Health > Ear, Nose & Throat

Otitis media

BBC — Inflammation of the middle ear is a common cause of earache in children. Acute otitis media is infection and inflammation of the middle ear. Otitis media with effusion (also know as glue ear) is when fluid (often sticky and thick) builds up ...More…

What is swine flu ?

BBC — Swine influenza (or flu) is normally found in pigs, but does occasionally occur in humans. There had been no human cases detected in the UK in the last ten years until the outbreak that started recently in Mexico affecting some UK ...More…

Sjogren's syndrome

BBC — There are many health problems that arise when, for some inexplicable reason, the body turns on itself without warning. One of these autoimmune conditions is Sjogren's syndrome. In Sjogren's syndrome, the body attacks its own moisture-producing .. ...More…

Ménière's disease

BBC — In Ménière's disease the amount of fluid in the inner ear increases intermittently. This disturbs the hearing and balance mechanisms, usually affecting only one ear. The cause is unknown. Ménière's disease gives rise to three main symptoms - ...More…

Epiglottitis

BBC — Looking at epiglottitis, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment This acute infection of the throat can occur rapidly and may be fatal if not treated swiftly. Epiglottitis is an acute infection of the epiglottis, which is a flap of cartilage in the ...More…

Nosebleeds

BBC — There are no obvious causes of nosebleeds but they are very common. A nosebleed - more formally called epistaxis - can occur without any obvious cause. The blood usually comes out through just one nostril, although it may affect both. Fairly ...More…

Otitis externa (swimmer's ear)

BBC — Otitis externa is an inflammation of the outer ear canal - the tube between the skin surface of the external ear and the ear drum. There's redness and swelling of the skin of the ear canal. It may be itchy (especially in the early stages) and can ...More…

Ear problems in children

BBC — Most young children have problems with their ears. Common ones are earache, usually as a result of infection, and hearing problems that can lead to speech and learning difficulties. The most common cause of earache is a viral (or sometimes ...More…

What is mumps?

BBC — The viral infection mumps usually affects children and teenagers. Mumps is a viral infection of the parotid glands. These glands, which make saliva, are found either side of the face below the ears and over the jaw bone. The illness used to be ...More…

Tonsillitis

BBC — Inflammation of the tonsils can cause pain on swallowing, plus fever and flu-like symptoms. Tonsillitis is caused by infection by a variety of different micro-organisms. The tonsils may become intensely inflamed, red, swollen and exude white or ...More…

Pneumothorax

BBC — The lungs are lined with a double layer of membrane (pleura) separating them from the chest wall. If air gets between these two layers, it's called a pneumothorax. This makes the lung collapse, causing chest pain and making breathing ...More…

Cough and sore throat

BBC — Treating a cough depends on the cause. Give plenty of liquids, and cough medicine if you think this helps. Humidify the room to help breathing - by placing a wet towel in front of the radiator, for example. Dr Trisha Macnair explains the possible ...More…