As the first audiovestibular medicine physician in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, a keen observation revealed that a sizeable proportion of the adult patients presenting to our audiovestibular medicine clinic with vertigo are either known hypertensives, or hypertensives yet to have a formal diagnosis. This aroused an ardent curiosity to find the raison d’être, and to shed light on this pathological association between vertigo and hypertension. In line with this, it became imperative to highlight the dynamics of interaction, and pathophysiology behind the role of hypertension in vertigo.
Introduction: Hyperacusis is the sensitivity or intolerance to some everyday sound in such a way that it causes significant distress to the person, and impairs their social, recreational, occupational and day to day life. Most patients have a normal or nearnormal pure tone hearing threshold, with a decreased loudness discomfort level. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been reported to be effective in relieving the distress caused by hyperacusis in patients. There is a rarity of data on hyperacusis in Nigeria, probably being submerged in the general perception as incidents of delusive tendency. This scoping review aimed to examine the range and nature of available research on hyperacusis in Nigeria and to identify the research gap in the literature to aid conception of future hyperacusis research in Nigeria.Method: A systematic widespread internet-based search of available literature on "Hyperacusis in Nigeria" was carried out using Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, Embase, Ecosia, UCL Web of Science, African Index Medicus Database, and outcome of search reported. GOOGLE NGRAM was used to depict history of literature on hyperacusis.Results: Seven search engines applied, Scopus and African index medicus database found one article each for 'hyperacusis in Nigeria'. Google NGRAM showed that hyperacusis was first reported in the 19th century. Conclusion:The paucity of research on hyperacusis in Nigeria is a reveille to scholarly researchers to take a deep dive into the swirling pool of hyperacusis research. The onus is not just otorhinolaryngologists, but also on audiologists, psychotherapists, mental health physicians, family physicians and others allied professionals to have a high index of suspicion and to report cases of hyperacusis to build up research database.
Presbycusis, which is age-related hearing loss is hearing loss usually seen in the elderly due to advancing in age, marked by a higher hearing threshold usually worse at higher frequencies, which impairs speech discrimination in noise. Genetic predisposition is an important factor in the aetiology of presbycusis. Presbycusis was previously classified into 4 different types, and recently into 6 types with the addition of mixed, and indeterminate types of presbycusis, with each type reflecting a peculiar audiometric configuration and speech discrimination percentage. Artificial intelligence has utilized this peculiar audiometric feature in diagnosis of genetic hearing loss and recently, lifestyle medicine is being employed to highlight the benefit of preventive medicine in the management of hearing loss. Human studies have remained the trend of genetic hearing loss research in recent years. There is an overwhelming interest, with reasonable insight gained into the pathophysiology and genetics of ARHL, but the interaction of genetics, lifestyle, and environment certainly complicates our ability to separate their individual contributions to this pathology. There is need to improve research in the role of lifestyle medicine in curbing presbycusis.
Introduction: The larynx is the voice box responsible for voice production when air passes through it. The glottis is the commonest subregion of the larynx where malignancy occurs. Laryngeal cancer contributes about 25% of all head and neck cancers, and 2% of all cancers in the body. Laryngectomy is a surgical procedure done to remove the larynx, and a total laryngectomy is usually done in advanced disease. This study was aimed at highlighting the outcome of total laryngectomy done in patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 16 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, out of which 12 subjects consented to and had total laryngectomy. The study was carried out in the ENT department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital within the period of January 2002 and December 2019. Clinical records were obtained from the Medical records department of the hospital. Data obtained was presented in tables, figures and percentages. Results: The study noted that all 16 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer were males, age range of subjects were 45-73 years, and only 12 had total laryngectomy because some patients were lost to follow-up after diagnosis. Pharyngo-cutaneous fistula was the commonest complication noted in this study and highest number of subjects had survival rate of 2-5 years. Conclusion: Laryngeal cancer is treatable if diagnosed early, late presentation with advanced disease worsens prognosis and increases the predisposition to total laryngectomy. Advanced disease also increases the chances of residual tumour or tumour recurrence while decreasing survival rate following surgery. Recommendation: More enlightenment should be carried out to improve awareness of laryngeal cancer and its treatment, this may improve early presentation to hospital. Ordinarily, treatment of cancer is financially cumbersome on patients paying out of pocket for healthcare. So the adverse effect of poverty on the management of cancers, can be alleviated if an established source of funding can be created by government to aid treatment of cancers.
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