Impact and Importance of Good Sleep

The vital role of good sleep cannot be undermined in the good health and well-being of our lives. Sound sleep at the right time protects our safety, physical and mental health and also the quality of life that we lead. That is because, during the sleeping phase, the body is continuously working to support the healthy functioning of the brain and maintain our physical fitness. These processes are interrupted due to irregular sleep.

The importance of sleep can be entailed as follows -

• Controls body temperature and metabolism
• Maintains the working of the body  immune system
• Helps in controlling the proper functioning of the brain and aids the memory restoration process
• Ensures proper circulation in the blood vessels for maintaining a healthy heart
• Stimulates tissue repair and growth(in children) as growth hormone is released during the sleeping phase
• Sustains the blood glucose levels and regulates the appetite

Impact of Good Sleep

• Maintains cardiac health by controlling the blood pressure and cholesterol levels which are the major risk factors for causing stroke and heart attacks.
• Helps in preventing cancer, particularly breast and colon cancer, by regulating the melatonin hormone levels which prevents tumour growth.
• Reduces stress which would otherwise cause hypertension. The production of stress hormones impairs the normal functioning of the organs and creates hurdles in falling asleep easily.
• Prevents deterioration due to aging by decreasing inflammation which is known to cause diabetes, heart problems and cancer.
• Increases mental alertness to keep you fully energized and active during the day. This constructive engagement helps in doing our routine tasks efficiently which in turn, induces better sleep cycle at night.
• Enhances the memory by assisting the brain in creating linkages between the memory, sensory inputs, feelings and events resulting in better mental processing abilities.
• Assists in losing weight by balancing the hormone levels of ghrelin and leptin which regulate appetite and control the metabolism for proper nutrient assimilation.
• Decreases the chances of depression by preventing deficiency of the serotonin hormone.
• Stimulates the body to repair itself due to the damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays, stress and other harmful substances. This is because the body produces proteins during sleep which are the cellular building blocks for repairing the damages caused.
• Taking a few short naps during the day boosts productivity and decreases stress levels. It is also beneficial in enhancing the moods, memory and cognitive functioning of the brain and is a refreshing alternative to caffeine consumption.

Common Sleeping Problems

• Insomnia - Here there is difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep or awakening at unusually early hours of the day. Treatment may include behavioural, psychological, medical approaches or a combination of these.
• Snoring – Loud and unpleasant sounds called snores are generated during sleep due to blocked airways. In mild cases, the cure for snoring can involve making simple lifestyle changes. Treatment for snoring in severe cases includes using nasal snoring solutions or oral appliances and treating chronic allergies. Surgery for snoring may be inevitable for correcting structural problems in the nose. Laser surgery for snoring using Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty is an effective treatment that tightens the throat tissues.
• Sleep Apnea - In this the breathing process is disrupted frequently during sleep. Symptoms of sleep apnea include very loud snoring, gasping for breath, insomnia and morning headaches. The effects of sleep apnea can cause serious consequences like high blood pressure, stroke, depression, heart attacks and worsening of hyperactivity. Sleep apnea treatment includes usage of airway pressure devices. Chronic cases need surgery for tissue removal, jaw repositioning, implantation or endoscopic sinus surgeries for improving sinus ventilation.

Poor sleep has several long-lasting detrimental effects on our health, unfortunately. So please consult the ENT Doctor immediately for any sleeping problem.

Ear Infection – Overview, Symptoms & Treatments

Ear infection occurs in the middle ear & the portion behind the eardrum due to viral or bacterial infection. Ear infection can either be chronic or acute. Acute ear pain stays for a short duration but very painful. Whereas, chronic ear infection recur often which can affect & damage the middle & inner ear.

If you are facing severe pains inside your ears, then the cause of the pain need to be detected first and to avail the accurate treatment. Fluid build-up and inflammations inside the Eustachian tube are the two instant consequences of painful ear infections.

If you are experiencing the pain on and often then be serious & take necessary precautions to reduce the severity of the issue. There are advanced treatments available today to overcome hearing difficulties & any kind of hearing disorders. It is recommended to have regular medical check-ups to keep your ears healthy & clean.

