Index | Dr. Eric Cohen | New York City Otolaryngologist

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Web Name: Index | Dr. Eric Cohen | New York City Otolaryngologist

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A New York City ENT doctor deals with a variety of different conditions from performing sinus surgeries to diagnosing ear, nose & throat problems. HomeVisit our web site Twitter Facebook Google Plus

Details on Dysphagia

3 years ago by Social Media Team in Dysphagia, Throat

Dysphagia is a medical condition which is characterized by difficulty with swallowing, wherein much more effort is needed than usual to accomplish the movement of food from mouth to stomach. It is most often caused by nerve or muscle problems, and dysphagia can be uncomfortable at times, or sometimes even painful.

It generally afflicts babies and older people more than any other grouping of people, although it can trouble persons of literally any age group at all. There are a number of causes of dysphagia, and when it only happens occasionally, there usually isn’t any serious problem underlying the swallowing difficulty.

However, when it happens that dysphagia occurs with greater regularity, that’s a situation which should be brought to the attention of the family doctor. Treatments recommended by your doctor will depend on what the underlying cause of the dysphagia is.

What Exactly is Dysphagia?

Whenever you take a swallow, there are several different muscles and nerves which participate in the process, and it is considerably more complex than you might think. Any disruption to the sequence of events which is necessary in the swallowing process can result in dysphagia.

Oral dysphagia is the type which is attributable to a problem situated in the mouth, and that can be triggered by tongue weakness following a stroke event, some kind of difficulty with chewing, or even problems with the transportation of food to the stomach. Pharyngeal dysphagia is characterized by some kind of disruption to the swallowing process which is centered in the throat. This kind of dysphagia is generally caused by some type of neurological problem affecting people’s nerves, and it is very common in conditions like stroke, Parkinson’s disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Esophageal dysphagia is the type which is situated somewhere in the esophagus, and it is usually triggered by some kind of irritation or blockage in that area. It happens very frequently that a surgical solution is necessary to resolve esophageal dysphagia.

It should be borne in mind that pain in swallowing, which is known as odynophagia, is a very different problem than dysphagia, although it happens frequently enough that the same person will be afflicted by both at the same time.

Common Causes of Dysphagia

As can be seen below, there are a wide variety of causes for dysphagia, and in some cases, more than one of the conditions described are contributors to the problem:

myasthenia gravis – voluntary control muscles become weak and tired because of a problem with how nerves produce muscle contractionmultiple sclerosis – this condition is caused by the central nervous system coming under attack from the immune systemamyotrophic lateral sclerosis – this is an incurable form of progressive neurodegeneration, in which over a period of time brain and spinal nerves lose functioncleft lip and palate – these are abnormal facial developments which are caused by incomplete fusion of head boneseosinophilic esophagitis – this is characterized by elevated levels of white blood cells in the esophagus, which grow in at uncontrolled rate, and attack the gastrointestinal systemdiffuse spasm – esophagus muscles contract in an eccentric mannerachalasia – the lower esophageal muscle cannot sufficiently relax to allow the passage of food to stomachesophageal ring – some portion of the esophagus narrows down, thus preventing the passage of solid foodsParkinson’s disease – a gradually progressive degenerative disorder which degrades a patient’s motor skillsstroke – in this medical condition, brain cells die off because there is insufficient oxygen supply to the brainradiation – patients who have previously undergone radiation treatments in the area of the neck or head will sometimes develop difficulty swallowing.

Treatment for Dysphagia

The treatment for dysphagia will depend on whether it is characterized as high dysphagia or low dysphagia. In the case of high dysphagia, swallowing therapy may be recommended, and this will be carried out with the assistance of a language and speech therapist. The patient is helped to learn alternate ways of proper swallowing, and exercises are engaged in regularly toward that end.

At the same time, the patient is put on a diet which makes swallowing easier, while still providing all the necessary nutritional benefits. In cases where a patient is at risk of malnutrition, dehydration, or pneumonia, they may have to be fed through a nasal tube. In situations where this is the recommended process, the tube will be surgically implanted directly in the stomach, and will be passed through a tiny abdominal incision.

When low dysphagia is diagnosed, it would generally be necessary for some kind of surgical intervention. In cases where the esophagus is constricted for some reason and must be widened, a tiny balloon is slowly inserted and inflated until the passageway has become dilated, after which the balloon would again be extracted.

In cases where the muscles of the esophagus have become stiff, Botox is sometimes recommended because it is a toxin which has the effect of paralyzing the stiff muscle, thereby minimizing any constriction which has taken place.

In the event of dysphagia being caused by cancer, a patient would always be referred to an oncologist, and a program of treatment would generally involve surgical remover removal of the cyst or tumor which has been identified.

Dysphagia

Dementia and Hearing Loss

3 years ago by Social Media Team in Hearing Loss

More and more studies are showing that older adults who have a loss of hearing are at increased risk of developing dementia, and/or Alzheimer disease. Studies also show that the risk for developing dementia increases significantly as hearing loss becomes worse. Several studies have been conducted with the express intention of exploring potential solutions for the soaring incidence of dementia, with estimates now predicting that more than 100 million people will be affected globally, when the year 2050 is reached.

Researchers claim that any kind of interventions which would have the effect of deferring the onset of dementia by as little as a single year, could lead to at least a 10% decrease in the widespread occurrence of the disease over the next four decades. The problem with that is that a great deal more research is necessary before those potential interventions can be identified, since at present, there is very little evidence that interventions can be beneficial in this area.

