Pain in left temple of the head is a condition when only left side of the head starts feeling immense pain and discomfort. This is a very common condition and might happen due to simple reasons however this may go away within a few hours or a day. But, if the pain in left temple continues for a longer time and is accompanied with other symptoms like dizziness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, blurred vision and fever, it can indicate a very serious condition.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of the pain in left temple of head includes:

Pain

Most obvious symptom is that there will be a very intense pain in left side of the head, whereas right side will be totally normal. Pain might increase and extend to left ear or behind left eye. Sometimes you might feel the pain even while doing the normal activities like when chewing, when breathing or when swallowing. The pain usually subsides when the underlying cause reduces.

Burning of the eye

In addition to the pain behind eye, your left eye might feel inflamed. There is also redness in eye and the eyelid might feel heavy when opening it. This usually happens during most cases of the left temple pain. Sometimes eyes also starts watering, hurts to touch and you might need to rest them in order for the pain to reside.

Nausea

Nausea is a condition in which a person might feel as if he is about to throw up. Headache is sometimes accompanied by nausea. This is very rare but does happen.

Blurred vision

Due to excessive pain on one side of the head, there is a possibility that the person starts seeing blurred through one eye. The intense pain behind eye and watering leads to the blurred vision.

Lightheadedness

A person suffering from pain in the left temple might feel lightheaded when standing. A person might feel as if he or she is about to faint. This feeling goes away within a few minutes usually.

Difficulty in breathing

In very few cases when breathing a person might feel a blockage in the nasal cavity.

Possible causes

There are a lot of reasons that cause the pain in left temple of the head. Some of them are:

1. Temporal Arteritis – in temporal arteritis, the temporal arteries are affected and get inflamed. This leads to pain in left temple of the head along with some other symptoms like sweating, fever, loss of appetite, weakness and fatigue. The doctor prescribes steroids to treat it.
2. Occipital Neuralgia – In occipital neuralgia the damage happens to the nerves present at the base of the skull. This leads to very sharp shooting or stabbing pain in the left temple of head and increases with the light and hurts to touch. This is usually treated with over the counter pain killers and heating pads are applied on the neck.
3. Sinus – Sinus is a very common reason for the sharp shooting pain in the left temple of the head. There is an inflammation and swelling around the sinus cavity. Pain can be felt on the cheek, eyes and the left temple of head. There will be pain in the whole nasal passage when breathing. Sinus is treated with prescribed medicines by the doctor.
4. Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome – The cause for this syndrome is the injury in the two joints connecting the jaw to the skull. This causes inflammation in the joints and there is sharp pain when chewing. Some people might even feel discomfort when swallowing their food. Various treatments like pain killers, surgery, massage, Botox etc. are done to get rid of this condition.
5. Stress – Stress is another cause for the pain in the left temple of head. Stress leads to tightening of muscles around the back of the neck. Along with this lack of sleep, bad posture and missed meals are also responsible. There are no other symptoms apart from pain in the left temple and taking an over the counter painkiller is sufficient in treating it.
6. Migraine – Pain in the left temple of head is the most common symptom of migraine. During migraine half portion of the head feels intense pain be it the left or the right. The pain becomes even worse with sounds, lights and physical movements. The other symptoms associated with it are nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and tingling sensation.
7. Heart Attack – During a heart attack or a stroke there is a sharp pain felt in left temple of the brain. The other symptoms associated with it are blurred vision, numbness, chest pain, slurred speech and dizziness.
8. Tumor – If the pain continues for a longer time or constantly comes and goes, there is a huge chance for it to be brain tumor. Other symptoms accompanied with this pain are blurry vision, inability to hear and inability to speak. Tumor can be treated with surgery, chemo or radiation therapy.
9. Medication – There are many drugs that show headaches as their side effects. The irony is that some medicines that are used in the treatment of a headache can lead to headache. Medication related to  headaches usually happen in the case of people suffering from migraine. These increase the headache even more. The headache can also be due to the overdose of a medicine. Consulting a doctor is very necessary so that he can reduce the dosage of your prescribed medicine.

Treatment

The various treatments to cure the pain in left temple of head are as follows:

Consult the doctor

The first and the foremost thing to do when experiencing a constant pain on the left temple of the head is to find the root cause of the symptom. Doctor will run a few tests and enquire about any other symptoms that you are facing with the pain in the left temple. He might even run an MRI to check for the brain tumor or migraine. After analyzing all the things, the doctor might be able to successfully diagnose your condition and provide you with the required treatment.

Medicine

If pain is short lived and happens once in a while, you can take over the counter pain killers. If the pain is not relieved by the pain-killers then the doctor might prescribe you a heavier dosage along with the other medicines to treat the cause of the headache. Some other medicines like anti-inflammatory drugs are also give in order to reduce the inflammation in the eye.

Food

Developing healthy food habits is very necessary to treat any disease. Sometimes headache in the left temple of brain happens due to deficiency of vitamins. So include a lot of food rich in various vitamins like Vit A, Vit B, Vit C, Vit K etc. increase in cholesterol and fat in the body might also be the reason for the headache along with indigestion. So increase the intake of fibers and lean protein whilst avoiding foods having empty calories and that are high in fats. Monosodium Glutamate is also a trigger migraines and other types of headaches, so any food containing these should be avoided.

Exercise

In addition to keeping healthy eating habits exercising is also very important to keep the body fit and the working properly. Exercising is also a very good stress reliever so it helps in subsiding any headache that is caused by stress.

