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ENT DOCTOR BLOG
There are many reasons you could be dealing with a sore throat, and an infection of the tonsils could be one of them. This infection is better known as tonsillitis, and it happens to everyone from children to adults. Of course, we know that being able to tell respiratory infections apart can be rather challenging and sometimes impossible. This is when turning to an ENT doctor is key to determining whether or not you are dealing with tonsillitis and how to treat it.What are tonsils?
Your body has built-in defenses that help protect you against infections and harmful bacteria and germs, and your tonsils are your body’s first defense against infection. These two lymph nodes are found on the back of the throat. Unfortunately, even tonsils can fall prey to infection. When this happens, this is known as tonsillitis.
You may be surprised to find out that tonsillitis is contagious, so if a member of your family has this infection it can be spread easily through contact, so it’s important to practice good hygiene and to keep your distance.
What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?
Here are the most common signs and symptoms of tonsillitis:
- A severe sore throat
- Red, inflamed tonsils
- Yellow or white spots on the tonsils
- Painful swallowing
- Earaches
- Headaches
- Chills
- Fever
- Bad breath
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck
You should also turn to an ENT doctor if you or your child is dealing with chronic or recurring bouts of tonsillitis. In some cases, the tonsils may need to be removed if they are causing severe and persistent infections.
If you are dealing with symptoms of tonsillitis, it’s a good idea to turn to an otolaryngologist to find out what’s going on and to find out whether you may require medication. An ENT doctor is going to be the best specialist to turn to when dealing with conditions that impact your ear, nose, and throat.
What are the signs and symptoms of nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are typically to blame for chronic inflammation and swelling of the nasal cavity. People with nasal polyps may not realize that they have them, but they may be more likely to deal with other problems such as chronic sinusitis.Chronic sinusitis and other nasal issues are typically what bring people into our ENT practice in the first place. From there, we can run the appropriate diagnostic tests to see if you could be dealing with nasal polyps.
Other warning signs include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Postnasal drip
- Decreased sense of smell
- Loss of smell or taste
- Referred pain in the upper teeth
- Facial pressure and pain
- Headaches
- Recurring nosebleeds
If you are dealing with nasal symptoms that last more than 10 days, then it’s a good idea to see your otolaryngologist to find out what’s going on. After all, these symptoms can also be caused by other respiratory conditions that may require treatment or special care, and it’s important to be able to determine what’s causing your symptoms so we know how to best treat them.
How are nasal polyps treated?
Medication is typically the first line of treatment for managing symptoms of nasal polyps. The most commonly prescribed medications include:
- Antibiotics
- Antileukotrienes to reduce inflammation
- Antihistamines
- Immunotherapy
If you are battling symptoms of chronic sinusitis, you could actually be dealing with nasal polyps. Any sinus or nasal symptoms that last for weeks on end should be evaluated by an otolaryngologist.
If you are someone who swims regularly or lives in a warm climate, then you may be at an increased risk for developing a fungal infection in the ear that’s known as otomycosis. This fungal infection can impact one or both ears. Some signs that you could be dealing with otomycosis include itchy, flaky, swollen, and red skin of the ear. You may also experience ear drainage, fullness, or a loss of hearing. Discharge is incredibly common with fungal infections. If you notice these symptoms, it’s a good idea to see an ENT doctor.Your environment, your lifestyle, and your habits can play a role in whether you may be more at risk for developing otomycosis. As you know, fungus is everywhere, and it can be easy to pick up a fungal infection in warm or tropical climates. This is why your ENT doctor also sees a rise in fungal ear infections during the summer months.
If you swim in water that is contaminated, you could also leave with a fungal infection. Those with chronic health problems, eczema, or a weak immune system are at a much higher risk for developing otomycosis. If you develop itchy, red skin of the ear, or you notice changes in hearing or fullness in the ears, you must see a qualified ENT doctor as soon as possible. After all, fungal infections will not usually go away on their own without treatment.
First, we will need to examine the inside of your ear using an otoscope. We may also need to swab the area to determine whether the infection is bacterial or fungal. This is important as this will determine which medication will be most effective. We will also ask you questions regarding your symptoms, when they started, and your medical history.
Once we have determined that the ear infection is fungal, we will clean out the ears and then prescribe an antifungal medication. This medication may be in the form of a pill, ointment, or eardrops. While eardrops and ointment are more common treatment options, your otolaryngologist might prescribe an oral antifungal if you have a more severe or unresponsive fungal infection.
