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Why Some People Can't Stop Coughing

  Understanding Refractory Chronic Cough: What You Need to Know   Have you ever faced a cough that simply refuses to subside?   While most coughs resolve independently, some persist for an unacceptable length of time—weeks, months, or even years. This condition is known as refractory chronic cough (RCC), and it is a significant issue that demands attention in the medical community, especially among specialists in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care.   In this blog post, we will clearly outline what RCC is, why it occurs, and the most promising treatments available to those suffering from relentless coughing.     What is Refractory Chronic Cough?   A chronic cough is defined as one that lasts longer than eight weeks in adults. For many individuals, it is associated with conditions such as asthma, allergies, acid reflux, or certain medications. However, there are instances where the cough continues even after these underlying causes have been effectively ad...

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Quinsy Abscess

 How to tell the difference between tonsillitis and quinsy? 🤔🩺 Tonsillitis vs. Quinsy: Spotting the Differences 🩺🤔   Feeling under the weather with a sore throat? It's essential to know the difference between tonsillitis and quinsy. Here's how to tell them apart:   1. Tonsillitis:   Symptoms: Sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, swollen tonsils with white or yellow patches, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and possibly a cough and hoarse voice. Cause: Usually viral or bacterial infections, such as the common cold or strep throat. Treatment: Rest, hydration, over-the-counter pain relievers, and sometimes antibiotics for bacterial tonsillitis. 2. Quinsy (Peritonsillar Abscess):   Symptoms: Severe sore throat on one side, difficulty swallowing, fever, drooling, muffled voice, swollen tonsil on one side, swollen uvula, and possibly a visible abscess on the tonsil. Cause: Complication of untreated or inadequately treated tonsillit...
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Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Are you unable to pop your ears or feeling pressure in your ears? Eustachian tube dysfunction is a very common problem after flu or cold or even after long haul flight when you feel hearing is muffled, feel pressure around the ears and sometimes you feel as if you are underwater. Good news is most of the time it is temporary.  If you try decongestants, antihistamine ( hay fever tablets ) and Valsalva (ie try and pop your ears) things should improve after a few days to a week. Why do we have symptoms of Eustachian tube dysfunction? The eustachian tube is present at the back of our nose and connects the nose to the middle ear. It is there to maintain equal pressure on both sides of the eardrum. The eustachian tube also helps in clearing normal mucus from the middle ear.  Hence opening and closing of this ventilation tube are very important for hearing. Normally every time we yawn and chew this tube opens and closes without us noticing it. So, if this opening of ventila...
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LAX VOX

  LAX VOX  is a vocal therapy technique that can help improve voice quality, relaxation, and overall vocal health. It involves using a unique tube to create  bubbling sounds  while phonating.  Here are the steps for practising LAX VOX: Relax and Focus on Posture and Breathing : Maintain a good posture with a long spine. Relax your face, neck, upper back, and chest muscles, allowing them to release toward gravity. Preparing for Bubbling with Phonation : Place a  silicone tube  (about 35 cm long and 9-12 mm in diameter) between or in front of your incisor teeth and above your tongue. Keep your tongue relaxed (imagine it as a piece of steak) and slightly touch the tube. Hold the water-filled bottle near your body to avoid using shoulder muscles. Inhale through your nose as if you’re yawning with your mouth closed. Prepare for phonation during exhalation, focusing on abdominal and lower back muscles. Finding the Target Voice : Create bubbling sounds with y...
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Boil in the Ear canal can be very painful...

How do I know I have boil in the ear canal? The ear canal is lined by skin up to the eardrum. Skin in the outer third of the ear canal has hair follicles. Hair follicles can get infected with bacteria and can form boil or furunculosis. It is challenging to look in our own ear canal. You can only feel a bump in the ear canal entrance which is tender to touch. Why is so painful when we have boil in the ear? Ear canal skin is very tightly attached to underlying cartilage. So any swelling in the skin stretches it and makes it very sore to touch. How do we get boil in the ear canal?  Most common causes of boil in the canal is dryness of the skin and trauma. Dry skin leads to cracks and these cracks can get infected. People who use dry earbuds, fingers, towel edges or pens and traumatise ear canal skin, which can get infected with bacteria. How do I release the temptation of using earbuds? Some people can get very dry skin due to sensitivity to soup, shampoo o...
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Tonsil Stones or Tonsilloliths

Where do Tonsil Stones come from? Tonsil stones or tonsillolith are formed in the tiny crevices on the tonsil surface. Tonsils are present at the back of the throat. Two large tonsils on each side can catch food particles when we eat. This food debris can accumulate bacteria and give a bad smell. This mixture of bacteria and food debris can become solid to form tonsil stones. Can Tonsil Stones go away on their own? Tonsil stones form due to food particle and bacteria. You can prevent stone formation by regularly rinsing mouth after every meal, good oral hygiene and dental care. Gargling with salt water and gentle use of bud to deliver the stones can help in some cases. Soft water floss can help keep tonsil surface clean. If you have, post nasal drip due to sinusitis, seeking treatment advice from ENT surgeon can help. You should not use sharp objects to clean tonsil stones or make tonsil surface bleed. What symptoms do tonsil stones cause? Tonsil ston...
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Is a Cholesteatoma Life-Threatening?

