Ask the ENT

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…