Nasal Sprays

In case if is headache caused due to sinus, which are the most common type after migraine, a nasal spray is prescribed by the doctor. This nasal spray is helpful in clearing out the nasal passage and give relief when breathing.

Surgeries

In some cases like tumor, a surgery has to be performed on the brain in order to take it out. The tumor is a very rare cause of the headache but is one of the possibilities. In the case of sinus, even a surgery has to be performed on the nose in order to end the abnormal growth of the bone in the nose.

Pain Relief

Rest

Most of the time when you have a headache on the left temple of head, behind the eye and it even hurts to touch, resting the best thing to get rid of it. If you have blurred vision and you suddenly start feeling light headed, sit down or lie down for a while until the feeling goes. Not getting proper amount of sleep can be one of the reasons that you have a severe headache or no sleep might amplify the headache that is being caused due to some other problem.

Take a walk

When having a headache going out for a walk is the last thing someone might consider, but this is very helpful. Sometimes tightness in your muscles can cause headache and if you walk, it might loosen them up. Also if you are walking on the outdoors, you will definitely find something interesting to keep the mind off the headache. Another advantage of walking is that it releases endorphins which are the happy hormones. The release of endorphins makes you happy or calm and in turn reduces the headache or the sensation of headache. Regularly walking and exercising can at times totally end the headaches.

Do something to relax you

Activities like listening to music or painting or cooking or anything that gives you a feeling of relief can be taken up while having a headache. Stop working on strenuous tasks that need you to use your brain this might lead to an even worse headache. Some neck stretches and relaxing your body helps.

Massage

Massage your temple with your fingers. Take two first fingers and some scented oil and massage in clockwise direction and then in anti-clockwise direction. It is best to close your eyes while doing so, so that you can take in all the feeling and help yourself relax. It is even better if some other person can give you a massage and you can just lay down while the pain subsides. It is important to note here that some scented oils might have a sharp smell that might increase the headache even more. So, use oils with refreshing and soothing smells.

Cold Compress or Hot compress

Warm and cold compress can also be very helpful in relieving the pain if the person knows where to use what. Every headache is caused due to a different issue so knowing what compress works for which is very important. Sometimes applying cold compress might also increase the headache and tighten the muscles. But in the case of already expanded blood vessels responsible for the headache, cold compress is most useful. Applying a cold compress on the pack on the neck relieves migraine pain.

Yoga

Yoga is the best relaxation technique that also keeps your body fit. Practicing yoga and meditation everyday helps a person relax and rewind. Stretches done during yoga sessions are very useful in loosening the tightened muscles. Meditation helps build concentration and self-awareness and help you take off your mind from the headache for some time.

Long breaths

During a headache the brain needs a lot of oxygen and help relax the mind. Take deep breaths that fill up your lungs and brings up plenty of oxygen in your body as soon as you start having a headache.

Home Remedies

Almonds (not for migraine)

Eating a handful of almonds each day can help relieve the headache easily. Almonds should not be eaten by the people who have migraines since they can trigger even worse headaches in people with migraines. However, in headaches that are caused by stress and tension they can act as an excellent pain reliever.

Apple cider vinegar compress

Apple cider vinegar has lots of healing properties and has been used every now and then in curing a lot of ailments. Headache is one such ailment apple cider vinegar can easily cure. Mix some apple cider vinegar in the same amount of hot water and soak a towel in it.Finally apply it as a compress on your forehead by this headache will be gone in no time.

More water less alcohol and caffeine

Keeping the body hydrated is also very helpful in reducing the headache. So drink lots of water and try to avoid beverages like tea, coffee and alcohol.

Ginger

Ginger which is found in almost all the houses is an excellent anti-inflammatory substance. Having same parts of ginger and lemon juice can be really helpful in reducing the inflammation of blood vessels in the head.

Weeping Edema or commonly called “swelling” is defined as the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues. This is often brought about by a serious medical condition and is a alarming and life threatening.

Types

There are 4 types of edema:

• Pulmonary edema is the type where fluid leaks to the air spaces of alveoli which is found in lungs.
• Peripheral edema is a most common type of edema as this is noticeably visible in arms and legs or distal parts of the body.
• Pleural edema is when excess fluids are contained in abdominal area, pleural space or peritoneal cavities inside the body.
• Anasarca is a condition where edema, from the body is widespread and generalized. Fluid accumulation is present for both interstitial tissues and inside cavities of the body such as the above mentioned.

There are still different types of edema in addition to the ones mentioned above but are less common.

Although weeping edema is serious, it is manageable and treatment methods are less complicated which will then be discussed in the following topics.

Symptoms

Edema has a couple of visible symptoms that are easily distinguished. However, these are dependent on causative factors, like location of the affected area and the amount of swelling. Most of the time, affected area would look shiny, swollen and puffy. Early signs include transparent or yellowish fluid coming out in the affected areas. But there are also instances where these aren’t obvious.

Weight gain

Weight gain is the most common sign of edema as this is a result of fluid build-up in the body.

Swollen tongue

If the cause of edema are allergens such as food or medications, affected areas would be throat and the tongue, although swollen tongue isn’t visible, one can detect its presence as patient would be having a difficult time breathing and they may appear cyanotic too. When this happens, it can be very dangerous as this may cause obstruction in the breathing process.

Discomfort in walking

If Edema is affecting legs, then this can cause discomfort in walking as added weight is felt in both legs. Additionally, swelling in palm of the feet or toes can be painful upon walking. These are common for patients suffering from kidney disorders and cardiac problems.

Breathing problem

When the condition affects the lungs, shortness of breath will be appreciated on the patient, skin pallor and sometimes cough can be observed as well. Laboratory tests will also confirm decreased oxygen levels in the blood.

