Ask the ENT

Do Oral Appliances Work? You might have heard about using oral appliances for sleep apnea and wondered, "Do these really work?" The answer is yes, they can be very effective for many people! What is an Oral Appliance? An oral appliance is a small device that fits in your mouth, kind of like a sports mouthguard or an orthodontic retainer.…

Do you sneeze a lot when spring comes around? Or maybe your eyes get itchy and watery when the leaves start to fall? If so, you might have seasonal allergies. Don’t worry; you’re not alone! Many people deal with these annoying symptoms every year. But good news! There are ways to help you feel better. Let's explore some simple steps…

Have you ever felt like people around you are mumbling? Or perhaps you constantly need the TV volume higher than others? If so, you might be experiencing some level of hearing loss. But at what point should you consider getting a hearing aid? Let's dive in and find out. Understanding Hearing Loss First, we need to understand that hearing loss…

Ear Dexamethasone steroid injections (Ear Dexa Injections) are often used to treat certain ear conditions. While the name may seem a bit intimidating, understanding what this treatment involves can help demystify the process and provide reassurance. Let's take a closer look at this procedure. Understanding Steroids Steroids are potent medical substances used in treating various health conditions. They are known…

Have you ever noticed a tiny, grape-shaped thing hanging at the back of your mouth when you say "ahhh" in front of a mirror? That's your uvula! It might look small, but don't let its size fool you; the uvula plays a bunch of cool roles in our body. What's a Uvula? The word 'uvula' comes from a Latin word…

Snoring can be caused by a variety of factors, such as obesity, alcohol consumption, allergies, sleep position, or sleep apnea. Here are some tips that may help you stop snoring: Maintain a healthy weight: Losing weight can reduce the amount of tissue in your throat, which can help to reduce snoring. Change your sleeping position: Sleeping on your back can…

Sinusitis is a condition that affects the sinuses – the air-filled spaces in the face and forehead. When the sinuses become inflamed and swollen, it can cause discomfort and a range of symptoms. Sinusitis is a common condition that affects millions of people each year. There are several types of sinusitis, including acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, and recurrent sinusitis. Acute…

Did you know that there are about 8,000-8,500 ENT doctors practicing in the United States? Like any other part of your body, your ear, nose, and throat can suffer from a wide range of problems and require specialized care. From issues with breathing and swallowing to hearing loss and sleep troubles, these problems can be detrimental to your health and affect your…

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious medical condition when a person stops and starts breathing repeatedly throughout the night. This results in poor quality sleep. Individuals with sleep apnea often have symptoms of snoring, restless sleep, difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, daytime tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and headaches. There are 3 Types of Sleep Apnea Obstructive sleep apnea,…

If you have difficulty breathing through your nose, you may have a deviated septum. The nasal septum is the midline portion of the nose that separates the right and left air passages of the nose. The septum is a thin wall of bone and cartilage that may be displaced to one side making that nasal passage smaller. Septal deviations are…

What are the Eustachian tubes and what do they do? The Eustachian tubes are narrow tubes made of bone, cartilage, and mucosa that connect the space behind your eardrum with the back of your nose. The main function of the Eustachian tubes is to equalize the pressure across the eardrum when there are pressure changes outside, for example when driving…

Snoring is the sound made by vibration of soft tissue in the throat while sleeping. It is very common, affecting 40% of men and 20% of women. Aside from disrupting the sleep of your bed partner, it can cause several bothersome side effects. Snoring can cause frequent awakenings, even if you don’t realize it. These awakenings can affect the normal…

Balloon sinuplasty is a type of endoscopic nasal surgery. It is a minimally invasive, safe and effective medical therapy to open blocked sinuses. It uses small endoscopic catheter-based balloons to dilate the drainage pathways of the large nasal sinuses. It is also known as the “smart” sinus procedure or angioplasty for the nose. Balloon sinuplasty is typically used to treat…

Acute sinus infections are one of the most common illnesses that affect adults. The sinuses are a group of hollow spaces that are found within the nose. Symptoms of sinusitis include sinus pain, sinus pressure, nasal/sinus congestion, and postnasal drainage. These types of infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. A viral sinus infection has symptoms similar to…

Allergies and upper respiratory infections, such as the cold or flu, cause similar symptoms, often making it difficult to tell them apart. Symptoms common to allergies, cold and flu include runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. A good way to tell that your symptoms are due to an infection rather than allergies is the presence…

The palatine uvula, otherwise known as the uvula, is the teardrop-shaped piece of soft tissue that hangs down from the roof of your mouth. It is part of the soft palate. The uvula is made from small amounts of thin connective tissue, saliva-producing glands, and muscle tissue. When you eat, your soft palate and uvula are pushed backwards to prevent…