Head Pain, Hearing, Vision & Eyesight

What head pain, hearing, vision and eyesight issues do we treat?

You might be surprised by the wide range of conditions Bettr can take care of for you.

As long as it’s not a medical emergency, our doctors can help you with a wide range of health issues and healthcare services in the comfort of your home. For example, during a consultation, our doctors can help diagnose your issue, prescribe medication to treat acute (right now) symptoms and suggest lifestyle changes for long-term prevention where relevant.

Head pain, hearing, vision and eyesight issues we can help treat through Bettr include the following:

• Conjunctivitis
  Conjunctivitis, sometimes known as "pink eye", is an eye condition. Caused by bacterial or viral infections or allergic reactions, conjunctivitis causes the lining of your eyelids and the white of your eyes to become inflamed. Other symptoms include itching, teary eyes, discharge and redness. Viral or bacterial infections that cause conjunctivitis is contagious and spread easily through direct contact, so good hygiene is recommended. Your doctor can help ascertain what conjunctivitis you have and prescribe antibiotics in the case of a bacterial infection. Eyedrops, eye creams and antihistamines are also commonly used.
• Ear infections
  Bacterial or viral infections cause ear infections, often occurring in the air-filled space behind the eardrum (the middle ear). Ear infections can be acute (immediate) or chronic (prolonged or re-occurring). Ear infections can cause sudden pain due to inflammation and fluid build-up and can impact our hearing. Children can also develop fevers. Children are more likely to develop ear infections than adults. Though infections usually clear up on their own, you may require medication to manage pain or antibiotics prescribed to clear up bacterial infections.
• Hearing loss
  Hearing loss is widespread, with one in six New Zealanders experiencing some degree of hearing loss. There are many causes of hearing loss, including age, disease, and noise. Typically, hearing loss can occur over a long period, so others may notice it before you do. It can also appear in one or both ears. You should immediately see a doctor if you have sudden or severe hearing loss to save hearing that otherwise may not need to be lost.
• Migraines
  A Migraine is a neurological disease that typically causes severe headaches. These headaches can vary in intensity and often occur on one side of the head. Migraines can make you vomit, feel nauseous, and experience noise and light sensitivity. Migraine attacks can last for hours or even days. Some people experience a visual aura before the onset of a migraine. In New Zealand, one in 10 people suffer from migraines, with women most often affected. Your doctor can prescribe certain medications to help with pain. Select lifestyle changes have also been shown to help.
• Swimmer’s ear
  Swimmer's ear is an infection of the outer ear canal, the area before the eardrum. Swimmer's ear is usually caused by a bacterial infection and can cause redness, swelling and discharge. Swimmer's ear is often brought on by water that stays in your ear, creating a moist environment that encourages bacterial growth. Typically, medicated ear drops will clear swimmer's ear if caught promptly. However, if left untreated, symptoms can progress, and the infection can spread. Treated symptoms often improve within or disappear within a week. However, if symptoms persist, it is recommended to see a doctor.

Other head pain, hearing, vision and eyesight issues we can treat include Blepharitis, Ear Problems, Eye Problems, and Tinnitus.

Many other conditions not on this list will also be fine for online support. However, if your doctor thinks you need a face-to-face consultation for further treatment, they will discuss this with you to arrange the best next steps.