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Showing posts from October, 2020

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Persistent Hoarseness & Voice Disorders Treatment London | Mr Gaurav Kumar

  Persistent Hoarseness: When Should You See a Voice Specialist? We all experience a "lost voice" or raspiness during a heavy cold or after cheering at a concert. Usually, these symptoms vanish within a few days of rest. However, when hoarseness or a change in your voice persists for more than 3 weeks, it is no longer a simple irritation—it requires an ENT specialist evaluation. Changes in the voice can range from minor strain to more serious underlying conditions. This guide explains the common causes of voice disorders and what happens during a private voice assessment. What is Hoarseness? Hoarseness is an umbrella term for abnormal voice changes. Your voice may sound: Breathy or weak. Raspy or strained. Lower or higher in pitch than usual. "Husky" or consistently dry. These changes occur when something interferes with the vibration of the vocal cords (vocal folds) located in the larynx (voice box). Common Causes of Voice Disorders There are many reasons why your ...
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Professional Voice Disorders

  Most professional voice users can be regarded as vocal gymnasts. They need to have the good vocal calibre to match their demanding needs. For this reason, they are more prone to develop disorders of the voice. It is needless to emphasise that their existence is centred around their voice and hence the substantial psychological impact on them at the subtlest aberration. How do I care for my voice? How can I stay away from voice problems? Good vocal health can be ensured by adhering to principles of vocal hygiene. Good voicing techniques, warm-ups and cool-downs, avoiding unwanted strain like shouting and cheerleading adequate hydration and rest, regular diet and sleep are essential for good vocal health. Who will be able to answer all my concerns and help me? Otolaryngologists with a special interest in professional voice can help you sort issues relating to voice. They work in close association with voice therapists(SALT with a special interest in voice), Vocologists and voice co...
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Ear infection in children

How can I tell my toddler or child has an ear infection? Ear infections are prevalent from the age of 3 months until the age of 5 years. Toddlers may become irritable, start pulling their ear, excessive crying, running a temperature, follow cold or flu, in some cases may be associated with flu, cold and cough. In some cases, they can also present with ear discharge. Why do toddlers and children suffer from ear infections? The ear is connected to the back of the nose with a tube called the eustachian tube. The eustachian tube is responsible for maintaining equal pressure on both sides of the eardrum. In toddlers and children, this tube is shorter and straiter. When a child gets flu or cold, the virus can lead to inflammation of eustachian tube and middle ear.  On average, a child suffers from 6-8 flu or cold per year in the early years of their life as they develop their immunity.  When should I contact my doctor? Most of the ear infections may settle down with self-help medica...
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Loss of smell (Anosmia)

What causes loss of smell?   Sense of smell is vital to us. Loss of sense of smell is most commonly due to a cold or flu. Patients who suffer from sinus infections or hay fever can have intermittent loss of smell. In some cases, due to growth, such as nasal polyps or, in rare cases, a tumour can affect the sense of smell. These conditions can either lead to a total loss of smell, reduced sense of smell, altered smell or a sensation of smell when it is not there. Why do we lose the sense of smell in COVID-19 or Coronavirus infection? Coronavirus has been well-known to cause flu-like symptoms. COVID 19 is a type of coronavirus, so WHO has stated loss of smell as a possible symptom of COVID 19. In some cases, COVID-19 infection can affect nerve endings, resulting in Anosmia symptoms. Return of sense of smell depends on how these nerve endings regenerate. Should I be worried about the loss of sense of smell? The loss of sense of smell can be due to COVID infection. There can be other c...
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