Ear Nose and Throat Archives

Can Exercise Relieve Nasal Congestion?

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Mild to moderate physical exercise can temporarily relieve nasal congestion. A runny nose often occurs because of irritation in your nasal passages. This can occur due to a variety of causes, including sinus infections, airborne substances such as smoke or strong perfumes, and allergies.

Exercises such as push-ups can provide quick relief by opening your nasal passages and reducing inflammation that may be affecting them. However, this may not be the best approach in all cases.

Relieving nasal congestion through light exercise can be helpful when your symptoms are not severe and are limited to your nose, throat, or other parts of your head. However, if you’re experiencing symptoms that are worse or occurring in other parts of your body, such as a fever, fatigue, chest congestion, or muscle aches, it may be best to rest and avoid unnecessary exertion.

Additionally, physical exercise may even be a contributing factor to your nasal congestion in certain cases. If you have asthma, for example, your congestion may be a result of exercise-induced asthma, which causes your airways to constrict in response to hard physical activity.

Before exercising with nasal congestion or a cold, you should talk to an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT), also known as an otolaryngologist, to determine the cause of your congestion and whether physical exercise may help or harm your symptoms. An otolaryngologist can also prescribe decongestant medication or recommend alternative methods of relieving your congestion that may be safer for you, such as:

Using a humidifier
Taking a hot shower
Drinking more water throughout the day
Applying a warm compress to your face

If you’re experiencing nasal congestion, you can find an otolaryngologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7110.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

When To See A Doctor If You Have A Sinus Infection?

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, is a very common type of infection that occurs when the sinuses or cavities in the front of the face, around the eyes, and behind the nose become filled with mucous.

The majority of sinus infections are caused by viruses. Sinus infections can also be caused to a much lesser extent by bacteria or fungus, however, and are less likely to be transmitted from one person to another. They can also be caused by allergies, blocked nasal passages, asthma, and nasal blockages due to polyps.

Acute viral sinusitis typically lasts seven to ten days and may follow a cold. Chronic sinusitis can last for 12 weeks or longer.

Symptoms of a sinus infection include:

Facial pain or pressure on the forehead or between the eyes
Runny or stuffy nose
Thick yellow, green, or cloudy nasal discharge
Inability to smell
Cough
Sore throat
Fever

Sinus infections typically begin to improve by themselves in about 10 days. You should contact your physician if the infection is not improving or if it is getting worse. Anyone who experiences any of the following should see a physician as soon as possible:

Fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit
Confusion
Stiff neck
Vision changes
Swelling and redness around the eyes
Intense headache

A sinus infection can spread to the brain or the eye if it is left untreated. People who have frequent or chronic sinus infections should see an otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) to see if there is an underlying reason these are occurring.

If you think you may have a sinus infection, you can try several remedies at home such as a warm compress on the face, over-the-counter decongestants, saline nasal sprays, and over-the-counter pain relievers. These shouldn’t be used for more than three days.

Speak to your physician if the symptoms of a sinus infection don’t improve or worsen after ten days. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at 718-206-7001.

3 Conditions an ENT Can Help You Prevent

Posted on October 12, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

An ear, nose, and throat doctor (also known as an ENT or otolaryngologist) treats a wide range of medical problems every day, including many common diseases and conditions such as sinus infections, ear infections, and tonsillitis. An otolaryngologist’s expertise also covers a variety of rarer health issues, several of which could lead to serious complications. Three of these issues include nasal valve collapse, thyroid cancer, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks.

A nasal valve collapse typically occurs as a result of trauma or as a complication of surgery. It can occur in the internal valve, located between the skin and respiratory epithelium, or the external valve, which is comprised of the columella, nasal floor, and nasal rim. The purpose of these valves is primarily to restrict airflow, so when a collapse occurs, the flow of oxygen through your nasal passages may be either severely restricted or entirely blocked. An ENT typically treats a nasal valve collapse through surgery.

