sinus – Hello Doctor

Stop hay fever in its tracks!

August 31st, 2020 by The Hello Doctor Team

Spring is almost here! We love that it means the end of winter, but it can also set off those horrible spring allergies! Sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes may feel just like you have a cold, but if it’s Spring-time, you may be suffering from hay fever. Luckily, there are ways to prevent and treat the symptoms of hay fever.

Prevent an attack!

Hay fever is an allergic reaction caused by something known as a trigger. The most important step is to figure out what triggers your hay fever, and to stay away from it – these are common hay fever triggers:

Grass, tree and weed pollen
Dust mite and cockroach allergens
Rodent, cat, and dog dander
Mould spores

If you have an allergy to pollen, here are some useful prevention tips:

Wear wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes when you are outdoors
Change your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors, to remove any pollen on your body and in your hair
Stay indoors as much as possible when the pollen count is high (over 50)

How to manage a hay fever attack

If you suffer an attack of hay fever, these are the usual treatment options:

nasal sprays
inhalants
oral anti-histamines
oral decongestants

Chat to your pharmacist about which are best for you and remember to ask about side effects such as drowsiness, which can be dangerous if you need to drive or operate machinery.

Why is your jaw hurting?

September 18th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

We don’t tend to think much of our jaws…until it gives us problems. Your jawbone connects to your skull with two joints; called temporomandibular joints (TMJs). These are found just in front of your ears and allows you to open and close your mouth. Your jaw also holds your teeth and gums.

If you experience jaw pain, you’ll struggle to do everyday things like eating and speaking, and it’s usually due to something that’s gone wrong with your teeth, gums or the TMJ.

Common symptoms of jaw pain include a clicking sound when you open your mouth, pain or aches around your face, ears, or, headaches, dizziness, vision problems and ringing in your ears.

Reasons for jaw pain

Sinus problems

Your sinuses are filled with air and located close to the jaw joint. If they become infected with a virus or bacteria, then excess mucus will be produced. The mucus puts pressure on the jaw joint which causes pain.

Teeth clenching or grinding

Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw (also known as bruxism) can happen even when you’re not conscious of it, like during sleep. This can lead to both tooth damage and jaw pain. Stress can also cause you to clench your jaw or grind your teeth.

Dental problems

Conditions like gum disease, damaged teeth, abscesses, and tooth gaps can cause jaw pain.

Cluster headaches

This kind of headache is severe, causing pain behind or around your eyes and one side of your face. It can affect your jaw as well.

Arthritis

Some types of arthritic conditions like osteoarthritis and osteoarthrosis can affect both sides of the face, causing swelling, jaw pain, limited movement of the jaw, stiffness and tenderness.

Neuropathic pain

Long-term pain which happens when nerves become damaged. It sends pain signals to the brain which can affect the jaw.

Prevention

Take small bites of food when eating.
Avoid crunchy foods, chewing gum, and biting your fingernails.
Eat soft, liquid foods like pasta and soup.
Avoid yawning widely.
If you’re often stressed you may suffer with frequent jaw pain. Try getting a massage, meditating and aerobic exercise for relief.
Avoid grinding your teeth.
See your dentist regularly to keep your teeth and mouth healthy.
Avoid carrying bags on your shoulders for long periods.

Jaw pain treatment

Heat or ice packs

To relax your jaw, run warm water on a washcloth and apply to your jaw. For jaw pain, put ice into a plastic bag or on a thin cloth. Apply it for 10 minutes. Give your jaw a break and then apply the coldness again. Use at 10-minute intervals for either option.

Over-the-counter pain medication

Ask your pharmacist or doctor about pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with jaw pain.

Massage your jaw

Press the sore areas of your jaw using your index and middle finger, including the areas near where your jaw joints attach. Rub in a circular motion five to 10 times. Open your mouth, and repeat. To decrease tension, massage the sides of your neck as well.

Antibiotics

If your jaw pain is caused by an infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

If you’re not sure what the cause is, why not chat to one of our doctors? They can help you get to the bottom of it!

References:

6 types of headaches and how to treat them

December 8th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

It’s crunch time. Exams are around the corner and your stress levels are through the roof.

This, unfortunately, also affects your concentration levels and you find yourself with a headache at the end of each day.

According to research conducted by The Headache Clinic, 18% of women and six percent of men suffer from migraines. A headache is not just a headache. There are different types, caused by different things. Popping a pill to ease the tension isn’t always enough; you should identify where your head hurts and know which treatment is best to get rid of the ache.

Headache types:

1. Migraine

Two words; intense and severe! The throbbing and pulsating pain is on either side of your head (left or right) and brings on extra symptoms like nausea, weakness, vomitting, numbness, pain behind one eye or ear, pain in the temples, seeing spots or flashing lights, sensitivity to light and sound and a temporary loss of vision.

