medical condition or medication. Behavioral insomnia may cause children to resist sleep, wake up frequently, or need more help from caregivers to fall asleep.

Adults with ADHD also experience insomnia. A 2017 studyTrusted Source found that 66.8% of adults with the disorder experience insomnia, compared with 28.8% of adults without ADHD.

A number of factors may contribute to insomnia in children with ADHD, including:

Sleep hygiene: This refers to the habits that help people sleep well on a regular basis. If a child is often hyperactive in the evening, it may be difficult to teach them good sleep hygiene practices, such as winding down before bedtime or going to sleep at the same time regularly.
Caregiver fatigue: People who look after children with ADHD during the day may feel worn out by bedtime. This can make it harder to manage resistance, implement a routine, and encourage healthy sleep practices.
Mental health conditions: Children with ADHD and depression or anxiety may have difficulty falling or staying asleep as a result of their mental health condition. Addressing this effectively may improve their sleep problems.
Other medical conditions: Some children with ADHD have other medical conditions that worsen their trouble sleeping.
How to help children with ADHD sleep
There are many ways to help kids with ADHD get to sleep more easily. They include:

Addressing the child’s needs before bed
Children sometimes use tactics to delay going to sleep. These can include asking to go to the bathroom or asking for food or a glass of water. Addressing these types of needs before bed, as part of a routine, can make it easier to spot and stop these delay tactics.

Before a child needs to go to sleep, try:

making sure that they have had enough to eat — avoiding products with caffeine, such as chocolate or cola
placing a cup of water near their bed
taking them to the bathroom
helping the child learn to use the bathroom on their own at night
Reducing anxiety and dependence on caregivers
Some children feel dependent on their parents or caregivers to fall asleep. They may want a caregiver to rock them to sleep or lie next to them. They may also use delay tactics to keep their caregiver around for longer.

Children can behave this way because they are afraid of bad dreams, the dark, or simply of their caregiver leaving them. This is called separation anxiety. It is normal in young children, and it can persist as a child grows up.

Reducing anxiety around sleep can help children feel less dependent on adults. Try:

installing a night light
giving the child a comfort object, such as a stuffed toy
teaching them relaxation techniques
talking with them about their worries during the daytime, not in the evening
gradually encouraging a child to get used to separating from caregivers, using the graduated extinction method
For any nighttime fears or phobias that are preventing sleep in older children, it may help to ask a doctor about cognitive behavioral therapy.

Establishing a healthy sleep environment
Where possible, create an environment for sleep that is calm, cool, and quiet. Allow the child to help with this, as they can tell adults what makes them feel comfortable and safe. This may mean:

moving objects around so that they do not cast scary shadows
moving the bed to another place in the room
letting the child choose their own bedding or pajamas
removing things that they find distracting, such as ticking clocks or screens
Maintaining a consistent routine
A consistent bedtime routine can help children fall asleep more easily. Try:

checking that the child’s bedtime is appropriate for their age
sticking to the same sleep schedule, even on weekends
doing the same, predictable tasks before bed every night, such as brushing the teeth, combing the hair, or reading a bedtime story
avoiding activities that are too stimulating, such as watching TV or playing video games, in the hours leading up to sleep
Implementing sleep hygiene
Try making the child’s sleeping area or bedroom a place for calm activities and relaxation time only, rather than a place for more active play or punishment. This helps preserve sleep hygiene and strengthen the association between the bedroom and sleep.

Similarly, try to discourage children from using screens or doing homework in bed. If a child is used to using screens right up until sleep, try reducing their usage so that they stop 5 minutes before bedtime, then 10 minutes, and so on.

If a child often wakes up during the night or early in the morning, it can help for them to get up and do something boring until they feel sleepy again, rather than lie in bed unable to sleep. Try pointing out some quiet activities that the child can do on their own if they wake up. Some options might be:

reading a book
listening to an audiobook
listening to relaxing music
Establishing healthy daytime practices
Changing daytime habits can also help improve sleep. A person might try:

avoiding all sources of caffeine, including cola, chocolate, tea, or coffee
encouraging kids to get active earlier in the day
reserving calm, quiet activities for later in the day or for the evening
Can children take sleeping pills or melatonin?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medication for sleep disorders in kids. Giving sleeping pills to a child without a doctor’s guidance can be dangerous. It also may lead to further sleep problems if the child becomes accustomed to taking them.

Similarly, a person should not give melatonin to a child unless a doctor recommends it. While some melatonin occurs naturally in the body, the supplements that a person purchases qualify as a medication — they can interact with other drugs and cause side effects.

A 2010 review found that melatonin may be an effective sleep aid for children with ADHD, but confirming that it is safe in the long term requires larger studies.

In cases of behavioral insomnia, changes to sleep-related behaviors, such as bedtime routines, are often very effective and can create long-term improvements. A 2015 trialTrusted Source found that behavioral changes may lead to:

an improvement in the child’s sleep, ADHD symptoms, and daily functioning
better behavior at school
improved working memory after 6 months
increased work attendance for parents
It is important to try these approaches first, before medication.

Can ADHD medication cause insomnia?
Stimulant medications can reduce many ADHD symptoms. This may help with insomnia, especially when hyperactivity makes getting to bed difficult.

However, stimulants also increase the activity of the central nervous system. And insomnia is one of the most frequently reported side effects of common ADHD medications, such as methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin).

If sleep disturbances begin or worsen after a child starts taking ADHD medication, consult a doctor. It may help to lower the dosage or have the child take their medication earlier in the day.

06/07/2021

*COVID-19* *and* *Menstruation*
Is there a link between COVID-19 vaccines and changes to a person’s menstrual cycle? There have been many anecdotal reports, so Medical News Today’s Maria Cohut, Ph.D., spoke with researchers, physicians, and several people who have noticed changes to their own cycles to see what might be going on.

In Can COVID-19 vaccines affect periods?, we look at the prevalence and nature of these changes, the number of reports for each type of vaccine in the United Kingdom, and what researchers think might be the cause.

It is not yet clear which biological mechanisms may be responsible, but the researchers we spoke with have some theories, including the role of preexisting clotting or autoimmune disorders, individual hormonal characteristics, and increased stress resulting from the pandemic. Whatever the cause, these changes usually resolve quickly, often within a few days of vaccination.

However, these reports highlight the importance of both including menstruating people in clinical trials and keeping the public fully informed about potential issues they may encounter after vaccination.

12/01/2021

Always seek the advice of a Pharmacist or a health care Practioner before starting a medication. For instance people took a lot of dexamethasone with the hope of preventing covid-19 without knowing that they were bringing down their immune system, thereby exposing themselves to easy attack by the deadly virus. Wash your hands regularly, sanitize your hands as often as possible, do not touch your nose, eyes or mouth except after washing them. Use your face mask always, some people are healthy carriers, avoid social gathering if you must attend go with your hand sanitizer and keep reasonable distance in the gathering.

08/09/2020

Migraine is a type of headache that causes debilitating pain (which is a throbbing pain at the front or side of the head).

07/09/2020

Did you know?
The only difference between a drug and poison is the AMOUNT you take? As little as an extra pill of some medicines can cause serious adverse effects or even lead to death!

-Do not take drugs without prescription
-Do not take more than the prescribed dose
-If you miss a dose, do not take two doses to make up and always comply with the instructions of your healthcare giver
REMEMBER HEALTH IS WEALTH.

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