The reason that the concept of interventions is so appealing to medical personnel is because of the universal understanding that dementia would be far easier to prevent than it is to cure or reverse. It is known that people are more likely to develop dementia when they have relatively little participation in leisure activities or any kind of social interactions.

Other risk factors for developing dementia occur in people who are relatively sedentary, or those who develop diabetes mellitus. It’s also known that one of the most prevalent reasons for elderly people not participating in social events and activities is that they have experienced some level of hearing loss, and are reluctant to become involved, because of the potential for embarrassment.

Testing for Hearing Loss

Given the fact that hearing loss is one of the precursors to social disengagement, and that social disengagement is a precursor to dementia, researchers have considered it very important to explore the causes of hearing loss. A landmark study conducted by Dr. Frank R Lin of Johns Hopkins Medical Institution has examined the effects of hearing loss on almost 700 people aged between 36 and 90, none of whom had dementia when the study began.

Participants were all required to undergo cognitive and hearing tests for approximately five years beginning in 1990, and were re-tested in the year 2008 for the possibility of having developed dementia or Alzheimer’s. Of all the participants in the program, almost 200 had some level of hearing loss when the study began.

When participants were re-tested more than a decade later, 58 of them had full-blown dementia, including 37 who had Alzheimer’s disease. The precise statistics taken during the study indicated that the risk for dementia increased significantly for participants who had at least a 25 dB hearing loss, and the dementia risk escalated right along with the level of hearing loss. In effect, those participants who had the worst level of hearing loss were also those most likely to be diagnosed with dementia.

Particularly for the study participants who were older than 60, there was a 37% risk of developing dementia which was linked to hearing loss. A strong correlation was found between the level of hearing loss and the likelihood of diagnosing dementia in these older citizens, and it was found that for every 10 dB more of hearing loss, the increased risk of developing dementia went up by 20%.

The Link between Dementia and Hearing Loss

The clear association between hearing loss and dementia found in this study and others conducted afterward, show that there is at least a possibility there is a common cause which underlies both conditions. Some scientists and medical personnel theorize that the link between the two stems from the fact that the more profound hearing loss is in an individual, the more likely that individual is to avoid social interaction.

When social interaction is avoided to a significant degree, and borders on isolation, the risk factors for developing dementia rise dramatically. This has led scientists to consider the possibility of experimenting with an intervention to improve the hearing of senior citizens at the earliest stage possible, so that no further damage occurs to hearing, and so hearing loss does not worsen.

There will undoubtedly be studies in the near future which explore the connection between a hearing loss intervention and the possible reduced risk of developing dementia. It’s entirely possible that by early detection of hearing problems in seniors, and taking aggressive corrective measures, the risk of developing dementia can be significantly reduced.

This is a tantalizing proposition, because hearing loss in most cases is a very preventable condition, and it can be effectively addressed using modern technology such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. Rehabilitative interventions might also be implemented which would create social environments that are optimal for better hearing, so that seniors would have few reservations about participating.

If this theory is found to have relevance and accuracy, it may represent one of the very best ways of intervening to reduce the runaway development of dementia in the elderly. At present however, this must remain in the realm of conjecture and theory, and it will be necessary for scientific study and research to establish the accuracy of the theory.

dementia and hearing hearing impairment

Tonsils and Tonsillectomies

3 years ago by Social Media Team in Throat

At the end of every spring time, as school ends and the prospect of summer starts appealing to youngsters, families begin to make plans for going to camp, having fun at the local beach, and possibly even planning a nice family vacation. However, for children who have to deal with tonsils that have become enlarged, or persistent bouts of tonsillitis, those pleasant thoughts may be far removed from their thinking.

Instead, youngsters bothered by tonsil problems may have to face the prospect of having a tonsillectomy performed, given the fact that recovery from the procedure takes between 10 and 14 days, and that it calls for specific planning.

What are your tonsils?

Tonsils are those twin masses of tissue which are situated at the back of the throat, and which are part of the lymphatic system. As such, the tonsils produce white blood cells which are involved in the fighting of diseases and other undesirable intrusions of the body. They could be called upon to fight infections, or to defend against viruses and bacteria which gain entrance to the body via the mouth.

The time of life when tonsils are most actively involved as components of the immune system, is just prior to puberty, which means they are more vulnerable to infection at that time. For that reason, tonsillectomies are far more commonly performed on younger children than on teens or young adults.

What causes enlarged tonsils?

 In some cases, young children develop large tonsils and adenoids without having any specific cause, and which are not associated with any other kind of problem. In cases like these, tonsils don’t usually become enlarged to the point where they cause uncomfortable symptoms for the child.

However, in situations where the enlarged tonsils are due to an infection, a virus, or seasonal allergies, it is more likely that tonsils will become enlarged and cause problems for the child. It’s very possible for youngsters to be exposed to bacterial or viral infections at daycare centers, at pre-school gatherings, or in the early grades of elementary school.

In many cases, once the cause of the enlarged tonsils fades away, so does the swelling of the tonsils, and everything goes back to a relatively normal state. However, there are times when complications can result from enlarged tonsils, most notably imparting a very stuffy sounding quality to a child, much like having a cold or the flu.

