Is it bad to hold back my sneeze? – FAQ Is it okay to hold back my sneezing? Even the tiniest Achoo can make people turn heads in these post-covid times. Earlier it used to be considered bad manners when someone sneezes out loud in a movie theater or while delivering a speech. However, when the urge starts to sneeze, should we just hold it in? The answer is “No”. Remember it is always better to let your sneezes out instead of holding them in..Sneezing is the body’s way of clearing irritants like germs, pollen or dust out of the nose and throat. Note: According to the American Lung Association, sneezing can be pretty powerful, expelling tens of thousands of droplets from your nose at up to 100 miles per hour. Few risks of holding in a sneeze include: It can make your chest hurt. It might rupture your eardrum It could lead to an ear infection It might burst a blood vessel in the brain It can potentially make you uncomfortable Violent sneezing fits have also been tied to laryngeal framework fractures The Happiest health association had reached out to me asking what the ill effects of holding back our sneezing are? Also they asked me if we should control our sneezing..Hence, the article is being shared to create awareness among every one of the ill effects of holding back sneezing. Reference link – https://www.happiesthealth.com/articles/allergies/why-we-sneeze-and-why-we-shouldnt-control-it – Dr. Prashanth R Reddy “E.N.T health – ENTry for better senses”. Previous Blog
Burning mouth syndrome – FAQ
Burning mouth syndrome – FAQ So, what is burning mouth syndrome? Burning mouth syndrome, also known as glossodynia, refers to pain or a hot, burning sensation in the mouth or oral cavity. Most patients experience it on the tongue, but some patients may feel burning in multiple areas of the mouth, including the lips, top, or bottom of the mouth. It is an ongoing or recurrent burning in the mouth without an obvious cause. This discomfort may affect the tongue, gums, and lips, inside of your cheeks, roof of your mouth (the palate); or widespread areas of your whole mouth. The burning sensation can sometimes be very severe, and it usually appears suddenly. The burning mouth syndrome may last for months to years. This doesn’t cause any noticeable physical changes to your tongue or mouth. The deficiency of vitamin B12 finally resulted in high blood homocysteine levels in these patients. Burning sensation, dry mouth, and numbness of the tongue were the three most common symptoms of patients with Burning mouth syndrome. Note: Burning mouth syndrome can start as soon as you wake up and last the whole day, or the burning sensation could come and go. This may also occur every day, with little discomfort when you wake but becoming worse as the day progresses. Here are the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome: ▪ Loss of taste ▪ Tingling, stinging or numbness in your mouth ▪ Burning sensation that most commonly affects your tongue may also affect your lips, gums, palate, throat or whole mouth ▪ Taste changes in your mouth. E.g. Bitter or metallic taste ▪ Dry mouth with increased thirst Important note: The risk may be greater if: ▪ You’re a woman ▪ You’re premenopausal or postmenopausal ▪ You’re over the age of 50 Factors that may increase your risk of developing burning mouth syndrome include: ▪ Any recent history of fever ▪ Any previous dental procedures ▪ Allergic reactions to food ▪ Medications especially pain killers ▪ Stress ▪ Depression ▪ Traumatic life events ▪ Some chronic medical disorders such as fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune disorders and neuropathy Health tip: Avoid acidic foods, spicy foods, carbonated beverages, tobacco, and excessive stress, and you may be able to reduce the discomfort from burning mouth syndrome. or by sucking ice chips Remember, there is no over-the-counter medication available for burning mouth syndrome. Visit your ENT doctor if you have discomfort, burning, or soreness in your tongue, lips, gums, or other areas of your mouth. Your ENT doctor will be able to help develop an effective treatment plan. – Dr. Prashanth R Reddy “E.N.T. health – ENTry for better senses”. Previous Blog
Nose Block – FAQ
