Ear pain is scientifically called otalgia. It can be caused by many reasons and is common in adults as well as children. The cause of the ear pain should be accurately identified for prompt and effective treatment. If you are suffering from ear pain, read on to learn how to get relief. If there is no improvement visit a doctor immediately.

Prescription Medications for Ear Pain Relief

Based on the cause, your doctor would prescribe the appropriate medicine. If ear ache is because of infection, the physician will recommend ear drops to treat inflammation. For infection-related ear pain, oral antibiotics or antibiotic drops are normally prescribed.

OTC Medications for Ear Pain Relief

You can buy over-the-counter medicines at any store for your ear pain. NSAIDs, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can give fast ear pain relief. Antiseptic ear drops are also available that can relieve your ear pain. If there is no improvement within 24 hours or if the ear seems swollen, visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Home Cures for Ear Pain Relief

• Avoid sleeping on the affected ear to alleviate pressure exerted on it.
• Grind some holy basil leaves to make a juice and place this juice in the impacted ear.
• Crush and boil a few garlic cloves, then add a pinch of salt. Place this mixture in the ear. The antibiotic properties of garlic help to reduce inflammation.
• Use a dropper to drop some hydrogen peroxide inside the ear for pain relief.
• Heat a small quantity of mustard seed oil, then cool it. Then, filter this oil and apply to the painful ears. Just a few drops can reduce pain.
• Chewing gum can open up the Eustachian tube and provide
  

  ear pain relief

  .

• Make a juice from tender mango leaves and warm it. Apply a few drops of this juice in the impacted ears to treat earache.
• Put some fenugreek seeds in linseed or mustard oil. Warm this mixture a little bit. Then, cool it down and filter the oil before applying to the ear. Just a few drops of this oil can completely eliminate ear pain.
• Add a garlic clove to some sesame oil and warm it. Put a few drops in each ear to get relief.
• Mix eucalyptus essential oil, grapefruit seed extract and garlic oil and apply inside the ears using a dropper. Do this several times a day for
  

  ear pain relief

  .

How to Avoid Ear Pain

As well all know prevention is better than cure. So, keep objects like cotton swabs out from the ear canal. If you are exposed constantly to loud noises, use good ear protection. Wash your hands thoroughly at frequent intervals, especially during cold and flu seasons. Allergies can also cause ear pain, so treat them early to prevent ear pain.

]]> http://www.drgranny.com/2011/10/07/ear-pain-relief/feed/ 0 http://www.drgranny.com/2011/09/29/how-to-cure-sore-throat/ http://www.drgranny.com/2011/09/29/how-to-cure-sore-throat/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 03:51:48 +0000 admin http://www.drgranny.com/?p=3752

Sore throat can be a problem as it can cause difficulty while swallowing. Most times, sore throat can be cured with a few simple home remedies. But sometimes, a viral or bacterial infection may be the cause of your sore throat. In such a case, you need to visit a doctor to get antibiotic prescription drugs to cure your sore throat. Read on and learn a few easy tips on


how to cure sore throat

.

Cures for Sore Throat

• Mix salt in warm water and gargle a few times daily
• Drink plenty of liquids to stay hydrated
• An effective home remedy is to mix honey in warm tea and drink it
• Use a humidifier or steamer in the bedroom
• Take pain killers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• You can also try over-the-counter throat lozenges to cure sore throat.

When to See a Doctor

If your sore throat lasts for more than five days, it is a cause for concern. Watch out for the following symptoms and consult a doctor immediately, if you experience any of them:

• Prolonged and severe sore throat
• Difficulty in breathing
• Difficulty in swallowing
• You have trouble in opening your mouth
• Fever over 101 degrees
• Rash
• Ear pain
• Joint pain
• If the sore throat keeps recurring
• Hoarseness of voice that lasts for more than two weeks

If the doctor recommends antibiotics, take the full course of medicines and do not stop mid-way if symptoms improve. This may lead to a recurrence of the sore throat attack.