This is often noticeable in children who are breathing through their mouths rather than through their noses as normal. In more severe cases, enlarged tonsils can lead to chronic ear infections, with the potential for some degree of hearing loss. It can also cause chronic sinusitis, which is a recurring version of sinus infections, as well as obstructive sleep apnea.

Finally, children bothered by enlarged tonsils and some of the other symptoms resulting from them, may experience either weight loss or inability to gain weight, because their eating habits have been impacted.

What is involved in a tonsillectomy?

A tonsillectomy is defined as the process of surgically removing tonsils, for whatever reason is deemed justifiable. One of the most common reasons for performing a tonsillectomy is that inflammation of the tonsils has been occurring on a persistent basis in an individual, quite often with those occurrences of tonsillitis coming closer and closer together.

It’s also possible that tonsillectomy is indicated for cases when it is known that the tonsils are bleeding, and this bleeding is difficult to stop. One last situation where tonsillectomy is the preferred option is when an infection occurs in the tonsils, and that infection does not respond appropriately to antibiotics.

When an infection cannot be brought under control using antibiotics, there are a few other alternatives which can be pursued, because the infected tonsils cannot be allowed to remain in place, where they can cause further damage in the body.

What are enlarged tonsils?

It’s very possible for tonsils to become enlarged when they frequently become infected. When that happens, there are generally symptoms which are present that cannot be left untreated. Younger children who are experiencing enlarged tonsils will often have difficulty breathing and swallowing, they may have unusual snoring during sleep, they may have to breathe through their mouths rather than through their noses, and there is very often a disruption to sleep patterns which can cause persistent fatigue and the child. When this kind of disrupted sleep persists, it can very often lead to crankiness, daytime sleepiness, and stretches of hyperactivity in the individual.

What kind of surgeries can be used  on tonsils?

If an individual is experiencing extremely negative side effects from enlarged tonsils, or if recurring tonsillitis is bothering the individual, surgery may be the only practical alternative for restoring good health. In these situations, it will generally be necessary to completely remove the tonsils as well as the adenoids, in order to restore normalcy.

The surgery is not a difficult procedure, and it can be done on an outpatient basis right in your doctor’s office. There are seldom any complications associated with the procedure, and recovery time after surgery is generally only a matter of a few days.

remove tonsils Tonsillectomies tonsillectomy

Warning Signs for Thyroid Problems

3 years ago by Social Media Team in Throat, Thyroid

It is known that at least 20 Americans are troubled by some kind of thyroid disorder, which makes that medical condition even more prevalent than heart disease or diabetes. However, it’s also known that as many as 60% of all thyroid cases are not detected or treated, simply because the symptoms of a thyroid problem are often misunderstood as markers of some other issue such as allergies, colds, or advancing age.

This is unfortunate, because thyroid issues which go undiagnosed can often worsen into more severe health issues, and at that time it’s much harder to bring the disorder under control than it would have been at an earlier stage. In this discussion, we’ll take a look at some of the most prominent signs that there may be a problem with your thyroid.

What is the Thyroid Gland?

The thyroid gland is an organ which is situated at the base of your neck, and has the shape of a butterfly with its wings spread. The gland releases hormones that control your body’s metabolism, which is the manner in which energy is used. These hormones regulate many of the most important processes of your body, including body temperature, muscle strength, cholesterol levels, menstrual cycles, heart rate, breathing, and the central and peripheral nervous systems.

The thyroid gland is really very small, being only about two inches in length, and it’s situated in the forward part of the throat, just below a mass of thyroid cartilage which is generally referred to as the Adam’s Apple. The two sides of the thyroid gland are referred to as lobes, and these are located on both sides of your windpipe, connected by a thin tissue strip known as the isthmus. Some people are actually born without this isthmus, leaving the two thyroid lobes separated.

How the Thyroid Gland Works

As part of the overall endocrine system, the thyroid gland is just one of those glands which manufactures hormones for release into the bloodstream, where the hormones eventually reach all the cells of the body. In order to produce the hormones that it does, the thyroid extracts iodine from many of the foods you eat, so it can produce the hormones which are known in their short form as T3 and T4. If the levels of these two hormones are either too high or too low, there are two other glands, the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, which signal the brain to correct the imbalance.

Signs That you may Have a Thyroid Problem

Since the impact of the thyroid gland and the hormones which it produces can be so pervasive throughout the body, it’s important that warning signs of a thyroid problem are detected as early as possible so they can be treated. Here are some of the most prominent signs that you may have a thyroid issue:

