Question: My 2-year-old gets more than her share of middle ear infections. Her ears look normal, so it is hard to know when she has one. I know only when she starts to fuss or tugs at her ear. Is it serious? Will she outgrow this?
- Mrs. C.C.
Answer: Ear infections take place out of sight. Your daughter's occur in the recesses of the middle ear, on the other side of her ear drum. You can, however, get a closer look with special tools. One device presents an illuminated close-up view of the drum surface. Another has a small pump that delivers a puff of air against the drum. If inflamed, the drum does not respond with visible movement, as will a healthy eardrum.
Parents worry, I know, about these mysterious ear infections so common in tots. Usually there's little justification for great anxiety, since antibiotics remove the pain and infection in two or three days. Pain that persists or recurs calls for evaluation.
Repeat middle-ear infections in young children usually indicate an as yet incomplete development of the inside ear drainage system. By that I mean the twin tubes extending from middle ear to throat openings. Germs may become trapped within partly formed tubes (eustachians). Later, the body catches up.
Things to keep in mind: 1. Children are most prone to the infections between ages 6 months to 3 years. 2. Antibiotics end the pain and get a good hold on the infection in two or three days. 3. If pain persists beyond the three-days limit, report it. Something other than simple infection may be going on.
Question: What can you tell me about shark cartilage? I am told it does wonders for cancer, arthritis and male impotence. Is this true?
- I.J.N.
Answer: The shark cartilage idea was aired on television recently. The show described work done in Cuba by researchers who claimed wide-ranging effectiveness in treating such disparate problems as those you list.
The substance did show some anti-cancer activity in lab animals. It seems to work in preventing growth of new blood vessels, which supports cancer spread. The same characteristic explained anti-arthritis claims. I am not sure how the impotency cure was explained.
As usual with such research, practical application in human patients is a long way and many studies away.
Of more immediate interest is isolation of a shark substance with powerful antibiotic qualities. Again, more research remains to be done.
Question: I have white rings developing around the borders of the irises of my eyes. Is this serious? If so, what should I do about it?
- A.W.
Answer: Don't worry. It won't affect vision. This is arcus senilis, which many people have. It's a deposit of fatty material. Although harmless in itself, arcus senilis may signal high blood cholesterol or triglycerides.
The white ring may occur when the person's blood fats are normal. but if you are under 50, you should have your blood tested.