Nose block – FAQ The nose is a highly vascular structure. A blocked, stuffy, or congested nose is caused by dilated blood vessels in the membranes lining the inside of your nostrils. This leads to excess mucous production in the nose, making it difficult to breathe. What are the causes of the nasal block? The nasal block can be a fixed block like a block that you may experience all throughout the day or a variable block Fixed Nasal block can be due to 1. A deviated nasal septum ( Bend nose) 2. Chronic sinusitis 3. Nasal polyps 4. Foreign body inside the nose 5. Mass/ Tumor inside the nose Variable nasal block (Nasal block on and off) 1. Common Cold/flu 2. Allergies 3. Breathing cold/ hot air 4. Stress-induced 5. Alcohol consumption 6. Smoking 7. Overuse of nasal drops ( decongestants) Why does my nose get blocked at night? Normally, when you lie down, blood flow to the upper part of your body increases, mainly into your head and nasal passageways. Increased blood flow can dilate the vessels inside your nose, causing congestion or making it worse. What are the symptoms of nasal congestion? Nasal congestion may not always be due to a blocked nose. It can also present as 1. Excessive mucous production 2. Sinus / facial pain 3. Breathlessness 4. Stuffy nose Important note A stuffy nose could just be an annoyance for children and adults. Children and infants are obligatory nasal breathers, which means they must constantly breathe through the nose because they are less skilled in how to breathe via the mouth. Hence, nasal congestion can be serious in children, whose sleep is disturbed by their congestion, or in infants, who might have a hard time feeding as a result. The symptoms of chronic sinusitis may include a blocked or stuffy nose that causes difficulty breathing through your nose and pain and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead. Also, nasal congestion and a runny nose are common COVID-19 symptoms, particularly in the omicron period. Health tips & lifestyle change recommendations hot shower or inhaling steam from a hot beverage like tea can help thin mucus and encourage it to drain from your nose. (Pour boiling water into a large bowl. Cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl, and breathe in the steam). Be hydrated at all times. Drink plenty of fluids. Use a natural decongestant (As suggested by your doctor) Apply a warm compress to your cheeks. Run a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier by your bed to thin the mucus and encourage it to drain. Running a humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer in your home or office helps Put an extra pillow under the head end of the bed, so that the head end of the mattress is relatively higher than the foot end. Sleeping in this inclined position helps gravity drain the mucous to the throat and improves venous blood drainage. Avoid keeping the pillow just under the head because this will cause the neck to bend forward and prevents mucous from draining into the throat. Put an extra pillow under the head end of the bed, so that the head end of the mattress is relatively higher than the foot end. Sleeping in this inclined position helps gravity drain the mucous to the throat and improves venous blood drainage. Avoid keeping the pillow just under the head because this will cause the neck to bend forward and prevents mucous from draining into the throat. INCORRECT METHOD CORRECT METHOD – Dr. Prashanth R Reddy “E.N.T. health – ENTry for better senses”. Previous Blog
Voice Change
Voice change So, what is “voice change” or “hoarseness”? Voice change, also known as hoarseness, originates from some issue or disorder with the vocal cords (part of the larynx or the voice box responsible for producing sounds). Voice change can be caused by many factors, but it may not be as serious if it heals within a few days. But if the voice change condition continues for more than a week, you should visit an ENT physician at the earliest opportunity to rule out larynx cancer. Remember in most cases, hoarseness can be relieved by resting the voice. To begin with, your doctor will first take a detailed history of your voice change problem and overall health, also do a physical checkup of the voice box and its surrounding area, a laryngoscope, which is a compact and flexible instrument with an in-built light that can be placed at the back of the throat. Post this, your doctor will then assess the quality of your voice. After that, depending on the findings of the physical investigation, your ENT physician may prescribe simple precautions or suggest lab tests (e.g. biopsy), x-rays, or thyroid function testing, etc., Note: Acute laryngitis is the most common cause of hoarseness and voice loss that starts suddenly. Most cases of acute laryngitis are caused by viral infections that lead to swelling of the vocal cords. When