BLOG
Archive:
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
Tags
- sleep apnea (14)
- Sinus Infection (8)
- Dizziness (7)
- Breathing Problems (4)
- Otolaryngology (2)
- surgery (1)
- Earache (1)
- neck (1)
- neck cancer (2)
- head cancer (2)
- nose (2)
- sinus (2)
- Allergies (5)
- Sinusitis (3)
- Hearing Loss (4)
- head surgery (3)
- neck surgery (4)
- Sinus Infections (2)
- Nosebleeds (3)
- Hearing Aids (6)
- Sinus Problems (1)
- Mouth Sores (2)
- Mouth (2)
- Tonsillitis (3)
- Throat (1)
- ENT (3)
- Ear (1)
- Ear Infection (2)
- Ear Pain (2)
- Sore Throat (3)
- face pain (1)
- Cleft Palate (2)
- Sleep Problems (1)
- Deviated Septum (3)
- Auricular Hematoma (1)
- Tonsillectomy (4)
- Canker Sores (1)
- Head and Neck Surgery (2)
- Sinus Surgery (1)
- Asthma (1)
- Breathing Problem (1)
- Swimmer’s Ear (1)
- Thyroid Disorder (1)
- Swallowing Disorders (1)
- Nasal issues (1)
- Dysphagia (1)
- Throat Cancer (1)
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (1)
- ENT Doctor (2)
- Tonsils (1)
- Tonsil Removal (1)
- TMJ Pain (1)
- TMJ (1)
- Temporomandibular Joints (1)
- Dry Mouth (1)
- Impacted Earwax (1)
- Earwax (2)
- Postnasal Drip (1)
- Vertigo (1)
- Sinus Pain (1)
- Itchy Ear (1)
- Otomycosis (1)
- Fungal Ear Infection (1)
- Nasal Polyps (1)
- Sore Throats (1)
- Scratchy Throat (1)
- GERD (1)
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (1)
- Airplane Ear (1)
- Ear Barotrauma (1)
- Ear Infections (1)
- Cholesteatoma (1)
- Earwax Removal (1)
- Strep Throat (1)
- Sinus Rinses (1)
- Nasal Sprays (1)
- Head and Neck Cancers (1)
- Olfactory Training (1)
- Smell (1)
- Taste (1)
- Tonsil Stones (1)
- Dry Nose (1)
- Otolaryngologist (1)
- Auricular Hematomas (1)
- Allergy (2)
- Head Neck Surgery (1)
- Allergy Treatment (1)
- Sinus Headache (1)
ENT DOCTOR BLOG
Could you have sleep apnea and not even know it?
The American Medical Association reports that as many as 30 million people in the US have sleep apnea, but only 6 million are diagnosed. Unfortunately, untreated sleep apnea can cause serious health problems, including diabetes, stroke and heart disease. If you recognize any of these three main warning signs of sleep apnea, it’s time to turn to our Washington, DC, ENT doctor Dr. William Bond, Jr., for a comprehensive evaluation.
You Are a Notoriously Loud, Chronic Snorer
While everything from drinking alcohol to having a cold can cause snoring, if you find yourself snoring night after night, there’s something else going on. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have obstructive sleep apnea, most people with sleep apnea do snore loudly and frequently. If your partner is complaining about your snoring, it may be time to visit our Washington, DC clinic to find out if sleep apnea could be to blame.
You’re Constantly Tired
Do you get seven to nine hours of sleep each night but never really feel rested? Do you find yourself immediately going for the coffee pot when you wake up, or do you have trouble getting up and going throughout the day? If so, this could be another sign of sleep apnea.
Since sleep apnea disrupts your sleep, it’s not surprising that sufferers are often so exhausted during the day that they often need to nap or find themselves nodding off at their desks or—worse yet—behind the wheel. If you’re nodding off during the day or feel like you have no get up and go despite getting enough sleep, you may want to find out if sleep apnea is the culprit.
