Ear discharge

By George N. True II

I had a yellow discharge from my right ear that smelled bad. This happened for few days. The discharge has stopped, but I feel there’s still something in my ear because I can’t hear well. I have no fever and the affected ear isn’t painful. What caused this? – Melver Ritz Gomez.

In the absence of other symptoms, your probably have no reason to worry about an ear discharge that has stopped. A yellow discharge from the ear usually comes from ear wax that has mixed with water before falling out. The wax protects the ear from dust, bacteria, and foreign bodies that find their way there.

But if water gets in your ear from bathing, showering, and swimming, it can mix with the wax and cause a yellowish discharge. Although unsightly, it is nothing serious. If you have plenty of ear wax that doesn’t fall out, this can affect your hearing, but a doctor can easily remove this.

However, if the discharge lasts more than a few days and there are other symptoms, you should see a physician to rule out the possibility of an injury or infection. Be wary of a white, yellowish or bloody discharge that persists for five days and is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, headaches, and pain.

Pain that increases when you move your earlobe is not normal. Also take note of hearing loss and redness or swelling in the ear. Among others, this can indicate a ruptured eardrum or a middle ear infection.

My hands keep shaking and I’m worried that I have Parkinson’s disease. I haven’t seen a doctor yet. I can’t write well or use a spoon because of this. – Charles Kelvin Santos.

Parkinson’s disease is a possibility, but it’s not the only reason for shaky hands. Besides, the symptoms of this nervous system disorder occur gradually and can start with one hand. The affected hand may tremble even if you’re not using it.

If you’re an alcoholic, your hands can shake, especially if you’re trying to quit. This starts about 10 hours after your last drink and can last a few weeks.

Certain medicines can also make your hands shake. This is often a side effect of drugs that are prescribed for mood swings, seizures, migraine, and asthma. If you take antihistamines to control allergy, you can have this problem, too.

While smoking is believed to ease stress, this bad habit can cause anxiety. The heart beats faster because of nicotine, the addictive drug in tobacco, and makes your hands shake.

In others, the problem is lack of Vitamin B12 found in meat, eggs, and milk. This vitamin keeps your nervous system healthy. Lower levels in the body can cause shaky hands as well as numbness and a tingling sensation in the arms and legs.

One of the most common reasons why your hands shake is an essential tremor. This is a nerve disorder that bothers you when your hands are doing something and goes away when you’re not using them. Mild symptoms aren’t treated, but medicine or surgery is recommended if you have problems with daily tasks.

Another reason is low blood sugar. This can be caused by lack of food, diabetes, certain medicines, or too much alcohol. Other possible causes are an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), multiple sclerosis, liver disorders, or brain disorders. If the problem persists, see a doctor to know what’s causing it.

For questions, email georgenavatrue@yahoo.com.