the vocal cords swell, they vibrate differently, leading to hoarseness. Dysphonia refers to having an abnormal voice. It is also known as hoarseness or voice change. Important note: Smokers are at a very high risk of developing edema of the vocal cord (Rinkiess edema), which contributes to voice change.: Smokers will be counseled to give up smoking and get enough voice rest. Also, second-hand smoke, or passive smoking, is harmful. The doctor may ask you to avoid spicy food too. Note: Acute laryngitis is the most common cause of hoarseness and voice loss that starts suddenly. Most cases of acute laryngitis are caused by viral infections that lead to swelling of the vocal cords. When the vocal cords swell, they vibrate differently, leading to hoarseness. Dysphonia refers to having an abnormal voice. It is also known as hoarseness or voice change. Few lifestyles and home remedies ✔ Breathe moist air. Use a humidifier to keep the air in your home or office moist. ✔ Rest your voice as much as possible. Avoid speaking in a loud voice as well as whispering. ✔ Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (avoid alcohol and caffeine). ✔ Moisten your throat. ✔ Avoid decongestants. ✔ Avoid whispering. Adjust your lifestyle habits and remember to follow your doctor’s instructions to lead a healthy life – Dr. Prashanth R Reddy “E.N.T. health – ENTry for better senses”. Previous Blog
Deviated septum – FAQ
Deviated septum – FAQ What is a deviated septum? A deviated septum occurs when your nasal septum which is a thin wall that separates your right and left nasal passage, is displaced to one side. In many people, the nasal septum is off-center — or deviated — making one nasal passage smaller. Also note that injury to the nose can cause a deviated septum. Nasal injuries may occur due to falls, sports, car accidents, or even getting hit in the nose during a fight or an accident. A deviated septum may also be congenital, or present at birth. The deviation may be from a difficult birth or connective tissue disease. In severe cases, it can block one side of the nose and reduce airflow, causing difficulty breathing. The exposure of a deviated septum to the drying effect of airflow through the nose may sometimes contribute to crusting or bleeding in certain people. Note: A nasal blockage or congestion or obstruction can occur from a deviated nasal septum, from swelling of the tissues lining the nose or from both. TYPES OF NASAL DEVIATION Important note: Most septal displacements result in no symptoms, and you may not even know you have a deviated septum. Some septal deformities may cause the following symptoms: People with a severely deviated septum may have a change in the shape of their nose. Other deviated septum symptoms include difficulty breathing on one or both sides of the nose along with one or more symptoms like: Headaches or face pain. Nasal congestion. Noisy breathing. Nosebleeds. Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses). Sleep apnea. Neck pain Shoulder pain Migraine like headaches Snoring What are my treatment options?: A nasal blockage or congestion or obstruction can occur from a deviated nasal septum, from swelling of the tissues lining the nose or from both. In some cases, treatment of nasal obstruction may include medications to reduce the swelling. Treatment for a deviated septum is a surgery called a septoplasty. . If you have breathing problems, frequent sinus infections or other bothersome symptoms, a septoplasty is recommended A septoplasty is usually a one to two hour procedure. You can go home the same day, in most cases. Three main steps of a septoplasty are: Anesthesia: Your surgeon uses local and general anesthesia to make sure you’re comfortable. Local anesthesia numbs the area. General anesthesia puts you to sleep during the procedure. Repair: Your surgeon under the vision of an endoscope will separates the membrane that covers the septum. Then the surgeon removes the cartilage and bone that is deviated. Your surgeon then replaces the membranes and places intranasal splints on both sides of the septum sutures them together with stitches. Bandaging: Your surgeon may pack your nose with gauze only if there’s any unforseen bleeding. How early do I see my doctor? Visit your ENT doctor if you experience a blocked nostril (or nostrils) that don’t respond to treatment; or frequent nose bleeds, or recurring sinus infections. – Dr. Prashanth R Reddy “E.N.T health – ENTry for better senses”. Previous BlogNext Blog
Suffering from Acid reflux / Nasal Allergy?
