Tonsil Infections

Tonsillitis is a common infection in children, young adults, and adults alike. These infections vary from mild sore throat and difficulty swallowing to more severe symptoms such as high fever, lymph node enlargement, and debilitating pain. Usually antibiotics can help quickly to overcome these patterns of illness, but some may seek surgical therapy to remove the tonsils and stop the infections.

Sore Throat

A common issue that affects all individuals at some point in life, the cause of a sore throat can be very complex, especially when symptoms become chronic. A thorough in-office evaluation and review of symptoms can help to uncover the contributing factors. Schedule an evaluation today to discuss your symptoms and potential causes to identify the best methods for relief.

Voice Change

Changes in the quality of our voice is common and is usually the product of a transient respiratory infection or virus. These changes usually pass quickly and voice quality is restored, but when voice changes arise and then continue, it is important to evaluate and try to understand the source of the problem. Tobacco use, acid reflux or other gastrointestinal issues, allergy, cough, and sinusitis are often responsible for the change in voice quality. A full examination will include a brief evaluation of the vocal cords in an in-office procedure. This procedure, called “endoscopy” is easy to perform and allows us to see and evaluate the structure of the vocal cords. Combining a thorough discussion of symptoms with in-office endoscopy can help you better understand the reasons you’re suffering from changes in voice quality.

Cough

Chronic cough may affect over 10% of the population based on current studies. Many types of physicians treat conditions related to cough, including lung doctors (pulmonologists), stomach/ digestive physicians (gastroenterologists), allergists, and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) physicians. Evaluation and management can lead to a simple solution and quick improvement, but chronic cough can also be challenging to understand.

Tonsil Infections

Tonsillitis is a common infection in children, young adults, and adults alike. These infections vary from mild sore throat and difficulty swallowing to more severe symptoms such as high fever, lymph node enlargement, and debilitating pain. Usually antibiotics can help quickly to overcome these patterns of illness, but some may seek surgical therapy to remove the tonsils and stop the infections.

Sore Throat

A common issue that affects all individuals at some point in life, the cause of a sore throat can be very complex, especially when symptoms become chronic. A thorough in-office evaluation and review of symptoms can help to uncover the contributing factors. Schedule an evaluation today to discuss your symptoms and potential causes to identify the best methods for relief.

Voice Change

Changes in the quality of our voice is common and is usually the product of a transient respiratory infection or virus. These changes usually pass quickly and voice quality is restored, but when voice changes arise and then continue, it is important to evaluate and try to understand the source of the problem. Tobacco use, acid reflux or other gastrointestinal issues, allergy, cough, and sinusitis are often responsible for the change in voice quality. A full examination will include a brief evaluation of the vocal cords in an in-office procedure. This procedure, called “endoscopy” is easy to perform and allows us to see and evaluate the structure of the vocal cords. Combining a thorough discussion of symptoms with in-office endoscopy can help you better understand the reasons you’re suffering from changes in voice quality.

Cough

Chronic cough may affect over 10% of the population based on current studies. Many types of physicians treat conditions related to cough, including lung doctors (pulmonologists), stomach/ digestive physicians (gastroenterologists), allergists, and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) physicians. Evaluation and management can lead to a simple solution and quick improvement, but chronic cough can also be challenging to understand.

Snoring can also progress to more serious problems and can be a sign of underlying obstructive sleep apnea. With sleep apnea, muscle relaxation goes beyond simple vibration and noise production. If the relaxation of tongue, throat, and palate muscles progresses too far, the throat may close altogether, limiting air movement into the lungs. This temporary obstruction may last a few seconds, or even over a minute. These types of obstructions may occur infrequently or numerous times an hour. Because it disrupts the normal sleep pattern, sleep apnea may lead to daytime fatigue, concentration impairments, exhaustion, or sedentary lifestyle, and in some cases, result in memory impairment and cognitive dysfunction. In many individuals, sleep apnea and related tiredness can worsen headaches, high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression.

Sleep apnea has a higher incidence among people over the age of 40, those with a family history of snoring or significant weight gain, and in postmenopausal women.

Sleep apnea is diagnosed by examining the individual in the office, reviewing the history of their symptoms, and performing a sleep apnea test (polysomnography). In many cases, a sleep test can be performed at home, although a formal study in a sleep lab is also an option if necessary. These sleep tests can also help to identify other sleep disorders such as insomnia or restless leg syndrome.

If you suffer from loud and frustrating snoring or think you may have a sleep disturbance like sleep apnea, please contact our office and schedule an appointment today to discuss options for evaluation and management.