Gastrointestinal tract

For edema affecting the gastric area, abdominal swelling and increase in abdominal girth will be noticeable. This is common when patient is suffering from bleeding ulcers and liver cirrhosis.

Causes

There can be a lot of causes that contribute to edema, however, swelling is just a symptom of an underlying serious condition.

Below are one of the few causative factors of edema:

Low Albumin levels

This contributes to edema because albumin acts like a sponge in the blood. When these blood proteins are low, fluids are not contained in the blood vessels thus swelling occurs.

Allergic reactions

when allergens attack the body, blood vessels release fluid to the affected areas as a defense mechanism to the foreign bodies.

Congestive Heart Failure

If heart pumps blood insufficiently, back flow occurs thus fluid accumulates in the distal areas such as the legs because the heart is no longer able to pump it back to the chest. This eventually leads to leg edema. However, when the opposite occurs and there is too much pumping, blood is not equally distributed in the distal areas thus they are contained in the chest eventually causing pulmonary edema or swelling of the lungs.

Cirrhosis

severe liver condition causes fluid retention, this is due to decreased albumin levels in the blood. They keep the blood from leaking outside the blood vessels. However, when there is cirrhosis, fluid leaks to the abdomen causing abdominal swelling.

Nephrotic disorder

This is a kidney disorder; this happens when damage to the glomeruli (tiny vessels that filter protein and blood waste products) occurs. Thus protein is not filtered at all and then leaks into the urine often called “proteinuria”. Fluid then accumulates in the tissues.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy can cause edema in the legs especially when expectant mothers suffer from eclampsia, gestational diabetes and sometimes deep vein thrombosis which can be very life threatening to both mother and fetus.

Treatment

There are various medical approaches to treat weeping edema but most of the time treating the causative factor is the best way to address the issue.

Medication

Medications such as corticosteroids and NSAIDS treat edema in a way that it reduces the swelling and inflammation however it doesn’t treat the underlying condition. Long term management involves treating the disorder causing edema.

Antihistamines

For edema caused by allergic reactions, antihistamines would treat the swelling. If leg edema is caused by a clot in the leg which is common in deep vein thrombosis, blood thinners will fix the problem.

Diuretics

For instances where swelling is caused by congestive heart failure or kidney problem, Diuretics are best recommended by physicians. However clinical approach will depend on the management of the doctor.

Remedies

Natural remedies can also be an effective approach to treat the disorder. This may include:

Exercise

frequent and careful movements in the areas affected by edema may assist the fluid to be moved back to the heart however it is best to consult the physician before doing it so they can recommend the best exercise for the patient.

Elevation of the affected area

Elevation of affected area may reduce swelling particularly for leg edema as elevating the leg can decrease pressure in between feet and the floor.

Massage

Slow and soft massage on the affected area towards the heart may also reduce swelling. Use of compression stockings is recommended too because it lessens pressure on the affected area and prevent fluid accumulation in the tissue.

Emollients

Use of emollients such as lotions and moisturizers protect the affected area from peeling and cracking that may lead further insult to the injured part.

Sodium intake

incorporation of zero to less sodium intake in daily diet is the best method to prevent and treat edema as salt contributes to fluid retention and increases the risk of worsening the condition.

Weeping Edema Pictures

Take a look at these pictures of weeping edema to find out how it looks like:

What is collarbone Pain ?

The collarbone is a long bone that connects to the scapula and the sternum. As one of the bones that make up the shoulder girdle, it acts to help stabilize the arm and plays a vital role in shoulder mobility and thoracic support. It also protects nerve bundles that run to the upper extremities.

In anatomic terms the collarbone is known as the clavicle, which is derived from the latin word clavicula which means “little key”. The clavicle differs from other long bones in the body in that the shape, size, and placement may be different from person to person depending on varying factors such as age and gender.

The collarbone is connected to seven different muscles and two major ligaments. Since the collarbone is such an important bone for upper body movement and because of it’s location, collarbone pain is very common and can be a symptom of conditions that range from minor problems, such as straining muscles after coughing or throwing up, to very serious health conditions such as being a sign of pericarditis(inflammation of the sac around the heart) or even a sign of a heart attack.

These are some common and uncommon reasons, why one might experience collarbone pain.

Collarbone Fractures: The little broken key

The clavicle is one of the most commonly broken bones in the human body. It only takes about eight pounds of direct pressure to break a collarbone. In contrast it takes around 25 pounds of pressure to break a humerus (upper arm bone). Looking at the great difference in the amounts of pressure these two bones can withstand it is easy to see how impact on an arm can cause collarbone problems. Because the clavicle is one of the most commonly broken bones in the human body, the body actually has some ways that it protects itself if it does ever break. One of those is the Subclavius muscle but more on that later. Now let us take a look at what might cause this bone to break.

Picture of Collarbone fracture

Possible Causes

Some reasons why you may have a broken collar bone:

• After a fall (from elevated height or a fall from same level)
• Sports injury
• Accident involving a vehicle (including bicycles!)
• Any sudden direct impact on outstretched arm

Signs and Symptoms

According to The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), if you experience any of these signs and symptoms it may be safe to suspect a broken collarbone:

• Tenderness in the clavicular region
• One shoulder lower than the other
• Swelling or discoloration
• A single lump over the painful area
• A grinding feeling or sound when pressed. This is known as crepitus.
• These are the common signs of a fracture, however, some collarbone fractures will not show any of the signs listed above.

