HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Ear, Nose & Throat

Get The Facts About Stuttering

MEDICAL NEWS

Speech is an important part of communicating. Yet millions of people cope with a speech disability every day.

What is stuttering?

Stuttering is a problem that affects how your speech flows. People who stutter may:

* Stretch words out for too long when speaking

* Have pauses where they can’t get a word out

* Repeat whole words or parts of words

* Have uncontrolled movements when speaking, such as trembling in the jaw or excessive blinking

Scientists don’t fully understand why stuttering happens. But we do have plenty of facts about this speech disorder. Learn more about what it is and how you can help someone who has it.

FACT #1: Stuttering isn’t related to intelligence.

Stuttering isn’t a problem with being confused or less intelligent. In fact, many intelligent and successful people have dealt with this speech disorder.

FACT #2: Finishing a word or sentence for someone is not helpful.

People who don’t understand stuttering may get frustrated or impatient when someone stutters. They may just want to say the word for them so they can keep talking. This is not helpful and could make stuttering worse.

FACT #3: Stuttering is not caused by stress or being tense.

Experts believe that people who stutter may have some brain differences. These differences affect how a person’s brain works when they speak. But it’s not caused by anxiety, stress or a mental health condition. However, being stressed could make stuttering worse for a person who already has the disorder.

FACT #4: Stuttering is more common in children.

Many children stutter while they are learning how to speak and understand others. Most of the time, children stop stuttering before they become adults. They may need help from their doctor and a speech-language pathologist. If you’re concerned about your child’s stuttering, talk to their pediatrician.

If you have concerns about stuttering, finding words or other speech issues, talk to your doctor about seeing a licensed speech-language pathologist.

Sources: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, National Institutes of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Listen To Your Ears

SELF-CARE CORNER

It’s easy to take hearing for granted. But without proper care of your ears, you could end up with hearing loss or ear problems.

Worried about wax

Your body makes ear wax to protect your ears. Wax keeps dust and other particles from getting inside.

Only clean the outside of your ears with a tissue, washcloth or cotton swab. Never stick anything, including a cotton swab, in your ear. This will push wax farther down into the ear and can create a harmful blockage.

If you feel that there’s a lot of wax in the ear, you can safely try to soften it with a drop of mineral oil or glycerin. Your doctor can also remove ear wax blockages without damaging your ear.

Saying no to noise

One of the most common reasons people lose their hearing is exposure to loud noises. This can happen very quickly after a loud sound like an explosion. Or, it can happen over time if a person is exposed to loud sounds for months or years.

You can help prevent noise-induced hearing loss with one simple tool: ear plugs. Wear them when going to a loud concert, watching fireworks or attending loud events. Wear them when mowing the lawn or using loud power equipment at home.

If you have a job where you are exposed to noise, make sure you are using the right hearing protection. You may need something more powerful than ear plugs for certain jobs. Talk about this with your employer.

Use headphones with care

The World Health Organization says people should limit how much they use headphones. Don’t use them more than one hour a day. Keep the volume as low as possible, but no louder than 60 percent.

Noise-cancelling headphones help you keep the volume low because they block out sounds around you. But, you should not use these when driving, cycling or walking because you won’t be able to hear possible dangers nearby.

Talk to your doctor about your hearing health. Together, you can decide when you may need a hearing test.

Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Myths About Underactive Thyroid

MEDICAL NEWS

One of the most common thyroid problems is hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid.

Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland isn’t making enough thyroid hormones. This can cause a number of symptoms, including:

* Fatigue

* Trouble with learning or remembering

* Dry hair, nails or skin

* Constipation

* Sore muscles

* Weight gain or bloating

* Heavy or irregular menstrual periods

Although hypothyroidism is a common problem, there are many myths about it. Read on to learn about some common myths – and what you should know and hypothyroidism.

Myth:You can’t lose weight if you have a thyroid problem.

Fact:Many people can get to a healthy weight with hypothyroidism after getting on the proper dose of thyroid medication. They may need to work with a nutritionist or other health provider and get plenty of exercise. But losing weight is doable.

Myth:You can’t get pregnant if you have hypothyroidism.

Fact:Many women can get pregnant with an underactive thyroid. They should work with their doctor to make sure they are on thyroid medication that is safe and effective. It’s important to take thyroid medication consistently and carefully throughout pregnancy.

Myth:Only older women have hypothyroidism.

Fact:Thyroid problems can affect anyone, of any age. But women older than 60 years are at an increased risk for hypothyroidism.

Myth:People with underactive thyroid need to take iodine.

Fact:People with hypothyroidism should be on a medication that their doctor prescribes. Taking iodine supplements is usually not needed.

Myth:High doses of thyroid medicine are better.

