Ear cartilage meatoplasty (conchal cartilage reduction) for external ear canal stenosis — an operation to widen the entrance (outer/cartilaginous part) of the ear canal by reshaping/removing the obstructing conchal cartilage and associated soft tissue, so the canal stays open and can ventilate, drain, and be cleaned. Why is this being recommended? Your ear canal is narrowed because the conchal cartilage (the bowl-shaped cartilage at the ear opening) is bulky or positioned in a way that crowds the canal entrance. This can lead to a cycle of wax trapping, recurrent otitis externa/inflammation, discharge, blocked hearing, difficulty examining the eardrum , and repeated need for microsuction. Meatoplasty aims to restore a stable, self-cleaning canal opening and reduce recurrent problems. What benefit can you reasonably expect? The intended benefits are: easier ear toilet/cleaning, fewer blockages and infections, improved access for drops and examination, and (i...
What's a vestibular migraine? Vestibular migraine is also known as migraine-related dizziness, migraine with prominent vertigo or migrainous vertigo. Patients will have vertigo symptoms, dizziness or imbalance, and some migraine symptoms. It is vital to understand that not all vestibular migraine patients will have headaches as the main symptoms. So migraine symptoms can be any of these: headache with or without nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to sound or lights or motion sickness. Each episode can last for minutes to hours. What causes or triggers a vestibular migraine? A lot of factors can trigger a vestibular migraine attack. The most common trigger factors are stress and anxiety, poor sleep hygiene, fasting and dehydration, menstrual cycle and food such as chocolate, cheese and red wine. How is vestibular migraine diagnosed? Diagnosis of vestibular migraine solely depends on patients history of symptoms. It is beneficial to record his or her episode in a vertigo or dizziness...