Ceruminous Glands

I believe all of recognize that our ear will produce earwax.  Most folks do not think about earwax often, if at all.  Yet, your trusty physiologist (cough) does so..... regularly..... for TWO REASONS:

1.  Earwax is a subject that is a mildly important topic in teaching anatomy & physiology.  Generally, there are two chapters where earwax gets mentioned..... in the Integumentary System (the system of our skin) and in the Nervous System (in the chapter of the neurobiology of the Special Senses).  

In the Integumentary System I mention how earwax is produced by ceruminous glands that evolutionarily derive from and are modified sweat glands.  The actual sticky/pasty earwax most of us produce is a mixture of the fluids produced by the ceruminous glands mixed with oils from our sebaceous glands..... both of which are within our external auditory canal.  Some folks have a more "flaky" grey/white earwax which has less sebaceous oil within it.

In the Nervous System I again talk about ear wax in its role as a protectant for the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane ("eardrum")  It serves several roles here in terms of lubrication, trapping particulates and enhancing the microbial barriers in this region to lessen the chance of infectious beasts (bacteria and viruses) from getting into the middle or inner ear regions.  

2.  However, there is a second reason I often think about earwax..... TMJ Disorder.  The temporomandibular joint I so often refer to associated with my TMJ Disorder results from a myriad of different actions that can negatively impact the temporomandibular joint, including:

Grinding of the teeth

Bruxing of the teeth

Too aggressive mastication (chewing)

But, also ANYTHING that can cause inflammation to arise in the joint..... including inflammation in tissues surround the joint.  This is why I am writing about this today.....

My TMJ has been a significant pain in the posterior again for the last several days.  To try to alleviate the situation, there are so many things I do/try to do. Of course I begin by extending the wearing of my bite splint to virtually all day and night other than when I am lecturing or eating.  I try to chew more "gingerly" as well.  And, I usually take some form on NSAID (my choice is asprin as it has lower potential to result in liver challenges or kidney challenges than Tylenol or Motrin or other NSAIDS of that sort).  

But, sometimes none of the above helps me transition out of a TMJ Disorder pain cycle.  Then I will try cleaning out my auditory canal.  I try to not do this too often as I end up using a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide in very warm water in which I use an rubber ear bulb to lavage the canal.  It is not good to do this routinely, but in the cases where there is build-up of excessive earwax, this can help to dislodge the earwax.  

Well, I was desperate for relief and lavaged my auditory canal late last night and fortunately a HUGE blob of excessive earwax was flushed out!!!  I could already sense a decline in discomfort.  I then will typically drip in a few drops of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol into the canal as well.   

So, today I feel considerably better.  The pain and swelling is not GONE, but it is greatly reducing and I have hope that I will be back up to snuff in a few days.  Excessive earwax can become lodged against the tympanic membrane resulting in discomfort and inflammation of the region of the face by the affected auditory canal.... and lead to inflammation in the region of the temporomandibular joint.  

* * * * *
I ran my 10 miles (~16 km) this morning.  

Last night I had a beautiful dream that was a "mishmash" and was not based on a memory.  In my dream, I was probably age-wise, in my early 30s by how my beard and mustache were colored, but my beard and mustache were of the "big" variety I now sport.  Back in my early 30s I was more fussy and meticulous and kept my beard and mustache "professorially" short (about maximum of 1 inch).  And, it was a beautiful, cloudy Summer day and I was sitting at the rocky shore of a lake that had nearly up to the edge of the waterfront, towering and beautiful pine trees.  The "juniperish" scent of the pine forrest was beautiful and strong.  And, I was relaxing in a lounge chair (one of those webbed, outdoor chairs with the three sections so I could elevate my feet as well.  I had one of my old film cameras in my lap (strangely enough, it was my Russian SLR (which I have never used, I just thought it was "cool") that I bought maybe only 5-10 years ago from a thrift shop when I happened to stumble upon it).   I was smoking my pipe, and it was filled with the delightful Iwan Ries "Three Star Blue" blend that I had first tried only a very few years ago.  So, the dream was a mish-mash of ages and times all incongruent with each other.  But, the intensity and robustness of the flavors and feelings of the "Three Star Blue" were so vivid and rich and sensorially invigorating to each and every neuron of my body.  It was so very, very pleasant.  

Tonight there is another "Care & Share" meeting at our Parish.  Last week's video was thought provoking.  I wrote about it in the workbook we have.  Perhaps I will make a post about it here.  However, last week's DISCUSSION following the video quickly veered away from the religious/philosophical impact and meaning of the video instead into a discussion of someone's discussion of her ASD and another's discussion of their frustration at a store they were shopping at earlier in the day.  And, a third person spent the discussion time talking about how her grandkids had visited the prior weekend.   And, by "quickly veered away" I am estimating it may have perhaps been ~214 milliseconds after the video concluded and the instructor/guide suggested groups would want to begin the thought/discussion questions in the accompanying workbook.  But, my wife and I are heading there again..... and I will at least enjoy the video.  :)

Dinner tonight will be a turkey sandwich on heavily seeded pumpernickel bread, tomato soup, mixed vegetables, and a salad bigger than my head.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that my wife and I may be able to also go swimming prior to "Care & Share".  

PipeTobacco