You Have Risk Factors
Certain variables can put someone at an increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea. So it’s essential to look at your current health and lifestyle and see if you fit the profile of someone with sleep apnea. Risk factors for OSA include,
- Being overweight or obese
- Taking sedatives or tranquilizers
- Drinking alcohol
- Having a thicker neck
- Being male
- Family history of sleep apnea
If you have any of these risk factors and you’re dealing with restless sleep and no energy, you could be dealing with sleep apnea. The good news is that our Washington DC, ENT team can provide various treatment options to manage your symptoms and help you get the sleep you deserve. To schedule an evaluation with Dr. Bond, call (202) 726-7770 today.
How can you distinguish between a regular and a sinus-induced headache?
Sinus problems can be a real nuisance. While a stuffy nose, congestion and facial pressure may be part of the package, you may not realize that sinus problems could also be responsible for your headaches. If you are dealing with persistent or regular headaches, and you are also dealing with sinus issues, your headaches could be due to your sinuses. If this is the case, an ENT doctor can help you treat this common problem.
What causes a sinus headache?
When the nasal passages become congested, a sinus headache can start brewing. You may notice that you develop more sinus headaches during times of the year when your allergies flare up, or you may find that your headaches accompany a sinus infection. Along with allergies, other problems that could trigger a sinus headache include,
- Nasal polyps
- Deviated septum
- Viral infections
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infection (rare)
What are the signs of a sinus headache?
Along with inflamed sinuses, symptoms of a sinus headache are different from that of a tension headache. Signs of a sinus headache include,
- Nasal congestion
- Stuffy nose or runny nose
- Lack of smell
- Facial pressure often in the forehead
- Facial pain that gets worse when leaning over
- Yellow nasal discharge
How a sinus headache is treated will differ from migraines, so it’s essential to spot the differences. If you develop a severe headache accompanied by dizziness, sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, vomiting or auras, these are telltale signs that you’re dealing with a migraine and not a sinus headache.
How is a sinus headache treated?
While most sinus infections will resolve without treatment, an ENT doctor will be able to provide you with lifestyle changes, medication options and other remedies that could ease your headache and other symptoms until the infection resolves itself. Some ways to treat sinus headaches include,
- Home remedies such as Neti Pot, saline irrigation, steam and a warm compress
- Over-the-counter medications such as decongestants and pain medications
- Prescription medications include antihistamines, decongestants and nasal steroids
- Alternative treatment options such as essential oils, homeopathy, acupuncture and herbs
If headaches have become the norm, you may be surprised to discover that your sinuses are to blame. Of course, to get your headaches under control, you should also get your sinus problems under control. For that, you’ll want to turn to an otolaryngologist.
Recognize the early warning signs of hearing loss.
Hearing loss is incredibly common—the NIH reports that one in eight people in the US over the age of 12 years old has some degree of hearing loss. While hearing loss is more common among older adults, this doesn’t mean hearing loss can’t occur in young children, teens, or adults. The key is detecting hearing loss early on so an otolaryngologist can treat the problem and also take measures to prevent hearing loss from getting worse.
Everyone Seems Like They’re Mumbling
You used to be able to understand what people were saying to you but these days it seems like everyone around you is mumbling. While some people are simply soft-spoken if you find yourself having trouble understanding what most people around you are saying this could be a sign that they aren’t mumbling, but rather, that you’re dealing with some degree of hearing loss.
You Say “Huh” A Lot
Along with noticing that people around you are suddenly mumbling a lot more, you may also find yourself saying “What?” or “Huh?” to people a lot. If having people repeat themselves has become commonplace this is another telltale sign of hearing loss.
You Don’t Follow Conversations
When you don’t fully understand what people are saying around you it’s often easier just to tune it all out. The problem is that many people with hearing loss, particularly seniors, feel the social withdrawal that comes with not being part of the conversation. If you also find that noisy settings such as a crowded restaurants make it even more difficult to understand people and conversations, you may want to see your audiologist for a hearing evaluation.
