A runny nose, or leaky nose, are the common terms for rhinorrhea or nasal discharge. In most cases, nasal discharge is due to hypersecretion of mucus from the lining of the nasal passages. However, pus and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may also exit through the nose. Nasal discharge is in most cases accompanied by sneezing, as >> Read More ...
What is rhinitis? Rhinitis is the term for inflammation of the lining of the nasal passages. This epithelial lining contains hairs to filter incoming air, produces mucus to trap dust and dirt and has sensory receptors which can trigger the sneeze reflex to expel any irritants. When inflamed or irritated, it triggers a >> Read More ...
What is a sneeze? A sneeze is a sudden and forceful expiration of air through the nose or sometimes partly through the mouth. Its function is to clear the nasal passages of any irritants. However, sneezing is a common feature of the various nasal disorders even though no irritant is present in the nasal passages. This is >> Read More ...
Swallowing is a process of moving food and drink from the mouth to the stomach. It is composed of three phases that starts in the throat and extends down to the esophagus. Swallowing is partly voluntary but mainly an involuntary reflex that comprises a well coordinated sequence of events to complete its function. The >> Read More ...
Most patients experiencing a sore throat tend to report an exacerbation of the pain or discomfort upon waking. This may be related to mouth breathing, the reduced saliva production during sleep or exacerbation of symptoms as a result of the lying in the supine position for long periods. However, there are certain causes >> Read More ...
What is a strep throat? Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat which is also known as streptococcal pharyngitis. Unlike other common infectious causes of a sore throat, a strep throat is highly contagious and if left untreated, it can cause serious and even life-threatening complications. Causes of Strep >> Read More ...
Many acute illnesses, particularly infections, involve the throat. We all know the ‘classic’ sore throat that may even occur several times a year, often with a cold or the flu. The discomfort or pain in a sore throat can vary in nature. Sometimes it feels like a burning sensation or burning pain. However, there >> Read More ...
Swelling of the throat can be a serious symptom if it arises suddenly and severely affects the movement of air into and out of the lungs. It can even be deadly if it is not attended to promptly. In most cases however, throat swelling is gradual and even when severe it usually does not impede air flow. There are often other >> Read More ...
Itching of the ear is a common problem and can be very annoying when it persists despite your best efforts to scratch the area. It is often not due to anything serious but remedying an itchy ear can at times be quite difficult. The skin of the ear canal is continuous with the skin around the ear. However, this ear canal >> Read More ...
Meaning of Burning Nose Most of us associate a burning sensation with a heat source but it is common symptom that usually indicates irritation or inflammation. The location of the burning sensation is usually the site of injury or tissue damage. Burning on the outer surface of the nose may be due to a number of causes, >> Read More ...