Muscular pain – When you feel intermittent numbness or tightening in the legs, feet, hands, or arms, it may be a sign of a thyroid problem. A deficiency of one of the thyroid hormones can disrupt signals between your brain and the rest of the body.Sudden weight gain – Although there are a number of factors involved in weight gain, when you put on a lot of pounds in a very short time frame, this could indicate a thyroid problem.Deep sadness or depression – When the thyroid is overactive or underactive, it can trigger mood swings in an individual, and restlessness or anxiety can be another of the symptoms you experience.Changes in appetite – If you notice that foods or beverages suddenly taste different to you, it can be a sign that you have an underactive thyroid, which can interfere with your sense of smell and/or taste.Hair loss and dry skin – When your skin or scalp are itchy and dry much of the time, it can indicate an overactive thyroid. When your hair begins falling out, that can be a sign of an underactive thyroid, because the growth cycle of your hair is disrupted by lack of a needed hormone.High blood pressure – When you have high blood pressure that seemingly can’t be brought under control, even with a healthy diet and regular exercise, the thyroid gland could be the culprit. If the thyroid gland is underactive, it can cause high levels of bad cholesterol, and that in turn, triggers various heart issues.Constipation – When there is a disruption to the production of hormones in the thyroid, it can cause sluggishness in the digestive system, and that in turn, can bog down the normal elimination processes of the body.Excessive sleeping – When the thyroid is underactive, it can cause a number of body functions and processes to slow down dramatically, making you feel tired and listless even in the daytime.Throat or neck discomfort – It could be a sign of a thyroid disorder if you feel a lump in your throat, or if you experience a change in the sound of your voice. This may be detectable by checking for any swelling in the area around your neckHot and cold flashes – Any kind of disruption to the thyroid has the potential of interfering with the body’s ability to regulate temperature, and when this happens you might feel either excessively cold or excessively warm. thyroid problem

What You Should Know About Nasal Sprays

3 years ago by Social Media Team in Nasal, Sinus

Nasal sprays are one of the options which people have for using sinus medications, although they certainly aren’t the only options. To deal with the symptoms of congestion and facial pressure or headaches, there are several things which can be done, including home remedies as well as prescription medications. In this article, some of the options for dealing with sinus problems will be described, with special emphasis on nasal sprays as one of the most common treatment options.

Possible Options for Sinus Treatment

Treatments for sinus problems fall into three general categories, those being home remedies and over-the-counter medications, daily prescription sinus medications, and medications for sinus infections. The first group of treatment options starts with drinking more water, which is something that every sinus sufferer can do right at home.

If you can drink between eight and 12 glasses of water every day, it will help to thin out the material which needs to drain, and will improve your sinus function. For people using antihistamines or nasal sprays, this can be especially important, because those treatments will have the effect of drying out your throat and your nose, making hydration more important.

A second over-the-counter option is to use sinus rinses, usually comprised of distilled water and salt, and which you can easily prepare yourself. These are available in all drugstores as sinus rinse kits, and all you have to do is follow the instructions on the label in order to prepare your sinus rinse. The instructions will generally call for you to prepare your sinus rinse over a sink two times a day, those being in the morning after you wake up, and at night before you go to bed.

One thing that’s important to remember about using sinus rinses, is that they have to be used before you use any kind of antihistamine spray or nasal steroid, because otherwise these would be washed away, and would lose their positive effects.

One last thing you can do in the way of over-the-counter treatment is to purchase from your drugstore an antihistamine, of which there are several very effective name brands on the market, including Zyrtec, Mucinex, and Claritin-D.

The next category of sinus treatments are daily prescription sinus medications. Among the nasal steroid sprays, some of the most effective are Flonase, Omnaris, Veramyst, and Nasonex. Your doctor might also prescribe an antihistamine nasal spray such as Patanase or Astepro to deal with your sinuses. Another prescription treatment would be a combination antihistamine spray and steroid, such as Singulair or Dymista.

The last grouping of sinus treatments are those which are intended to deal with sinus infections. These include antibiotics, oral steroids such as prednisone, brand-name medications such as Sudafed or Afrin, and sinus rinses.

The Difference Between Over-the-Counter Sprays and Prescription Nasal Sprays

Some nasal steroids are available both as over-the-counter medications and as prescribed medications from your doctor. These are recommended to be used only for conditions which tend to be chronic in nature, for instance seasonal rhinitis or chronic sinusitis.

These kinds of sprays can help remediate many of the symptoms associated with those two conditions, including the runny nose, the itchy nose, the persistent sneezing and the congestion which is frequently experienced by a sufferer. In addition to sinus infections, these nasal sprays can also handle seasonal allergies and the symptoms of a common cold, although it usually requires up to two weeks of daily use before the maximum benefits of these sprays are realized.

Some over-the-counter nasal sprays take affect much more quickly, but these are only intended to be taken on a short-term basis. Such decongestants will ease any discomfort, and effectively reduce swelling in the nasal passageways, but should not be used for any more than about three days consecutively.

The medication in these nasal sprays actually causes tiny blood vessels, situated in the mucous membranes, to temporarily constrict, and that causes a temporary shrinkage in the nasal lining. This will immediately result in much better breathing and a general feeling of relief for the sinus sufferer.

The downside of this is that after a few days, the medication will wear off and those same blood vessels will then become severely congested, and that will require the use of more nasal spray, and on a much more frequent basis.

Can Nasal Sprays Become Addictive?

Given the description above, wherein the continued use of nasal sprays may lead to more frequent usage just to maintain the same level of free breathing, it’s natural to wonder whether such nasal sprays can become addictive.

According to the formal definition of addiction, that condition only occurs when a person is “enslaved to a habit or practice, or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma”.

Since over-the-counter nasal sprays contain no habit-forming ingredients whatsoever, and they do not trigger any of the cravings which are associated with addiction, they are not considered to be addictive drugs.