Could your tossing and turning actually be obstructive sleep apnea?
Waking up tired despite a full night’s rest might seem like the norm to you, but there is nothing normal about it. Unfortunately, many people just assume that their brain fog, morning headaches, and daytime exhaustion are due to restless sleep, but it could actually be obstructive sleep apnea. We believe it’s important for patients to spot the warning signs so that they can seek the immediate treatment they need from our Washington, DC, and Silver Spring, MD, ENT specialist Dr. William Bond.
Do you experience any of the following symptoms?
- Experience excessive sleepiness during the day?
- Do you deal with chronic or loud snoring?
- Wake up abruptly gasping or feeling short of breath?
- Experience frequent morning headaches?
- Wake up to a dry mouth or sore throat?
- Battle brain fog, mood swings, and trouble concentrating?
- Find yourself falling asleep at your desk during the day or afternoon?
- Have to drag yourself from your bed every morning despite getting 7-9 hours of sleep?
If you’ve answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then you may have sleep apnea. So, when should you see your Washington, DC, and Silver Spring, MD, ENT specialist?
You should come into our office if your snoring is so loud it’s waking up others, if your shortness of breath wakes you up in the middle of the night, or if your daytime sleepiness causes you to fall asleep during the day. Any of the symptoms above warrant coming into our office for an evaluation.
While you might not think snoring is a serious problem, snoring can often be an indicator of sleep apnea. However, not everyone who actually has sleep apnea will snore. When you come in for your visit let us know about any and all symptoms you are experiencing.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
How we treat your sleep apnea will depend upon the severity of your sleep apnea. For those with milder symptoms, we may recommend certain lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, weight loss, and avoiding alcohol and sedatives.
For those with more moderate to severe symptoms, there are a variety of different sleep apnea treatments that can help you sleep better. The most common is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Before bedtime, a mask is placed over your nose to deliver air pressure that keeps airways open and unobstructed while sleeping. Sometimes a simple oral device can also be used in place of CPAP therapy, but this is often for milder cases.
If we’ve exhausted all sleep apnea treatments and nothing has helped your symptoms, then we may consider surgery to remove tissue from the throat. This surgery is known as a uvulopalatopharngoplasty (UPPP) and it can help stop patients from snoring.
If you’re concerned that you or your partner might be suffering from sleep apnea, or you’ve been diagnosed with OSA and want to discuss your treatment options, our Washington, DC, and Silver Spring, MD, ENT specialist Dr. Bond, and his team are here to provide you with the comprehensive sleep apnea treatment you need for better sleep. Call us at (202) 726-7770 to schedule an evaluation.
It’s common for people to snore, but when does snoring become a bigger issue? You may find yourself waking up exhausted after a full night’s sleep and unsure of why. You may be struggling with sleep apnea, but luckily, there are treatment options out there for you. Your ENT doctor, Dr. William Bond in Washington, D.C. is here to offer solutions to help calm your sleep apnea and help you finally feel refreshed after a full night’s sleep!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is usually characterized by moments where breathing stops for short periods of time while sleeping. Sleep apnea causes the heart to have to work harder to pump blood throughout the body since there isn’t as much oxygen getting to the bloodstream. This also will disrupt the cycle of sleep and cause you to not feel as well-rested the next day. Sleep apnea can affect your daily life because it can cause you to feel exhausted and stop you from being able to participate in your normal workday or activities you have planned.
Treating Your Sleep Apnea
There’s a number of ways that your ENT doctor in Washington, D.C. may suggest to treat your sleep apnea. It will usually depend on the severity of your condition. Some forms of treatment include:
- CPAP- CPAP is a machine that helps provide air pressure to the throat to open the airways. Pressure is delivered through a nasal mask and is the most common form of treatment for sleep apnea.
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)- This is a surgery in which excess soft palate tissue is removed and the airway is opened.
- Custom Oral Appliance- This appliance will be custom-made to fit your mouth and helps position the lower jaw forward which opens the airway and stops your snoring.
Contact Your ENT Doctor Today!
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you should contact your ENT doctor immediately to discuss which form of treatment will be best for you. Call Dr. Bond in Washington, D.C. at (202) 726-7770 to schedule an appointment today!
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