Polyps in nose

Polyps in nose are the abnormal growth of tissue inside the nasal passage and sinuses. Sinuses are basically small spaces that develop in either side of the nose, cheekbones, foreheads or eyes. Nasal polyps can be of varied colours which are pink, grey or yellow. [hana-code-insert name=’rectangle’ /]They vary in size too. The shape of polyps in nose is that of a teardrop. When they grow fully they look like grapes on a stem. Now let’s have a look at the symptoms of polyps in nose.

Symptoms of polyps in nose

There are a few prominent symptoms that could make you alert of the fact that you might too be having polyps in nose. The two main symptoms are blocked or runny nose and a loss of smell and taste. Along with these there are certain other symptoms too that could indicate you having nasal polyps. Common cold is one such symptom. You could be having cold from two to fourteen days continuously if you are suffering from this problem. Polyps won’t be relenting until you seek proper medical advice and follow the treatment. As they grow near the sinuses they could also be causing sinus infection that could lead to pain and tenderness in the face.

Causes behind polyps in nose

The exact cause of polyps in nose is still unknown. With the continuous inflammation and redness in the mucus membrane causes this problem. The reason behind inflammation is still not known. The factors that are responsible for the development of polyps in nose are given below.

• Asthma
• Allergic Rhinitis- This happens due to dust mites or animal fur causing sneezing or continuous cold.
• Aspirin intolerance
• Cystic Fibrosis- This is a problem when the lungs and digestive system get clogged up with a sticky fluid.

Treatment of polyps in nose

Nasal polyps or polyps in nose can be cured with the help of corticosteroids (steroid medication). They help to shrink the polyps. They are prescribed in the form of either a short course of medication or nasal spray. When these polyps stop responding to medications surgery is needed. There are two kinds of surgeries generally conducted on polyps in nose. They are-

• Endoscopic sinus surgery- The surgeon in this case removes the polyps by using surgical instruments or laser technique
• Polypectomy- Through this method the surgeon removes the polyps in nose by using forceps or wire loops

Once they are cured there is no guarantee that they won’t develop again. In case of medication polyps might develop after a few months and in case of surgery after two to three years. People with diseases such as asthma are most likely to contracting recurring polyps in nose.

Who might develop polyps in nose

Although it has not been detected how commonly people contract this problem as in most of the cases polyps go undetected. Polyps are four times more likely to be developed in men than in women. Mostly people above the age of 40 years get affected with polyps in nose. Children with cystic fibrosis might develop this problem too.

Burning sensation in eyes

[hana-code-insert name=’rectangle’ /]Burning sensation in eyes is a common problem with many people. There are many reasons for this problem. Although in most cases this problem might not be severe but in some cases the patient could have to visit a doctor immediately. Now let us have a look at the symptoms of this problem.

Symptoms of burning sensation in eyes

The symptoms of this problem are given below.

• Itchy eyes
• Burning sensation
• Excessive watering/dryness
• Pain
• Pain only when exposed to bright light
• Stinging sensation when exposed to fast blowing air
• Stickiness
• Blurred vision

Reasons for burning sensation in eyes

There are many reasons why a burning sensation might develop in the eyes. Let us have a look at those reasons.

• When dryness is experienced along with the burning sensation in eyes it indicates lack of enough moisturisation.
• Allergic reactions such as conjunctivitis, viral infection, bloodshot eyes and cold and flu.
• Fatigue
• Normal ageing
• Certain medication
• Ultra violet rays exposure
• Tanning lamp exposure
• Arc welding equipment exposure
• Vision problems
• Sitting for long hours in front of the computer
• Dust particles

Treatment for burning sensation in eyes

There are a number of ways through which you can treat the burning sensation in eyes. They are discussed below.

