Have you ever thought about the way your ears respond to the music flowing out of your car speakers or the TV? Sound is made up of invisible waves of energy that give rise to vibrations that enter your ears. Every time you hear a sound, the various structures of the ear have to work together to make sure the information gets to the brain. This function would be impossible if you have unhealthy ears. Actress Bipasha Basu, who recently suffered from a clogged ear when an ear bud got lodged next to her ear drum, knows how it feels to realise how sensitive your ear really is. The actress has earlier also got an insect and a pebble stuck in her ear. Now she makes it a point to cover her ears when asleep. 
Taking care of your ears should be a part of your daily health regime. We tell you how even cutting down on your dairy consumption can pave the way for healthier ears.
Never clean ear with pen
Dr Juthika Sheode, ENT Surgeon, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital
The ear is responsible for your hearing and balance and consists of three parts the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The inner ear translates the vibrations into electric signals and sends them to the auditory nerve, which is connected to the brain. When these nerve impulses reach the brain, they're interpreted as sound. The middle ear must be at the same pressure as the outside world, a feat which is taken care of by the Eustachian Tube. You may suffer from various ear-related problems if you do not maintain the necessary cleanliness. The collection of wax is the most common problem that occurs due to the secretion of glands of the ear canal.
You may suffer from a fungal infection if moisture remains behind either after showering or swimming. Diabetic patients are also very prone to ear infections.
HOT TIP: Avoid the usage of ear drops until you are advised to do so by an ENT specialist. Do not turn it into a daily practice. Never insert objects like a pen or a pin to clean the dirt accumulated in your ear.
Bollywood actor Bipasha Basu got the scare of her life when she realised that she had a cotton clogged in her ear during a recent shoot.
Onions can cure infection, sugar helps bacteria grow
>>Onion is a natural cure for adult ear infections. Slice it up and cook it. Wrap it in a towel or a paper napkin and apply it to
the ear. Onions have anti-infection fighting properties that help ward off ear infection.
>>To draw out puss from your ears, fill a sock or a small bag with salt and press it against the ear.
>>If you are among those who suffer from frequent ear problems, reduce the consumption of dairy products, as these foods and drinks tend to increase the body's production of mucus. As a result, the congestion and pain associated with ear infections worsen.
>>Draping a towel over the head and sitting over a bowl containing hot steaming water and essential oils also gives a relief in case you are suffering from extreme pain.
>>Avoid eating foods that are high in sugar content. Ear infections are usually bacterial in nature and sugar helps bacteria grow. Avoid consuming sweets, drinking soda and other beverages in case of an
ear disorder.
>>Chew gum containing xylitol. It loosens and relieves pressure in the ear and even releases xylitol in the mouth and throat, thus preventing bacteria to move up to the nasal passages and into the ear.
Suffering from an ear infection?
You need to visit the doctor if these symptoms persist for long. Most infections can be treated comfortably and without complications if detected at a minor stage.
>>Blockage in the ear
>>Temporary hearing loss
>>Itchiness in the ear
>>Pain in the ear that worsens with the movement of ear lobe or jaw
>>Discharge from the ear
>>Inflammation in the ear
>>Upset stomach or diarrhoea and vomiting
>>Leaking of fluid from the ear
>>Fever and dizziness
Don't pour mustard oil when in pain
Dr Sanjiv Badhwar ENT Consultant. Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital gives you some essential tips to prevent ear disorders
>>Always keep your ears dry. Use ear plugs when you are swimming so that water doesn't accumulate in your ears.
>>Be careful while using cotton buds. See to it that they do not enter the ear canal. In case of carelessness, cotton might get clogged in the ear.
>>Avoid using traditional
methods like usage of mustard oil as it harms your ears and leads to irritation.
>>In case you are suffering from a cold, visit a doctor before boarding a flight. Cold might lead to sinus or barotrauma (physical damage to body
tissues caused by a difference in pressure between an air space inside or beside the body and the surrounding gas) leading to an uncomfortable journey. Moreover, it can further lead to cold-related ear infection.
>>Do not try hard to eliminate the itching in the ear by unconsciously inserting objects in the ear. In case a vegetative foreign body like a grain gets stuck in he ear, it will swell up and create further complications.
>>Similarly, your ear might get blocked with an insect while you are on a camping trip. Visit an ENT specialist immediately.
>>Do not get worried due to the accumulation of wax in the ear as it is nature's way of keeping your ear water proof. It is absolutely fine unless you are experiencing pain.
>>If you are suffering from vertigo, get the Vestibular Balance Platform check done. It uses sensors to detect whether your ear is the cause for vertigo. If yes, there are right exercises that can cure it.
The most common ear infection? Otitis media
Ear infections in adults are mainly caused by bacteria getting inside the middle ear through the Eustachian Tube (a small passage that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat behind the nose). This leads to a swelling on the middle ear lining, causing blockage in the Eustachian Tube. This eventually leads to the formation of fluid build up and as it increases, it can cause temporary hearing loss and pain. If unchecked, the fluid build-up can end up pressuring the ear drum and damaging it.
The three most common types of ear infections are Otitis Media ear infection or inflammation of the middle ear caused when infections that cause sore throats, colds, or other respiratory or breathing problems spread to the middle ear. These can be viral or bacterial infections. Then there is Otitis Interna an inner ear infection or labyrinthitis, and Otitis Externa ear infection of the outer ear or outer ear canal. The ear itches or becomes red and inflamed and any head movement or touching of the ear becomes very painful. Even pus might drain from the ear. The most common of these types of ear infections is Otitis Media.
Most of the ear infections are treated through ear drops or capsules but you might need a minor surgery in case you are suffering from a complicated viral infection.
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