切勿「自療」鼻敏感

鼻敏感雖不是致命疾病，可是發作時引來的流鼻水、鼻子癢等問題卻是非常煩人，不少鼻敏感病人卻諱疾忌醫，自行購買成藥或利用針炙、按摩來「自療」。其實，這些「自療」方法只能暫時消除病徵。

根本沒有徹底根治鼻敏感帶來的炎症，長期使用，甚至會惡化成鼻膜炎，最終要動手術治療。

一些聲稱可以通鼻塞的噴鼻劑是鼻敏感患者最常使用的成藥。這些噴鼻劑只是利用藥物強力收縮鼻膜及血管，並沒有真正解決鼻敏感引致的發炎問題。

長期使用，鼻塞問題不單會反彈，更會演變成慢性鼻炎。其實，對於這個情況，耳鼻喉科醫生會向病人處方一些含輕量類固醇的噴鼻劑，病人只需連續噴一個星期左右就可以痊癒。

現在含類固醇的藥物十分安全，被身體吸收的份量極微，不會影響身體功能。

另外，有些病人擔心鼻敏感藥會令人嗜睡，影響工作和學習，於是自行購買一些「無睡意」的收鼻水藥物。這些藥物成份不明，短暫可能真的有收鼻水效果，可是長期服用，很可能有嚴重副用作用。

其實現在有一些不會令人昏昏欲睡的鼻敏感藥，由於屬於處方藥，病人需向耳鼻喉科醫生查詢。

何峯 耳鼻喉專科醫生

資料來源: www.singtao.com

以上所提供的資訊僅作為教育及參考用途，如果你有任何醫療問題，

應向自己的耳鼻喉專科醫生查詢，而不應單倚賴以上提供的資料。

鼻敏感人士別用口呼吸 以免傷喉嚨

不少港人都與鼻敏感為伴，天氣轉變情況尤為嚴重。浸會大學早前訪問了875人，發現約六成三受訪者有一種或以上的鼻敏感症狀，發病率高達四成。有運動專家指，鼻敏感人士容易因為運動時呼吸困難而放棄做運動，建議學識正確的運動呼吸法，借運動鍛鍊呼吸肌肉及免疫能力。


香港空氣差、人口密度高惹來塵蟎等，令致敏源無處不在。耳鼻喉專科醫生黃漢威表示，鼻敏感是免疫系統問題，最常見的症狀包括持續流鼻水、喉嚨乾涸、持續鼻塞等，他透露曾有病人年僅15歲已患鼻敏感逾10年，做劍擊訓練時備受症狀影響，最後要動手術解決呼吸困難問題。


浸會大學體育學系教授劉永松認為，不少鼻敏感患者做運動時呼吸道不暢順，令運動時更辛苦。他解釋，運動時身體需要大量氧份，普遍人習慣做持續性運動時以口 呼吸，幫助身體於短時間內大量吸取氧份。但不經鼻腔過濾、溫暖與濕潤的空氣，污染物也較多，會刺激氣管及喉嚨，有機會使該組肌肉撕裂、甚至出血，故鼻敏感 人士因鼻塞而改用口呼吸，同樣可能令喉嚨受損。


劉補充，運動人士要正確呼吸，可在運動初期盡量使用鼻吸氣、以口鼻一同呼氣，當運動強度增加、需要用口呼吸時，把牙齒合實，令空氣經過口腔時做到過濾效 果，有助保護氣管及喉嚨免被冷空氣刺激。黃漢威提醒，做運動及鼻敏感是相輔相成，只要紓緩鼻塞的呼吸症狀，做運動便更見成效。







參考資料:.am730
以上所提供的資訊僅作為教育及參考用途，如果你有任何醫療問題，
應向自己的耳鼻喉專科醫生查詢，而不應單倚賴以上提供的資料。

Mouth Sores(Part 3)

 

 

 

 

What are other types of oral lesions to be concerned about?

Leukoplakia—A thick, whitish-color patch that forms on the inside of the cheeks, gums, or tongue. These patches are caused by excess cell growth and are common among tobacco users. They can result from irritations such as ill-fitting dentures or the habit of chewing on the inside of the cheek. Leukoplakia can progress to cancer.

Candidiasis—A fungal infection (also called moniliasis or oral thrush) that occurs when yeast reproduce in large numbers. It is common among denture wearers and most often occurs in people who are very young, elderly, debilitated by disease, or who have a problem with their immune system. People who have dry mouth syndrome are very susceptible to candidiasis. Candida may flourish after antibiotic treatment, which can decrease normal bacteria in the mouth.

Hairy tongue—A relatively rare condition caused by the elongation of the taste buds. It can be caused by poor oral hygiene, chronic oral irritation, or smoking.