Fact:Having too much thyroid hormone can lead to health problems like rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, bone loss and can even become life threatening. Work with your doctor to be sure your thyroid blood levels are within a healthy range.

Myth:I can manage underactive thyroid with a healthy diet.

Fact:A healthy diet is great for everyone, including people with underactive thyroid. However, even the best food choices cannot replace missing thyroid hormones. A person needs to take their thyroid medication as their doctor prescribes to replace these hormones.

Source: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Like It Loud? Your Ears Don’T

WELL-BEING

What do a lawn mower, a motorcycle, and a music player have in common? They can all cause permanent hearing loss.

Many people assume that only extremely loud sounds, such as gunshots, can damage the ears. But any loud noise, such as power tools, headphones turned up too loud, lawn equipment, or a concert, can lead to hearing loss. This is known as noise-induced hearing loss.

Noise-induced hearing loss often happens gradually, so you don’t realize the damage that’s being done over time. For instance, being around loud machinery every day or listening to loud music in earphones regularly can cause hearing damage that adds up. The National Institutes of Health states that 26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have hearing loss caused by excessive noise.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says anything over 85 decibels can damage hearing. The louder it is, the faster it can cause hearing loss if used regularly and/or for long periods. Normal conversation is 60 decibels, and a hair dryer is around 90.

Save your hearing

The best way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss is to avoid loud noises whenever you can. But, this may not be possible if your job requires you to be around certain equipment. If you can’t avoid it, always wear proper hearing protection. This includes earplugs and/or ear muffs that have a noise reduction rating (NRR) listed.

If you notice you have trouble hearing, talk to your doctor.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Ringing In The Ears

SELF-CARE CORNER

Developing tinnitus or ringing in the ears can be annoying at best. At worse, the condition can cause anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other serious medical issues. Tinnitus is often described as buzzing, ringing, hissing, humming, roaring, or whistling that someone hears. Imagine hearing something that seems to come from inside your head. More than 50 million people in the United States have the condition, according to the American Tinnitus Association.

If you struggle with tinnitus, you may find help with these tips from Neuromonics:

*Be good to yourself.Tinnitus can affect many areas of life.

*Educate yourself.Tinnitus has several causes and affects each person differently. The more a tinnitus sufferer understands, the greater the chances of making the tinnitus less bothersome.

*Educate others.Family members, friends, coworkers, and associates can benefit from understanding tinnitus and its effects. They can be more supportive if they understand the conditions that are difficult for a tinnitus sufferer.

*Seek out support.A few individuals who understand the daily trials of tinnitus can be invaluable. Consider a formal support group-in-person or online-to find out about coping strategies.

*Contact the ATA’s Support Networkatwww.ata.org/support.

*Obtain counseling.For some people, a licensed therapist or counselor can help with techniques to make tinnitus symptoms less bothersome and with effects of tinnitus such as anxiety and depression.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Too Loud

SELF-CARE CORNER

Noise-induced hearing loss is the only type of hearing loss you can prevent. If you understand the hazards of noise and how to practice good hearing health, you can protect your hearing for life. Here’s how:

* Know which noises can cause damage (those at or above 85 decibels, such as a motorcycle).

* If you can’t reduce the noise or protect yourself from it, move away from the source.

* Wear earplugs or other protective devices when involved in a loud activity, even Zumba class (activity-specific earplugs and earmuffs are available at hardware and sporting goods stores).

* Be alert to hazardous noises in the environment.

* Protect the ears of children who are too young to protect their own.

* Have your hearing tested if you think you might have hearing loss.

About sound

Sound is measured in units called decibels. Sounds of less than 75 decibels, even after long exposure, are unlikely to cause hearing loss. But long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss. The louder the sound, the shorter the amount of time it takes for hearing loss to happen.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Are Your Ears Ringing?

WELL-BEING

Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, is not a disease. It’s a symptom of something wrong with your body’s hearing system. And, it may not be “ringing” at all. Some people hear sounds like roaring, hissing, clicking or buzzing.

Experts think that tinnitus happens when certain nerve cells are out of balance. This makes a person hear a sound that isn’t really there.

Why does it happen?

Tinnitus can be caused by many different things. Some possible causes include:

* Certain medicines – see a doctor right away if this happens. Tinnitus can be a serious side effect.

* High blood pressure

* Being around loud noises

* Sinus infections

* Brain injuries

* Injuries to the neck or head

* . Anemia

* Thyroid problems

* Autoimmune diseases

* Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Sometimes a person has tinnitus without being able to identify an obvious cause.

Can I make it stop?

There is no cure for all types of tinnitus. But, if your doctor can find out what’s causing it, there may be a treatment to resolve the issue. For instance, you might need treatment for high blood pressure or a sinus or ear infection.

Some people have tinnitus because they also have some hearing loss. That’s why using a hearing aid may be helpful in these cases.

