The pain associated with an earache can be persistent and distracting. Relief from the discomfort is likely high on your priority list, but it's important to know the cause of an earache before it can be treated. Your Washington DC ear, nose and throat physician, Dr. William Bond, can diagnose and treat a variety of ear problems. Here, he lists a few of the most common causes of earache.

Ear infection

Otitis externa or "swimmer's ear" - an infection of the outer ear canal - is a common reason why people visit their ENT. Caused by repeated exposure to water, an external ear infection can bring with it pain, itching and a discharge from the ear. Otitis media, or middle ear infections, are most commonly seen in children under 2 and accompany or follow up a cold. Their symptoms include fever, pain and sometimes mild and temporary hearing loss.

Your Washington DC ENT, Dr. Bond, can diagnose what type of ear infection you have through a physical examination. Many ear infections resolve on their own, but analgesics may be used to manage the pain. In some cases, antibiotics are prescribed.

Earwax buildup

Earwax, also called cerumen, is actually one of the body's defenses against infection and other problems. It acts as protection for the inner ear from dust and dirt, as well as lubrication for the sensitive skin in the ear canal. However, an excess of earwax can cause it to harden and block the ear's opening. Your Washington DC ENT often sees this happens when a patient uses cotton swabs or other foreign objects in an attempt to clean the ear, but instead push the wax further inside. Wearing hearing aids or earbuds regularly can also cause this problem. In addition to discomfort, you may also experience temporary hearing loss and tinnitus.

Over-the-counter eardrops may be effective at softening the wax and allowing the body to naturally flush it out of the ear. However, a visit your ENT could be necessary if the eardrops fail to bring relief. Dr. Bond may need to irrigate or suction the ear in order to fully remove the wax buildup.

There are other causes for earaches as well, including jaw misalignment, foreign objects or dental issues. Regardless of the cause, it's important to be seen by a professional as soon as possible to treat your earache. Contact the otolaryngology practice of Dr. Bond in Washington DC for any questions or concerns you may have.

When it comes to conditions of the head and neck, you need thorough and skilled treatment to ensure that the vital structures in this region stay healthy. While many such conditions can be treated non-invasively, others require surgical treatment to ensure the best outcome possible.

About Head & Neck Surgery

Head and neck surgery is performed by an otolaryngologist, often called an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist. An otolaryngologist treats major structures such as the larynx (voice box), esophagus, sinuses, palate, and facial bones, along with all other structures of the head and neck.

Common conditions that can be treated with head and neck surgery include:

• Sinus infections
• Sleep apnea
• Chronic ear infections
• Inflamed tonsils
• Swallowing disorders
• Cleft palate
• Voice problems
• Facial trauma or deformities
• Cancer and tumors

When is surgery needed?

The need for head and neck surgery varies with the condition and with each individual. Some conditions, such as sinus infections or sleep apnea, are treated using more conservative means first. Surgery becomes an option only if the problem continues to occur, or if non-surgical treatments don't improve your quality of life.

Surgery might be recommended sooner for more severe conditions, such as cancer, cleft palate, deformities, or severe injury to the face.

In addition to treating the underlying medical condition, your ENT specialist can perform reconstructive surgery and/or plastic surgery to restore the structure of the face. In cases where this is needed, your doctor will talk with you about the timeline for this phase of your treatment plan.

Washington, D.C. Head & Neck Surgery

The need for surgery is unique to each patient. To discuss your needs and learn about your options, schedule an appointment with William R. Bond Jr, M.D.

Dr. Bond provides head and neck surgery in Washington, D.C. for the treatment of severe or chronic conditions that affect your quality of life. To schedule your appointment, call (202) 726-7770 or request your appointment now.

Do you have difficulty breathing or run out of breath easily? If so, you may have an underlying condition that needs to be treated by a Washington, DC ENT such as William R. Bond, Jr. M.D. Breathing difficulties can be caused by a number of conditions; here are several common conditions you and your Washington, DC ENT will want to consider.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition marked by narrow airways and excessive mucous production. Symptoms of asthma include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, coughing and wheezing. Symptoms may worsen in response to exercise or allergens.