That being said, it is at least possible to develop an increased tolerance to nasal sprays over time, which means the nasal membranes become less responsive to the treatment. When that happens, you may find yourself using the nasal spray more frequently, in order to experience relief from congestion. While this is not a dangerous condition medically, it will probably become at least inconvenient, and it will of course become more costly for the patient.

nasal congestion nasal sprays

Problems with Salivary Glands

3 years ago by Social Media Team in Salivary Glands

Saliva is the fluid which keeps your mouth moist, shields your teeth from harmful substances, acts as an aid to digestion, and provides assistance for the swallowing process. The glands which produce saliva are known as the salivary glands, and the fluid which is produced in them is carried into the mouth via small tubes which are known as ducts.

If anything happens to the ducts or the salivary glands, it can create a significant amount of discomfort for a person, and can also lead to infection. If you should experience symptoms which are warning signs of some kind of problem with salivary glands or the ducts, you should recognize these for what they are, and seek medical assistance from your family doctor.

Your salivary glands can produce up to a quart of saliva every single day, because there are three pairs of these glands, all engaged in the production of saliva – the sublingual glands which are positioned under the tongue, the parotid glands on the insides of your cheeks, and the submandibular glands on the bottom of your mouth.

In addition to these three major pairings, there are actually hundreds of minor salivary glands which are situated throughout the throat and the mouth. Problems with either the salivary glands or the ducts are generally recognizable as drymouth, fever, pain, glandular swelling, and sometimes an unpleasant drainage which accumulates in the mouth.

Causes of Problems with Salivary Glands

There are a number of possible causes of salivary gland problems, some of which are situated in the glands themselves, and some of them constituting blockage of the ducts, so that saliva drainage is disrupted. One of most common causes of swollen glands is salivary stones, which are crystallized saliva deposits that manage to accumulate in the glands.

These can often prevent the flow of saliva, and when that happens, saliva backs up into the gland, forcing the gland to swell, and causing discomfort. Pain is usually sensed in one gland or the other, and is intermittent in nature, but it will get progressively worse until the blockage is cleared, and if it is not cleared promptly, the salivary gland can then become infected.

When ducts into the mouth become blocked, a bacterial infection of the parotid gland is often the result, a painful lump is created, and nasty smelling pus will begin draining into the mouth. This condition is far more common in older adults, but it sometimes also happens in babies soon after birth.

Whenever swollen salivary glands go untreated, they will very likely cause high fever, severe pain, and a collection of pus known as an abscess. Infections of a viral nature such as flu or the mumps can also cause salivary gland willing. When swelling of this type occurs in the parotid glands on both sides of your face, it can give the appearance of full cheeks like those of a chipmunk. This kind of salivary gland swelling is quite often associated with mumps, since it occurs in as many as 40% of all mumps infections.

Other types of viral illnesses which may trigger swelling of the salivary glands are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Coxsackie Virus. When these kinds of viruses occur, they are generally single-sided gland swelling, and are usually accompanied by pain and fever. The risk for developing these kinds of bacterial infections rises when a person is dehydrated or is suffering from malnutrition.

Cysts can also develop in the salivary glands when salivary stones block the flow of saliva, or when blockage results from infections, injuries, or tumors. In some cases, babies are born with cysts in the parotid gland because of a developmental problem with the ears. Anyone who develops cysts in the salivary glands will probably have difficulty speaking and with eating.

There are a few different kinds of tumors which can affect the salivary glands, and these can be either malignant or benign. The two most common kinds of tumors affecting salivary glands are Warthin’s Tumor and pleomorphic adenomas. Pleomorphic adenomas generally impact the parotid glands, but can also have an impact on the submandibular gland, or the hundreds of relatively minor salivary glands. These kinds of tumors are usually slow-growing, and relatively free of pain. They are non-cancerous tumors and occur far more often in women than in men.

Treatment for Salivary Gland Problems

Treatment for blockages of the ducts and for saliva stones generally starts with warm compresses and sour candies, since these are helpful in triggering an increase of saliva flow. Stones must generally be removed, and if simpler measures don’t achieve the desired results, surgery is generally indicated.

When surgery is necessary to remove tumors, they are often radiated in order to prevent them from returning at a later date. Cancerous tumors often require stronger radiation, as well as chemotherapy.

Large cysts are generally treated with surgery, since these cannot generally be handled with medication. However, some other types of salivary gland problems do respond to medication, for instance bacterial infections, and these can effectively be treated with antibiotics. Other problems such as drymouth can also be treated with medications.

salivary gland treatment

Maintaining Good Hearing

3 years ago by Social Media Team in Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in this country, behind only arthritis and heart disease, so it’s apparent that a great many people are finding it difficult to maintain good hearing health by the time they reach their later years. It is especially important that good hearing health be observed because a number of studies have discovered a strong link between reduced hearing capability and dementia.

Once people in their later years have experienced a significant level of hearing loss, they tend to become less social and less engaged with others, and this is one of the primary triggers for the development of dementia. That being the case, it just makes good sense for every American to do whatever is possible to maintain good hearing health, both for the present and for senior years.

While nothing you can do will really guarantee that your hearing remains extremely good as a senior, there are some things you can do which will increase your chances of maintaining good hearing throughout your life. Below are described a few simple things that everyone can do to have a better chance of retaining optimal hearing, now in the future.

Avoid Loud Noises

It’s important to have an understanding of the sound level of your environment, as well as any special environments you walk into. Some of these scenarios include rock concerts, construction sites, and loud noises from city traffic. When you are exposed to situations like these, it’s a good idea to wear ear protection such as foam plugs, which will reduce the level of noise which reaches the middle ear. Keep in mind that anytime your ears are exposed to a situation where extremely loud noises are present, it takes at least 16 hours of quiet in order for the ears to recover from the sensory experience.

