Nosebleeds
Though common and sometimes frightening, nosebleeds are rarely anything more than a nuisance. They are usually the result of minor irritations in the nasal passages and are most common in children younger than 10 and adults older than 50. What Causes Nosebleeds? When the membranes lining the inside of the nose dry out and become…
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is inflammation and swelling of the tissues that line the sinuses. This interferes with normal mucus drainage, leading to breathing difficulties, pain and pressure. When the condition persists for 12 weeks or longer, it is considered chronic. What Causes Sinusitis? Sinusitis is the number one reported chronic condition in the United States, affecting an…
Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces hormones used to regulate your body’s metabolism. Though relatively rare, thyroid cancer occurs when abnormal cells multiply in the thyroid gland. Fortunately, patients with thyroid cancer frequently do well because it is usually detected early and responds well to treatment. It is important to…
The Link Between Hearing Loss and Dementia
Researchers at John Hopkins School of Medicine looked at 639 adults from 36-90 years of age for 12 years and monitored cognitive health and hearing health. While none of the subjects had dementia at the start of the study, 184 of the 639 subjects had some degree of hearing loss. Researcher, Otologist and Epidemiologist Dr….
Lip and Tongue Tie
The rate of breastfeeding in the U.S. has been rising over the past 20 years due to studies showing improved health in breastfed children, as well as improvement in other issues such as gastroesophageal reflux (“spitting up”) and even SIDS (although co-sleeping or sleeping in the same bed is NOT recommended). With tongue-tie, an unusually…
Earwax: When Too Much of a Good Thing Causes Problems
Sometimes mistakenly viewed as a sign of poor hygiene, earwax (also known as cerumen) is produced naturally by glands in the outer ear and plays a very important role in hearing health. It should not be viewed as something dirty that needs to be eliminated. In fact, complete absence of earwax will result in a…
Thyroid Nodules
The thyroid is a gland located in the lower part of the neck in the midline. The main function of the thyroid is to produce a hormone that controls your body’s metabolism and energy level. The thyroid hormone plays a big role in many of your body’s essential functions. Thyroid nodules are common. About 5%…
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a chronic disorder characterized by loud snoring and pauses in breathing that occur repeatedly throughout the night. Left untreated, sleep apnea may increase the chance of serious health complications such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure. Sleep apnea occurs when tissues in the throat relax during sleep, obstructing the…
February is Pediatric ENT Health Month
The first few years of a child’s life are critically important in physical development as well as in forming emotional, learning and communication skills. Because of this, babies with moderate to severe hearing loss can experience developmental setbacks. Early identification of and intervention in hearing loss facilitates language development. The best way to identify and…
Cochlear Implants: What You Should Know
Cochlear implants treat severe to profound hearing loss in patients with sensorineural (inner ear-related) hearing loss where impairment can’t be treated with standard hearing aids. With a relatively minor two-hour surgery, most patients experience a tremendous positive impact on their quality of life. Click here to watch Dr. Varun Varadarajan’s video about hearing rehabilitation and implantable…