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ENT DOCTOR BLOG
Your ENT doctor sees, diagnoses, and treats many conditions related to the ear, nose, and throat. One of the most worrisome is throat cancer, along with malignancies of the pharynx, tonsils, and larynx. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America reports that the incidence of throat cancer increases with age (65 and older) and gender (male). As with most cancers, early recognition of symptoms, a proper diagnosis, and the right treatment are the keys to recovery.- A continuing cough
- Hoarseness of voice
- Unexplained and significant weight loss
- Trouble swallowing easily (dysphagia)
- Pain in the jaw or ear
- White or red patches or sores in the mouth which do not heal
- Nose bleeds
- Headaches
- Swollen tissues anywhere in the head/neck area
- Numbness in the mouth and especially the tongue
- Continual nasal congestion
- Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco
- Excessive alcohol consumption (more than two drinks daily if you a man and more than one a day for women)
- HPV exposure (Human Papilloma Virus) through oral sex
- A diet low in vegetables and fruit
- GERD, or acid reflux disease, in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus
- Trouble with breathing and speaking
- Headaches
How to beat it
Sleep apnea isn't just loud snoring that keeps your sleeping partner awake at night. It has been shown to have a connection to systemic problems like heart disease and strokes. That's why it's so important to seek treatment if you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Dr. William Bond, your ear nose and throat specialist in Washington, DC, has the experience you need to manage your sleep apnea effectively.
What is sleep apnea?
There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive and central. Both cause interruptions in normal breathing patterns during sleep. The core difference between the two is that obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, happens when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much and close off the airway, while central sleep apnea, or CSA, is due to a problem with the signals from the brain that control breathing. OSA is more common than CSA, although it is possible to have a combination of the two.
How is sleep apnea treated?
If your Washington ENT has diagnosed you with either type of sleep apnea, the next step is finding an appropriate and effective treatment. OSA, for example, may be a result of obesity, so a diet and exercise plan could allow your body to heal. CSA is sometimes a side effect of certain medications, so if you're required to take a prescription, you may need to work with your team of physicians to find an alternative that reduces the risk of sleep apnea. Wearing a mask that delivers pressurized air while you sleep may also be helpful for either type of sleep apnea. A nerve stimulator, similar to a pacemaker, is a newer therapy that can keep track of your breathing and emit a signal to a specific nerve if necessary.
If you think you might have sleep apnea, it's imperative that you contact Dr. William Bond, your ENT specialist in Washington, DC, for a full evaluation. Our office can be reached at (202) 726-7770.
You may take it for granted, but swallowing water, food, or saliva is actually a very complicated process. It requires vast systems of nerves and muscles working together. Patients that struggle to swallow normally have what is known as Dysphagia. This is not a stand-alone condition but a symptom of something else. It’s why you need to schedule an appointment with an Ears, Nose, and Throat specialist (ENT) right away. The elderly are especially at risk and can end up aspirating. - The oral preparation stage is where the food or liquid is made ready for swallowing. In terms of food, this means chewing your food.
- Next is the oral stage where the tongue moves food or liquid to the back of the mouth. This starts the swallowing process.
- Then comes the pharyngeal stage, where the contents of the mouth go through the pharynx, throat, and esophagus.
- Last is the esophageal stage, where it transfers from the esophagus into your stomach.
- A constant feeling of something, either water or liquid, being stuck in the throat.
- Problems controlling saliva production, i.e. drooling.
- The sensation of a lump in the throat.
- Discomfort in the chest or throat.
- Coughing or choking when trying to swallow, drink, or eat. This is due to substances being pulled into the lungs.
- Difficulties sustaining a normal weight caused by swallowing interfering with nutritional intake.
- Tonsillitis or throat infections
- Scarring or damage to the esophagus
- Medication side effects
- Tumors in the lungs, esophagus, or throat
- Nerve diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Hearing loss is a widespread problem that affects large groups of people. It isn’t just caused by age, with younger people and children also being affected. It comes on gradually, with your hearing getting worse and worse. At a certain point, you need to consider investing in hearing aids. Before you talk to your Ears, Nose, and Throat specialist, educate yourself on the common signs of hearing loss. - People seem to be talking very quietly all the time
- You find it difficult to follow along in conversations
- Higher pitched sounds, like alarm clocks or birds, are harder to hear
- Words with higher frequency consonants like f, t, s, p, and h are difficult to distinguish
- You frequently ask people to repeat themselves
Around 48 million Americans suffer from hearing loss. It can affect you at any age, though it not an inevitable part of aging, and in most cases, it can be prevented. Dr. William R. Bond Jr is a specialist in Otolaryngology and ENT (ear nose and throat) services based in Washington DC. He offers experience, understanding, and support to all of his Washington patients, and he can help you deal with hearing loss, as well.
Types of Hearing Loss
The three types of hearing loss are:
- Conductive hearing loss: prevents sound waves from reaching the nerves that enable hearing. It can affect one or both ears. It may be caused by injury to the ear, an ear infection, ear wax, or a disorder of the middle ear. This type of hearing loss can usually be fixed.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: damage to the nerves in the inner ear or to the nerves that transport sound to the brain. It can be caused by an injury to the ear, exposure to excessive noise, a tumor, or an ear infection.
- Mixed hearing loss: nerve damage caused by injury, an ear infection, or aging. It is a combination of the two types of hearing loss listed above.
An ENT specialist can give you a hearing test and diagnose which type of hearing loss you have.
How to Prevent Hearing Loss
The following tips will help you reduce your risk of hearing loss:
- Avoid exposure to persistent loud noise
- Do not listen through headphones at full volume
- If you are exposed to noise above 85 decibels, wear earplugs.
- Ask your doctor for an audiogram to test your hearing.
Loss of hearing can be debilitating and can harm your social life. If you are noticing hearing loss or if you have a sensation of ringing or fullness in your ears seek advice from an ENT specialist.
If you live in Washington DC and you are struggling with hearing loss, call Dr. Bond at (202) 726-7770.
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