Monday July 28 / 2008

Monday July 28 / 2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Rick Zamperin.

12:13-12:45: The dentist is in the house! The President of the Ontario Dental Association, based right here in Hamilton, is in the house to take calls about all things dental related!
Guest: Dr. Larry Levin, New President of the Ontario Dental Association. (in-studio)

12:45: Rexall Radio Health Matters segment.
Guest: Irene Hogan.

Swimmers Ear;

Otitis Externa, is an inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal, know more commonly as swimmers ear. External Otitis is one of the two human conditions commonly called “earache”. You can get swimmers ear when bacteria, yeast or fungus grow in your ear canal. This happens when water, sand or other small debris irritate the delicate skin in the ear canal. Swimmers ear is an inflammation or infection of the ear canal. Swimmers ear commonly occur in people who have been swimming but other people can get it too. Other things can irritate the ear canal which includes hearing aids, lots of ear cleaning and eczema of the ear canal. Swimmers ear is more likely to occur if you have a very narrow or hairy ear canal or live in a warm humid climate or have earwax blocking the ear canal. If you have had swimmers ear in the past you are more likely to get it again.

Symptoms:

Swimmers ear can be painful. The pain can get worse when you touch the earlobe or another part of the outer ear or when you chew. Other symptoms can include itching, a feeling of fullness in the ear and a yellowish or brownish discharge from the ear. Your ear canal may be swollen. In severe cases the outer ear can be red and swollen too. If you are diabetic or take medicine that suppresses your immune system, swimmers ear can cause severe problems.

Diagnoses and Treatment;

A doctor will be able to tell you if you have swimmers ear by looking into your ear and asking questions about your symptoms.
• Antibiotic ear drops may be prescribed
• Do not put ear drops or anything else into your ear unless your doctor has told you to.
• Avoid getting water in the ear, until the problem clears up.
• Make an earplug out of cotton that is lightly coated with petroleum jelly ( such as Vaseline) do not use earplugs, as they can make your ears hurt and itch or cause to push earwax deeper into your ear.
• Use a hair dryer to carefully dry the ear after you have had a shower.
• To ease pain, hold a warm moist face cloth against your ear. Take over the counter pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Do not give or take ASA to any one younger than the age of 20, as it has been linked to Reye’s syndrome.


Blog Reporter Rexall #0202 Nadine Janacek