If there’s no obvious cause, other things may help. They include:

* Wearable sound generators. These small devices fit inside the ear. They create a soft, pleasant noise that helps you ignore the sound of tinnitus.

* White noise machines or sound machines. Some people notice tinnitus more at night. This is probably because when you’re lying down in a quiet room, the tinnitus is easier to hear. For these times, you may benefit from a machine that plays noise while you sleep to override the tinnitus sound.

* Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines. Some people have severe tinnitus that interferes with their life. Tinnitus can cause anxiety or depression. In these cases, medicine to treat these health conditions can help.

If you notice sounds or ringing in your ears, see your doctor. They may be able to help you find a solution that improves your quality of life.

Sources: American Tinnitus Association, National Institutes of Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Earaches

Ear, Nose & Throat Conditions

Signs & Symptoms

* Mild to severe ear pain.

* Feeling of fullness or discomfort in the ears.

* Tugging at the ear and restlessness in young children.

* Ear pain.

* Some hearing loss.

* Blood or other discharge from the ear (especially after sticking an object in the ear or exposure to extremely loud noise).

Causes

The most common cause of earaches is plugged Eustachian tubes. These go from the back of the throat to the middle ear. Fluid or pressure in a plugged Eustachian tube causes pain. This is caused by an infection of the middle ear, a cold or sinus infection, or allergies. Other things that can cause ear pain include changes in air pressure in a plane, something stuck in the ear, too much earwax, tooth problems, and ear injuries.

Treatment

Treatment includes pain relievers and methods to dry up or clear the blocked ear canal. Self-care can be used to treat many earaches. Severe and/or constant ear pain needs a medical diagnosis. Often, antibiotics are not needed for middle ear infections in children. About 8 in 10 children with ear infections get better without antibiotics. Let your child’s doctor decide if and when an antibiotic should be prescribed.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

To Help Prevent Ear Pain

* Don’t put cotton-tipped swabs, bobby pins, etc., in your ears. This could damage the eardrum.

* Don’t blow your nose with too much force.

* If you can, avoid places that have very loud noises (construction sites, etc.). Wear earplugs when exposed to loud noises.

* Keep the volume on low when using stereos, compact discs (CDs), etc. If someone else can hear the music when you are listening to one of these devices with earphones, the volume is too loud.

To Avoid Getting “Swimmer’s Ear”

* Wear wax or silicone earplugs.

* Wear a bathing cap.

* Don’t swim in dirty water. Swim on the surface not underneath the water.

* Use an over-the-counter product, such as Swim-Ear, as directed.

To Reduce Ear Pain

* Place a warm washcloth next to the ear. Some health professionals recommend putting an ice bag or ice in a wet washcloth over the painful ear for 20 minutes.

* Take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed on the label.

To Open Up the Eustachian Tubes and Help Them Drain

* Sit up. Prop your head up when you sleep.

* Yawn. This helps move the muscles that open the Eustachian tubes.

* Chew gum or suck on hard candy. (Do not give to children under age 5.) This tip is especially helpful during pressure changes that take place during air travel, but can also help if you wake up with ear pain.

* When traveling by air, stay awake when the plane takes off and lands. Wear ear plugs.

* Take a steamy shower.

* Use a cool-mist vaporizer, especially at night.

* Drink plenty of cool water.

* Gently, but firmly, blow through your nose while holding both nostrils closed until you hear a pop. This can be done several times a day.

* If okay with your doctor, take a decongestant to help relieve the swelling that causes the pain. (Don’t use a nasal spray decongestant for more than 3 days unless directed by your doctor.)

* When you give a baby a bottle, hold the baby in an upright position.

To Treat a Mild Case of “Swimmer’s Ear”

The goal is to clean and dry the outer ear canal without doing further damage to the top layer of skin.

* Shake the head to expel trapped water.

* Dry the ear canal. Get a clean facial tissue. Twist each corner into a tip and gently place each tip into the ear canal for 10 seconds. Repeat with the other ear using a new tissue.

* Use an over-the-counter product, such as Swim-Ear. Drop it into the ears to fight infection. Follow package directions.

* Do not remove earwax. This protects the ear canal.

For an Insect in the Ear

Shine a flashlight into the ear. Doing this may cause the insect to come out.

Resources

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

800.241.1044

www.nidcd.nih.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Earwax

Ear, Nose & Throat Conditions

Earwax coats and protects the lining of the ear canal. It filters dust and helps keep the ears clean. Normally, earwax is soft and drains by itself. Sometimes it hardens and forms a plug.

Signs & Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of earwax buildup are:

* Blocked or plugged feeling in the ear

* Partial hearing loss (temporary)

* Ringing in the ear

* Ear discomfort or pain

Causes

* Exposure to excessive dust or dirt

* A family history of earwax buildup

Simple earwax build-up can be treated using self-care. If self-care doesn’t take care of the problem, a doctor can clear the earwax with a special vacuum, scoop, or water-pik-like device.

