Head, Ear, Eyes, Nose & Throat

Headache is experienced by 90% to 95% of the population and is one of the 10 most common complaints in the clinic setting. It is essential to differentiate secondary from primary headaches because secondary headaches can be harbingers of a potentially more serious medical problem than primary headaches. Primary headaches are most common and are not symptomatic of another medical condition. 

 Types of primary headaches include:

Migraine with and without aura—Most patients describe their headache as pounding or throbbing, aggravated by physical activity, light, sound, and noise. Episodes often last 4-72 hours and may be associated with nausea and vomiting.

Chronic or episodic tension-type headaches – Most patients describe their headaches as feeling like there is a tight band around the head as it is not exacerbated by physical activity, but a common trigger is stress. Nausea and vomiting are not usually present. Episodes often lasting minutes to hours. 

Chronic or episodic cluster headaches—Most patients usually state that their headache usually awakens them during the night with severe one-sided head pain and often pain behind the eye. Attacks may be several times per day, lasting 15 minutes to about 90 minutes. 

Secondary Headaches – are less common and are usually the results of an underlying disease or condition such as aneurysm, tumor, hemorrhage, temporal arteries, or meningitis.

Although most individuals do not seek

Otitis externa (swimmer’s ears)

Approximately 1 in 125 people develop swimmer’s ear. This is an inflammation or infection of the ear canal that may extend to the auricle (pinna), causing pain of the affected ear and the feeling of fullness or itching. Most patients experience drainage and mild hearing loss.

Otitis media (ear infection)

It is an inflammatory or infection process that may be bacterial, fungal, or viral in origin and is most often associated with recent upper respiratory tract infections or allergies. It is characterized by fluid in the middle ear causing acute ear pain; pain is often worse in a prone (lying on your back) position. Other associated symptoms include fever, ear itching, running nose, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Cerumen impaction (earwax infection)

Earwax is a natural substance that can become dry and immobile, causing partial or complete occlusion of the external ear canal. Patients often experience fullness or hearing loss, discomfort, itching, ringing in the ear, dizziness, and cough. Compassion Care Clinic can help you by removing impaction or by prescribing cerumenolytic agents.

Viral and Bacterial Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Pinkeye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (white of the eye). Infectious causes include viruses and bacteria, and noninfectious causes include allergies or exposure to toxins. 

Viral conjunctivitis causes red eye with excessive watery discharge. Classically, it begins in one eye and then involves the fellow eye within days. 

Bacterial conjunctivitis causes thick, purulent discharge. Most patients report that their eyes are sticky or glued shut with yellowish crust. 

Allergic Rhinitis (nasal drainage/congestion)

This is a condition characterized by sneezing, a running nose, nose itching, throat itching, watery eyes, and, in more severe cases, fatigue, headache, and fever. Exposure to pollens, weeds, trees, grass, animals’ dander, dust mites, foods, insect stings, cockroach droppings, mold spores, and medication can cause symptoms. Although indoor and outdoor environmental control is recommended to reduce symptoms, medication interventions may be appropriate to reduce reoccurrence. Reoccurrence may increase asthma and other pulmonary disease exacerbation as well as worsen sleep apnea. Experts at Compassion Care Clinic can find the right treatment for you and your family. 

Sinusitis (acute and chronic sinus infections)

Sinusitis is an inflammatory process caused by viral, bacterial, and fungal infections or allergic reactions. It is usually precipitated by a recent viral respiratory tract infection. Acute infection resolves with treatment within 2-3 weeks, and chronic sinusitis continues for 12 weeks or longer. Symptoms include nasal congestion, facial or dental pain, postnasal drip, headache, fever, and yellow or greenish discharge. Symptoms can greatly affect quality of life. Experts at Compassion Care Clinic use a combination of traditional medicine and modern medicine to help reduce symptoms so that you can live your best life. 

Pharyngitis and tonsillitis (sore throat)

Sore throat may result from postnasal drainage, dust, smoke, dryness, toxins, and more commonly infections such as Streptococcus pyogenes, including groups A, C, and G β-hemolytic strep. The most common symptoms are sore throat, painful swallowing, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Early treatment with antibiotics is indicated. 

Mononucleosis (mono/kissing disease)

Mononucleosis, or kissing disease, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and it is transmitted through saliva. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Even though Mon is a viral infection, other disorders may be present, including an enlarged spleen and enlarged liver, that will require medical expertise.