Ease the pain with over-the-counter medication that can alleviate the tension. But don’t just rely on painkillers. Find relaxation techniques that work for you and help reduce your stress – which will keep migraines at bay.

Try heat therapy; apply a warm compress to your head and lie down in a dark room.
Get regular massages if your budget can afford it.
Do regular neck and back exercises. Try relaxation techniques that may be able to reduce stress.
Take deep breaths and try to meditate through the pain.
For severe, recurring migraines, you might benefit from migraine-specific medication. These can be prescribed by a neurologist.

2. Tension

This pain is normally compared to someone squeezing your head. The pain is felt on the temples of your head. It’s a tight band-like sensation. This headache begins in your forehead, temples, or the back of your head and neck.

Ease the pain with calming herbs and supplements that contain magnesium. Magnesium is essential for managing stress. You can also work on relaxation techniques. Find a quiet place to sit and consciously relax all your major muscles. Start with your toes and work upwards, progressively relaxing your legs, thighs, hips, stomach, shoulders, arms, neck and face. Imagine feeling as “boneless” as possible – as if your body is made from rubber. Stay as relaxed as possible for as long as you can. Take deep breaths and focus on a peaceful picture in your mind.

3. Sinus

A headache caused by sinusitis. It’s a dull and throbbing pain around the eyes, cheeks and forehead.

Ease the pain by taking it easy and resting. The headache is treated by treating the cause. Drink plenty of water. Normal painkillers and decongestant nasal spray or drops can reduce pain and unblock your nose.

4. Thunderclap

It’s all in the name. A thunderclap headache is severe. It may come on with full force in less than a minute and can last for about five minutes. There are no triggers or warning signs. You may also experience pain in the neck area, nausea, vomiting and weakness.

Ease the pain by getting medical help immediately. The headache can be caused by life-threatening conditions like a brain aneurysm (a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain), stroke, or a brain haemorrhage (bleeding in the brain).

5. Cluster

Intense and severe. This headache feels like someone’s poking your eye from the inside. A cluster headache can wake you up in the middle of the night with intense pain in or around one eye on one side of your head. It happens in recurring patterns or clusters; usually every day or several times a day. A single attack may last from 15 minutes to three hours.

Ease the pain: Over-the-counter medication doesn’t usually work for cluster headaches. See a doctor for prescribed medication.

6. Exertion

This headache is provoked by an activity during the day. It happens anywhere around the head. It can be one-sided, pulsating, aching, or even make you nauseous.

Ease the pain: Take a painkiller or an anti-inflammatory before sitting down to study to keep the problem and symptoms at bay.

When to see a doctor

Don’t take pain relievers more than three times a week, because you may get rebound headaches (medication-overuse headaches). Headaches can range from mild to severe. Identify and treat them as early as possible. Pay attention to the time before the headache starts for signs of an aura (visual or sensory disturbances). Speak to your doctor about these signs so you can get advice on how to better treat your headaches.

References

What colour is your snot? This is what it could mean

May 16th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Mucus is important. This slimy substance lines your throat, lungs, nose, sinuses and mouth for protection and support. The moist film in your nose helps it to stay lubricated. Your mucous helps keep you healthy by protecting your lungs when you breathe as it helps get rid of dirty particles in the air. In fact, you produce up to one and a half litres (four to six cups) of mucus in a day!

What your nose debris says about you

Clear. This is normal. Your nasal tissues produce mucus that consists of water, protein, dissolved salts and anti-bodies.

White. You’re either congested, or it’s byproducts from dairy. Thick, cloudy mucus is caused by your nasal tissues becoming swollen and inflamed. This slows down the flow of your mucus. Your white boogers could be a result of allergies or dehydration.

Yellow. Your immune system is fighting off a bacterial infection or virus.

Green. Your immune system is fighting off the infection. If the colour persists for more than a week or you develop a fever, see your doctor.

Blue. A certain bacteria called Pseudomonas pyocyanea is the cause of blue snot. If it becomes thicker, see your doctor.

Pink or red. Your nasal tissues may have become dry, broken or irritated. The red colour is blood.

Brown. You may have inhaled something, or your blood has dried up. Smoking also causes this.

Black or grey. Dirt and pollution are the main causes. If you’re not a smoker, you may have a serious fungal infection. See your doctor.

Why do we get a runny nose in cold weather?

There are cells in your windpipe and nostrils called the cilia. It works to help sweep mucus down the throat. The cell becomes inactive in cold weather, and this little lapse in normal routine causes mucus to run down the nose.

Good to know

Snot is just dried-up mucus that comes out of your nose.
Phlegm is a mucus-based substance produced in the lungs and respiratory system. You can only cough up phlegm; it doesn’t come out of your nose.
Sputum is a coughed-up mixture of mucus and saliva.
Postnasal-drip is the substance that flows from the nasal cavity down the throat.

References

Is this a migraine or a sinus headache?

