Sudden Hearing Loss: Causes, Symptoms, and Urgent Treatments You Must Know

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Sudden Warning Sign in Your Hearing

Recently, in a popular drama, the main character was diagnosed with a condition known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

This illness causes sudden hearing loss, often accompanied by dizziness.

---

How is Sudden Hearing Loss Diagnosed?

Not only in dramas but also in real life, sudden hearing loss occurs in more than 10 out of every 100,000 people each year. It is a condition that can also lead to depression due to the unexpected loss of hearing.

As the name suggests, sudden hearing loss comes on abruptly, usually within two to three days. It is typically defined as a loss of at least 30 decibels across three or more consecutive frequencies.

In many cases, people also experience tinnitus or dizziness, and they only discover the condition after visiting a doctor for those symptoms. It is not diagnosed simply because someone feels their hearing has declined.

Doctors confirm sudden hearing loss through hearing tests and MRI scans to rule out abnormalities in the central nervous system.

---

Unknown Causes and the Fear They Bring

In many cases, the exact cause of sudden hearing loss cannot be identified. Some cases are linked to tumors inside the ear, while others are caused by viruses or vascular problems. Exposure to sudden, extremely loud noises can also damage hearing and lead to the condition.

---

The Chances of It Affecting Both Ears

In the drama, the main character could not find the cause of their sudden hearing loss, and after being told by doctors that their hearing might not recover—or could even worsen—they fell into despair. Losing hearing in one ear and fearing that the other ear might also be affected left them believing they would never hear again.

In reality, however, sudden hearing loss in both ears is very rare, occurring in less than 5% of all patients. While losing hearing in one ear is serious, it does not mean both ears will definitely be affected.

If treatment is started promptly after hearing loss appears, there is a good chance of improvement depending on the underlying cause.

---

Treatment for Sudden Hearing Loss: A Race Against Time

In the drama, the main character’s treatment involved medication only. In real life, the most common treatment is steroid therapy, often combined with antiviral drugs or medications that improve blood circulation.

In the story, the character regained some hearing but decided to learn sign language and dedicate themselves to advocating for people with disabilities.

In reality, about one-third of patients regain normal hearing, while others may experience partial or complete permanent hearing loss. The longer treatment is delayed, the lower the chance of recovery. That is why it is critical to seek medical care immediately if you notice sudden changes in hearing.

---

Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖

This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Causes, Symptoms, and Lifestyle Tips for Relief

 

A Modern-Day Chronic Problem: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Sometimes, abdominal discomfort and pain occur without any clear cause. For many modern people living under stress and irregular routines, this is a common experience. Even without any noticeable disease in the colon, when bowel function does not work smoothly, daily life can be burdened with diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. The discomfort is beyond imagination.

Although irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not a disease that directly threatens life, it affects almost every part of daily living and significantly lowers quality of life.

So, what causes it, and are there ways to prevent it?

---

Why Does Irritable Bowel Syndrome Occur?

IBS is a functional bowel disorder where there are no structural problems in the colon, yet chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, and bowel habit disturbances appear due to overly sensitive contraction and relaxation of the colon muscles.

The exact cause has not been fully identified, but in most cases, it is believed that chronic fatigue, excessive stress, and heavy workloads build up and eventually manifest as physical symptoms.

Other possible causes include changes in gut microbiota, genetic predisposition, and immune system irregularities.

---

The Main Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Symptoms vary from person to person, but the most common are gastrointestinal problems such as bowel habit changes, abdominal pain, bloating, and mucus in the stool. In fact, about 28% of patients visiting hospitals with digestive complaints are diagnosed with IBS.

Other symptoms may also appear, including headaches, irregular menstruation, urinary difficulties, heart palpitations, anxiety, restlessness, and even depression. These symptoms may interfere with daily life, but the condition itself is usually not dangerous.

The good news is that symptoms can often improve with proper diet, stress management, and regular exercise.

However, if abdominal pain persists despite lifestyle adjustments, or if you notice blood in the stool, sudden weight loss, or major changes in bowel habits, it may be a sign of another underlying condition. In such cases, consulting a medical specialist is strongly recommended.

---

Lifestyle Habits That Help Improve Symptoms

Since excessive stress and psychological anxiety are major factors that worsen IBS, managing stress is essential. Adjusting daily patterns to reduce stress triggers—or finding your own ways to relieve stress if change is not possible—can be very helpful.

Exercise is particularly effective, as it not only reduces stress but also improves bowel movement. Rather than starting with heavy workouts, it is better to maintain a consistent routine with light activities such as jogging or walking every day.

Keeping regular mealtimes and avoiding foods that irritate the colon are also important. Foods that ferment easily in the gut, such as oligosaccharides, disaccharides, and monosaccharides, can cause diarrhea or bloating. Overeating, binge drinking, and smoking should be avoided.

On the other hand, foods that may help ease IBS symptoms include fresh vegetables, fruits, and legumes.

Paronychia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention of Nail Infections

 Don’t Pick at Hangnails! Beware of Paronychia

As the warm season approaches, more people are enjoying bright clothing and nail art. Decorating nails with colors, patterns, or even detailed designs has become so popular that many people now do it at home with ease. These days, not only women but also men are getting into nail art.

Applying nail polish to nails and toenails—made of dead cells—doesn’t directly harm our health. However, the process of trimming and preparing hands and feet for nail polish requires caution. If a wound gets infected, it can sometimes lead to a severe inflammation that requires surgical removal of the affected tissue.

---

A Small Sting, Then Suddenly Inflammation?

Sometimes people feel a throbbing pain around their finger. At first, it may seem like nothing more than discomfort from a short nail, but as swelling worsens, a visit to the doctor may reveal paronychia.

Paronychia is an infection of the skin around the nail, often caused by tearing hangnails or small injuries during nail care. When bacteria enter these wounds, inflammation occurs.

Unclean nail tools can also be the cause, as can environmental exposure to germs through small cuts. Those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable, and people whose hands are frequently exposed to water—such as chefs or homemakers—are at higher risk since wounds can easily worsen in damp conditions.

---

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Paronychia

In mild cases, inflammation from paronychia may settle down on its own. However, for people with weak immunity or underlying health conditions, the infection can progress quickly.

Many dismiss it as just a little swelling around the fingers or toes, but in severe cases, the pain can interfere with daily life. Early symptoms often include redness and swelling, but if left untreated, pus can accumulate in the wound.

Particularly with paronychia on the fingers, what looks like mild eczema can sometimes develop into greenish pus filling the skin around the nail, even changing its color.

---

Treatment for Paronychia

The most common treatment is prescribing antibiotics. Typically, antibiotics are taken for three to five days while monitoring progress.

If pus buildup is severe, a doctor may need to drain it under local anesthesia before continuing with antibiotics. Since bacteria are present in the pus, it’s important not to touch others with the infected hand to prevent spreading.

---

Everyday Habits to Prevent Recurrence

The challenge with paronychia is that once you’ve had it, it can easily recur whenever your body is tired or a new wound appears. That’s why prevention is key.

If you’ve had paronychia before, always clean and disinfect your hands thoroughly and dry them well when you get a cut around the fingers or toes. Wearing rubber gloves when working in water helps too, but since moisture can build up inside and worsen inflammation, it’s best to use gloves lined with cotton or add a cotton layer inside before wearing them.