By placing either a rubber plug or a foam plug in your outer ear, the level of noise can be reduced by as much as 30 dB, thereby sparing the middle ear from significant damage. If you work in a setting which has a consistent level of relatively loud noise, it would be a good idea to take periodic breaks, so that your ears have recovery time.

Most people enjoy listening to music on their phones, and to personalize the experience, headphones or earbuds are generally used. If you are in this category, you should make a point of keeping the volume on your device to either low or midrange, especially if you’re going to have the earbuds in place for a prolonged period of time.

If you set the volume on high, you run a risk of causing damage to your ears, especially if this is something you do daily, and for several hours each day.

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle

A number of studies have linked heart health with hearing health, and it has even been said that the ear is the window to the heart. Being physically active is a great way to maintain heart health, and to keep the heart muscle strong, so as to avoid the many different kinds of disease and other issues which can impact the heart.

A regular program of exercise that benefits the heart will also indirectly benefit your ears, so making exercise a priority is a good idea. However, before you embark on any strenuous program of exercise, make sure to consult with your doctor, so that you can be sure of activities which are appropriate to your age and to your health status.

One other factor related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is that you should quit cigarette smoking, and if you haven’t yet started, make sure that you don’t. Researchers have found that cigarette smoking may have a direct bearing on hearing because it affects antioxidative mechanisms as well as the vasculature which supplies the entire auditory system.

Good Ear Care

Avoid physical damage as much as possible by resisting the temptation to put things into your ears, even seemingly harmless objects like Q-tips. If your ear canal becomes scratched somehow, your hearing is likely to be degraded. Sharp objects should never be put into the ears, because these can cause scratches, and can even puncture the eardrum, in addition to causing hearing loss.

You should make a point of removing earwax regularly because any kind of buildup will cause the sound to be muffled. However, care must be used in removing earwax, because cotton swabs may have the undesirable effect of pushing the earwax further into the ear canal, and that may necessitate professional expertise in removing it.

Have your hearing checked periodically so that you are aware of any incremental hearing loss since your last checkup. As a general rule, less than 15% of Americans actually have their hearing checked during their annual physical exam – and yet as mentioned above, hearing loss is the third most common health complaint in the country.

There are certain medications which can cause damage to the ear, especially those medicines taken by older adults routinely. Prescription medications should all be checked by your doctor to make sure they won’t have any impact on your hearing health.

Whenever you suspect that you are observing a sign of hearing loss, it should be reported to your doctor for further examination. Some of these warning signals might include speech which sounds muffled, difficulty interpreting conversation, or frequently requesting others to talk louder.

Sometimes you may have difficulty hearing certain consonants, and this may prompt you to avoid conversations. Be aware that such behaviors can be warning signs of hearing loss, and any sign of reduced hearing health should be checked out at an early stage, so it doesn’t have a chance to become significantly worse.

Ear Infection hearing impairment hearing loss

Wintertime Sinuses

3 years ago by Social Media Team in Ear Neck Throat, Sinus, Sinus Infection

Most people are aware that sinus infections and sinus inflammations occur frequently during the springtime and the summer when pollen counts are on the rampage, and seasonal allergies are in full force. However, many people who persistently suffer from allergies can tell you that symptoms don’t always go away when the first freeze of the season hits, and pollen count theoretically takes a nosedive.

It can still happen that even during wintertime, sinus symptoms such as congestion, postnasal drip, coughing, runny noses, sinus pressure, and troublesome headaches occur with practically the same regularity as they might during spring or summer.

There are a number of reasons why this can happen, even in the absence of one of the biggest contributors to allergy symptoms, which is pollen from various plants. Here are some of the reasons why allergy sufferers may be just as miserable during the wintertime.

Mold and Various Kinds of Fragrance

Although they are seemingly innocent sources, holiday decorations such as plants, wreaths, and even Christmas trees and ornaments can trigger allergies, and all the associated symptoms, because of the dust which settles on them, and the mold which may be growing on them.

When decorations are stored for an entire year in the basement or somewhere else, it’s very easy for dust to accumulate on them, or for mold to begin growing on them. To prevent this, decorations should be stored in airtight containers, so that when they’re reopened at holiday time, you aren’t introducing fresh allergens into the household.

When you bring a Christmas tree into the household, make sure that it has been thoroughly shaken down, so it doesn’t have dried leaves or other material in the branches because these might contain mold.

Also, since windows and doors are generally tightly shut during the wintertime, it can intensify the fragrances from decorations and specially scented candles, which can act as irritants for your sinuses. It’s probably best to avoid using scented candles like this during the wintertime when doors and windows keep all those irritants inside.

Cold and Influenza

Extra mucus is generally produced when you have a cold or influenza, and it can also cause swelling inside the nasal passages. All this contributes to unusually difficult drainage, which promotes the buildup of mucus. When that happens, bacteria development is sure to follow, and a sinus infection may not be far behind.

The best way to avoid getting colds or flu is to conscientiously observe good hygiene throughout the entire wintertime, especially as it relates to washing your hands. You should also make a point of getting plenty of rest to help out your immune system, and when it’s available, you should always get a flu shot to protect yourself against the particular strain which is most prevalent this year.