Home Cures for Sore Throat

• Mix some honey and lemon juice in warm water and drink this mixture. It is sure to give you pain relief.
• Mix some cayenne pepper in hot water. Sip this drink slowly to
  

  cure sore throat

  .

• Make a tea by mixing some dried chamomile blossoms in boiling water. Steep this tea and drink it through the day.
• Besides warm salt water, you can also try gargling with aloe vera juice to
  

  cure sore throat

  .

Herbal Cures for Sore Throat

• Chew on some pieces of garlic. This is a great remedy for sore throat.
  Make a tea by adding marshmallow root to boiling water. Drink this tea three times a day.
• You can also prepare and consume honeysuckle tea. Add honey to make it sweet if you like it that way.
• Mix basil leaves in water and gargle with this mixture. You can also drink it to get relief.

Summary

In most instances, you can


cure sore throat

yourself by following the above home remedies. But, if the symptoms become worse, stop using the home remedies and consult a doctor immediately.

]]> http://www.drgranny.com/2011/09/29/how-to-cure-sore-throat/feed/ 0 http://www.drgranny.com/2011/04/09/ear-infection-symptoms-in-adults/ http://www.drgranny.com/2011/04/09/ear-infection-symptoms-in-adults/#comments Sat, 09 Apr 2011 05:54:05 +0000 admin http://www.drgranny.com/?p=3070 Ear infection is primarily caused by viruses or bacteria that enter the ears. Ear infection in adults is due to Eustachian tube infection that is situated near inner ear. This connects inner ear to nasal passages for to drain fluid from ears and to balance the pressure between interior and exterior of body. But the ear gets infected if the mucus or fluid blocks Eustachian tube. Ear infections in adults are of three types:

1. Otitis interna:

   This is also called labyrinthitis or inner ear infection.

2. Otitis externa:

   It is also known as swimmer’s ear or outer ear infection.

3. Otitis media:

   This is the most common type of ear infection in adults.

Ear Infection Symptoms in Adults:

Following are some of the symptoms of ear infection in adults.

Fever:

In some cases, ear infection is associated with fever. The temperature in the infected person may range from 101 – 102 Fahrenheit. However, one may not suffer from fever always, even if has ear infection. Thus, if you experience other ear infection symptoms, you must not wait for fever for initiating the treatment.

Nasal Congestion:

This is one of the most common symptoms of ear infection in adults. This can be a initial symptom. However, many people fail to identify this as ear infection sign and mistake it to be a common cold symptom. If nasal congestion is accompanied with other symptoms, it must be a nasal congestion.

Difficulty in swallowing:

Swallowing and chewing of food can cause ear pain. Thus, most people find it a difficult task to eat, that eventually leads to loss of appetite. This is the often prevalent in children because they can’t communicate the pain while swallowing food. The major symptom to detect ear infection is loss of appetite.

Sleeping problem:

Often ear infection interferes with sleeping patterns of a person. Ear pain prevents a person to have sound sleep. This further causes irritability.

Diarrhea and Vomiting:

The virus or bacteria which trigger ear infection can afflict the digestive system too. This can result in diarrhea and/or vomiting in a person. This condition is often mistaken to be a symptom of stomach upset. Diarrhea and vomiting may not be a symptom always.

Hearing loss and dizziness:

Temporary hearing loss and dizziness are always attributed to ear infection. Rarely, one may experience a state of confusion or loss of balance.

Other


ear infection symptoms in adults

include pulling or tugging of ear ends, blockage of ear and fluid oozing from ear.

