Neck Tumors

More than 55,000 Americans will develop cancer of the head and neck this year. Head and neck tumors can have devastating effects on a person’s appearance and ability to speak, swallow, and breath. Many head and neck cancers produce early symptoms, such as a lump in the neck, change in voice, growth in the mouth, bringing up blood, swallowing difficulties, changes in the skin, and persistent earache. Early detection is the key to treatment. If you experience any of these symptoms, please promptly contact our office to see our ear, nose and throat specialist for complete evaluation and management.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is one of the most common and debilitating health problems in the U.S. Each year, more than 37 million Americans suffer from sinusitis in which the nasal and sinus membranes become swollen and congested. This may block the inner tube leading to the ear, resulting in a feeling of blockage in the ear or fluid behind the eardrum. It can also cause breathing through the mouth. Symptoms can typically include nasal congestion, thick yellow-green nasal discharge, facial pain, and pressure. Having a complete evaluation by an ear, nose and throat specialist is paramount to determine the cause of your symptoms and receive the appropriate treatment, whether medications, procedures, or surgery.

Voice & Speech

A person’s voice is produced by the passing of air through the larynx, which causes vibration of the vocal cords. Voice is the most commonly used form of communication and thus invaluable. Having voice problems can affect an individual’s ability to connect with other people. It often manifests in the form of changes in voice quality and pitch, such as sounding raspy, hoarse, and/or rough. It can be associated with a sharp or dull pain in the throat and an inability to produce sound. If you are experiencing any of these issues, please make an appointment to see our ear, nose, and throat specialist as proper care and use of your voice is important for voice health.

Thyroid

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. It produces hormones that regulate metabolism – the body’s function to convert proteins, fats, and carbohydrates into energy, which is essential to daily function. Thyroid disorders manifest due to over or underproduction of thyroid hormones. This can be due to thyroid nodules or growths on the thyroid, a goiter or swelling of the thyroid gland itself, or thyroid cancer. If you have trouble swallowing or breathing, feel a lump in your throat or experience ongoing swelling in the neck, please schedule an appointment with our ear, nose and throat specialist.

Parathyroid

The parathyroid glands are responsible for the normal production of calcium in different parts of the body. Insufficiency of parathyroid hormones causes a lack of supply of calcium in the body which affects a person’s nerve and muscle functions. Too much parathyroid hormone can lead to kidney problems, chronic fatigue, osteoporosis, and other issues in the body. Having a parathyroid abnormality such as a parathyroid tumor can lead to the above abnormalities. This needs to be checked by a specialist for proper management.

Parotid

The parotid glands are the largest of the salivary glands and are responsible for the production of saliva which aids in swallowing and digesting food. They can become infected, swollen, or malfunction. Parotid gland swelling can be due to both infections and cancerous or noncancerous tumors. These may require surgical treatment. This requires evaluation and management by an ear, nose, and throat specialist.

Hearing

Hearing loss occurs when sound is blocked in any of the three areas of the ear. There are many causes of hearing loss, the most common being the aging process, and one of the most preventable being exposure to loud noises. Infections, both of the ear or elsewhere in the body, earwax accumulation, tumors, and nerve-related problems are other potential causes of hearing loss. As ear, nose, and throat specialists, we’ll perform a physical exam as well as a hearing test to determine the type and severity of hearing loss, and then recommend the best treatment and necessary management. 

Tonsils

Tonsils and adenoids are the body’s first line of defense as part of the immune system. The tonsils are two clusters of tissue located on both sides of the back of the throat. Adenoids sit high in the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth. Tonsils and adenoids can become repeatedly infected requiring treatment with medications. They can also become enlarged, blocking the upper airway, leading to breathing difficulties. In both of these cases, the tonsils and adenoids may need to be removed. Our ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist will recommend the best treatment options for your individual case.

Swallowing

Difficulty in swallowing is common among all age groups, especially the elderly, and can be caused by a variety of factors. Symptoms of swallowing disorders can include drooling, discomfort, a feeling that food or liquid is sticking, or a foreign body sensation or “lump” in the throat, weight loss, and inadequate nutrition due to prolonged or severe problems with swallowing, coughing or choking, and voice change. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment with our ear, nose, and throat specialist.

Ears

Many conditions can affect the ears. Some common ones include:

Otitis media, or infection or inflammation of the middle ear, is the most common cause of hearing loss in children. While most commonly occurring in children, it can also be present in teens and adults and can lead to speech and balance problems, hearing loss, or changes in the structure of the eardrum. This condition can occur in one or both ears and can occur repeatedly, in some cases with persistent fluid in the middle ear. If so, ear tubes are often recommended and placed by an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Tinnitus is the medical term for “ringing in the ears,” which includes noises ranging from loud roaring to clicking, humming, or buzzing. Assistive hearing devices and medical treatments are often used to treat this condition.

Earwax build-up is one of the most common and treatable causes of hearing loss. It is not advisable to use cotton swabs or other small objects in removing earwax because it only pushes the earwax deeper into the ear, which increases buildup inside the ear, affecting hearing. Excessive earwax can be a chronic condition best treated by an ear, nose, and throat specialist.

Other conditions, including perforated, or hole in, eardrum, autoimmune or inflammatory ear disease, and various others are treated by our ear nose and throat specialist. For more information, please contact us.

Allergies

There are millions of Americans who suffer from nasal allergies, commonly called hay fever. For some people who have allergies, symptoms may be seasonal, while for others, symptoms may be year-round. Allergies can cause decreased productivity and a negative effect on quality of life. Multiple approaches are simultaneously used to manage allergies and promote symptom control. Our ear, nose, and throat specialist can help determine the substances causing your discomfort and recommend a management plan that will help alleviate your symptoms.