Excessively dry Air

There is always considerably less humidity in the air during wintertime, than there is during summer, and as a result, the air in homes and in offices also becomes much drier. When the breathable air inside a building is that dry, it will have the effect of irritating nasal linings and the lining of the throat, which in turn will also trigger irritation in the sinuses.

To avoid the predominately dry air of wintertime, remember to use a humidifier to increase the moisture level in breathing air throughout the home. A good rule of thumb is to set your humidifier for about 50% humidity, so that dryness doesn’t bother your sinuses and trigger symptoms which are going to make you miserable through the holidays.

Pet Dander, Allergens, and Dust

It happens quite frequently that pet dander, dust, and other allergens become trapped indoors during the winter time, due to the fact that doors and windows are routinely kept tightly shut to keep the cold out. While it can be a bit of an undertaking to ensure that all these allergens are removed or suppressed, it will be worth it, in terms of your ability to enjoy the holiday season.

In the case of pet dander, you should make a point of bathing your cat or dog at least weekly, because allergens will naturally be attracted to fur, and they’ll stay there until removed. If you allow your pet to go outdoors regularly, you may want to perform the bathing routine even more frequently, because every time your pet goes outside, it will be a magnet for whatever’s floating through the air.

To eliminate, or at least reduce allergens elsewhere in the home, you can take such steps as vacuuming the carpets thoroughly, especially using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, that can pick up even the smallest allergens. You should also vacuum furniture and draperies to remove allergens which may have built up on those surfaces.

It’s a good idea to dust all around the home every few days, but when you do this, it should be with a damp cloth that retains the allergens, rather than using a feather duster which will simply relocate any allergies present.

Lastly, by changing your own clothes whenever you’ve come inside from the outdoors, you can be relatively sure you aren’t tracking in a number of allergens, which will be lying in wait to torment you during the wintertime.

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Avoiding Common Fall Allergies

3 years ago by Social Media Team in Ear Neck Throat

Every time the fall season rolls around, millions of Americans are affected by fall allergens, which can cause a number of very uncomfortable symptoms. Some of these include itchy, watery eyes, persistent sneezing, feelings of fatigue and or nausea, and sometimes even headaches.

Most of these symptoms will last in varying degrees until the first frost of the season arrives, to put an end to pollen which gets circulated throughout the air and into homes. The most common kinds of fall allergens are discussed below, along with some recommendations on how you can avoid being affected by them.

Dealing with Ragweed

Ragweed is a plant which begins blooming in August, but which doesn’t really produce allergic symptoms until mid-September, and on into the next month. Once the first freeze arrives, the ragweed plant will be killed, and no further discomfort will be caused to allergy sufferers.

However, until that first freeze arrives, all of the symptoms mentioned above can be experienced in full force, making life miserable for an allergy sufferer. Something like three-quarters of all people who experience springtime allergies will also be affected by the pollen from ragweed, according to statistics maintained by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

The best way to deal with ragweed is to maintain awareness of the local pollen count, which is usually broadcast by local television stations during the segment dealing with the weather. To the greatest degree possible, you should try staying indoors, especially during those hours which are the peak time of activity for pollen circulation. These times are considered to be all those hours from mid-morning up to about mid-afternoon.

You should also keep your windows and doors closed in the house, as well as when you’re traveling in a car or other vehicle. Vacuuming rugs and upholstery is a good idea because any pollen which has penetrated the interior would likely settle on these. Washing your linens, clothes, and draperies will help to remove any pollen which has settled on them, and you should make a point of changing your clothes whenever you come in from the outdoors.

Pollens attach themselves to all kinds of clothing very well, and that means you could be the agent of your own discomfort by bringing them into the household. If you have pets in the home, they should be bathed at least weekly, especially if they go outdoors at all, because there fur is natural for collecting pollen.

Dealing with Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew tend to develop and proliferate in areas which are subject to damp conditions, and these can include bathrooms, kitchens, and especially basements. Basements are somewhat likelier environments for mold and mildew to grow in, simply because they may not receive the same level of attention that bathrooms and kitchens do, in terms of cleaning and keeping them dry.

Unlike things like ragweed, mold and mildew are not killed off when the first frost arrives, because obviously, they are not plants. However, the good news is that both these contaminants do tend to go into dormant stages during wintertime. You should not rely on the fact that they are more dormant in the wintertime though, because they will spring back to life when the weather warms up, and that means you’ll be bothered by them all over again. It’s much better to root out mold and mildew wherever it exists in your living environment so that it doesn’t come back to plague you in the next warm season.

You can start by removing leaves from the gutters around your house, and by raking up all the leaves which have fallen from trees. These should not be left in piles around the home but should be disposed of by some means, so that mold and mildew don’t develop on them.

In the house itself, use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air, which will inhibit the growth of mold or mildew. This is especially true of the basement environment, again because it generally receives less attention than the upper rooms of the household. Ideally, the humidity level in household rooms should be maintained at between 35 and 50%.

Make a point of cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms regularly, using anti-mildew cleaning agents that will prevent any kind of build-up in those rooms.

Dealing with Dust Mites

The bad thing about dust mites is that they are not limited to the fall season, and they can bother allergy sufferers all year round. They thrive in temperatures which are somewhere in the range of 64°F to about 76°F. When the temperature dips below the 60’s or rises above the 70’s, dust mites will usually die off, and the same is true when the relative humidity falls below 70%.