]]> http://www.drgranny.com/2011/04/09/ear-infection-symptoms-in-adults/feed/ 0 http://www.drgranny.com/2011/02/07/inner-ear-infection-symptoms/ http://www.drgranny.com/2011/02/07/inner-ear-infection-symptoms/#comments Mon, 07 Feb 2011 05:17:57 +0000 admin http://www.drgranny.com/?p=2524 Inner ear infection is an inflammation which develops in inner ear. Inner ear contains system of tube and canals such as structures known as labyrinth. It functionality is to send signals to brain to recognize the sound and find out the vertical directions. Labyrinth is afflicted in inner ear infections. Scientifically inner ear infections are called labyrinthitis.

Often inner ear infections are caused by viral or bacterial infections in inner ear. Symptoms of this can become pretty serious, if not treated in time. Following are some commonly noticed inner ear infection symptoms.

Inner Ear Infection Symptoms:

People with the weak immune system are more susceptible to inner ear infections. Below lines give information on some early and also advanced symptoms of inner ear infection symptoms in children and adults.

Inner Ear Infection Early Symptoms:

Following are some of the early symptoms that are noticed in the initial days of infection:

• Double vision
• Photo phobia
• Vomiting
• Joint pain and neck pain
• Headache
• Jumping vision
• Ringing in ear
• Fever

Inner Ear Infection Advanced Symptoms:

In the advanced stage, that is when the infection becomes very serious, following symptoms are noticed:

• Panic attacks in some people
• Fatigue
• Ear pain (it can happen in early stage also)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Body developing intolerance to cold and heat
• Slurred or impaired speech
• Forgetfulness
• Temporary hearing loss or sometimes permanent hearing loss
• Motion sickness
• Jumbling and confusion

Remedies for Inner Ear Infection:

This may last for a week or a couple of weeks, but must be treated immediately, because it may reoccur. Following are some easiest and safest home remedies for inner ear infection:

Sesame oil and ginger:

Take equal quantities of sesame oil and ginger juice and put a few drops this mixture in ear to get relief from infection.

Garlic:

It acts like an excellent anti-microbial against the infections. Warm little amount of garlic oil and add a few drops to ear. This gives relief from pain.

Olive oil:

This is another best remedy for inner ear infection. Warm olive oil, just above the body temperature and put a few drops in ear. After sometime, rinse the ears with warm water.

Headstands:

Standing on the head can help in treating ear and sinus problems. Also it clears Eustachian tubes.

]]> http://www.drgranny.com/2011/02/07/inner-ear-infection-symptoms/feed/ 0 http://www.drgranny.com/2009/06/30/tonsil-stones-treatment/ http://www.drgranny.com/2009/06/30/tonsil-stones-treatment/#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:55:42 +0000 admin http://www.drgranny.com/?p=1176 Tonsil stones are globs of foul smelling whitish/yellow material which form at the back of the throat. They are also called tonsillolith.

Tonsil stones are made of mucus and calcium layers. They are formed in small cavities present in the tonsils. Tonsil stones are not harmful, but they can be a nuisance.

Symptoms of tonsil stones

• Tonsil stones often create a sensation of a foreign body stuck in the throat.
• Bad breath is a common feature of tonsil stones. If you have chronic bad breath, you may be a victim of tonsil stones.
• Larger tonsil stones may result in sore throat, bad taste at the back of the tongue, tonsil swelling, etc.

Causes of tonsil stones

There are only theoretical reasons regarding formation of tonsil stones. Here are some

• Oral bacteria
• Dead white blood cells
• Mucus secretions
• Overactive salivary glands
• Residual of enzyme action on food stuck in the tonsils

Treatment of tonsil stones

Self treatment

Tonsil stones can be removed by the patient himself through various methods.

• A quick brushing with a toothbrush may remove surfaced tonsil stones.
• Another way to remove tonsil stones is by pressing a finger or cotton swab against the bottom of the tonsil and pushing upward. This can squeeze out the stone. Use an analgesic like Chloraseptic to suppress the gag reflex while removing the stone.
• To remove a stone without stimulating the gag reflex, simply flex the throat, raise the tongue to the roof of the mouth and swallow. This will cause the tonsils to tense up and may result in the tonsil stone popping out.
• A medicine dropper, especially one with a curved tip, can help to suck out the stones if they are small.
• To remove them painlessly, you can also try irrigating with warm salt water.Empty a nasal spray and fill it with warm water and salt and use it like an irrigator.