Treatment

If you suspect a clavicular fracture it is recommended that you consult your physician immediately. These are some treatments that will help in the meantime.

As with any fracture or sprain use the RICE method

R – Rest the area. Limit movement as much as possible. For collarbone or shoulder pain a sling and swath can be used.

I – Ice. Place a cold compress on the affected area. Never place ice directly on skin as this may cause cold burns and superficial tissue damage. Instead wrap an ice pack in a cloth or paper towel. Ice affected areas for around 10 minutes at a time.

C – Compress. The collar bone can be a tricky area to place pressure on to control swelling unlike an extremity which can be wrapped. A sling will also take care of this part of the the home remedy.
E – Elevate the area. Because the collarbone is already in an elevated position, this step just requires you to sit up instead of lying down. Elevating the area will help reduce swelling and control pain.

Anti-inflammatory – The use of anti-inflammatory medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Aleve,Excedrin) will also greatly reduce swelling and help control pain.

Muscle and Ligament Pain

At this point maybe you’ve ruled out the possibility of a fracture. So what else can be causing the pain? As said earlier, the collarbone is connected to many different muscles and tendons. Strain of any one of these muscles or tendons can cause pain that may feel even worse than a fracture.

Strains, or pulls, may be caused by overuse, underuse, or traumatic injury of the tissues connected to the clavicle.

Muscles that are connected to the collarbone:

The Deltoid

This muscle is responsible for movement of the entire arm. Along with the deltoid muscles ligaments in the shoulder joint are often injured or strained. One of the most common ligaments that can be damaged is the acromioclavicular joint (the AC joint). Shoulder surgery is often the only way to repair a damaged ac joint.

The Trapezoid

The trapezoid helps in supporting the arm. It is responsible for scapular contractions and also supports the spine.

The Subclavius

This muscle is located exactly where the name suggests, directly underneath the clavicle.This muscle serves to move the joint of the sternum and clavicle
The subclavius also protects underlying blood vessels if the collarbone becomes broken.

The Sternohyoid

This muscles acts to keep the hyoid bone in place. The hyoid is a bone that helps in the act of swallowing and moving the tongue.

The Pectoralis Major

This muscle is responsible for three different planes of movement of the arm. It also helps in keeping the arm attached to the body.

Causes

Sports

Heavy weights and repeatative motion

Athletic activities that involve large amounts of weight being lifted (bodybuilding, powerlifting, etc.) or sports that involve repetitive motions (swimming, tennis, etc.) may all cause problems with the collarbone.

• If the athlete does not properly warm up, allow time to recover, or have adequate nutrition.
• If there is improper technique during the “rack” position in olympic lifting.
• Athletes may also experience collarbone pain while running because of the constant jarring that the runner experiences. This constant impact may make pain from previous injuries more apparent or create new injuries.

Muscles underused

When muscles become underused, muscular imbalances can occur. When Muscular imbalances are present stress is put on nearby muscles and may cause pain.

Coughing

Violent coughing may cause pain in the collar bone. Our bodies are incredible machines that have many different mechanisms to take care of itself. When we cough, our bodies are trying to clear our airways. Sometimes, a violent cough, especially a series of violent coughs may strain the sternohyoid muscle that runs along the neck. This strain in particular is responsible for a lot of clavicular pain after coughing. Other causes of chest pain after coughing can be pleurisy or pericarditis, which will be discussed later.

Throwing up

Like coughing, throwing up causes many muscles to tense at once. Particularly the muscles of the chest, throat, and back. All areas that are connected to the collarbone.

Bad posture

Bad posture closely relates to muscular imbalances. Bad posture can create high amounts of tension in certain muscles and create pain near affected areas.

Treatment

As with fractures the RICE method can be used to treat muscle and tendon pain at home. If you experience pain with any exercise or particular movement it is very important to stop doing that movement. If a muscle or ligament is injured repeatedly, surgery will be the only option available to fix the tissue.

Some other options are available for home remedies:

• Epsom salt baths can be great to help remedy muscle pain.
• Icy hot or other mentholated creams
• Essential oils rubbed on the skin

Referred Pain: Reflections of other Conditions

Referred pain, also known as reflective pain, is pain that occurs when an area of the body is affected by a condition and the pain is present somewhere else. This type of pain can be seen in people who are having heart attacks and they feel pain in their jaw or back.

Causes

Pregnancy

While pregnant the body goes through an enormous amount of changes. One of the changes occurs in the digestive system. During pregnancy digestion slows down. This can sometimes cause the gallbladder to not empty correctly and therefore cause solid deposits to form in the gall bladder. Pain from gallstones can be reflected to cause shoulder pain and collarbone pain. Another condition that may cause pain in the clavicular area is preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a very serious condition that must be treated by a physician immediately.

Kidney Stones

Like gallstones, kidney stones are solid deposits that are formed in the body. Many different conditions may cause kidney stones but the most common reason they form is because of high uric acid levels in the body and not enough water intake. It has been said that, for men, the pain of passing a kidney stone is comparable to childbirth.

Pleurisy

Pleurisy is the inflammation of the lining of the lungs. This can occur after coughing, throwing up, or when experiencing chest conditions such as pneumonia or COPD.

Pericarditis

The fluid filled sac around the heart is called the pericardium. The pericardium protects the heart and keeps it in place. Sometimes this sac can become inflamed due to injury or illness. This is a very serious and very painful condition that may exacerbate pain near the clavicle. If left unchecked pericarditis may cause something called pericardium effusion. When the pericardium becomes inflamed, fluid increases in the sac around the heart. This causes pressure to be placed on the heart which may make it difficult for the heart to function properly.

