Acid from the stomach can reflux up through the esophagus to the larynx. The resulting acid exposure can cause a multitude of symptoms, including hoarseness, throat discomfort, swallowing problems and a feeling of a foreign body caught in the throat. Acid reflux may occur at night, so that sleeping patients do not notice symptoms of heartburn. Treatment of GERD includes antacids, elevating the head of the bed, changing the diet, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol.
Infection of the sinus cavities often occurs due to inflammation and obstruction of the sinus drainage pathways. Typical symptoms of a sinus infection include facial pain and pressure, nasal obstruction, yellow or green nasal drainage, fatigue and fever. Treatment of a sinus infection may include nasal decongestants and antibiotics. People with chronic sinus drainage may benefit from endoscopic sinus surgery.
The midline of the nose consists of a cartilage and bony nasal septum. These separate the two sides of the nasal cavity. A bend or deviation in the septum can be something you’re born with or can occur through injury. To correct this, we often perform an outpatient surgery called a septoplasty – where an incisions is made inside the nasal cavity and the obstructing portion of bone and cartilage is removed.
Common causes of nasal obstruction include a deviated nasal septum, nasal turbinate enlargement and nasal polyps (benign growths).
The nasal turbinates are three bony and soft-tissue structures lining the sides of the nasal cavity. As part of the normal nasal cycle, the turbinates alternately swell and enlarge. In some persons, the turbinates can be excessively large, resulting in significant nasal obstruction. Allergy treatment, typically with nasal steroid sprays, may help to decrease this swelling. When allergy management does sufficiently relieve nasal obstruction, the inferior turbinates can be surgically reduced. In many cases this can be done as an office procedure.
Nasal polyps are a type of inflammatory tissue that can grow in the nasal cavity and sinuses. They occur more frequently in persons with allergies and/or asthma. Nasal obstruction is the most common symptom. The sinus drainage tracts may also be blocked, resulting in chronic sinus disease. Nasal polyps are controlled with steroid sprays as well as removal by endoscopic surgery. Persons whose polyps arise from asthma may have serious allergic reactions to aspirin.
As a general guideline, a tonsillectomy is recommended in patients with seven or more tonsil infections in one year, five infections a year for two years, or three infections for three or more years.
Surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids in children is performed for two primary reasons: recurrent tonsil/adenoid infections and snoring with associated sleep apnea.
Hoarseness, due to irritation of the larynx, is commonly caused by upper respiratory infections, reflux of stomach acid and/or postnasal drip.
People frequently develop a persistent cough following a common cold. A cycle may develop in which episodic coughing results in throat irritation, which causes more coughing and more irritation. The larynx then becomes even more susceptible to other irritants such as acid reflux and posterior drainage from the nose. It is important to break the coughing cycle by maintaining adequate hydration, taking throat lozenges, and avoiding throat clearing.
Mucous drainage from the nose can cause throat irritation and hoarseness. Nasal steroid sprays and non-sedating antihistamines may help reduce the amount of drainage.
Snoring typically is caused by vibration of tissues within the oral pharynx (the uvula and palate). Nasal obstruction can be another cause. In mild snoring, these measures may help: losing weight, sleeping on your side rather than your back, avoiding sedatives and alcohol. Surgery can reduce the size of the soft tissue of uvula and palate, and also relieve nasal obstruction. The PAMF Department of Otolaryngology uses a carbon dioxide laser to remove excess uvular and palatal soft tissue, an office procedure using local anesthesia. Office turbinate surgery may also help snoring by improving nasal breathing.
Snoring is a common problem that may occur alone or in combination with obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is quite common but most people who have sleep apnea don’t know they have it until someone else witnesses it and tells them. Sleep apnea causes a person to take shallow breaths or even pause while breathing during sleep. The breathing pauses can last only a few seconds but can go on for minutes. Sleep apnea patients usually snore and they sometimes make a loud snort sound during the episode. They often suffer from daytime sleepiness because their sleep is interrupted even if the snoring and the breathing pauses don’t actually wake them up. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. In this condition, the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep. This causes shallow breathing or breathing pauses.
Finding out what you are allergic to is an important first step to effective allergy treatment. Today, allergy tests are more convenient and accurate than ever before. When combined with an examination and medical history by your doctor, allergy testing can identify the specific things that are causing your allergies.
Our allergy tests help find allergies to tree, pollen, weeds, grasses, dust mites, animals, and molds.
Otolaryngic Allergists are best qualified to diagnosis and treat ear, nose and throat symptoms. Allergies are a common cause of symptoms they see every day. Your Otolaryngic Allergist can also provide a broader range of health care solutions including medical and surgical treatments.
Allergy drops are a new and more convenient form of immunotherapy. Patients are prescribed allergy drops they take outside of the doctor’s office. Using allergy drops saves patient’s time and money because a weekly appointment is not necessary. Talk to your Otolaryngic Allergist to find out if this is a right course of treatment for you.
You're entitled to a higher quality of life. At ENT Specialists, our warm and compassionate team will keep you comfortable and happy throughout your relief journey. Schedule your one-on-one consultation today to experience the difference ENT Specialists can make in your life! We offer ENT treatments in Novi, Brighton, and Bingham Farms.
25500 Meadowbrook Road Suite 220, Novi, MI 48375