This being the case, one of the most effective things you can do to rid your household of dust mites, is to ensure that the humidity level in the home is well below 70%. Although the temperature of the interior of your household will not be any deterrent to dust mites, the humidity level will be, if you can maintain it well below 70%. Using a dehumidifier, and setting it between 35 and 50% will do the trick, and it will ensure that you’re not bothered by dust mites in the home.

Dealing with Dander and Fur

Almost half of all people who have seasonal allergies also have to deal with pet allergies, which are triggered by your immune system reacting to contact with saliva, for, dander, or urine from your pets. The most effective way of dealing with dander and fur allergies is to simply avoid contact with furry animals.

If this is not feasible for you, you should at least make a point of washing and grooming your pets regularly, and then confining them to specific rooms within the household. Don’t allow your pets on furniture where allergens can be transferred to you when you use that furniture. In the case of cats, make sure to keep litter boxes away from air vents, which will circulate allergens all throughout the home.

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Problems with Salivary Glands

3 years ago by Social Media Team in Ear Neck Throat

The salivary glands are important as they provide moisture for the mouth and they aid in digestion. If they become clogged they can cause a great deal of discomfort.

Saliva is the fluid which keeps your mouth moist, shields your teeth from harmful substances, acts as an aid to digestion, and aids with the swallowing process. The glands which produce saliva are known as the salivary glands, and the fluid which is produced in them is carried into the mouth via small tubes which are known as ducts.

If anything happens to the ducts or the salivary glands, it can create a significant amount of discomfort for a person, and can also lead to infection. If you should experience symptoms which are warning signs of some kind of problem with salivary glands or the ducts, you should recognize these for what they are, and seek medical assistance from your family doctor.

Your salivary glands can produce up to a quart of saliva every single day, because there are three pairs of these glands, all engaged in the production of saliva – the sublingual glands which are positioned under the tongue, the parotid glands on the insides of your cheeks, and the submandibular glands on the bottom of your mouth.

In addition to these three major pairings, there are actually hundreds of minor salivary glands which are situated throughout the throat and the mouth. Problems with either the salivary glands or the ducts are generally recognizable as dry mouth, fever, pain, glandular swelling, and sometimes an unpleasant drainage which accumulates in the mouth.

Causes of Problems with Salivary Glands

There are a number of possible causes of salivary gland problems, some of which are situated in the glands themselves, and some of them constituting blockage of the ducts so that saliva drainage is disrupted. One of most common causes of swollen glands is salivary stones, which are crystallized saliva deposits that manage to accumulate in the glands.

These can often prevent the flow of saliva, and when that happens, saliva backs up into the gland, forcing the gland to swell, and causing discomfort. Pain is usually sensed in one gland or the other and is intermittent in nature, but it will get progressively worse until the blockage is cleared, and if it is not cleared promptly, the salivary gland can then become infected.

When ducts into the mouth become blocked, a bacterial infection of the parotid gland is often the result, a painful lump is created, and nasty smelling pus will begin draining into the mouth. This condition is far more common in older adults, but it sometimes also happens in babies soon after birth.

Whenever swollen salivary glands go untreated, they will very likely cause high fever, severe pain, and a collection of pus known as an abscess. Infections of a viral nature such as flu or the mumps can also cause salivary gland willing. When swelling of this type occurs in the parotid glands on both sides of your face, it can give the appearance of full cheeks like those of a chipmunk. This kind of salivary gland swelling is quite often associated with mumps since it occurs in as many as 40% of all mumps infections.

When salivary glands get clogged they can produce a build up and cause headaches and severe pain.

Other types of viral illnesses which may trigger swelling of the salivary glands are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Coxsackie Virus. When these kinds of viruses occur, they are generally single-sided gland swelling and are usually accompanied by pain and fever. The risk of developing these kinds of bacterial infections rises when a person is dehydrated or is suffering from malnutrition.

Cysts can also develop in the salivary glands when salivary stones block the flow of saliva, or when blockage results from infections, injuries, or tumors. In some cases, babies are born with cysts in the parotid gland because of a developmental problem with the ears. Anyone who develops cysts in the salivary glands will probably have difficulty speaking and with eating.

There are a few different kinds of tumors which can affect the salivary glands, and these can be either malignant or benign. The two most common kinds of tumors affecting salivary glands are Warthin’s Tumor and pleomorphic adenomas. Pleomorphic adenomas generally impact the parotid glands, but can also have an impact on the submandibular gland, or the hundreds of relatively minor salivary glands. These kinds of tumors are usually slow-growing, and relatively free of pain. They are non-cancerous tumors and occur far more often in women than in men.

Treatment for Salivary Gland Problems

Treatment for blockages of the ducts and for saliva stones generally starts with warm compresses and sour candies, since these are helpful in triggering an increase of saliva flow. Stones must generally be removed, and if simpler measures don’t achieve the desired results, surgery is generally indicated.

When surgery is necessary to remove tumors, they are often radiated in order to prevent them from returning at a later date. Cancerous tumors often require stronger radiation, as well as chemotherapy.

Large cysts are generally treated with surgery since these cannot generally be handled with medication. However, some other types of salivary gland problems do respond to medication, for instance, bacterial infections, and these can effectively be treated with antibiotics. Other problems such as dry mouth can also be treated with medications.

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