HEALTH: How to prevent swimmer’s ear

2009/11/10

Q: My 10-year-old daughter is an active swimmer. Unfortunately, she constantly suffers from ear infections because of the swimming. How can she prevent them? — Tina Tham, Penang DR PRIA: Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an infection of the ear canal. Normally, there is itchiness followed by intense pain, especially when touching or pulling at the earlobe. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection but occasionally, may be fungal in origin.

After swimming, make sure your daughter dries her ears carefully. Dry the outer ear gently using a soft towel. Then ask her to tip her head to one side to allow water to drain out and dry again. Try drying her ear using a hair dryer at its lowest setting but do keep it at least 0.3 metres away from her ear. Avoid irritation to the ear canal. Never use anything hard to clean her ears (including cotton buds) as it may scratch the lining of the ear and cause irritation.

Using ear plugs while swimming may also help to prevent swimmer’s ear. If her ear drum is not punctured, then you can use over-the-counter ear-drying agents. If your child is at the itching stage (before the severe pain has started), then it will help to stop swimming for one to two days.

However, it is best to consult your doctor if the pain is severe or recurrent. Q: My mother had a minor stroke six months ago. She is undergoing therapy at the moment. Are there steps that can be taken to prevent or reduce the risk of a second stroke? — Sarah, Klang DR RAHMAN: Stroke is the second-most common cause of death after heart attacks. Seventy-five per cent of stroke episodes are first-time strokes while the rest are recurrent strokes. Eighty-five per cent of strokes are due to thromboembolism which results in ischemic stroke due to cessation of blood supply to the affected part of the brain. The rest are due to bleeding in the brain or what’s called a haemorrhagic stroke. The risk factors associated with strokes are almost similar to coronary heart disease such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking and family history. Risk of thromboticembolic stroke is also increased in those with atrial fibrillation, dilated left heart with ventricular dysfunction and mitral valve disease of stenotic type and those with metallic prosthetic valves. Thus, to prevent a recurrence of stroke, we need to control our blood pressure and maintain it at optimal range. Maintain a normal blood sugar and cholesterol level by diet, regular exercise and medication, if necessary. Smokers need to stop smoking. For post-menopausal women, there is no evidence that hormone replacement eliminates stroke risk.

Those who’ve had an ischemic stroke will be prescribed blood thinning drugs such as antiplatelet drugs (aspirin or clopidogrel) to prevent a recurrent stroke. Those who show evidence of atrial fibrillation, left ventricular dilatation with dysfunction or stenotic mitral valve will be given an anticoagulant (warfarin) unless they have a high risk of bleeding. Thus, to prevent stroke, one has to reduce the risk factors by subscribing to a healthy lifestyle and strictly adhering to one’s prescribed medication.

Ways to beat stress AT times, we do things that are self-defeating such as not eating well, not getting enough sleep, working excessively long hours, getting too little rest and mismanaging time. Procrastination, leaving for work at the last moment and spending too much time on low priority tasks can considerably heighten our stress levels. Stress results from our reaction to our physical or emotional circumstances. Since we can control our emotions, it follows that we can rid ourselves of the stress which besets our life. We have the option to channel our energy towards the right activity. How do we become stress-proof or handle tension? By prioritising activities. Do not worry if you are unable to carry out all the tasks as planned. Use time in a worthwhile way. Be realistic about your capability. Time is a critical resource, but not scarce.

Tasks which are beyond your ability can be delegated to others while you concentrate on those you manage well.

Thought for reflection: Remember those occasions when you were a winner. Remember that everything passes! — By Bridget Menezes, author of Self-Empowerment. Catch her inspirational words on RTM Traxx FM (KL 90.3), Mondays to Fridays at 10.03am.