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Hospitals at Saolta University Health Care Group

Sligo University Hospital’s Health and Social Care Professions Day

Sligo University Hospital celebrated Health and Social Care Professions (HSCP) Day earlier this month with a range of interactive information stands in the main foyer of the hospital. HSCP refers to a range of diagnostic, therapeutic and social care professions that each play a unique, fundamentally important role in the provision of care to patients at the hospital.

Staff at Sligo University Hospital share their flu experiences in a new video

Mr Fergal Hickey, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Deirdre Staunton, Resuscitation Training Officer from Sligo University Hospital have shared their flu experiences in a new video (http://bit.ly/2Pql6Wa) aimed at promoting the uptake of the flu vaccine among healthcare workers.

Mealtimes Matter at Sligo University Hospital

Sligo University Hospital is focusing on making ‘Mealtimes Matter’ for patients. Eating well during a hospital stay plays a key role in reducing complications, speeding up recovery and improving outcomes for patients.

National Orthopaedic Meeting Hosted by Sligo University Hospital

Last weekend Sligo University Hospital hosted the ‘Atlantic Club Orthopaedic Meeting’ which is one of Ireland’s premier orthopaedic meetings bringing together orthopaedic specialists, trainees, medical students and specialist nurses from throughout Ireland and the UK.

Over 150 delegates attended the meeting to hear about cutting edge research and the latest developments in hip and knee replacement surgery, foot and ankle surgery, shoulder and spine surgery.

Book of Remembrance for Children and Pregnancy Loss introduced at Sligo University Hospital

Sligo University Hospital has introduced a ‘Book of Remembrance’ which will be available for families to record the names of babies or children who have died through miscarriage, still birth, shortly after birth or in childhood at the hospital.

The book will be on display in the hospital church on the current date and will display the details of the babies and children who are remembered that day.

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Information for Open Water Swimmers, Surfers, Kayakers and all Cold Water Athletes

What is Surfer’s Ear?

Well for starters, it’s not just for surfers. In fact, all cold water athletes are at risk of developing the condition. Surfer’s Ear is a medical condition clinically known as External Auditory Canal Exostoses (EACE) or Exostoses, which is caused by repeated exposure to cold water and wind.

Exostoses are formed in response to a continuous change of temperature within the ear canal. As cold water regularly swirls along the ear canal, the body responds by warming the affected area, this also stimulates bone-producing cells within the ear canal, which cause the bone surrounding the ear to develop a bony growth.

These benign bone growths can lead to infections, water trapping, hearing loss and complete closure of the ear canal if left untreated

The condition develops slowly over time and it may take 10 to 15 years for the symptoms to appear.

Cause?

Research shows that Surfer’s Ear is most likely in exposure to cold water below 19deg. In Ireland, the water is usually at its warmest in August and even then the average temperature ranges from 13 to 17 degrees. The bottom line is – the water in Ireland is always too cold for our ears!

Surfer's Ear Clinic

Doctors from Sligo University Hospital held a Surfer’s Ear clinic to raise awareness of the condition.         

 

 
What does Surfer’s Ear look like?

                                                                             

How do you protect your ears?

Wear earplugs.

The advice couldn’t be simpler; this truly is a practical and cost-effective way to reduce your risk of developing exostoses. Hearing loss associated with wearing earplugs was identified through our study as the main deterrent for athletes across all sporting disciplines. However, modern earplugs are not only discrete but also let sound in and keep water out.

What to do if you are worried?

Visit your GP and ask him/her to check your ears. Your GP may then refer you to your nearest hospital to see a specialist Ear Nose and Throat doctor to examine your ears further.

Research at Sligo University Hospital

A team of consultants, doctors and staff from the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) department conducted a year-long project to examine Irish cold water athlete’s awareness and understanding of exostoses as well as athlete’s attitudes towards preventative measures such as wearing earplugs.

The ENT team held five “Surfer’s Ear Clinics” which examined almost 100 cold water athletes, concluding that 1 in 2 athletes had Surfer’s Ear.

The Irish Institute of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery provided Dr Seamus Boyle, ENT SpR at the hospital, with financial support in the form of a small grant to progress this research. The Institute plans to work with him to expand this project, as outlined by Professor Nash Patil in the video below:

                                                                                     

Questionnaire
Calling all triathletes, surfers, open water swimmers, sub aqua and non-water athletes –  help us with our research 'To Determine Water Athletes Awareness of Surfers Ear or Exostosis and Attitudes to wearing Ear Plugs', click here

 

Information coming soon