Indigestion and Heartburn

Excess amounts of stomach acid or problems digesting that burrito you just ate may also cause pain near the collarbone. This is a very common condition. If you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) it is very likely that you may experience referred pain after eating. This condition can be so painful that it is often mistaken for cardiac symptoms.

Treatment

Never ignore chest pain. The torso is home to all of our vital organs and failure of any one of them may cause irreversible damage to our bodies or even death. Even if you suspect indigestion or heartburn, it would be wise to at least make an appointment with your doctor. A physician will be able to rule out any serious conditions. It may just be heartburn but if the pain is bad enough that it mimics a heart attack treatments are available that can help.

Other Things That May Cause Collarbone Pain

Cancer

It is very rare that cancer will begin in the clavicle but not impossible. If cancer is present in the clavicle it is likely that it began elsewhere and spread to the collarbone.

Pneumothorax or Hemothorax

A pneumothorax is a condition where the lung has been punctured and air is leaking into the chest cavity. A hemothorax is when blood has leaked into the chest cavity. Either one of these may cause tension in the chest cavity that can create pain near the collarbone. Common signs of pneumothorax are subcutaneous emphysema (air bubbles under the skin). SubQ emphysema can be easily identified as it resembles bubble wrap when you fell it with your hand. Pneumo- or Hemo- thoraces may also cause tracheal deviation.

Stress

Stress manifests itself in many ways. One is tensing of muscles, especially near the shoulders and the neck. If you are under a lot of stress you may have collarbone pain and have no injury at all. Stress can be relieved with exercise, meditation, herbal remedies, and medications.

For some people, having dry skin in ears is just a mild irritant they live with, while for the other vast majority dry skin in ears is discomforting as the accompanying symptoms are just too bothersome and sometimes can be somewhat embarrassing.

Have you noticed dry skin in your ear canals? Or dry skin behind your ears? Are you thinking that it would just go away? Dry flaky skin in ears might be an allergic reaction or it could just be a symptom of an underlying medical disorder.

Symptoms of Dry Skin in Ears

Dry skin in ears can manifest in so many ways:

• Dry skin in ear canals – You might notice that you have accumulated dry flaky skin in ear canals and sometimes the flakes can be seen on your pillow after a nap.
• Dry skin behind ears – You may notice dry flaky/crusty skin behind your ears, dry skin around hairline and ears, and even on the earlobe.
• Itchy ears – Sometimes, the ear canal, ear lobe and even the skin behind the ears can get itchy and this can be quite embarrassing especially in an office.
• Peeling skin on the ears can be as a result of excessive scratching to relieve itching
• Dry flaky eyebrows which can sometimes be itchy
• Reddened skin in ear canal, earlobe and even the surrounding skin
• There can be also pain in the ear and ear cartilage and blistering skin from bruises from the frequent scratches

What Causes Dry Skin in Ears?

Dry skin in ears may be as a result of numerous conditions. It could be due to lifestyle/daily habits, allergic reactions or even some medical conditions.

Due to lifestyle

• Some everyday habits like cleaning the ear canal too often can cause the ear canal to become dry, flaky or crusty as all the wax which oils the canal has been cleaned off.
• Also for regular swimmers, swimming in chlorinated pool can also cause dry crusty skin in ears due to chlorinated water causing dryness.
• Use of harsh soaps or body washes that strip the skin of oil especially in people with dry skin gives rise to dry flaky skin on hairline and ear and also dry itchy flaky eyebrows
• Smoking causes skin dryness generally
• Dry skin in ear canal often arises as a natural part of the aging process.

Due to Allergic Reaction

People have different body reactions to certain things. For some people, they have an allergic reaction to certain beauty products (hairsprays, shampoos, hair dye, etc) or even nickel ear rings which can lead to itchy dry skin in ears, which in turn leads to excessive itching that causes reddening of the ear lobe and even pain in the ear cartilage.

Due to Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions can give rise to dry skin in ears:

Ear infections

Dry skin in ears may be caused by existing ear infections. Ear infections are usually of two kinds – otitis externa and otitis media. Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear; the outer is the visible part of the ear, while otitis media is an infection of the middle ear which is not visible for all. These ear infections can cause itchy flaky skin in ears and are usually accompanied by pain and redness of the surrounding area.

Some skin conditions can also cause dry skin in ear. Common skin disorders like seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema are leading medical causes of dry skin in ears.

Seborrheic dermatitis

This is a skin condition with an unknown direct cause and usually causes itchy, dry, flaky skin in ears, around the eyebrows, hairline and nose. The skin may also become cracked, sore and secondarily infected by bacteria

Psoriasis and eczema are also common causes of dry, flaky skin inside the ear
and behind the ears.

Pictures of Dry Skin in Ears

Collection of Photos, Pictures of Dry, Flaky skin in ears:

Treatment

There are various treatment options for dry skin in ears, but to treat effectively one has to determine the cause and treat accordingly.

For daily habits, lifestyle changes would be needed

• The overzealous ear cleaners would do well to remember that wax is actually good for the ear. Do not strip your ears of natural lubrication by cleaning with cotton buds or q tips often.
• Use of tight swim caps while swimming to avoid chlorinated water getting into the ear canal would go a long way for swimmers.
• Use of sunscreen to avoid sunburn and also drinking plenty of water to help keep one hydrated

For allergies, check your personal care products and find that shampoo or hair dye that might possibly be causing the irritation. It would also be good if you would use non-nickel earrings going forward if you have an allergy history. Shampoos that contain zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole or selenium sulfide as an active ingredient also help in relieving itchy symptoms.

