工作環境導致過敏

鼻敏感正名是過敏性鼻炎。是人體的免疫系統,對致敏原產生排斥反應。

 

空氣污染,塵埃是常見的刺激來源。另外,工作環境亦存在很多致敏原,塵螨是常見的其中一種,常依附在地氈,毛質傢俬。公司如採用封閉式空調系統和不易清洗的佈置如地氈,窗簾等,都會令室內佈滿致敏原,導致空氣質素下降。如工作間存在化學物質,更容易引起鼻敏感發作。

 

要減少接觸過敏原,應保持工作環境清潔，減少雜物堆積,勤換及清洗冷氣隔塵網,有可能的話可打開窗戶,保持空氣流通。如有需要可能要配戴口罩。

 

 

 

參考資料: http://www.ent-hk.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。

中耳炎

 

中耳炎是中耳部份受感染引起發炎，可分為急性中耳炎,慢性中耳炎及積液性中耳炎。

 

急性中耳炎
通常因上呼吸道感染，細菌由咽喉經耳咽管到達中耳引起。中耳炎病徵包括發燒，耳痛，聽力減退及耳鳴。當耳膜破裂時會有膿水及血從耳道流出。

 

慢性中耳炎
主要慢性中耳炎成因是耳膜穿破，當有污水從外耳道進入或有細菌感染時，引起發炎流膿。聽力亦會減退，並可能有耳鳴，亦有可能有膽脂瘤積聚，故需要耳鼻喉醫生檢驗。

 

 

 

積液性中耳炎
即所謂「中耳積水」。中耳積水常見於兒童，因小孩子的耳咽管功能尚未成熟。主要中耳積水症狀是聽力減退，有部份兒童會感到耳朵不適。如成年人發現有積液性中耳炎，必須作鼻咽檢查，分辨屬哪一種情況,是否耳膜穿破，如有需要，則要作鼻咽內窺鏡的檢查。

 

 

 

參考資料: http://www.ent-hk.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。

口臭/口氣 - 口臭成因，口氣成因，口氣治療

口氣的成因可分為口腔及非口腔來源。

• 口腔衛生欠佳，食物的殘渣留在口中，經細菌分解後會形成臭味。舌頭表面粗糙，容易藏著細菌及食物殘渣，亦需清潔。

 

• 唾液有清潔口腔的功能，如唾液流量減少，會導致口臭。睡眠時唾液分泌減少，故早上常有口氣。另外，一些藥，如降血壓藥、鼻敏感藥，亦會減少唾液分泌。

• 口腔疾病如牙齦炎，牙周炎，蛀牙都會造成口臭。另外吸煙、飲酒、進食濃烈氣味的食品，亦會導致口臭。

 

除了口腔的來源，身體其他部份亦可以是口氣的來源。腸胃道問題，如消化不良、慢性胃炎或潰瘍等，會導致口氣。另外呼吸道的問題，如鼻炎、鼻竇炎、扁桃腺炎、氣管炎及肺炎亦會導致口臭。全身性的疾病如肝損害、腎衰竭、糖尿病等亦會造成口氣。

 

要減少口氣或口臭，應注意口腔衛生，睡前、早上及飯後都應漱口刷牙，並要刷除舌苔，要戒掉煙酒，多喝水及多吃蔬菜水果，保持腸道健康。定期作牙齒及口腔檢查。如仍有口氣,便應找醫生作詳細檢查。

 

參考資料: http://www.ent-hk.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。

 

 

 

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: http://www.entnet.org/

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: http://www.entnet.org/

 

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: http://www.entnet.org/

 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.

 

兒童聲沙

 

兒童聲沙

兒童的聲音應該是清脆甜美的。然而兒童都不懂保護自己的聲音,喜歡大聲的叫喊,唱歌,又或是長時間的哭鬧,容易造成聲音沙啞。

 

聲沙原因
此外,在呼吸道感染時,鼻塞引起張口呼吸,鼻涕倒流引致喉部刺激,加上長時間咳嗽,亦會造成聲帶水腫 充血,甚至是聲帶小結或息肉。 兒童聲沙 也可能是聲帶乳頭狀瘤。乳頭狀瘤一般需以外科手術切除。兒童乳頭狀瘤有多發性傾向,可能需要定期作手術切除。隨著年齡增長,復發的情況會逐漸減少。

另外,許多先天性的病情,包括聲帶麻痺,亦可引致聲沙。

聲沙診斷
聲沙問題的診斷一般要作內窺鏡喉部檢查。把一條幼小的喉管從鼻孔放到喉部作詳細檢查。

治療聲沙
治療聲沙,主要是讓孩子減少說話,讓聲帶得到休息,但這是很困難做到的。言語治療師可教導孩子正確的發聲方法。糾正用聲不當及防止用聲過度。

如聲沙是因急性喉炎引起,便要先以耳鼻喉醫生處方藥物, 處理發炎情況。
如果控制不當,並出現聲帶息肉,可能需要接受喉部手術治療。

 

 

 

參考資料: http://www.ent-hk.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。