Blog - CornerStone Ear, Nose & Throat

What’s The Point Of Allergy Shots? Allergy Drops Are An Effective, Safer Alternative

Allergy shots (allergy immunotherapy) have been around for decades. For many people, allergy shots can be an effective medical therapy for severe allergy symptoms. For others, the inconvenience of frequent trips to a medical office and fear of needles make allergy shots an unattractive form of allergy treatment. For those patients, allergy drops may be a much better alternative to achieve similar, long-lasting relief of allergy symptoms. (More on that later.) A Brief History Of Allergies Allergic rhinitis is among … Continued

Is It Snot Or Not? A Brief Guide To What Can Come Out Of Your Nose

From the smallest of babies to the oldest of adults, at some point, everyone has had a “runny nose.” The mucus that comes out of our nose is most commonly referred to as snot. But sometimes your nose produces more than mucus. It’s important to know the difference between mucus, pus, polyps, cerebrospinal fluid, and a foreign object so you will know when to seek the care of a physician. So read on to learn how you too can identify … Continued

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

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