Allergies

Allergies are a common medical condition that happens when the body identifies a foreign object or substance as harmful and overreacts. Symptoms of allergies include congestion, itchiness, swelling, rash and difficulty breathing.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a medical condition in which the passages that bring air to and from the lungs become narrow and inflamed. Symptoms of bronchitis often include cough, fever, mucous production, fatigue and shortness of breath. Bronchitis can be either acute or chronic.

Emphysema

Emphysema, which is often caused by smoking, causes breathlessness by slowly damaging the air sacs in the lung, reducing the amount of oxygen that is able to reach the bloodstream. Difficulty breathing is the main symptom of emphysema.

Deviated Septum

In individuals with a deviated septum, the middle part of the nose is displaced to the side, making breathing through the smaller nostril difficult or even impossible. While not all deviated septums are problematic, in some individuals, they can cause symptoms including nosebleeds, noisy sleeping, pain and difficulty breathing.

Heart Attack

A serious medical emergency, a heart attack occurs when something blocks the blood from reaching the heart. Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and difficulty breathing.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia occurs when the air sacs in the lung become infected and inflamed. The condition may or may not be serious, depending on the symptoms as well as the health and age of the person who has it. Common symptoms of pneumonia include cough, cold, fatigue, nausea and difficulty breathing.

While the above conditions are some of the most common causes of difficulty breathing, this list is by no means exhaustive. If you have difficulty breathing or run out of breath easily, call your Washington, DC ENT, Dr. Bond, for a diagnosis and treatment plan today. Your health may just depend on it.

Learn more about this common sleep disorder and its many forms.

Feeling exhausted and groggy throughout the day? Waking up with morning headaches? Do you snore loudly and often wake others up in the house? Does your sleep feel restless and insufficient? If you’ve said yes to any of these then you poor night’s sleep could be due to sleep apnea. Find out the different forms that sleep apnea can take on and how your Washington, D.C. Otolaryngologist William R. Bond, Jr. MD, MBA, FACS, can help.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Here are the most common symptoms of this sleep disorder:

• Waking up suddenly unable to breath or gasping for breath
• Abnormal breathing patterns while asleep
• Mood changes and problems concentrating
• Excessive daytime exhaustion
• Morning headaches
• Loud snoring

The Types of Sleep Apnea

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

This is a more rare form of sleep apnea that is caused by neurological problems. While the brainstem normally senses respiratory changes to signal certain muscles to breathing faster or deeper, the brainstems in those with CSA are less sensitive to these changes.

Risk factors: Opioid use; brain tumor (very rare); high altitude; stroke; heart disorders such as atrial fibrillation; age (more common in those over the age of 65).

Treatments: Treating an underlying condition like heart problems; reducing your opioid medications; wearing a CPAP machine at night.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

This is the most common form of sleep apnea and occurs when the throat or airways are obstructed while asleep. OSA is present if a patient is experiencing interrupted breathing that last for more than 10 seconds throughout the night.

Risk factors: thyroid disorder; being overweight; alcohol or sedative use; a narrow throat or thick neck; family history of OSA.

Treatments: CPAP machine; wearing an oral appliance at night (looks similar to mouthguards)

Complex Sleep Apnea

While this is rare, some people who have been diagnosed with OSA may also develop central sleep apnea while using a CPAP machine. This is better known as complex sleep apnea because the patient is currently dealing with both OSA and CSA.

Treatments: CPAP machines can still be used, but caution must be taken to ensure that the pressure settings are set to treat only OSA symptoms. However, for those who still don’t respond to CPAP therapy, other assistant devices such as bilevel PAP-ST may be recommended by your Washington, D.C. ENT doctor Dr. Bond.

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? If you are concerned that your insomnia or interrupted sleep could be the result of sleep apnea, then it’s time to see your Washington D.C. ENT specialist, Dr. William Bond. We can diagnose and create a unique treatment plan to help you rest easy.