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ENT DOCTOR BLOG
Posts for: October, 2021
The terms sinus infection and sinusitis are often used interchangeably and share many of the same symptoms, such as nasal congestion, facial swelling or pain and postnasal drip. However, the cause of these conditions can differ. Both can be caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, but sinusitis can also be caused by allergies or a cold. Dr. William Bond, the skilled ENT specialist at our office in Washington, DC, treats sinus infections and sinusitis.
Symptoms of Sinus Infections & Sinusitis
Sinus infection and sinusitis are both associated with inflammation of the sinus passages. Inflammation can cause the sinuses to become blocked so they cannot drain and end up being filled with fluid. A number of symptoms can develop as a result, including:
- Sinus headaches
- Nasal congestion
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Facial swelling, pressure, or pain
- Postnasal drip
- Throat irritation
- Coughing
Sinusitis is often caused by the onset of a cold. Other causes include allergies and bacterial or fungal infections. Nasal polyps or a deviated septum can also result in the development of sinusitis symptoms since they make it difficult for the sinus passages to properly drain. Sinus infections are caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Since the causes of each condition can differ, treatment can differ as well.
Treating Sinus Infections & Sinusitis
We have several methods for treating sinusitis and sinus infections at our Washington, DC, ENT practice. The appropriate treatment will depend on the specific cause of your infection. Our skilled ENT specialist can diagnose the cause and recommend a treatment approach tailored to your needs.
Antibiotics can be prescribed to treat conditions caused by a bacterial infection. Steroid medications can also help fight infection, while also reducing inflammation. If allergies are contributing to sinus symptoms, treatment could include allergy medication.
Patients with chronic or severe sinus problems could benefit from a minor outpatient procedure, such as balloon sinuplasty, to open up blocked sinus passages so they can drain. The doctor can determine if this procedure is needed.
Sinus infections and sinusitis can both result in various symptoms that leave you feeling less than your best, but we can help. For the treatment of sinusitis or sinus infection in Washington, DC, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bond by calling our ENT office at (202) 726-7770.
Earwax can be more than a nuisance for some. Earwax, if left to build up in the ear, can cause painful and uncomfortable symptoms of excessive earwax.Signs and symptoms of earwax buildup can include:
- muffled hearing
- sudden or partial loss of hearing
- earaches
- dizziness
- itchy ears
- tinnitus, which is ringing in the ear that won't go away
- feeling fullness in the ear
Can You Use a Q-tip to Remove Earwax?
It's important to know how to remove earwax safely. Most people believe the only over-the-counter treatment for earwax removal is using a q-tip inside the ear canal.
However, using a q-tip within the ear is not a good way to remove earwax and can lead to injury or infection.
In fact, according to the Journal of Pediatrics and the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, between 1996 and 2010, there were over 263,000 children treated in the emergency room for cotton-tip applicator-related injuries.
Safest Methods for Removing Earwax at Home
If you're planning on removing earwax at home, purchasing an earwax removal kit from your local drug store can be a safe option.
Earwax removal kits have detailed instructions on how to use them, making it easy for adults to use on their children or on themselves. These kits already come equipped with a rubber bulb ear syringe and ear drops.
These kits work by softening the earwax within the ear canal by placing drops in your ear twice daily. Then, the bulb is used to irrigate out any remaining earwax.
Other Natural Methods
Natural oils, such as baby oil, olive oil, and mineral oil can also be used to soften earwax and in place of earwax kit drops. These oils are typically non-irritating to the ear. After placing a couple of drops in the affected ear, you can lie the ear facedown on a towel to catch all the draining earwax.
Other possible solutions that can help remove earwax include
- saltwater
- saline solution
- hydrogen peroxide
- vinegar and rubbing alcohol mixture
Cholesteatoma might sound like a scary illness, and although it is a serious condition, it is treatable by your local ENT. If you’re suffering from reoccurring ear problems, mention Cholesteatoma to your ENT at your next appointment. What is Cholesteatoma?
Cholesteatoma occurs when a large collection of skin cells occur deep within the ear. This growth of skin is where cholesteatoma gets its name, toma being the word for swelling or tumor. Fortunately, cholesteatoma presents as a non-cancerous cyst.
Cholesteatoma can be either genetic, known as congenital cholesteatoma, or develop later in life, known as acquired cholesteatoma. Both are caused by keratinizing cells in the temporal bone. Abnormal growths usually present in the middle ear behind the eardrum.
Signs and Symptoms
A cholesteatoma usually only affects one ear.
- Fluid drainage in the ear
- Foul-smelling drainage
- Feeling pressure or fullness in the ear
- Hearing loss
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Pain
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the face
Developing congenital cholesteatoma is incredibly rare. However, it is possible to acquire it in adulthood.
- Re-occurring middle ear infections
- Poor eustachian tube function
- Genetics
- Being of Caucasian descent (incidence is rarest in Indian Asians)
- Being born with craniofacial syndromes such as cleft lip
A doctor will take a look inside your ear using an otoscope to determine if you have cholesteatoma. They can see the cholesteatoma, which often looks like a cyst made of skin cells or a mass of blood vessels.
If the cholesteatoma is too small to be detected, a CT scan may be ordered.
What are the Treatment Options?
Treatment for cholesteatoma often involves surgery for severe cases. However, if caught early, it can be treated through a round of antibiotics, ear drops, and cleaning your ear carefully.
The goal of the treatment is to reduce the chances of an infection occurring, reduce inflammation, and drain the ear of the cyst.
What If It Goes Untreated?
Surgery is perhaps the best way to treat cholesteatomas that won't go away, which is, unfortunately, quite common. Cholesteatomas tend to grow bigger and can eventually lead to:
- Destruction of surrounding tissues and bones
- Permanent facial nerve damage, including numbness
- Severe infections such as meningitis (although rare)
- Chronic ear infections
- Swelling of the inner ear