An ENT can also diagnose and treat thyroid cancer. Approximately 43,800 people develop this form of cancer each year, with about 2,230 people dying of the disease annually. Thyroid cancer may present through symptoms such as swallowing difficulty, a lump in the neck, and changes in your voice. An ENT can diagnose thyroid cancer through a biopsy and will treat most forms of this disease through surgical removal.

If you experience symptoms such as watery drainage from the nose, back of the throat, or ear, an ENT may diagnose you with a CSF leak through a CT or MRI scan. A CSF leak may allow bacteria to reach the brain or spinal cord, leading to the development of conditions such as meningitis. Most leaks around the ears and sinuses may be repaired through minimally invasive procedures, though certain cases may require a craniotomy.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of any of these conditions, you can schedule an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

Ruptured Eardrum

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Xavia Malcolm

The tympanic membrane or eardrum is a very important part of our ear. This thin layer of tissue which divides the outer ear canal and middle ear helps to transmit sound vibrations. It also helps to protect the middle ear from foreign objects such as water or bacteria.

A rupture or tear of the eardrum can lead to serious complications such as hearing loss or infections of the middle ear.

There are a number of things that can cause our eardrums to rupture. They include:

Ear infections -When the middle ear is infected, this can result in fluid accumulating behind the eardrum. Pressure from this buildup can cause the tympanic membrane to break.
Barotrauma- This occurs when there is a change in pressure. If the pressure inside the ear is drastically different from that outside the ear, this can lead to perforation. An example of this is when an airplane changes altitude causing air pressure in the cabin to rise or fall.
Direct trauma to the ear or side of the head- These injuries can be sustained from an ear slap or falling on the ear.
Acoustic trauma – A sudden, loud noise or blast such as an explosion can produce sound waves that are powerful enough to cause injury.
Foreign objects- Inserting objects such as a cotton swab or hairpin into the ear canal can puncture the eardrum.

Pain is the most common symptom of an eardrum rupture; however, you may also experience:

Ringing or buzzing in the ear
Dizziness or vertigo
Drainage of pus or fluid from the ear
Hearing loss

It is important that you see a doctor if any of these symptoms occur. An Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor can determine if you have a ruptured eardrum by using an otoscope to conduct an inspection. Additional testing can include, audiology exams, a tuning fork evaluation or tympanometry which measures the response of the eardrum to slight changes in air pressure.

According to Jamaica Hospital ENT specialist Dr. Sandra Ho, a ruptured eardrum can usually heal on its own. Depending on the reason for the perforation, painkillers and/or antibiotics may help during the healing process. However, if it does not heal in a few weeks, your ENT may recommend an eardrum patch. This procedure involves a doctor placing a medicated paper patch over the hole. In some cases, surgery may be required to repair the perforated eardrum. This procedure is known as a tympanoplasty which involves taking tissue from another part of the body and grafting it onto the hole in the eardrum.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sandra Ho or other ENT specialists at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7110

Conditions That Can Affect Your Sense of Smell

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Xavia Malcolm

Every year, thousands of people lose their ability to smell. According to the National Institutes of Health, 12% of adults in the United States have had some loss of their sense of smell.

A loss of smell can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. Because smell and taste are linked, most people with a smell disorder are unable to properly taste their food. Most importantly, they may not be able to detect smells that warn of danger such as smoke or gas.

The inability to smell is typically the result of a problem occurring in the nose, brain or nervous system. One’s loss of smell can be partial or reduced (hyposmia) or complete (anosmia). In both cases, a loss of smell can be temporary or permanent.

Several conditions can lead to hyposmia; they include:

Colds
Nasal allergies
Flu
Hay fever
Sinus infection
Deviated septum
Hormonal imbalances

Anosmia can develop as a result of:

Head trauma
Upper respiratory viral infections
Nasal/ sinus diseases
Nasal polyps
Bone deformities of the nose
Alzheimer’s disease

If you have lost or have had a decline in your ability to smell, you should see a doctor immediately. Your doctor can perform a physical examination, review your medical history and request a series of tests to determine possible causes. Treatment for smell disorders is based on underlying causes and can include medication or surgery.

To schedule an appointment with an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-7110.