I’ve suffered with hearing problems in one ear for years. I’ve found that holding my nose and blowing improves the issue temporarily. So too does the steam in the shower. What could be the problem?
There are lots of different causes of hearing loss, including an infection, a physical blockage and even just getting older.
A GP can diagnose a build-up of wax, which would normally be treated by over-the-counter ear drops designed to loosen the wax, allowing it to drain out.
The NHS advises against using cotton buds as these can push wax deeper into the ear, making the hearing problems worse or damaging the ear drum.
Another condition that causes hearing loss is glue ear. This is where fluid builds up in the middle ear – the part containing the tiny bones responsible for transmitting sound waves. It typically clears on its own after eight weeks. During this time, some patients find that inhaling steam in a hot shower or over a bowl of hot water helps.
There is also a device called an Otovent, a balloon attached to the nose, that may help speed up recovery from glue ear. It works by using pressure to push air into the ear and drain the fluid.
If glue ear doesn’t go away, a GP would usually refer the patient to an ear, nose and throat specialist. If necessary, small tubes, called grommets, may be surgically inserted into the ear drum to equalise the pressure.
My little finger feels like it’s gone numb. It also gets colder than the rest of my hand. Should I be worried?
It could be a problem with the nerves or the blood vessels.
The nerves control sensations and how we perceive touch, temperature and pain. If there is problem, then patients may experience numbness, tingling or burning in the affected area.
Often it can be temporary – for example, when we lean on a limb too long and it goes numb. Longer term nerve damage can occur as a result of chemotherapy, diabetes and certain vitamin deficiencies.
A specific part of the body going numb would suggest damage to a nerve, maybe as a result of swelling brought on by an injury.
A GP should be able to identify if one of these triggers is the cause or can send patients to hospital for further tests.
A problem with blood vessels may also lead to numbness, and might explain the sensation of feeling cold. One such blood flow problem is Raynaud’s disease, where the blood vessels go into spasm, stopping the circulation in the fingers or toes. The affected skin can turn white, or sometimes blue or purple.
Raynaud’s is more common in people with thyroid issues or certain types of arthritis.
Treatments include keeping joints warm, usually by wearing gloves or thick socks, cutting back on smoking and avoiding stress. Medicines to boost blood flow may also be prescribed.
Aspirin is not a quick daily fix
Many people needlessly take aspirin each day thanks to out-of-date beliefs which put them at risk of serious side-effects.
The cheap tablet is typically taken to combat general pain, headaches, fever and period pain. But many doctors recommended taking it to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks, because aspirin can reduce the risk of life-threatening blood clots forming.
However, the advice has dramatically changed in recent years. More recent research shows that, over time, regularly taking aspirin raises the risk of bleeding in the gut – a serious complication for older people. Yet I regularly see patients who still believe they should be taking it every day.
Have you suffered from aspirin side-effects? Please email me at drellie@mailonsunday.co.uk and let me know.
Liver disease is a crisis – it doesn’t have to be
Liver disease is becoming one of the biggest health crises this country faces – but there is a really simple solution.
When most people hear the words liver disease, they think of excessive alcohol consumption. However, these days most patients have a form known as fatty liver disease – or even non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The liver is one of the busiest organs, performing about 500 functions to keep the body healthy. These include filtering whatever has been digested, allowing the good stuff into the blood to do its thing and pushing toxins out through urine or stools.
It also manages the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.
Fatty liver disease is linked to poor diet and obesity. Over time, as fat from a poor diet builds up in the liver, it causes the organ to shut down.
Liver disease, in all its forms, is now the second most common cause of preventable death in the UK.
Weight-loss and exercises can do a lot of good. However, simple diet changes can make a massive difference – and can even prove life-saving – as they give the liver a chance to repair itself.
These include cutting down on sugar and salt, boosting fibre and protein intake and even, according to some research, drinking more coffee.
Have you managed to reverse your fatty liver disease with diet?
I’d like to hear from you. Please email me at drellie@mailonsunday.co.uk