• Splashing cold water in eyes
• Putting a few drops of cool rose water in eyes
• Putting a few drops of aloe vera juice directly into the eyes
• Putting cucumber slices over closed eyes
• Putting eye cleansing eye drops as directed by the physician
• Take an ice cube and wrap it up in a clean cloth and put it on the closed eyelids
• A warm compress over the eyelids using lavender oil or chamomile.
• Hot fermentation with a warm cloth. Note that the cloth must not be too hot
• Drinking carrot juice improves the vision hence giving less chances for the burning sensation to develop
• If the burning sensation happens because of sitting for long hours in front of the computer or television, take a break and lie down with closed eyes for some time
• Washing eyes with cooled elderberry blossom tea for soothing the eyes
• Washing eyes with honey mixed with water
• Covering eyes by wearing sunglasses whenever you step out to avoid the dust particles from entering the eyes.
• Washing eyes several times a day with cool water.

If the problem of burning sensation still persists in the eyes visit an eye specialist immediately.

Bitter taste in mouth

Bitter taste in mouth is not an uncommon problem. Many people suffer from lingering bitter taste in mouth that is quite irritating most of the times. It makes one insensitive to other tastes except the bitter taste. [hana-code-insert name=’rectangle’ /]Having such a bad taste can also lead to loss of desire to have food. The unpleasantness in the mouth is quite disgusting and can worsen if not cured. There are many reasons why a person would develop bitter taste in mouth. They are discussed in the next section.

Reasons for bitter taste in mouth

The reasons for the bitter taste in mouth are given below.

Dental problems

Certain dental problems create that bitter taste in mouth which is unrelenting. Problems such as gum infections and diseases, pyorrhoea, gingivitis and tooth abscesses are some of the major dental problems responsible for the bitter taste. Dental fillings and ulcers too sometimes become the reason for this problem.

Medications

Many medicines when consumed leave a bitter taste in mouth which never seems to go away. If you are under medications such as anti-depressant, prenatal vitamins, folic acid medication, antibiotics or medicines related to pregnancy then you are bound to develop the problem of bitter taste in mouth.

Illness

People who suffer from ill health automatically develop the bitter taste in mouth partly because of the medications and partly as they just not feel well. Illnesses such as diabetes, liver or kidney failure, jaundice, cancer or even viral fever develop that bitter taste.

Poor oral hygiene

This is something that is the most common reason for all the people who suffer from bitter taste in mouth. It is very important to brush teeth twice a day and clean the tongue too. It is even better if you clean your tongue every time you consume your meals. Using mouthwashes and mouth fresheners also helps a great deal in getting rid of the bitter taste in mouth.

Metal poisoning

There are certain metal poisonings such as copper toxicity, lead toxicity and mercury poisoning that lead to the metallic taste in mouth and thus the bitter taste too.

Hormonal imbalance

Changes in oestrogen levels in women lead to bitter taste in mouth. This happens mostly in pregnancy.

Acid reflux sickness

This problem is also called Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It is a major reason for the bitter taste in mouth. When the digestion takes place certain acids and juices are produced in the stomach that get pushed upwards in the throat making them settle down there. This process is called Acid Reflux Sickness and it creates the bitter taste in mouth. This problem can happen due to reasons such as over eating, consuming fatty and spicy food, eating in a hurry etc. The symptoms of this problem include indigestion, bitter taste in mouth, bloating, gastric problem, acidity, bad breath and even headache.

Other causes for bitter taste in mouth

There are some other reasons why bitter taste in mouth might develop. They are

• Surgery in ear, nose or throat
• Infection in ear
• Radiation treatment of cancer in neck or head
• Contact with certain chemicals

Treatment for bitter taste in mouth

The remedies to overcome the bitter taste in mouth are given below.

• Drinking plenty of water
• Rinsing mouth with plain water or mouthwashes after drinking or consuming anything
• Brushing teeth twice a day and cleaning the tongue too
• Quit smoking and drinking habits
• Gargle with warm water and salt
• Chewing fresh mint and mouth fresheners
• Rinsing mouth with lemon juice, salt and water decoction twice a day.
• Chewing cloves or cardamom
• Consuming fresh fruits, vegetables and a balanced diet to avoid any digestive system problems and thus giving less chanced for the bitter taste in mouth to develop.