Prevention

* Wear earplugs when exposed to excessive dust or dirt.

* Don’t use cotton swabs in the ear. They tend to pack the earwax down more tightly.

* Don’t push objects into the ear canal.

Self-Care

{Note: Use only if you know that your eardrum is not ruptured or infected. See signs of a ruptured eardrum and ear infection under “When to Seek Medical Care” on this page.}

* Don’t try to scrape out earwax. You could put a hole in your eardrum or damage the skin of your ear canal.

* Use an over-the-counter product, such as Murine Ear Drops, Debrox, etc. Follow package directions.

* Hold a warm, wet washcloth on the blocked ear or, take a warm shower. Let the water gently flow into the ear. Use the tip of a warm washcloth to remove the softened wax. Don’t use cold water. This may cause dizziness.

* Lie on your side or tilt your head sideways. Using a clean medicine dropper, carefully squeeze a few drops of lukewarm water into your ear. Leave the water there for about 10 minutes. Tilt your head to let the water drain out of the ear. After several minutes, do the same thing again. If the ear wax has not cleared in 3 hours, repeat this entire procedure. {Note: Instead of just warm water, you can use a mixture of 1 part warm water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Keep the drops in the ear for 3, not 10 minutes, though.}

* Rest a hot water bottle on the affected ear for a few minutes. Afterward, use a washcloth to remove the softened wax.

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact Doctor When:

* You have sudden or total hearing loss in one or both ears.

* Earwax has not cleared after using self-care for several days.

* You have signs of a ruptured eardrum:

– Ear pain

– Blood or other ear discharge

– Partial hearing loss

– Ringing or burning in the ear

* You have ear pain with any of these signs of an ear infection:

– Feeling of fullness in the ear that leads to ear pain

– Fever of 101°F or higher

– Blood, pus, or fluid from the ear

– Temporary hearing loss

– Redness and swelling of the skin of the ear canal

– Nausea, vomiting, and/or dizziness

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Hay Fever

Ear, Nose & Throat Conditions

Hay fever has nothing to do with hay or fever. The medical term for hay fever is allergic rhinitis. It is most common in spring and fall when a lot of ragweed is in the air. Some people have hay fever all year, though.

Signs & Symptoms

* Itchy or watery eyes.

* Runny, itchy nose.

* Congestion.

* Sneezing.

Causes

Hay fever is a reaction of the upper respiratory tract to allergens.

Treatment

Talk to your doctor if self-care measures do not help. He or she may prescribe:

* Antihistamines. For best results, take the antihistamine 30 minutes before going outside. {Note: Some over-the-counter antihistamines can make you more drowsy than prescribed ones. Be careful when driving and operating machinery since some antihistamines can make you drowsy.}

* A decongestant. {Note: Do not give antihistamines, decongestants, and other over-the-counter medicines for colds, coughs, and/or the flu to children less than 2 years old. For children 2 years old and older, follow their doctor’s advice.

* A corticosteroid nasal spray and eye drops, cromolyn sodium, and oral corticosteroids.

* Skin tests to find out what things you are allergic to.

* Allergy shots.

It is best to take what your doctor advises instead of testing over-the-counter products on your own.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* If you are allergic to pollen and molds, let someone else do outside chores. Mowing the lawn or raking leaves can make you very sick.

* Keep windows and doors shut and stay inside when the pollen count or humidity is high. Early morning is sometimes the worst.

* Avoid tobacco smoke and other air pollutants.

* Don’t have pets. If you have a pet, keep it out of the bedroom. When you can, keep the pet outdoors.

* Use an air conditioner or air cleaner in your house, especially in the bedroom. Electronic air filters are better than mechanical ones. Clean the filter often. Or, try a doctor-approved air purifier, especially in the bedroom. Devices with HEPA filters can be very effective in cleaning indoor air.

To limit dust, mold, and pollen:

* Put a plastic cover on your mattress or cover it completely with an allergen-free mattress cover.

* Sleep with no pillow or with the kind your doctor or health care provider recommends. If you use a pillow, cover it with an allergen-free cover.

* Don’t dry sheets and blankets outside.

* Try not to have stuffed animals kept in the bedroom. If you must, have only one that can be washed. Wash it in hot water once a week.

* Use curtains and rugs that can be washed often. Don’t use carpeting.

* Dust and vacuum often. Wear a dust filter mask when you do.

* Put an electronic air filter on your furnace or use portable air purifiers.

* Shower or bathe and wash your hair after heavy exposure to pollen, dust, etc.

Resources

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

800.7.ASTHMA (727.8462)

www.aafa.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026