February 28th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

You feel the familiar throb of a headache beginning and just like that your day is ruined. Everyone gets a headache from time to time, and they can vary tremendously in severity to disrupt your life.

It’s important to know the type of headache you have so that you can treat it properly. It’s easy to confuse a migraine and sinus headache, but there are differences. Your sinuses are air-filled spaces inside your forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of your nose. When they’re inflamed, it’s usually from an allergic reaction or infection. These conditions make your sinuses swell, creating more mucus, and causing blockage in the drainage channels.

The build up of the pressure in your sinuses causes the pain that feels like a headache. A migraine on the other hand, feels similar but happens suddenly, without warning. A migraine may be steady or abrupt and varies in intensity. It may be provoked by illnesses that affect your head or neck, like a dental problem. It often subsides after a few hours with the help of OTC (over-the-counter) medication.

Sinus headache symptoms

Pain in your head and particularly your forehead.
Itchy or watery eyes.
Pain when you move.

Migraine headache symptoms

Pain in your head and particularly your forehead.
Itchy or watery eyes.
Pain when you move.
Nausea or vomitting.
Sensitivity to sound or light.
Severe throbbing on one side of your head.

Treatment

Sinus

Sinus treatment varies depending on the intensity of your symptoms. Treatment include:

Pain relievers
Nasal irrigation to ease sinus pressure
Antibiotics or nasal steroids for infection

Treatment for migraines

Migraine treatment isn’t just about stopping it once it starts. It’s about preventing and reducing how often you get them, how long they last, and their force. Try:

Pain relievers.
Preventative medication to prevent migraines.
Triptans to constrict blood vessels to block pain pathways in your brain.
Anti-nausea medication.

Prevent the pain

Relieve emotional stress. Unwind and step away from stressful situations when you can. Learn how to calm yourself with deep breathing.
Minimise physical stress. Get proper rest and sleep every day. If you sit for long stretches, get up and move around often. Relax your jaw, neck, and shoulders.
Exercise regularly. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
Stick to a routine. Eat your meals and snacks at about the same times during the day. Go to bed and wake up on a set schedule.
Know your triggers. Keep a diary to learn what sets off your headaches. Avoid these things when possible.
Practise prevention. Once you know your triggers, take preventative medication to stop a headache in its tracks.

References:

Doctor extracts live cockroach from woman’s skull

February 9th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

It’s the stuff of horror movies: an insect burrows itself into your skull, driving you mad until desperation drives you over a cliff. Except this isn’t a horror movie, and the woman who had a cockroach in her skull is still alive and well.

What happened?
According to news sources, a 42-year old woman from India woke up with a painful sensation behind her eyes. She rushed to the clinic, where her nasal passages were rinsed, and she was sent home. Since the pain didn’t go away, the woman went back to the hospital, where physicians examined her nasal passages with an endoscope and the horrible truth was revealed: “I saw some tiny legs moving inside,” said Dr MN Shankar, the ear, nose and throat specialist.

How did cockroach get there?
The cockroach must have entered the woman’s nose while she was asleep, burrowing itself deep into the nasal passages, almost to the base of her skull. It was in so deep, the doctor had to use an instrument similar to a vacuum cleaner to extract it. The procedure took 45 minutes, after the cockroach had been stuck there for about 12 hours.

Could this happen to me!?
This case is extremely rare. The hair in your nasal passage is very sensitive, so if there is a tickling sensation, your brain will trigger a reaction causing you to sneeze, slap or scratch your face: even while you are fast asleep. It’s the same reflex-like action that you might have seen in prank videos, where shaving cream is poured into a sleeping person’s hand and their nose is tickled!

So, why didn’t this woman’s reflex wake her up?
There are a number of reasons:

She might have been in a very deep sleep, numbing her sensations. In this case, she may not have felt the cockroach before it was too late.
She may have been intoxicated, or on sleeping tablets. This has the same effect as deep sleep, numbing your ability to react to sensations.
It’s also possible that, when the cockroach entered her nose, she did react, and may have reached for her face, or scratched her nose. In this case, she may have frightened the cockroach, who then burrowed its way in deeper to escape her reach.

How can I be sure this doesn’t happen to me?
Your best bet to protect yourself from such an unpleasant invasion is to keep your house as clean as possible. Don’t drink so much alcohol that you black-out, and sleep on a raised bed – not on the floor.

Most importantly, though: don’t let this story keep you awake at night. Just think how awful the poor little cockroach must’ve felt: you wouldn’t want to be stuck in someone else’s nose for 12 hours!

Sources:
http://www.news24.com/World/News/doctor-extracts-live-cockroach-from-womans-skull-20170209
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/08/health/live-cockroach-skull-trnd/index.html

How to stop sneezing and sniffling this spring

November 17th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

“Bless you!”

ARRRRGH! Hay fever is annoying. If the endless sneezing, stuffy nose and scratchy throat are getting the better of you, here’s what you can do.

Continue reading “How to stop sneezing and sniffling this spring”