Hearing (parts of ear )
Outer + Middle + Inner ear
Balance (parts of ear)
Inner ear
Balance Controlled by:
3 semicircular canals positioned at right angles (like a gyroscope)
-sense changes in body movement as hair cells move, send signal to brain
Balance abnormalities
• Vertigo (room spinning) \n • Meniere's Disease \n • Labyrinthitis
Eustachian Tubes
PURPOSE: \n 1. Pressure equalization \n 2. Mucus drainage from middle ear \n - Ear infections are more common in children
Eustachian Tube infection (inner ear infection)
• Bacteria can be trapped if tube swells because of colds or allergies \n • Ear infection can push onto eardrum, causing pain \n • Treatment: antibiotics, time, surgery
Outer ear infection treatments
-infection caused by bacteria and fungi
Treatment:
Wild ginger, roots crushed and liquid poured directly into ear.
Yarrow, entire plant steeped and liquid poured directly into ear
white milkwort, roots boiled and liquid poured directly into ear
Wild ginger active compound
Aristolochic acid, antimicrobial
Yarrow active compound
possibly terpenes (antibacterial, anti-inflammatory)
While milkwort active compound
Saponins \n - cleansing, anti-inflammatory
Methyl salicylate \n - analgesic
Tinnitus definition
defn: Variable noise in the ear in absence of external sounds \n - Sporadic or continuous
Tinnitus is caused by
- Caused by ear infections, drugs, heart disorders, some antimalarials, repeated exposure to loud noises
Tinnitus can cause
Insomnia, lack of concentration, depression, headache
Tinnitus treatment
Gingko, can reduce intensity of noise but clinical studies inconclusive
Caries definition
Bacterial infections of the tooth surfaces (enamel and dentin) leading to loss of calcium and cavities.
Teeth cleaning in the West
Toothbrush + Paste \n - nylon bristles starting in 1938 \n - previous versions had boar bristles
Teeth cleaning in non-Western countries
-Chewing stick
-Twigs, stems, roots
Common Chewing Stick Species:
Neem
Arak
Chew Stick Use
) Stick is selected – 15-20 cm in length \n 2) Stick is washed if fresh or soaked if using dried wood (Fibers are softened)
End is converted to brush (gnawed or pounded) \n 4) Teeth and gums thoroughly cleaned (sometimes tongue) \n 5) Stick often sucked for several hours after brushing
Chew stick efficacy
Twigs contain: silica, tannins, resins, alkaloids, chloride
Tests of aqueous stick extracts show that some species have antimicrobial activity
Neem contains medically significant amount of fluoride \n WHO recommends use of chewing sticks.
Gum arabic
Resin
Contains complex polysaccharides (antibiotic)
Treats bacterial and fungal infections of mouth and skin
Toothache treatment
P. darienense - Central America
P. corcovadensis - Brazil
Stems chewed, local anesthetic