Suffering from Acid reflux / Nasal Allergy? Tips and home remedies to avoid acid reflux burnout and nasal allergy with ease. To live a healthy life requires taking care of your well-being and adopting a healthy lifestyle and healthy habits: 1. Avoid spicy food since it worsens acid reflux and also causes stomach ulcers and gastritis. 2. Reduce your intake of oily/fried/junk foods, and excessive amounts of coffee, tea, and alcohol (no more than two cups per day), which can harm your organs, cause you to gain weight, and raise your risk of acid reflux and snoring (especially alcohol intake) 3. Avoid chocolates, soft drinks, and soda, as well as sour foods, since they are high in calories, salt, and saturated fats. This increases the chances of acid reflux. 4. Regular meals at regular intervals improve metabolism, provide a more steady energy supply, and lower the risk of becoming acidic and gaining weight as a result of binge eating. 5. Food must be taken at least 2 hours before bedtime, as it takes a minimum of 2 hours for the stomach to empty out, or you are likely to develop acid reflux and end up choking or coughing during sleep. 6. Water should be consumed 30 minutes before bed since it takes at least 30 minutes for it to reach the intestines; this keeps you hydrated throughout the night and helps your body get rid of harmful toxins 7. Salt water gargling, which is to be done with 2 tsp of salt in 100 ml of water (a very high concentration of salt), helps to reduce throat swelling, which in turn lessens throat irritation, soreness, dry coughing, and nose block. 8. Steam is the most effective mucolytic, it is imperative to inhale steam using pure water (without adding anything to it), boiling water on a stove, or using an electric vaporizer (mucous solvent). This aids in clearing up the ENT region’s congestion. 9. Your bed should be inclined. Avoid sleeping on a flat mattress. Sleep in an inclined/sloped position by raising the head end of the bed up to 6 inches (15 cm. to 20 cm.) by putting newspaper bundles or a pillow under the head end of your mattress. This encourages you to avoid breathing through your mouth as you sleep in order to optimize your nasal breathing while also preventing congestion. 10. Do not wear tight-fitting clothes, especially around the chest and waist, which put more pressure on the stomach, which can lead to acid reflux and make it harder to breathe. Your body temperature can rise when you dress tightly, which is not ideal for good-quality sleep. 11. Lose weight if you’re overweight or obese, as it will help reduce acid reflux and snoring too. 12. Avoid direct cold air from AC vents, which can cause sinus/asthma-related problems. Regularly clean the AC vents, as bad air quality (if the vents aren’t cleaned well) will aggravate nasal allergies. 13. Avoid triggers of allergies like dust, smoke, pollution, pollen, perfumes, deodorant sprays, and aerosols. Avoiding contact with pets helps control nasal allergies as animal dander is one of the common allergens 14. While riding a bike, wear a helmet that covers your face partly or wholly, as it protects your head from an accident and also prevents pollution and dust from coming in contact with your face and ENT. 15. Both warm and cold compresses can relieve pain from any part of the body (As recommended by your doctor) 16. Regular cleaning of Bedsheets in Hot water and drying in sunlight helps reduce nasal allergies from cotton threads 17. Stop smoking -as it increases the chances of suffering from cancer and triggers all sorts of allergies with gastritis 18. Reduce stress, because stress is a known factor to induce acidity/ acid reflux Previous Blog
Salivary Gland Issues
Salivary Gland Issues We have a number of salivary glands, and they are all situated around the mouth. They produce saliva or spit, which can cause problems when they become inflamed, infected, or blocked. There are three main salivary glands, which come as a pair with one of each on each side of the face: 1. The parotid glands – situated just in front of your ear. 2. The submandibular glands – situated under your jaw line. 3. The sublingual glands – situated under your tongue. Additionally, your mouth is covered in a number of much smaller salivary glands. Tubes or ducts carry the saliva from the gland into your mouth. The role of saliva in your mouth is to: ● Keep it lubricated. ● Help with speech. ● Help with speech. ● Help with chewing and the start of the process of digesting your food. ● Protect your teeth. There is a wide range of possible causes for disorders of the salivary glands. The most common infection that affects the salivary glands is mumps. This is an infection with a virus, most often affecting the parotid glands, although it can affect other salivary glands. It usually affects both parotid glands, so the swelling is on both sides of your face; however, in some cases, it is just one-sided.Other viruses can affect the salivary glands too. Some of them are coxsackievirus, ,Herpes viruses,Influenza and parainfluenza viruses,Parvovirus B19, and HIV. Infections with bacteria can occur less commonly in the salivary