A cholesteatoma can be dangerous to your health if left untreated. This abnormal skin growth behind the eardrum can lead to serious complications by damaging crucial structures in the ear. Here’s what you need to know: Potential Complications: Facial Nerve Damage: This can lead to facial palsy. Hearing Bones Damage: This may cause deafness and tinnitus. Balance System Damage: This can result in dizziness or total loss of balance and hearing in that ear (known as a dead ear). Brain Risks: The bony barrier between the ear and brain can wear away, increasing the risk of severe infections. Infection Risks: Mastoiditis: Infection spreading into the mastoid bone. Brain Abscess or Meningitis: Infections spreading into the brain. Blood Vessel Blockage: Infection in the mastoid bone can block the main blood vessel, draining blood from the brain. Treatment: Surgical Removal: Nearly always recommended to prevent these dangerous complications. If you suspect you
What to look for when you have a broken nose? The nose is made of two parts solid nasal bones in upper third and lower two third of cartilage. Trauma to the nose due to a road traffic accident, fall, contact sports, or fight can cause fracture of the nasal bone. What symptoms to look for when you have a broken nose? Swelling of the nose- swelling and bruising on the nose should settle down in 3-5 days. If the swelling stays longer than this seek advice from the doctor. Bruising under the eyes will settle in a week. If there is a blurring of vision, you need to attend A&E. Nose bleed and or clear discharge from the nose - Trauma to face can cause a nose bleed. If the nose bleed does not stop by using an ice pack on the forehead or you have a clear watery discharge from the nose, then you should attend A&E. These could be a sign of head injury. Difficulty in breathing through the nose can be due to swelling inside the nose or blood collection under the lining