1.  What are nasal polyps?

• Soft, painless growths on the lining of your nose or sinuses.
• They hang down like tear drops or grapes.

2.  What are the causes of nasal polyps?

• They can occur due to asthma
• Allergy
• Recurring infection or
• Certain immune disorders

3.  What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

• Breathing problems
• Loss of sense of smell.
• Frequent infections.

4.  Treatment

• Nasal sprays.
• Sometimes surgery. Even after successful treatment, nasal polyps often return.

1. What are the common causes of headache?

• Migraine.
• Tension headache.
• Sinus headache.
• Others-Neurological.
• Dental caries – referred headache.

2.  When to see a doctor?

• Occur more frequently or severe than normal.
• Don’t improve with commonly available pain killers.
• Prevent you from working, sleeping or participating in normal activities.
• Fever, fainting, disturbed speech. Vomiting etc.

3.  Avoid Headache by avoiding

• Skipping meals.
• Processed food- meat, cheese.
• Chocolate, caffeine.
• Stress.
• Poor posture.

1.  What are the causes of hearing loss?

TwoTypes of Hearing Loss

• Sensorineural hearing loss(Nerve related)-when hearing loss is due to problems of the inner ear, also known as nerve-related hearing loss.
• conductive hearing loss(mechanical)-when hearing loss is due to problems of the inner ear, also known as nerve-related hearing loss.

Causes

• Loud Noise exposure.
• Hereditary.
• Autoimmune inner ear diseases.
• Otosclerosis - a hereditary disorder in which a bony growth forms around a small bone in the middle ear, preventing it from vibrating when stimulated by sound.

2.  Tips to maintain hearing health:

• Wear earplugs when you are exposed to noise for a long time.
• Try not to use several noisy machines at the same time.
• Try to keep television sets, stereos and headsets at low volume.

3.  What can I do to improve my hearing?

• Let friends and family know about your hearing loss and ask them to speak slowly and more clearly.
• Ask people to face you when they are speaking to you. So you can watch their faces.
• Use personal listening systems (Hearing aid) to reduce background noise.

1.  What is Vertigo?

• Feeling unsteady such as light headed, giddy or feeling a floating sensation.
• It may be experienced as an illusion of movement of ones self or environment.

2.  What is motion sickness?

• A nauseating (feeling like vomiting) brought on by the motion of riding in an air plane, roller coaster or a boat.

3.  What is the cause of vertigo/motion sickness?

• Your sense of balance is maintained by

  a) Inner ear
  b) Eyes
  c) Spinal cord & brain
  d) Joints and muscles.

• When the central nervous system receives conflicting message from the four systems, it can cause vertigo.

4.  When should I consult my doctor?

• If you have never experienced dizziness before.
• Experience a difference in symptoms you have had in the past.
• Experience hearing loss.
• Fever, headache, loss of consciousness.

5.  How is dizziness treated?

• Basic Tests- Eye, Ear and Nose check up.
• Additional tests of eye motion after warm water or cold water to stimulate inner ear.

6.  Prevention:

• Avoid rapid changes in position.
• Avoid rapid head motion.
• Eliminate or decrease use of products with tobacco, caffeine, alcohol and salt.
• Get enough fluids.
• Treat infections- Ear infections, colds, flu, sinus congestion.

7.  For motion sickness:

• Avoid strong odours or spicy or greasy food immediately before and during travel.
• Talk to your doctor about medications.