For ear infections and chronic skin conditions, visit a doctor as moisturizing the skin alone will not cure these diseases and relieving the symptoms is only a temporary measure.
Use of home remedies goes a long way in symptom relief of dry skin in ears.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin in Ears

• Moisturize with cooling based lotions: Moisturizing with lotions like petroleum jelly or aloe vera based lotions can help alleviate the dryness in the ear lobe and the surrounding skin. These moisturizers should not be applied inside the ear canal.
• Use Olive Oil: A drop of warm olive oil inside the ear canal helps keep the ear canal lubricated. A drop of oil once or twice a week is enough and the ear is rubbed to spread the oil evenly.
• Use of Garlic Oil: A drop or two of garlic oil helps not just to relieve dryness but also helps in infections, as garlic has been found to have an antibacterial property.
• Use of Vinegar: Vinegar has also been found to be an effective remedy for dry skin in ears, though it should not be used alone or undiluted: dilute vinegar is mixed with some rubbing alcohol for best results.

Stomach Bloating – What does it mean?

We all know the discomfort that brings on regret after we eat a particularly heavy meal. Imagine suffering from that feeling regularly and after every meal. This is what people suffering from bloating have to deal with. As per a population-based study carried out in the US, it was found that around 20% adults suffer from this condition.

Stomach bloating refers to the feeling of tightness and distension of the stomach, particularly after meals; and can sometimes be painful. This is often caused due to build-up of excess gas in the stomach and intestines, which can lead to both painful and embarrassing situations. Luckily, bloating is more often than not, easily resolved by few modifications to your diet and lifestyle. However, it is crucial to be aware of the warning signs and symptoms that when present along with this non-specific condition can herald the onset of some other serious condition. Keep reading to know more!

Why does my stomach bloat after eating anything?

There is no singular cause for bloating. Every individual who experiences this unpleasant discomfort might have a different cause.

The basic pathophysiology behind bloating is two-pronged: incomplete digestion and imbalance of the bacteria in the gut. Incomplete digestion can occur due to poor production of acid in the stomach, reduced amount of digestive enzymes in our body (Heard of lactose intolerance?), and due to some medications that you are on, such as antacids. This incomplete digestion of food in your gut leads to the proliferation of the harmful bacteria that produce increased quantities of gas.

Causes of Stomach Bloating after Eating

Although the actual pathophysiology behind bloating is most often undigested food, this final outcome can be the result of various causes. A few common ones are as follows:

Food triggers

Certain food items are prone to cause bloating in most people. These include vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, beans, dairy products, and chicken among a few.

• Although high-fiber diet is considered beneficial, a sudden switch to excessive dietary fiber can also lead to bloating. This is because fiber is difficult to digest and excess intake of it can lead to excessive gas production in the gut.
• We all love our soda, and our chips, and our candies! However, these are all food items that when consumed, add to the woes of a person dealing with bloating.
• Processed food such as bread, pasta, fried food items and cheese contains excessive quantities of starch that is difficult to digest.

Artificial sweeteners

Reaching out for the artificial sweeteners can prove as disastrous as having sugar. These artificial sweeteners contain sorbitol and other polyols, which are difficult to digest.

Food Intolerance

A few individuals are known to have certain food allergies that can also lead to bloating, as their gut is incapable of digesting those food items properly. This is because they lack the enzymes needed to digest that particular food item. Most commonly known food intolerances are lactose and gluten intolerance.

Wrong eating habits

Overeating or eating too fast is a common cause of bloating. It is said that it takes approximately 20 minutes for the brain to signal satiety and curb your appetite. Imagine how much extra food you end up eating in 20 minutes if you gulping your food down. This leads to poor digestion. Moreover, eating fast results in excess air being swallowed, which again leads to distension of the gut.

Many people suffer from bloating only after eating restaurant meals or meals cooked a day prior. Reheating cooked food brings about certain changes in its molecular structure, which makes it more difficult to digest.

Hormonal changes

Bloating is a common symptom during the pre-menstrual phase. This is attributed to the increased levels of progesterone in the body.

Stress

We have an inbuilt gut-brain connection through something known as the vagus nerve in our bodies. Thus, any stress or deviation from a healthy mental state affects the gastrointestinal system. Moreover, being worried and stressed tempts us to reach out for our comfort foods, which is most likely unhealthy. All of these can lead to excessive bloating.

Smoking

Smoking has been implicated as a common cause of gastrointestinal distress, including bloating.

Medication

Excessive intake of antibiotics leads to an imbalance of bacteria in the gut, making it more susceptible to bloating.

Can I be suffering from something serious if I have stomach bloating after meals?

Most often, bloating is an indicator of poor food habits or stress. However, occasionally, it can indicate an underlying health condition that could prove disastrous if ignored. Serious causes of bloating include Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, acid reflux, intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal infections, stomach cancer etc. These health conditions range from minor issues to cancers and hence, it is advisable to keep your eyes open for a few warning signs if you experience stomach bloating after meals regularly. If in doubt, it is best to consult a medical practitioner at the earliest. As they say, better safe than sorry!

These warning signs include:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Fever
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Vomiting out blood
• Passing blood in your stools
• Sudden and severe weight loss
• Severe constipation for more than 2-3 days
• Loose and uncontrollable diarrhea

How to Stop bloating after eating?