Ulcers in mouth

[hana-code-insert name=’rectangle’ /]Open sores that develop in the mouth are called ulcers. They are generally yellow in colour and cause pain, sometimes sharp, which is experienced while consuming anything. If a person suffering from ulcers in mouth consumes anything salty or spicy experiences a very sharp pain. Such ulcers can develop in the inner surface of the cheek and lips, tongue, pallet and on the gums. As these ulcers create pain it is very important to get rid of them as soon as possible. Before we proceed towards knowing the remedies for ulcers in mouth we must know its causes.

Causes of ulcers in mouth

There are many reasons why ulcers may develop in mouth. These reasons are listed below.

• Digestive system disturbances like irregular bowel movement, constipation etc.
• Unbalanced or incorrect diet
• Anaemia
• Constant stress and fatigue
• Smoking or consuming tobacco and drinking alcohol
• Hormonal changes during puberty
• Menstruation or pregnancy
• Bacterial or viral infections
• Deficiencies of vital nutrients in the body like vitamin B12, iron and folic acid.
• Physical injury in the mouth
• Genetic factors

Treatment for ulcers in mouth

There are many remedies which are simple to follow and bring instant and permanent relief to the ulcers in mouth. These treatments are listed below.

• Application of pure ghee, glycerine or honey on the ulcers cure them fast
• Consuming a combination of banana and curd
• Decoction of the bark of Banyan tree decreases the pain and helps cure the ulcers
• Application of Kattha or Acacia Catechu is a very effective cure for ulcers in mouth
• Some turmeric mixed in water could be gargles twice or thrice a day to cure ulcers
• Warm water mixed with fresh lemon juice and salt brings great relief
• Gooseberry leaves or amla leaves if boiled in water and filtered must be used for washing mouth with to cure ulcers
• Harad or haritkari powder mixed with honey must be applied on ulcers in mouth.
• Washing mouth with tomato juice or eating raw tomato helps a great deal.
• Washing mouth with a mixture or bitter gourd juice and plum powder or phitkari powder is also very effective in curing ulcers in mouth. In case you don’t get plum powder you can wash your mouth with just the bitter gourd juice.
• Boil guava with water and salt and use the decoction washing mouth
• Chewing vaali leaf or henna leaves also helps a lot
• Mixing camphor in pure ghee and applying on the ulcers and washing thereafter too is a great reliever.
• Boil pomegranate skin in water and use that water for washing mouth to get rid of ulcers in mouth
• Peepal tree root bark juice heals ulcers very effectively.
• Chewing poppy seeds with dry coconut is a good remedy.
• Chewing cry coconut with mishri is also a very good way to ward off ulcers in mouth.

White patches in mouth

The skin inside the mouth is pink in colour in perfect health. Any discolouration or patches need your attention. A problem that some people experience is that of white patches in mouth. These patches or spots cannot be ignored as they appear clearly on the inner skin of the mouth. If such patches appear in your mouth it is an alarm warning you to visit your dentist or doctor as soon as possible. There are many reasons why white patches in mouth appear.

Reasons for white patches in mouth

Let’s have a look at the causes behind the appearance of white patches in mouth.

Lichen Planus

This is one of the most prominent causes of white patches in mouth. Lichen Planus is basically an autoimmune disorder which makes lacy white patched get developed inside the mouth. These patches mostly appear on the palate, gums, tongue and the skin inside the mouth. If the condition worsens these white patches may develop in the throat and oesophagus too.

Leukoplakia

This is a condition in which the white patches develop in the mouth. It happens due to excessive growth of cells in the mouth. These cells leave white patches as a result. [hana-code-insert name=’rectangle’ /]People who chew or smoke tobacco are more at the risk of contracting Leukoplakia. If not treated well within the time it may develop in to cancer too!

Candidiasis

This is one of the most common conditions leading to white patches in mouth. Candidiasis is basically a fungal infection that is caused by the yeast called Candida Albicans. These white patches appear cottage cheese like and develop consistently all over.

Other reasons for white patches in mouth

Syphilis

This problem is again responsible for development of white patches in the mouth and throat too.

