Healthy ears, nose and throat can be achieved with proper care
There are many ways to prevent ears, nose and throat (ENT) disorders, though it is not always possible, as in the case of congenital conditions. However, multiple ENT disorders can be prevented.
Frequent washing of hands is the single most important thing you can do to prevent infection. Avoid exposure to illness, and practice good hygiene such as covering your mouth when you cough and staying at home when you are sick.
Since good hygiene practices are difficult to teach, toddlers who attend day-care or preschool are at a higher risk of developing chronic ENT disorders.
Preventing ear infections
Ear infections are a common ENT disorder. They occur when germs enter the ear and become trapped there. Due to their infectious nature, there are many things you can do to prevent ear infections.
Certain inherited traits do make some people, especially children, more prone to ear infections. Here are a list of ways to prevent ear infections: > Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke > Identify and treat allergies > Keep your child’s immunisations up-to-date > Do not remove earwax unless instructed by your physician Sinus infections occur when germs enter one of the hollow cavities in the skull surrounding the eyes and nose. A sinus infection may feel like a very bad cold that doesn’t go away, after the usual two to three weeks. Here are some ways you can protect yourself. > If you have a cold, use a saline nasal spray (available over the counter) to keep your nasal passages from becoming blocked > Do not fly if you have a cold. If you must fly, consider use of a decongestant and nasal spray 30 minutes before take-off > Identify and treat allergies; longterm sinusitis is usually caused by allergies, while acute sinusitis is usually caused by bacteria > Try using saline nasal spray daily for chronic sinusitis
Preventing sore throat
There are many causes of sore throat, including infections, acid reflux, sleep apnea or more severe and rare disorders, such as cancer. A very common cause of sore throat is bacterial or viral infection, so practising good hygiene such as frequent hand washing is a good way to prevent a sore throat. Here are some other suggestions: > Get plenty of rest and exercise to bolster your immune system > Avoid smoke > Do not spend long periods of time outside, when the air quality in your area is poor > Treat esophageal reflux exposure to cigarette
Preventing snoring and sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition wherein a person stops breathing for brief periods of time while asleep. It is very common in the UAE and can be harmful if left untreated. Fortunately, there are treatments available and sleep apnea can often be cured. Here are some good ideas to prevent or keep sleep apnea at bay. > Maintain a healthy body weight > Avoid alcohol or sedatives at bedtime > Identify and treat tonsillitis, nasal polyps or other disorders that can cause airway obstruction > Quit smoking Not all ENT disorders can be prevented. Many depend on genetic traits; however, following these suggestions may help keep you healthier in the future. Hand washing is the first line of defence in disease prevention, along with other isolation practices, including coughing into a tissue and staying at home while you are sick. These guidelines can also help strengthen your immune system, decreasing the likelihood of catching an illness and limiting the amount of time you spend sick.-
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