The most important step to stop bloating after meals is to figure out why is it happening in the first place. Only then can you take active measures to make the necessary lifestyle modification to get rid of it. The simple ways in which you can stop experiencing bloating are given below:

• Recognize and avoid the food triggers
• Limit the intake of processed food and aerated drinks
• Take time to savor your meals. It is also recommended to eat multiple, smaller meals than one, large meal.
• Add some exercise to your daily routine – Even a casual, short walk after meals helps in alleviating the discomfort of bloating after meals.
• Maintain adequate hydration.
• Increase the intake of probiotics in your diet.
• If you are particularly stressed, try meditation and relaxation techniques.
• Quit smoking, if you haven’t already!
• Certain medications can help relieve you of bloating. The commonly available drugs include antispasmodics and dicyclomine.

Home Remedies

Yes! Apart from the lifestyle changes that you can easily do, certain home remedies can help you reduced the discomfort and pain due to stomach bloating.

Ginger

Ginger is nothing short of a magic trick as far as stomach trouble is concerned. Due to the chemicals in it, it can help ameliorate most of the common gut problems. You can eat a teaspoon of grated ginger as it is, or add it to your cup of hot tea.

Peppermint or chamomile tea

Methanol present in peppermint helps as an anti-spasmodic and relieves gut discomfort. It can be had as a cup of tea daily.

Regular intake of chamomile tea can also help reduce bloating as an anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory. Other herbs such as nutmeg, oregano, dill, fennel & cinnamon.

Turmeric

Curcumin, a chemical in turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce bloating.

Caraway

Also known as jeera, it can help release the trapped, excess gas in your gut. It being a versatile ingredient, you can add it to food while cooking, munch on the seeds or just buy a few caraway crackers. Either way, it will provide your gut a much-needed respite.

Probiotics

These add to the ‘good’ bacteria in your gut and regular consumption of probiotics help in alleviating bloating and other gut conditions. A 2011 study showed that the probiotics helped 60 participants to reduce bloating. Probiotics are found in supplements or in yogurt, kimchi, miso etc.

Warm water

Warm water with a dash of lemon juice in it had first thing in the morning is an efficient and easy way to get rid of bloating. The lemon juice stimulates the production of stomach acid, which aids in digestion.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Like turmeric, apple cider vinegar helps to increase the production of stomach acid and help in reducing your stomach discomfort. You can add a spoonful of it to a glass of water and have it in the mornings or just before meals.

How can I Prevent Stomach bloating after meals?

If you want to keep away from this annoying discomfort, you can do so easily by ensuring a healthy lifestyle and incorporating a few changes in your diet, as follows:

• Limit the intake of processed food items. Go raw!
• Avoid excess salt in your diet
• Reduce the quantities of fatty and spicy food in your diet
• Keep exercising regularly
• Avoid stress. Try yoga and other meditation techniques
• Drink plenty of water; at least six to eight glasses a day
• Avoid medications as far as possible.

Is stomach bloating more common during pregnancy?

Bloating is often considered an early sign of pregnancy and is much more common in pregnant women than non-pregnant. It usually lasts for the entire duration of pregnancy and results in excessive flatulence and discomfort.

It commonly occurs due to excess progesterone in the pregnant lady’s body. This hormone, responsible for relaxing the smooth muscles of the uterus, also relaxes those of the gut. Add to this, the enlargement of the uterus and limited physical activity; and you have bloating to deal with.

Although uncomfortable, it is quite normal to be bloated during pregnancy and you can alleviate the discomfort with the help of above-mentioned remedies.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, bloating is an alarm given off by your gut to indicate that it needs help. Only when you pay attention to your body’s needs and understand it better, will you be able to live a healthy life and enjoy yourself. Though not often a sign of impending doom, it is essential to figure out why is it happening and look for medical help in case something seems amiss.

What does MCV mean in a blood test?

MCV is the abbreviated form of Mean Corpuscular Volume (or Mean Cell Volume), which is an important component of the common blood test called Full Blood Count (FBC or CBC). Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a measure of the average volume of red blood corpuscles (or red blood cells – RBC) in a person’s body. Thus, it gives an idea about the average size of each red blood cell inside someone’s body.

An abnormally high value of MCV means that the red blood cells are bigger in size than usual, and an abnormally low value of MCV means that the red blood cells are smaller in size than usual. MCV is usually interpreted based on a person’s clinical condition (physical symptoms and signs, medical history etc.), and along with other measures in a full blood count such as haemoglobin level (Hb), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). It may also be interpreted along with a blood picture. MCV is mostly useful in differentiating the types of anaemia, and in finding out the cause of anaemia.

How is MCV Calculated?

There are several different methods to calculate the MCV. Most of the modern blood analyzer equipment calculate the MCV automatically, when a sample of blood is introduced to it.

Other manual methods of calculating the MCV using the values of haematocrit (or packed cell volume -PCV) and red blood cell count (RBC), are as follows:

• MCV = (PCV [in L/L] / RBC count [in ×10¹²/L]) × 1000
• MCV = PCV [in L/L]/ RBC count [in millions/ml]
• MCV = PCV (%) × 10 / RBC count [in 10¹²/L]

The value of MCV is usually expressed in femtoliters (fL) which is equivalent to 10-15 litres. It should be noted that the above equations are to express the value of MCV in femtoliters.

Normal Range of MCV

The normal range for MCV is usually considered as 80-95 fL (per red blood cell) in adults. If the MCV is within this normal range, the red blood cells are said to be normocytic(normal in size); if the MCV is lesser than 80 fL, the red blood cells are considered to be microcytic (smaller than usual); and if it is greater than 95fL, the red blood cells are considered to be macrocytic (larger than usual).

