What Your Ears Reveal About Your Health
FromEar Shapecardiovascular diseases can be detected in individuals. If your earlobe is sloped and angled, you are likely to be at risk of coronary artery disease. When we think about our ears, we usually focus on their ability to hear. However, beyond their primary function, their appearance can reveal specific things about our health.
The quality of hearing, the appearance of ears, earwax production, and balance regulation provide important insights into overall health. Recognizing these signs and symptoms is essential for better understanding what is happening within our bodies.
The Health Indicators Shown by Ear Shape
Diabetes:
Hearing loss, although a condition on its own, can also be an indicator of diabetes. It is said that hearing loss is twice as common in diabetics compared to healthy individuals, and pre-diabetics have a 30% higher risk of hearing loss. This connection may be explained by blood circulation issues in the ear, which are affected by diabetes.
Vascular Blockage:
If the earlobe has a diagonal line, it may indicate vascular blockages and is a sign of heart disease. Studies have shown that patients with sloped earlobes have a significantly higher likelihood of exhibiting heart disease symptoms.
Oral Problems:
Ear Paincan signify existing oral issues, and as explained in the health section of SelMagz, ear pain can specifically result from problems in the jaw, particularly disorders affecting the joints. This pain can occur while chewing, speaking, or even opening the mouth.SelMagzAs discussed in the health section, ear pain may specifically stem from problems in the jaw, especially conditions affecting the joints, leading to discomfort when chewing, speaking, or even opening the mouth.
Disease:
Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, can actually be a sign of over 200 different conditions includingAnxiety, issuesBlood Pressure,Depressionand more. If tinnitus is temporary, don’t worry; however, if it’s chronic, you may want to consult with a doctor to investigate what is happening.
Allergy:
Itching, blockage, or swelling of the ear may be a sign ofAllergybecause the nose and ears are connected through the Eustachian tube. When the nose is congested, you may experience symptoms in your ears.
Increased Disease Risk:
Earwax may be a predictor of disease. A study found a connection between the ABCC11 gene mutation—linked to an increased risk ofBreast Cancer—moisture, stickiness, and earwax are involved. Although earwax is generally not associated with disease diagnosis, if it is green or has an unusual odor, it may indicateEar Infection.
Doctors state that hearing loss and natural recovery are impossible; the good news is that this type of noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable. Therefore, it is crucial to take care of your health to prevent hearing damage.
Red Ears:
Red ears can be caused bySunburn, flushing, and skin infections likecellulitisor roseola. According to medical reports, red ears may indicate serious health problems with the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for producing adrenaline, the hormone that prepares our body to react in astressfulsituation. Red ears are a feature of adrenal insufficiency.
Small Ears or Unusual Shape:
If you have small or unusual ears, it may indicateKidney Diseasebecause the kidneys grow simultaneously with the ears. So, if you notice this characteristic, ask your doctor to check your kidneys.
Vitaminand Calcium Deficiencies:
If your ears are pale, it may mean that your body has low levels of vitamins and calcium.
Ear Itching:
Itching in the ears is a common issue and can have several possible causes. This condition can arise from nervous habits, damage to the ear canal, fungal infections, allergies, and skin diseases likePsoriasisor dermatitis.
Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the skin. For ears, where the skin is thin, it can be very painful. This may lead to a buildup of dead skin that makes hearing more difficult. If this happens, consult your doctor for treatment, but there is no cure for psoriasis.
Ear Pain:
Temporary ear pain can occur due to sudden changes in air pressure, such as when taking off in an airplane or using an elevator. It can also be an early sign ofCold, flu, infection, or a foreign object in the ear.
Severe blockage accompanied by clear or bloody fluid from the ear may result from a ruptured eardrum. A perforatedeardrumcan occur due to injury to the head or neck or changes in air or water pressure, such as when diving underwater. Other common causes of chronic ear pain include: sore throat,Sinusitis. If ear pain persists, you should see a doctor to understand the cause.
Brain Disorders:
If your ears are red, it may indicateMemory Loss, chronic headaches, or brain problems.
