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ENT DOCTOR BLOG
Posts for: December, 2017
Could you have sleep apnea? If you constantly feel tired, wake frequently during the night, and snore, sleep apnea may be a possibility. Dr.
William Bond, an ear, nose and throat doctor in Washington, DC, explains what happens if you have sleep apnea and discusses treatment for the condition.
Sleep apnea causes breathing pauses
Sleep apnea occurs when you stop breathing for several seconds while you sleep. Although a few breathing pauses may not sound serious, sleep apnea can cause you to stop breathing hundreds of time throughout the night. The cumlative effect of those pauses deprives your brain of oxygen, which may have a serious impact on your health. Sleep apnea can increase your risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
You're never more relaxed then when you're asleep. In some cases, the walls of your throat may become so relaxed that your airway becomes partially or completely blocked. Your tongue may also fall back against your airway, preventing air from reaching your lungs. When you take a breath, these structures begin to vibrate, causing you to snore.
If you have sleep apnea, you may suddenly jerk awake or wake up gasping and choking. Gasping or choking is your body's way of restoring normal breathing. Once you fall asleep again, the cycle continues. As a result, it's impossible to get a good night's sleep.
Fatigue isn't the only symptom
If you have sleep apnea, you may experience a range of symptoms, including:
- Snoring
- Weight Gain
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Morning Sore Throat or Dry Mouth
- Irritability
- Depression
- Morning Headaches
Treating sleep apnea symptoms
When you visit our Washington, D.C., office, Dr. Bond may recommend a sleep study, a test that's useful in detecting and measuring breathing pauses. If you're diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may benefit by using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The machine sends a steady flow of air into your mouth to ensure that your airway remains open while you sleep. Some people who have sleep apnea prefer wearing an oral appliance that fits over their teeth and repositions their jaw and tongue while they sleep. These treatments are usually very effective in eliminating breathing pauses, but if they aren't helpful, surgery may be recommended, in some cases.
Are you worried that you may have sleep apnea? Call Washington, DC, ENT Dr. William Bond at (202) 726-7770 to schedule an appointment.
Cancers that are categorized as head and neck encompass the areas from the nasal passage and sinuses in the head, down to the opening of the esophagus at the base of the throat. Also known as squamous cell carcinomas, this type of cancer affects the mucous membranes lining the nose, mouth, and throat. Treatment for this form of cancer is managed by an otolaryngologist, or ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT).
Types of Head and Neck Cancers
- Oral Cavity - lips, tongue, gums, cheek lining, floor of the mouth, and the hard palette (roof) of the mouth
- Pharynx (throat) - nasopharynx (behind the nose), oropharynx (area made up of the soft palette, back third of the tongue, and the tonsils), hypopharynx (bottom or the pharynx, which connects to the esophagus)
- Larynx - (voice box, vocal cords)
- Sinuses and nasal cavity
- Salivary glands
A: Many of the symptoms for oral and throat cancers are similar to benign conditions. ENT doctors advise patients to pay attention to unexplained symptoms that persist beyond a few weeks, do not respond to treatment or clear up and then return frequently. The most common set of symptoms include:
- Sores in the mouth, gums or tongue that do not heal
- Chronic sore throat
- Hoarseness or changes in the voice
- Swelling and bleeding from the throat or nose
- Difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing
- Chronic headaches or earaches
- Hearing impairment
- Chronic sinus infections that do not clear up with antibiotics
- Numbness and/or facial paralysis
A: While this type of cancer can technically affect anyone, it is more common in men over the age of 50.
Q: Are head and neck cancers preventable?
A: The most common cause of oral cancers is tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption. Abstaining from tobacco use (cigarettes and nicotine products) and avoiding or drinking alcohol in moderation is highly recommended. Good oral hygiene with daily flossing and brushing and regular dental check-ups, as well as a healthy diet can also lower the risk. Head and neck cancers can be treated successfully when caught early. Reporting suspicious symptoms to an ENT specialist as soon as possible is important for early detection.
Q: What are the treatment options for head and neck cancers?
A: Treatment varies from patient to patient depending on the type of cancer, location, stage at time of diagnosis and the patient's overall health. Most cancers are typically treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and/or targeted drug therapy.