Causes of ear infection

• Allergies
• Sinus infections
• Colds
• Tobacco smoking
• Excessive mucus accumulation
• Swollen or infected adenoids

Common signs of ear infection

• Severe pain is one of the most prominent ear infection symptoms. You should never neglect this symptom at all rather you are requested to visit the nearest ENT specialist immediately. Though pulling or tugging ears can cater you temporary relief but if you want to eliminate the root cause, then doctor consultation is a must.
• Sometimes, fever might occur due to chronic ear-pains.
• Bloody or yellowish thick fluid discharge can be another commonest symptom of ear infection. This mostly indicates burst or hole within eardrums.
• Grumpy behaviour, vomiting and appetite loss.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Dizziness and balance disorder.
• Trouble hearing or extreme sensitiveness towards loud noises.
• Pressure or fullness feeling within eardrums. Popping or ringing of ears can also be experienced. Ear-rubbing can help in releasing pressure to some extent.
• Hear-loss causes in extreme cases.
• Severe headache from time to time.

Children are more prominent to get ear infection than adults as their Eustachian tube is short & narrow. When you notice the symptoms in your children then do consult a Paediatric ENT. The incident rate is much higher in infants. Climatic changes, altitude changes are the risk factor leading to ear infection.

Best treatments for ear infection

• Ear infection medication is one of the best treatments and you will get instant relief by choosing the same. In most of the cases, antibiotics are being prescribed by ENT specialists so that quick recovery can be ensured. Some medicines that can be safely used in this regard are ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Children having ear pains are often recommended Aspirin & ear drops for immediate pain relief.

• Warm-compress is an easiest means that can cater immediate results. It can be practiced at home by using moist and warm washcloth. The washcloth needs to be placed over your ears for minimizing the painful sensations. You are free to repeat this procedure for three to four times in a day whenever you are facing a chronic ear pain due to infections.

For more information, mail us: info@vikramenthospital.com  /  call: +91-422-2550633

Cochlear Implants - Are You a Candidate?

Cochlear implant surgery is a surgery done by placing an electronic device to replace the function of the inner ear. Unlike the hearing aids these implants do not amplify sound, instead they send sound in the form of electrical signals (by bypassing damaged parts of the ear) through the auditory nerve to the brain.

The surgery is safe and therefore you can rely on the same for improving your hearing ability. This surgery for hearing loss is suitable for both seniors and kids who have got auditory issues.

Who Can Benefit From Cochlear Implants?

• The Cochlear implant procedure is suitable for -
• Patients who suffer from moderate to acute hearing loss in both the ears
• People who are born deaf
• Those who are not benefited from other hearing aids

However, the candidacy for this procedure can also be confirmed by an ENT specialist after a thorough examination.

The Procedure

• A cochlear implant surgery is carried out under general anaesthesia which ease the severity of the pain experienced.
• A small incision will be made behind the ear and a hole will be made on the bone through which the implant will be inserted
• Next step will be to insert the electrode into the cochlea (inner ear)
• A component called the receiver will be inserted into a pocket made behind the ear. This ensures that the device is held in place and is close to the skin to transfer the electrical signals.

Recovery

The entire process lasts between three to four hours. This is not a major surgery but the patient may have to stay overnight for observation. There would be a few stitches and bandages behind the ear and the patient will have to return after a week for a follow-up.

When can the patient start to hear?

The patient will not be able to hear soon after the operation. You can hear only after you receive the external parts. There would be a waiting period for 3 to 6 weeks to ensure that the wound has healed completely and once the swelling goes away your doctor will do the fitting and programming. The patient will then work side by side with audiologists and speech therapists to improve communication.

Precautions

There are no severe restrictions for people living with implants; however, they should avoid contact sports since it can cause damage to the implant. And since the implant parts are made of metal you will not be able to get an MRI scan.

Benefits of cochlear implants

• Hearing-loss is a severe issue and hearing-aids don’t work for everyone. This is the reason ear implants for hearing loss have been gaining massive popularity.
• Bilateral hearing can be highly facilitated by cochlear implants. Sounds from two-ears are being merged effectively and so that you can hear sounds clearly. More dimensional and richer sounds will be delivered to your ears with the usage of these implants.

Factors affecting cochlear implants

• Cochlear implant procedure is dependent on hearing-loss severity.
• Cochlear condition.
• Medical conditions.
• Practising intensity of these implants.
• Hearing-loss tenure.
• Best features of cochlear-implant devices
• Cochlear-implant devices can be mechanically operated and they are medically approved devices preventing hear-loss.
• Damaged inner-ear functionality can be completely replaced by these devices for improving hearing capacity.
• These devices have got better compatibility with MP3players, mobile phones and other related audio devices.
• Innumerable wearing options can be availed out of which the best one can be chosen that can fulfil your lifestyle needs.
• Remote controls can be used for making flexible usage of these devices.
• These devices are battery-operated and the batteries can be recharged from time to time. Moreover, only eco-friendly batteries are being used in these devices.
  
  
  For more information, mail us: info@vikramenthospital.com  /  call: +91-422-2550633