-
Most of the Yemenis
want ear ("Edoun"), nose ("Khushm" "Aenf")
and throat ("Hanjara") check up even if they have no symptoms.
-
Atrophic Rhinitis
though rare in Arabs, is found in nomadic races especially in Yemenis.
-
The most common
nose symptom heard of in Arabs is loss of smell ("Sham"
- "Mush tamaam"). Often it is associated with loss of taste
("Taam" - "Mush Tamaam") as well.
So common is this symptom of "Anosmia" especially in Yemenis,
that if asked as a leading question, it will be present in nearly
30 to 40 per cent of population. There is hardly ever any organic
cause detected. Too much use of strong perfumes and scents ("Attar")
may be responsible.
-
Hyperplasia of
adenoids and tonsils is extremely common especially in Bahrain population.
Nearly every second or third Bahraini visiting Mumbai has hypertrophied
tonsils, though some of them have no symptoms. Though excessive use
of cold drinks, icecreams, drinking refrigerated water could be responsible,
the other factors appear to be-
i) Possible, hereditary predisposition.
ii) Improper and imbalanced diet.
iii) Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections. These are so common
in Arab
population, that they do not permit regression of this lymphoid tissue.
-
Otitis media and
mastoiditis are very common in Arab population. This is because enlarged
tonsils and adenoids result in frequent attacks of cold and infection
leading to perforation of tympanic membrane which in turn leads to
otitis media and mastoiditis.
-
.Sinus headache
has been discussed in the chapter on "Common symptoms".
-
Symptom of "tinnitus"
("Sareer") is extremely common especially in Bahrainis and
Yemenis. Usually no organic cause is detected.
-
Allergic and smoker’s
pharyngitis ("Assassiya Hanjara") are very common especially
in Bahrainis. This results in chronic cough.
-
I find so many
Arabs specially Yemenis, in whom uvula has been "circumcised"
by their doctors, because of the symptom of chronic persistent cough!!
I am Convinced that these patients suffer from allergic pharyngitis
(and in my opinion a pathological uvula cannot produce cough). But
after discussing with the doctors who have performed these operations,
I find that they are sure that the "pendulous, oedematous"
uvula is often responsible for producing irritating cough. According
to these doctors, excessive use of voice, recurrent pharyngitis and
allergy to some food products may be some of the factors responsible.
-
Allergic rhinitis
is extremely common in all Arab countries, surprisingly more common
in Bahrain. In the mild form, it presents as watering of nose and
frequent sneezing.
-
Hypertrophied turbinate
("Laaham") is very often encountered. Repeated infections
and allergy have probably some role to play. Also it is possible that
because of extremes of climate, dry weather, dust and sand, the nasal
mucosa has to work more.
-
Epistaxis is relatively
more common in Arab population. Apart from the hot climate, dryness
of the air and more exposure to dust, the habit of frequently rubbing
the nose and putting the finger in the nose is possibly responsible
for the symptom. Mostly the bleeding is from the Little’s area.
-
Deviated nasal
septum (DNS) ("Aadam Chidi") is an extremely common condition
in Arab population. Past history of an accident is very common in
Arabs and injury to the nose is frequent. Such patients need plastic
repair of the nose along with DNS surgery.
-
Carcinoma of Oro-pharynx
and larynx is very uncommon in Arab population.
Finally, it is my observation that
the Arabs are very fond of undergoing ENT surgery. An Indian patient
seeks a second opinion if he is advised surgery by an ENT Specialist.
An Arab patient seeks a second opinion if he is not advised surgery.