 

Torus palatinus—A hard bony growth in the center of the roof of the mouth (palate). It commonly occurs in females over the age of 30 and rarely needs treatment. A torus palatinus is often seen in patients who suffer from tooth grinding. Occasionally it is removed for the proper fitting of dentures.

Oral cancer—It may appear as a white or red patch of tissue in the mouth, or a small ulcer that looks like a common canker sore. Other than the lips, the most common areas for oral cancer to develop are on the tongue and the floor of the mouth. Other symptoms include a lump or mass that can be felt inside the mouth or neck; pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or chewing; any wart-like mass; hoarseness that lasts for more than two weeks; or any numbness in the oral/facial region.

Tips to prevent mouth sores

• Stop smoking.

• Reduce stress.

• Avoid injury to the mouth caused by hard tooth brushing, hard foods, braces, or dentures.

• Chew slowly.

• Practice good dental hygiene, including regular visits to the dentist.

• Eat a well-balanced diet.

• Identify and eliminate food sensitivities.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Avoid very hot food or beverages.

• Follow nutritional guidelines for multivitamin supplements.

 

 

 

Reference information: www.ent-hk.com/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult ENT Specialists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Mouth Sores(Part 2)

 

 

 

 

What are canker sores?

Canker sores (also called aphthous ulcers) are different than fever blisters. They are small, red or white, shallow ulcers occurring on the tongue, soft palate, or inside the lips and cheeks; they do not occur in the roof of the mouth or the gums. They are quite painful, and usually last 5-10 days.

 

 

Who is most likely to get canker sores, and what causes them?

Eighty percent of the U.S. population between the ages of 10 to 20, most often women, get canker sores. The best available evidence suggests that canker sores result from an altered local immune response associated with stress, trauma, or irritation. Acidic foods (e.g., tomatoes, citrus fruits, and some nuts) are known to cause irritation in some patients.

 

Are canker sores contagious? How are they treated?

Because they are not caused by bacteria or viral agents, they are not contagious and cannot be spread locally or to anyone else. Treatment is directed toward relieving discomfort and guarding against infection. A topical corticosteroid preparation such as triamcinolone dental paste (Kenalog in Orabase 0.1%®) is helpful.

 

When should a physician be consulted?

Consider consulting a physician if a mouth sore has not healed within two weeks. Mouth sores offer an easy way for germs and viruses to get into the body, so it is easy for infections to develop.

 

People who consume alcohol, smokers, smokeless tobacco users, chemotherapy or radiation patients, bone marrow or stem cell recipients, or patients with weak immune systems should also consider having regular oral screenings by a physician. The first sign of oral cancer is a mouth sore that does not heal.

 

What kind of screenings are performed?

The physician will most likely examine the head, face, neck, lips, gums, and high-risk areas inside the mouth, such as the floor of the mouth, the area under the tongue, the front and sides of the tongue, and the roof of the mouth or soft palate. If a suspicious lesion is found, the physician may recommend collecting and testing soft tissue from the oral cavity.

 

 

Reference information:  www.ent-hk.com/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult ENT Specialists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Mouth Sores(Part 1)

 

 

 

 

Oral lesions (mouth sores) make it painful to eat and talk. Two of the most common recurrent oral lesions are fever blisters (also known as cold sores) and canker sores. Though similar, fever blisters and canker sores have important differences.

 

What are fever blisters?

Fever blisters are fluid-filled blisters that commonly occur on the lips. They also can occur on the gums and roof of the mouth (hard palate), but this is rare. Fever blisters are usually painful; pain may precede the appearance of the lesion by a few days. The blisters rupture within hours, then crust over. They last about seven to ten days.

 

Why do fever blisters reoccur?

 

Fever blisters result from a herpes simplex virus that becomes active. This virus is latent (dormant) in afflicted people, but can be activated by conditions such as stress, fever, trauma, hormonal changes, and exposure to sunlight. When lesions reappear, they tend to form in the same location.

 

Are fever blisters contagious?

Yes, the time from blister rupture until the sore is completely healed is the time of greatest risk for spread of infection. The virus can spread to the afflicted person’s eyes and genitalia, as well as to other people.

 

How are fever blisters treated?

Treatment consists of coating the lesions with a protective barrier ointment containing an antiviral agent, for example 5% acyclovir ointment. While there is no cure now, scientists are trying to develop one, so hopefully fever blisters will be a curable disorder in the future.

 

Tips to prevent spreading fever blisters

 

• Avoid mucous membrane contact when a lesion is present.

• Do not squeeze, pinch, or pick the blisters.

• Wash hands carefully before touching eyes, genital area, or another person.

Note: Despite all caution, it is possible to transmit herpes virus even when no blisters are present.

 

 

 

Reference information: www.ent-hk.com/

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult ENT Specialists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.