Phone Conversations are More Difficult
Nothing is better than getting to catch up with family and friends on the phone unless you’re dealing with hearing loss. Even mild hearing loss can make it difficult to understand what someone else is saying on the phone. If you find yourself working hard to hear what someone is saying on the phone (or if you have to turn the volume all the way up) you may want to schedule a hearing test with an ENT.
If you are noticing changes in your hearing, it’s important that you turn to an otolaryngologist right away to learn about the cause and degree of your hearing loss, and whether you could benefit from a hearing aid.
Find out whether you might benefit from a hearing aid.
It might seem silly to ask yourself since it might seem obvious whether you need a hearing aid or not, but it’s not always as clear-cut as it seems. This is when it’s time to turn to an otolaryngologist who will be able to determine whether hearing aids are right for you. Here are some questions to ask yourself that may help you decide whether or not you might benefit from wearing a hearing aid:
Ask yourself these questions:
- Does it sound like people around you mumble?
- Do you have to turn the volume up on the TV or radio to hear it?
- Do you need people to repeat themselves often?
- Is it difficult to understand people on the phone?
- Do you withdraw from the conversation, particularly in a group or noisy setting?
- Do you find yourself reading lips or focusing on someone when they speak?
If you said “yes” to some of these questions, you could undoubtedly be dealing with hearing loss. One fairly common type of hearing loss is hearing people in a standard pitch but not being able to hear higher-pitched sounds.
How do hearing aids work?
Before getting a hearing aid, it’s important to note that unlike glasses, which can correct visual impairments, hearing aids cannot fully restore your hearing to normal; however, a hearing aid can amplify voices and sounds to make it easier to hear them. Wearing a hearing aid can make joining in and listening to everyday conversations easier. Some advanced features also offer fantastic technology to make communicating in a noisy setting easier. Some hearing aids can also be used to amplify high-pitched sounds.
Since there are so many different technologies, styles, and features when it comes to getting a hearing aid, it’s essential to turn to an ENT doctor who can not only assess your degree of hearing loss but also talk through the different hearing aids options for you based on your health, budget and lifestyle.
Find out what causes allergies and how you can get them under control.
Anyone who has allergies deals with a lot of those same annoying symptoms: the constant sneezing, the red itchy eyes, and the runny nose. Of course, not everyone understands that their symptoms could be due to allergies. What are allergies, and how are they managed? Should you treat your allergies on your own or turn to an ENT doctor?
What is an allergy?
Did you know that allergies are one of the most common long-term disorders people deal with? When exposed to a certain allergen, your body tells you that this allergen is harmful and then goes to work to attack it. This means that your immune system kicks into overdrive and produces antibodies known as immunoglobulin E. An allergic reaction is your body’s natural inclination to overreact to this allergen.
There are many things to which you could be allergic, including,
- Pet dander
- Mold
- Pollen
- Insects
- Foods
- Latex
- Medications
Allergy symptoms can range from mild to more severe and even life-threatening. If you suspect that your symptoms are due to allergies, an ENT doctor can quickly diagnose and create a treatment plan that will get you feeling better fast.
Allergy Treatment Options
The treatment you receive will depend on the type of allergy you have and the severity of your symptoms. You’ll be happy to hear that many allergy sufferers find relief through simple medications. Those with very mild symptoms may be able to get away with over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants (to fight nasal congestion).
Your ENT doctor may also prescribe more powerful antihistamines or nasal sprays if your symptoms are more moderate or severe. In some cases, a long-term allergy sufferer may finally choose to get allergy shots to significantly lessen the body’s response to a specific allergen.
Of course, there are also non-medicinal approaches to reducing your exposure to the offending allergen, and an otolaryngologist can offer great tips to reduce allergy exposure at home. Examples include bathing your trusty pet once a week and using allergy-proof bedding.
Don’t let allergies affect your daily life and the activities you love. If you find yourself staying indoors or avoiding things that make you happy for your allergies, it’s time you turn to an ENT doctor for treatment options.
This website includes materials that are protected by copyright, or other proprietary rights. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use, as defined in the copyright laws, requires the written permission of the copyright owners.