Possibilities for Abnormal levels of MCV

The size of red blood cells can fall outside the normal range – hence resulting in abnormal levels of MCV – due to many reasons. Some of these may be due to normal variations in the physiological condition of a person, or due to variations in age. Other reasons include a variety of pathological conditions (i.e. disease conditions) ranging from anaemias to cancers.
There are considerable variations of MCV in newborn babies (neonates) and infants, when compared to the normal range in adults. Pregnancy is also another situation where the MCV may fall outside the normal range.

The most common clinical entity related to abnormalities in MCV is anaemia (abnormally low haemoglobin concentration in blood). There are 3 categories of anaemia in relation to red blood cell size (MCV) and red blood cell haemoglobin concentration (mean corpuscular haemoglobin – MCH). These types of anaemia include:

• Normochromic, normocytic anaemia – with normal cell size and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH)
• Hypochromic, microcytic anaemia – with smaller cell size and low MCH
• Macrocytic anaemia – with larger cell size

Each of these types of anaemia could be caused by a variety of disease conditions which will be dealt with in detail in the following sections.

Other factors such as heavy smoking, alcohol intake, and use of cytotoxic drugs etc. also may cause anaemia and related changes in MCV.

Causes for low MCV

Iron deficiency anaemia

This is the most common cause of anaemia in the world, and is an important cause for hypochromic microcytic anemia with low MCV and MCH. Red blood cells contain haemoglobin (Hb) molecules which are responsible for transporting oxygen. Each of these haemoglobin molecules consists of two parts; a protein part made of α and β chains and an iron containing porphyrin part known as ‘haem’ which contains iron as Fe 2+. Thus, reduction in body iron levels causes reduced haemoglobin formation and results in hypochromic microcytic red blood cells, and a reduced MCV.

Iron deficiency can be due to several reasons such as:

• Insufficient intake (vegan diet,limited diet, malnutrition)
• Decreased absorption (high gastric acidity, gastric surgeries, vitamin C deficiency)
• Increased body needs (adolescence, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, cancer)

Thalassemia

Thalassemia is a hereditary disease which is caused by a defect in the synthesis of α or β globin chains of haemoglobin molecules. In thalassemia major there are either fewer or no β chains available and in α thalassemia there are either fewer or no α chains available. Both types of thalassemia causes defective haemoglobin synthesis and smaller red blood cell size, which results in low MCV.

Chronic diseases

Any long standing inflammatory conditions (arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus etc.) or infectious conditions (pulmonary abscesses, tuberculosis,osteomyelitis, pneumonia, bacterial endocarditis etc.) or non-infectious conditions (sarcoidosis, Crohn’s disease, Gaucher’s disease) or malignant conditions (carcinoma, lymphoma, sarcoma) or chronic kidney diseases can cause disturbed red blood cell production due to many reasons such as:

• Decreased availability of iron
• Decreased level of erythropoietin, a hormone which increases the red cell production
• Mild decrease in the life span of red blood cells to 70-80 days (normally 120 days)
• Cytokines ( interleukin 1 and 6) , tumor necrosis factor (TNF – α ) produced by the abnormal cells causes destruction of red blood cell precursors and decrease the number of eryhropoitein receptors in the progenitor cells.

Sideroblastic anaemia

This condition arises due to a defect in the incorporation of iron(Fe2+) into the haem part of the haemoglobin molecule which leads to defective formation of haemoglobin and thus results in low MCV. This condition can arise due to congenital reasons (mitochondrial diseases) or acquired reasons (myelodysplastic syndrome, deficiency of copper and vitamin B6, lead poisoning, alcohol, drugs such as anti-tuberculosis, hypothermia etc.)

Infants and young children also have a low level of MCV, which rises gradually with age.

Causes for high MCV

High MCV is usually caused by conditions that lead to macrocytic anaemia. Macrocytic anaemia is commonly caused by deficiency of vitamin B12(cobalamin) or folate.Some abnormalities in the metabolism of vitamin B12 or folate(e.g. transcobalamin deficiency, use of antifolate drugs) also cause macrocytic anaemia. Genetic or acquired enzyme deficiencies that lead to defective DNA synthesis (e.g. orotic aciduria, heavy alcohol use) may also cause macrocytic anaemia.

Deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate, and associated abnormalities in their metabolism, lead to defective DNA synthesis within red blood cell precursors (erythroblasts) in the bone marrow. This leads to abnormally large volume of cytoplasm remaining in such cells (within bone marrow) which are called as megaloblasts.Therefore, the macrocytic anaemia due to aforementioned causes is also known as megaloblastic anaemia.The peripheral blood film (or blood picture) in this condition shows oval macrocytes, and the MCV is usually higher than 98 fL, or may even reach up to about 120-140 fL in severe cases.

Other causes of macrocytic (non-megaloblastic) anaemia leading to high MCV include:

• Heavy use of alcohol(may cause high MCV even in the absence of anaemia)
• Liver disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Myelodysplastic syndrome
• Cytotoxic drugs (e.g. methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, cyclophosphamide, trimethoprim etc.)
• Reticulocytosis
• Aplastic anaemia

Normal variations in the physiological condition of a person may also sometimes give rise to a high MCV. Pregnancy is one such important condition where the MCV is raised beyond the usual normal range. In an uncomplicated pregnancy, the MCV may rise by up to 4-5 fL than the normal level.

Newborn babies also have a high MCV during their initial few weeks, starting at an average level of about 120 fL. This drops progressively until about one year. Infants and small children usually have a low level of MCV (around 70-80 fL), which rises gradually with age and reaches normal adult levels at puberty