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PANDAS – What Every Parent Needs to Know

What is PANDAS? In recent years, there has been a growing body of information and awareness among the medical community of a rare but concerning consequence of GABHS infection (a.k.a. acute tonsillitis or “strep throat”) called Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections, commonly referred to as PANDAS. This is a specific phenomenon that falls under the broader category of Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Proper diagnosis is dependent on the healthcare provider’s awareness of this uncommon GABHS associated … Continued

Tonsillectomy for Children – New Clinical Practice Guidelines

Should my child have their tonsils removed? Tonsil problems in children are among the most common health concerns that result in a referral of a child to an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT or otolaryngologist). Management methods of tonsil concerns such as frequent throat infections and problems associated with large tonsils continuously change over time as data from new research and clinical results are analyzed. Tonsillectomy, which almost always also includes adenoidectomy (removal of the tonsil tissue from the … Continued

Know The Signs Of Reflux

Even If You Don’t Have Heartburn, You May Still Have Reflux Most people do not realize there are two different conditions caused by reflux. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is what immediately comes to mind for most patients, with symptoms of heartburn caused by the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus. The other condition caused by gastric reflux is Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR). This condition is very common, but it can have very different symptoms than GERD. Identifying which type of … Continued

Do You Have Allergies Or A Cold?

You cough, you sneeze and you suffer from congestion and a runny nose. But to get the relief you need, you must answer this big question: Do you have allergies or a cold? First, it’s important to know the differences between allergies and colds. The common cold and its symptoms usually begin when a virus enters your body, and your system reacts by fighting it. Allergy symptoms are the result of an overactive immune system. Your body mistakenly acts as … Continued

Hearing Aids In The Workplace

Of the nearly 40 million individuals suffering from hearing loss, around 60 percent are either in the workforce or are students planning to start working soon. These are environments where individuals are expected to consistently make a favorable impression, and being able to hear well plays a vital role in their level of performance. Both workers and students with hearing impairments can encounter obstacles throughout the day that can make accomplishing tasks even more challenging and daunting. Today’s work environments … Continued

The Cochlear Baha System: A Hearing Solution For People Who Can’t Use Hearing Aids

Hearing aids do an incredible job of amplifying sound and helping those who suffer from hearing loss live a more normal life. These devices rely on sound travelling efficiently through the eardrum and middle ear space so that sound can be received by the cochlea or hearing organ and converted into nerve impulses for the brain to process. Unfortunately, for patients with middle ear problems or a mixed type of hearing loss (both nerve damage and middle ear problems), regular … Continued

Tips For Protecting Your Hearing

Our hearing organ is called the cochlea, and it is one part of the nervous system that does not regenerate or repair itself. This means that the normal or excessive wear on our hearing organs is cumulative over time. Any damage that has been done to the cochlea from listening to music too loudly or attending loud events without any ear protection — and even normal wear over time — is permanent. So to preserve our precious hearing, we should … Continued

CROS and Bi-CROS Systems For Single-Sided Deafness

Have you ever wondered what amplification options are available for those with single-sided deafness? Single-sided deafness (SSD) refers to total hearing loss in one ear, while the other ear has normal hearing, usable hearing or hearing that would benefit from an assistive device. Total deafness refers to hearing loss where there is no usable hearing, meaning that the patient or the ear would not benefit from a hearing aid. The Complications of Single-Sided Deafness Although a person with single-sided deafness … Continued

Why All Adults Need a Hearing Test

When was your last hearing test? If you can’t remember or you’ve never had one, then it’s time to schedule one. You should think of a hearing test with the same importance as having your vision checked or going to the dentist. After all, our sense of hearing helps us connect with the world around us. It offers us the ability to socialize with one another, the pleasure of listening to music, and the security of detecting danger by hearing … Continued

Sinus Surgery Success – The Importance of Topical Medical Therapy

For patients who have already undergone sinus surgery, whether it’s balloon sinuplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery, medicated saline irrigations can be an important part of long-term postoperative medical care. Chronic sinusitis is typically the result of a combination of physical obstruction problems and environmental inflammatory problems that lead to a chronic or recurring bacterial or fungal infection. Logically, sinus surgery only serves to resolve the physical or obstruction aspect of the condition. So, as I like to explain to my … Continued

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