Sometimes, tonsil stones will naturally loosen from the tonsils with time.

Surgical treatment

• For large stones, an ear curette is used.. It comprises a long thin metal stick with a tiny metal loop at the end.
• Some other ways include using a crochet needle, a cotton swab, or an unfolded paper clip.
• A longer term cure is using a laser to clear out the stone.
• A tonsillectomy is usually not recommended, but will provide permanent relief.
]]> http://www.drgranny.com/2009/06/30/tonsil-stones-treatment/feed/ 0 http://www.drgranny.com/2007/04/16/how-to-remove-ear-wax-at-home/ http://www.drgranny.com/2007/04/16/how-to-remove-ear-wax-at-home/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:17:37 +0000 http://www.drgranny.com/?p=613 Follow these tips to remove ear wax safely at home:
1. Take some baby oil, mineral oil or olive oil in a spoon and warm it slightly. Lie on your side and put few drops of oil in your ear canal. Allow the oil to remain for few seconds so that the wax will melt. Then lean your head to one side so that the oil will flow out naturally from your ear.
2. You can also use ear drops available in the pharmacy to melt and remove ear wax.
3. Put 2-3 drops of warm onion juice in each ear.
4. Put few drops of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide in each ear for 10 minutes. 
5. Vitamin C will help reduce the chances of ear infection.
6. One drop of alcohol after bathing can also prevent excessive earwax.
7. Do not remove ear wax using pen or any other stick like object.

Our body produces ear wax to trap the dirt from outside. So it is not advised to remove ear wax unless it becomes too excessive, creates problem in hearing or causes ear infection.
 

]]> http://www.drgranny.com/2007/04/16/how-to-remove-ear-wax-at-home/feed/ 0 http://www.drgranny.com/2007/04/13/home-remedies-for-nosebleed/ http://www.drgranny.com/2007/04/13/home-remedies-for-nosebleed/#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:17:34 +0000 http://www.drgranny.com/?p=609 High altitudes, high blood pressure, cold, flu, sinuses, inflammation of the nose and excessive uses of analgesics are some of the causes of nose bleed.
1. Smell freshly cut onion to stop nose bleeding within seconds.
2. Apply ice packs around the nose area.
3. Juice of pomegranate flower should be inhaled deeply.
4. Snuff tea made of goldenseal several times during the day.
5. Heat oil with pepper and put few drops of it in your nose.
6. Drop lemon juice into the nostrils for relief.
7. Juice of fresh coriander leaves can also be used as nasal drops.
8. Consume food items rich in vitamin K. Nosebleed can be prevented by taking chlorophyll supplements and eating green leafy vegetables.
9. Cayenne, goldenseal and white oak are herbs that help reduce bleeding.
]]> http://www.drgranny.com/2007/04/13/home-remedies-for-nosebleed/feed/ 0 http://www.drgranny.com/2007/03/24/how-to-preventtreat-your-child%e2%80%99s-ear-infection-at-home/ http://www.drgranny.com/2007/03/24/how-to-preventtreat-your-child%e2%80%99s-ear-infection-at-home/#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2007 11:27:29 +0000 http://www.drgranny.com/?p=573 Ear infection is a very common occurrence among children. Ear infection is usually referred to as “otitis”. Ortitis are of two types called otitis media and otitis externa. It is the otitis media that is most common among children. It is an infection in the middle part of the ear which is situated behind the ear drum.

Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nose and throat. When the Eustachian tube gets blocked due to cold or throat infection, the middle ear gets filled with fluid and causes infection.

The most common symptoms of ear infection in children are fever and pain in the ear. Children usually pull their ear when they have pain or itching sensation in the ear.

