When The Doctor Becomes The Patient: A New Perspective On Sinus Surgery
As a physician at CornerStone Ear, Nose & Throat, whenever I discuss sinus surgery with patients, I tell them to only consider the procedure if their symptoms are actually affecting their quality of life. Recently, I had to take my own advice and undergo sinus surgery myself. Although I’ve performed sinus surgery for the past 15 years, becoming a patient gave me an entirely new perspective.
Hope for Chronic Sinusitis Sufferers: A Patient Success Story
Characterized by long-lasting and stubborn symptoms of thick, yellow to greenish nasal discharge, post nasal drip, nasal stuffiness, facial pain and possibly swelling, chronic sinusitis can be a frustrating condition for both patients and physicians. According to the Centers for Disease control, an estimated seven million Americans suffer with these and other symptoms related to chronic sinusitis, giving it its position as one of the most prevalent health problems in the country. When Treatment Fails So, when U.R. (initials used for patient privacy) had endured…
Sports Related External Ear Injuries: Auricular Hematoma & Cauliflower Ear
Wrestlers, football players, boxers and other participants in contact sports often suffer sports related injuries to the soft tissues of the face and head that can lead to a lifetime of disfigurement. Don’t miss this great information for athletes, coaches, parents, and others who might have experience with cauliflower ear or other sports injuries to the external ear. Learn how to identify a potentially serious injury, understand treatment options, and most importantly, how to avoid the injury in the first place.
Zenker’s Diverticulum – Tough to Swallow
According to research, the average person swallows between 600 and 2,000 times a day. Swallowing is a complex process that involves numerous muscles and nerves. We rarely consider this process until swallowing becomes difficult, called dysphagia, or painful, called odynophagia. These symptoms may then lead to additional signs that swallowing is impaired, such as choking, gagging, drooling and coughing. The causes of abnormal swallowing function can range from having a piece of food or bone stuck in the throat to a narrowing or weakening of…
Bilateral myringotomy and tube placement: Should my child have tubes placed?
Bilateral myringotomy and tube placement, or “placing PE tubes”, is the most common surgical procedure performed in the United States, and for good reason. Simply put, for the right child, it is a simple, safe procedure, which can help resolve chronic middle ear infections while preventing future infections and eliminating the need for numerous courses of antibiotics. The question is how do we choose “the right child”. Generally, this decision is made along with the parents after carefully reviewing not only the patient’s physical examination,…
Should my child’s tonsils be removed?
This is one of those questions that many parents face with inadequate information. Often times it is first-time parents who find themselves being asked to make a decision about a very young child’s health with what must seem like a poor understanding of possible risks and benefits of the procedure. Hopefully, this review and commentary will help you make the right decision for your child. Tonsils and adenoids are really just old-fashioned terms for a type of tissue called lymphoid tissue that surrounds the throat.…
Voice Disorder Guide: Diagnosis, Types, and Treatment Options
Each year millions of people are affected by voice disorders. For those who rely on their voice to make a living, such as teachers, doctors, actors, singers, and public speakers, problems like chronic hoarseness and vocal fatigue can be devastating. There are many causes of vocal disorders and the underlying problem with many patients is often multifactorial. Vocal overuse, acid reflux, tobacco use, and chronic allergies are a few of the many potential causes of vocal dysfunction. In addition, any patient with persistent hoarseness should be evaluated to rule out laryngeal cancer, a condition where hoarseness is often the first symptom. Proper diagnosis of the disorder is crucial for appropriate treatment.
What Is An Otolaryngologist?
Otolaryngologists are M.D. or D.O. physicians that are trained in the medical and surgical treatment and management of diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat, and related structures of the head and neck. Because of their specialized focus on the ear, nose, and throat, Otolaryngologists are often referred to as ENT Physicians or ENT Doctors. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Otolaryngology is the oldest recognized medical specialty in the United States, dating back as far back as the 19th century. What…
Raising Voices: Helping Patients Recover From Voice Disorders
Each year millions of people are affected by voice disorders. For those who rely on their voice to make a living, such as teachers, doctors, actors, singers, and public speakers, problems like chronic hoarseness and vocal fatigue can be devastating. There are many causes of vocal disorders and the underlying etiology is often multifactorial. Vocal overuse, acid reflux, tobacco use, and chronic allergies are a few of the many potential causes of vocal dysfunction. In addition, any patient with persistent hoarseness should be evaluated to…
Patient Profile: Curing Chronic Hoarseness
Doris Godwin suffered from constant hoarseness for over five years. The 80-year-old had been evaluated and treated in the past for laryngopharyngeal reflux, with no improvement in her symptoms. “I thought it was a problem I would just have to live with,” said Doris, “Then a relative suggested CornerStone Ear, Nose & Throat.” Doris was evaluated using the Kay Pentax Rigid Videostroboscopy system. A submucosal cyst involving the medial surface of her right vocal cord was discovered. “The cyst was preventing complete closure of her…
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