 A cholesteatoma can be dangerous to your health if left untreated. This abnormal skin growth behind the eardrum can lead to serious complications by damaging crucial structures in the ear. Here’s what you need to know:   Potential Complications:   Facial Nerve Damage: This can lead to facial palsy. Hearing Bones Damage: This may cause deafness and tinnitus. Balance System Damage: This can result in dizziness or total loss of balance and hearing in that ear (known as a dead ear). Brain Risks: The bony barrier between the ear and brain can wear away, increasing the risk of severe infections. Infection Risks: Mastoiditis: Infection spreading into the mastoid bone. Brain Abscess or Meningitis: Infections spreading into the brain. Blood Vessel Blockage: Infection in the mastoid bone can block the main blood vessel, draining blood from the brain. Treatment:   Surgical Removal: Nearly always recommended to prevent these dangerous complications. ...
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Top 10 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Strategies for Tinnitus

 Tinnitus, the perception of ringing or buzzing in the ears without an external sound source, can be distressing and debilitating. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has proven effective in helping individuals manage tinnitus by changing their responses to noise. Here are the top 10 CBT strategies for tinnitus relief.   1. **Education and Understanding**  What It Is: The first step in CBT for tinnitus is understanding what tinnitus is and how it affects the brain. This involves learning about the auditory system and the psychological factors that can exacerbate the condition. How It Helps: By gaining knowledge about tinnitus, patients can reduce fear and anxiety associated with the condition, which can help decrease the perceived intensity of the ringing.   2. **Cognitive Restructuring**   What It Is: Cognitive restructuring involves identifying and challenging negative thought patterns related to tinnitus, such as "This noise will drive m...
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"Exploring Post-Grommet Complications: What You Need to Know"

 Navigating Postoperative Complications of Grommet Insertion: A Comprehensive Guide Grommet insertion, a standard surgical procedure to alleviate symptoms of middle ear disorders, can sometimes be accompanied by postoperative complications. Among these, one of the most frequently encountered issues is otorrhea or ear discharge. Understanding the nature of postoperative complications and their management is crucial for patients and healthcare providers. Types of Otorrhea Postoperative otorrhea manifests in various forms, including early, delayed, chronic, and recurrent. Early otorrhea occurs within four weeks of surgery, while delayed otorrhea surfaces four or more weeks post-surgery. Chronic otorrhea persists for three months or longer, while recurrent otorrhea involves three or more discrete episodes. Studies suggest that ear discharge after grommet insertion affects a significant proportion of patients, with rates varying from 16% to as high as 80%. Prophylactic Measures and Trea...
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Clinical Trials on Tonsillitis

  Tonsillitis, characterized by inflammation of the tonsils, has been a subject of medical interest for decades. After a long hiatus without significant trials, the field has seen renewed attention with several pivotal studies. These trials aim to refine surgical treatments and improve patient outcomes, marking a significant step forward in managing recurrent and chronic tonsillitis.   Key Research Questions Tonsillotomy vs. Tonsillectomy: Is tonsillotomy as effective as tonsillectomy in reducing sore throat days over 24 months? Surgical Techniques for Tonsillectomy: How does the recovery time compare among extracapsular monopolar tonsillectomy, intracapsular microdebrider tonsillectomy, and intracapsular coblation tonsillectomy? Watchful Waiting vs. Surgical Intervention: What is the impact of tonsillectomy, tonsillotomy, and watchful waiting on the quality of life for adults with recurrent or chronic tonsillitis over six months?     The NATTINA Tria...
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“Where Are Your Tonsils? Your Health’s First Line of Defence!”

  Where Are Your Tonsils Located?   Learn About Their Position and Importance for Your Health Have you ever wondered where your tonsils are and why their location is significant for your health? Let's explore the fascinating world of tonsils and understand their crucial role in your body's defence system. What Are Tonsils? Tonsils are two oval-shaped masses of lymphoid tissue located at the back of your throat. They are part of your immune system, which is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against harmful invaders. The tonsils are vital in protecting your body from infections. They are often referred to as the "first line of defence" because they are strategically positioned to catch and filter out germs that enter through your mouth or nose. Where Exactly Are They Located? Your tonsils are situated in the pharynx, just behind the soft palate. There are two tonsils, one on each side of your throat. If you open your ...
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