To


prevent

ear infection

in your child,

1. Use ear plugs while swimming in pools, lakes or ponds, as the bacteria from these water bodies could infect your child’s ear.
2. Ask your child to use disposable tissues to blow his/her nose and also to cover their mouth while coughing. Dispose off the tissue paper after use; avoid reusing it.
3. Breast feeding reduces the chances of ear infection in children.
4. Do not bottle feed the child by making them lie down. Keep your baby’s head above the stomach level while bottle feeding.
5. Parents should avoid smoking in front of children. Smoke increases the chances of ear infection.

What can you do at home to


treat ear infection

?

1. Give your child some pain reliever before bed time. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Advil, Motrin and Aleve and acetaminophen such as Tylenol and Tempra will give your child instant relief from pain.
2. Do not give aspirin to anyone below the age of 20.
3. With proper rest and care at home, most of the ear infections get cured on its own. This method is called “observation point” where the child is saved from the inconveniences and side effects of antibiotics. He/she is now under the observation of the parents.
4. Use a heating pad or a warm wash cloth to apply heat to your child’s ear. This will give your child relief from pain.

If your child does not find relief or get cured of the infection, then consult a doctor.

]]> http://www.drgranny.com/2007/03/24/how-to-preventtreat-your-child%e2%80%99s-ear-infection-at-home/feed/ 0 http://www.drgranny.com/2006/10/31/yoga-for-eyes/ http://www.drgranny.com/2006/10/31/yoga-for-eyes/#comments Tue, 31 Oct 2006 09:27:09 +0000 admin http://www.drgranny.com/health-news/yoga-for-eyes/ There is a special importance attached to Eye Exercises in Yoga. It is best to do eye exercises while lying down. You can even do them by standing or sitting straight.

When doing these exercises, keep your eyes open and don’t move your head or body. Keep your spine erect. Hands on the knees and head straight. The whole body must be motionless. Do not move anything except eyes.

Eye Exercises:

1. Stand and raise your eyes to find a small point that you can see clearly without straining or moving your head. Look at this point each time you raise your eyes.

Then lower your eyes to find a small point on the floor which you can see clearly while glancing down. Look at it when lower your eyes. Keep your breathing normal.

2. Look up by moving your eyes as far as you can, and then downwards as far as you can. Repeat this three to four times. Blink a few times quickly to relax the eye muscles.

3. Now do the same, using points on your right and left side, at eye level. Keep two pencils on each side as points at the eye level. You can use your fingers also for this. Look to the right chosen point, and then to the left. Repeat this four times. Blink several times, then close your eyes and rest.

4. Now choose a point you can see from the right corner of your eyes when you raise them, and another point that you can see from the left corner of your eyes when you lower them, by half closing the lids. Look at the chosen point in the right corner up and then to the one in left corner down. Repeat this four times. Blink several times. Then close your eyes and rest.

5. Now do the same in reverse, by choosing a point in left corner up and right corner down. Repeat four times. Then Blink several times. And close your eyes and rest.

6. Take a pencil, or use your finger, and hold it under the tip of your nose. Then start moving it away, without raising it, to a distance where you can see it clearly without any blur. Then slowly move the pencil nearer to your nose and then move it farther away, and keep looking at it. Then blink a few times.

7. Close your eyes tightly, so that the eye muscles contract. Hold for three seconds, and then let go quickly. This exercise lets your eyes relax. Blink your eyes a few times.

8. Then do this exercise called ‘palming’, that relaxes and soothes the tired eyes. It is an ideal way to finish off the eye exercises. This is also good for preserving eyesight. This exercise also has a beneficial and relaxing effect on the mind.

Briskly rub your palms to heat them and place the cupped palms over your eyes. Place your hands over your eyes for several minutes. Then rub again and repeat. Keep the neck straight and don’t bend your head. Deep breathe, while palming.

]]> http://www.drgranny.com/2006/10/31/yoga-for-eyes/feed/ 2