Frictional Keratosis

This is another condition that easily leads to white patches in mouth. This condition develops due to the continuous friction from teeth and dentures. The main way to identify this problem is the appearance of white lines in gums or inner cheek.

Smoking

Smoking tobacco can lead to white patches on the palate along with small red spots. Due to smoking the uppermost layer of the skin in the mouth undergoes reactive changes and thus these patches. After three to four weeks these white patches turn red.

How to cure the white patches in mouth

• Any edible stuff that irritates the skin in the mouth must be avoided at all costs.
• Taking aspirin tablet with water can prevent white patches that are caused by reactive changes.
• A moist tea bag when placed on the white patches helps remove the irritation or pain caused by it.
• A solution of milk of magnesia and Benadryl must be used for washing the mouth and spitting all off.
• Consuming a cup of yoghurt with live cultures helps remove the white patches caused due to candidiasis.
• Quit smoking and chewing tobacco to avoid the white patches.
• Prepare a solution of equal ratios of water and hydrogen peroxide and apply that on the white patches in the mouth.
• Avoid consuming spicy and abrasive food.
• Alcohol must be avoided too.
• If suffering from white patches due to frictional keratosis, visit the dentist and get the irritation source removed.

Please note that any medicine claiming to help you get rid of the white patches must be taken only after consultation of a qualified medical practitioner/doctor.

Metallic taste in mouth

[hana-code-insert name=’rectangle’ /]Metallic taste in mouth is a condition in which the taste buds of your mouth continue to give you a sour and metallic kind of a taste. This is medically known as Dysgeusia. The continuous presence of acidic taste is sense in this condition. Although this is not dangerous for anyone but can hamper your eating habits as you would not feel like eating due to the unfavourable metallic taste in the mouth. This can result in eating less hence the health going down. There are many causes of metallic taste in mouth which are discussed further.

Reasons for metallic taste in mouth

The reasons that result in metallic taste in mouth are given below.

• Heartburn
• Gastritis
• Dental caries
• Copper toxicity
• Fluctuation in Oestrogen levels
• Jaundice
• Lead poisoning
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
• Mercury poisoning
• Medications like prenatal vitamins, anti-depressants, antibiotics etc.
• Poor oral hygiene
• Pyrosis
• Postnasal drip
• Selenium overuse
• Tooth abscess
• Scombrotoxic fish poisoning
• Oral infections such as gingivitis and periodontitis
• Any other dental conditions

Treatment for metallic taste in mouth

This problem is more common than we could imagine. Many people suffer from this problem yet find no cure for this. Some ignore it not considering it serious enough and deal with it. As the metallic taste in mouth causes no serious damage to health, this problem is often ignored by most people. There are some easy remedies to this problem that can help one overcome the metallic taste in mouth. Find these remedies given below.

• Citrus juices and food made in vinegar does great wonders to the metallic taste in mouth. You can have orange juices, lemon juice and such vinegar marinated foods to beat this problem as they help in saliva production washing away the metallic taste in mouth.
• It is best to use a tongue cleaner every time you brush your teeth. In fact if you start cleaning your tongue after every meal the results will come out to be even better helping you fight off metallic taste in mouth very effectively.
• Using mint flavoured mouth washes works effectively too. You can alternatively rinse mouth with salted water that you use for gargles. Salt helps cut the metallic taste in mouth.
• Drinking lots of water helps cure the problem of acidity hence warding off the metallic taste in mouth caused by acidic reactions in oesophagus and stomach. The acidic juices produced in the stomach are a major cause of the metallic taste.
• Rinsing mouth with 1/4^th spoon of baking soda mixed in eight ounces of water too works very well in dispelling the metallic taste in mouth.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables must be included in your diet to avoid any gastric and other stomach related problems that trigger this problem.
• Maintaining oral hygiene is very beneficial in getting rid of metallic taste problem and all sorts of dental conditions and problems.
• Chewing raw cloves and cinnamon in small quantities too is very helpful but also note that this is just a temporary solution to the problem.
• If the problem persists and is affecting you adversely it is best to visit a doctor and get a check-up followed by diagnosis done.