Definition of Chronic Cough

A cough is a forceful ‘push’ of exhaled air that is either done voluntarily or as a reflex action (involuntary). A chronic cough is usually considered to be any cough that is persisting for more than 3 months. It may be constant, where the patient coughs every few minutes or it can be episodic, where a patient goes into a bout of coughing and it then subsides. A chronic cough is usually persistent because the cause of the cough may be a chronic disorder or the patient is constantly exposed to the same factors that may trigger the cough.

continue reading Causes of Chronic Cough – Persistent, Constant Coughing

What Are Tonsil Stones?

Tonsil stones or tonsilloliths are compacted and calcified stones formed in the tonsillar crypts or crevices of the throat and most frequently in persons suffering from recurrent chronic tonsillitis. Most cases of tonsil stones do not hamper daily functioning or cause discomfort and a person may not  even know that they have a tonsil stone.

continue reading Tonsil Stones Removal & Pictures

Colors of Mucus  (Phlegm, Sputum)

Phlegm may be clear (white), yellow/green, brown, grey, black, pink, orange, containing red streaks, or frothy. 

Phlegm is mucus coughed up from the chest. It reveals inflammation in the respiratory organs below the vocal cords (voice box, windpipe, bronchi and lungs). From the color and density of phlegm, and accompanying symptoms, its cause may be suspected.

continue reading Mucus; Causes of White, Yellow, Brown, Grey, Black Phlegm

What Is Phlegm?

Phlegm (pronounced flem; from Greek phlegma = inflammation) is an informal name for mucus coughed up from the throat. In this article, a term phlegm will be used only for mucus produced in the mucous layer of bronchi and windpipe (trachea). Medical term for phlegm is expectorated matter or sputum.

Phlegm appears as thick, jelly-like fluid of various colors and consistency, depending on the cause.

continue reading Coughing Up Excessive Phlegm (Mucus, Sputum) from the Throat

1. Nasal Congestion

A common cause of blocked nose in a baby is an infection or allergy resulting in nasal congestion with purulent or watery discharge.

2. Enlarged Adenoid Glands

Adenoid glands (pharyngeal tonsils) are located in the roof of the throat, behind the nose. They usually start to shrink after about age 5 and usually disappear until teenage years. Enlarged adenoid glands (adenoids) can be present from birth or can become temporary enlarged during an infection (adenoiditis), especially in early childhood. Symptoms are breathing through the mouth, snoring, difficult swallowing and throaty voice. When there is no infection, there is also no nasal discharge. A common complications are sinusitis and infection of the middle ear. If problems are constant, adenoids should be surgically removed (adenoidectomy). Sometimes adenoids are enlarged from no obvious reason and often shrink without treatment so pediatrician should be consulted about removal.

continue reading What Causes Blocked Nose in a Baby and Small Child?

What Is Nasal Congestion?

Nasal congestion, commonly called blocked or stuffy nose, refers to blockage of nasal passages caused by swelling of nasal mucous layer. Apart from nasal congestion, there are other causes of blocked nose.

Causes of Nasal Congestion

A cause of blocked nose may be suspected from symptoms, their duration, circumstances preceding blockage and effect of treatment trials. When the cause is not obvious, a doctor should be visited. Main causes include:

1. Infections
2. Allergies 
3. Non-allergic rhinitis: emotions, cigarette smoke, medications, irritant gases, hormones, pregnancy, drug addiction, spicy foods…
4. Poisoning

continue reading Stuffy Nose – Nasal Congestion

Blood, fluid and other secretions from the ear is known as otorrhea or commonly referred to as ear discharge. In otorrhea, the discharge exits through the ear and should not be confused with natural ear wax (cerumen) that occurs within the ear canal. Ear discharge should not be ignored, especially if there is  constant secretions of blood, discharges stained with blood or clear, thin or sticky fluid that may be cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

continue reading Causes of Ear Discharge (Secretion, Fluid)

A nasal polyp is a small outgrowth of the mucous membrane tissue that lines the nasal passages and sinus cavities. When this tissue is constantly inflamed and swollen, a polyp may develop although the exact cause of the polyp formation is not known. While the term ‘growth in the nose or sinus’ seems serious, nasal polyps are not cancerous tumors but may sometimes occur in cases of neoplasms of the nose or paranasal sinuses.

Certain conditions like hay fever, infections or sinusitis cause a swelling of the nasal and sinus lining. This mucous membrane lines the entire nose and sinus and usually produces mucus to keep the lining moist and trap any foreign matter entering through the nose. When irritated, the mucus membrane lining will often swell and produce excess mucus  (’runny, leaky or stuffed nose’). In these situations, a polyp may form from this inflamed nasal lining and starts off as a tiny ‘bump’ which can slowly grow into a small ‘lump’.

continue reading What is a Nasal Polyp – Growth in the Nose Cavity, Sinus

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss may vary from mild to severe (deafness) and usually affects only one side (unilateral). This type of hearing loss occurs over a short period, within a few hours or sometimes almost instantaneously. In most cases of sudden loss of hearing, the condition may spontaneously resolve with a partial or complete return of the hearing. In cases where the hearing loss resolves, it usually occurs within 10 to 14 days.

continue reading Sudden, Unilateral Hearing Loss – Deaf in One Ear

A swollen lymph node or gland is a term commonly used to describe lymphadenopathy, a condition associated with enlarged lymph nodes in a specific area of the body (localized) or throughout the entire body (generalized lymphadenopathy). Lymphadenopathy is an indicator of a disorder affecting a certain area of the body or a generalized condition throughout the body.

continue reading Swollen Lymph Nodes, Glands – Lymphedema, Lymphadenopathy