Common Disorders and Treatment Options

Deviated Septum:

What is a deviated septum?

The nasal septum is made up of bone and cartilage. It divides the nose into left and rights sides. A deviated septum is an abnormal configuration of the bone or cartilage, which may cause problems breathing or nasal discharge. Many people have a deviated septum and have no symptoms at all.

The most common symptom is difficulty breathing through the nose. Septums may become deviated at birth or childhood, because of injury, or other medical treatments.

See our “Common Procedures” section below for information about surgery to fix a deviated septum.

Sinusitis:

What are the Sinuses?

The sinuses are 4 pairs of air-filled pockets that lie in the bones of the face, around the nasal passages.

- Ethmoid sinuses: These are the sinuses between the eyes. They are frequently involved in chronic sinus infections

- Maxillary sinuses: These are the sinuses in the cheek bones. Infection here can lead to facial or dental pain

- Frontal Sinus: is located in the forehead. These sinuses often do not develop until childhood.

- Sphenoid Sinus: the deepest sinus. This does not develop until adolescence.

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an infection of the sinus, usually characterized by nasal drainage, nasal blockage, and facial pain or pressure. These types of infections may be caused by colds or allergy.

Acute sinusitis occurs quickly and resolves with appropriate treatment.

Subacute sinusitis does not get better as quickly, but lasts less than 3 months.

Chronic Sinusitis is a result of repeated or persistent infection. These infections usually last more than 3 months. Treatment options are more complex, and may entail surgical drainage.

How do I know if I have sinusitis?

A thorough history and physical examination by one of our physicians is essential. Symptoms may include foul nasal drainage, nasal blockage, post-nasal drip, facial pain and pressure, bad breath, cough, fever, sore throat, and swelling around the eyes. Only a physician may diagnose sinusitis.

How is sinusitis diagnosed?

Usually sinusitis is diagnosed by a carefully taken patient history and physical examination. Sometimes, additional tests are used. These include: nasal cultures taken from inside the nose, X-rays, CT scans which often give superior information to X-rays, and Blood Tests.

Treatment Options:

Treatment for your sinus condition is formulated on an individual basis during consultation with your physician. Decisions may be influenced by a variety of factors including:

- Your age, health, and medical history

- The extent of disease

- Your tolerance for certain procedures or medications

- Your expectations

- Your opinion or preference

Treatment for sinusitis:

May include:

Antibiotics, often for 2 or more weeks

Nasal sprays

Other medicines including oral steroids

Formal allergy evaluation

Snoring:

What is snoring?

Snoring is the sound that occurs when air is obstructed during sleep. This often takes place between the point of contact between the uvula/soft palate with the back of the throat.

Up to 45% of adults snore occasionally and 25% habitually snore. Snoring is more common in males, and in people who are overweight.

Snoring may signal obstructed breathing and sleep apnea, which is a serious medical condition that can affect the heart and lungs.

What causes snoring?

- Poor muscle tone

- Bulky throat tissue

- Long soft palate

- Long uvula

- Blocked nasal passages

- Deviated septum

Can snoring be prevented?

Occasional snoring, yes

- Healthy lifestyle, diet, and exercise

- Weight loss

- Avoid sleeping pills and antihistamines before bedtime

- Avoid alcohol before bedtime

- Establish regular sleep patterns

- Sleep on your side

- Tilt the head of the bed up 4 inches

Heavy or chronic snoring may require medical care.

Treatment for snoring:

This will be determined on an individual basis during consultation with your physician. It may be determined by

Your age, health and medical history

Extent of the problem

Your tolerance for treatment and procedures

Tonsillitis:

What is Tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. Tonsillitis can be caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus a.k.a “strep throat.” A variety of viruses can cause tonsillitis as well, such as Mono.

The symptoms of tonsillitis vary, and different people experience illness differently. Symptoms may include:

Swollen, red tonsils, coated with white, yellow or gray membranes

Painful blisters in the throat

Pain with swallowing

Headache

Loss of appetite

Fever

Chills

Fatigue

Swollen lymph nodes below the jaw area

Treatment for Tonsillitis:

Treatment for your condition is formulated individually during consultation with your physician and is based on:

Age, health and medical history

Extent of disease

Your tolerance for specific medications and procedures

Your expectations

Your opinion or preference

Ear infections:

There are a variety of ear infections that require care by a physician, as described below.

Otitis media:

Otitis media is infection or inflammation of the middle ear, and is the most common infectious disease of childhood.

Otitis media usually begins with a sore throat or a cold that spreads to the middle ear. The symptoms vary on an individual basis but often include

Unusual irritability

Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep

Tugging or pulling at ears

Fever

Drainage from the ear

Loss of balance

Hearing difficulties

Left untreated, chronic otitis media may result in infection in other parts of the head, permanent hearing loss, and problems with speech and language development.

There is no vaccine to prevent ear infections. Certain factors like exposure to cigarette smoke and daycare attendance may increase the risk of ear infections. On the other hand, breast-feeding may protect against ear infections.

Otitis media is diagnosed by your physician by a complete history and physical exam. Your physician will inspect the ear and eardrum. Hearing tests are sometimes used to see if ear infections have caused hearing loss.

Treatment for otitis media for you or your child is formulated on an individual basis during consultation with your physician. Decisions may be based on

Your age, health and medical history

Extent of disease

Your tolerance for medications and procedures

Expectations

Your opinion or preference

Treatment may include antibiotics or a myringotomy tube procedure, where a tube is placed through the eardrum to remove fluid, equalize pressure, and restore hearing.

Otitis Externa:

This is an external ear infection, also known as Swimmer’s ear. It is an infection of the outer ear canal. It is usually caused by fungus or bacteria. Water that is trapped in the ear can cause a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria.

Swimmer’s ear is caused by a number of factors. The most common are water exposure and trauma. Objects in the ear canal can also set up an infection.

For this reason we advise our patients with outer ear infections to keep the ear absolutely dry, and avoiding Q-tips, which can further traumatize the sensitive lining of the ear canal.

The main symptoms of outer ear infections are pain and drainage from the ear. Patients may also have redness of the outer ear, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, swollen ear canal, and difficulty hearing.

The condition is diagnosed by your physician with a complete history and physical examination.

Treatment may also include antibiotics, ear drops, and appropriate pain medication.