glands. This occurs more frequently in people who are otherwise ill and have other problems and is caused by an infection spreading from the mouth. Tuberculosis rarely affects the salivary glands. What are the possible symptoms suggesting a salivary gland infection? ▪ Swelling of one or more glands. This would mean a swelling of part of your face. There may be redness (inflammation) of the skin over the swollen part. ▪ Swelling of one or more glands. This would mean a swelling of part of your face. There may be redness (inflammation) of the skin over the swollen part. ▪ Pain in the area of the salivary glands ▪ A dry mouth and throat. ▪ A bad taste in the mouth. ▪ A raised temperature or fever Malfunctioning salivary glands produce less saliva, which causes dry mouth and tooth decay. Infected or blocked salivary glands can cause pain. What are salivary gland stones (sialolithiasis)? Salivary gland stones are not uncommon,they are mainly due to stagnation of saliva in the ducts. Strictures of the duct, inflammation of the gland, and sometimes immunological conditions can lead to sialolithiasis. you may feel pain and swelling of the salivary gland region while taking food(specially sour foods). To identify the location of stones inside the duct, your doctor may suggest a CT scan . Sialendoscopy is a newer modality of investigation and minimally invasive treatment for stone removal .. Salivary gland malignancy Among the salivary glands Parotid glands are more likely to develop cancer, and it’s mostly benign Pleomorphic adenoma. It presents as a painless swelling of the face that is mostly unilateral. In cases of malignant tumors affecting the facial nerve, facial deformities can also be seen. Tumors may also develop in the submandibular, sublingual, or other minor salivary glands. In order to plan the removal of the tumor, your ENT doctor might advise performing an MRI and taking a biopsy of the swelling. Treatment: Treatment will entirely depend on the cause and individual conditions. Mumps infection gets better on its own after a week or so with no treatment. Avoid going to school, college, or working for five days after symptoms start. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. By consuming enough liquid and sucking on lemon drops or chewing gum, you can promote salivation. Warm compresses may be helpful. Many of the stones pass through the duct eventually on their own without needing any treatment at all. Others may need help from a specialist surgeon. ▪ A dry mouth and throat. ▪ A bad taste in the mouth. ▪ A raised temperature or fever Malfunctioning salivary glands produce less saliva, which causes dry mouth and tooth decay. Infected or blocked salivary glands can cause pain. – Dr. Prashanth R Reddy “E.N.T. health – ENTry for better senses”. Previous Blog
FAQs About Nose Surgery
FAQs About Nose Surgery What are the frequently asked questions by patients about nose surgery? 1. Will there be any scars on my face or neck after my nose surgery? No. It is a scar-free surgery. 2. What steps do I take before my surgery? ▪ Kindly get the CT scan films to the hospital at the time of admission. ▪ Make sure Insurance clearance pre-approval is done before admitting the patient at the hospital. If there is any query raised by the insurance company, kindly whatsapp us at 8217884802 or forward the mail to us at ent.prash@gmail.com ▪ If you’re planned for a day care surgery (getting admitted and discharged the same day) then get admitted at 6am in the morning, get all the blood investigations, CT scans and PAC (Pre-anesthesia checkups) documents with you. ▪ If your discharge is planned on the 2nd day after surgery, you can get admitted in the evening on the previous day around 6pm (3 days and 2 nights insurance plan) ▪ One attendant must be present from the patient’s side who can stay with the patient. Please ensure that the surgical consent form is signed. ▪ Patients should not eat anything and should not take water after 10 pm, on the previous day and in the morning too. ▪ Diabetic patients must not take sugar tablets before surgery I, e on the day of surgery. ▪ Patients who are taking morning doses of antihypertensive, antiepileptic and thyroid medications should take tablets with one sip of water before surgery as advised by the anesthesiologist. ▪ Rest all medications should be taken before 10 pm from the previous day itself. ▪ If you have any queries or questions you can also whatsapp us at 8217884802 ▪ If you are getting hospitalized, you can go for either AC or non AC room. 3. What should I do when my nose bleeds? In case of a nasal bleeding emergency after your surgery, you can try these steps – Pinch your nose, bend forward and breathe through your mouth for 2 minutes. Inform the doctor immediately if the bleeding is more. 4. What medicine do I take for nose block? For Nose block issues – use Otrivin nasal spray which is standard for nose block.. 5. After my surgery, when is my next follow up session scheduled with my ENT doctor? After your nose surgery, you need to visit the doctor one week later for splint removal. This will be your first follow up session. After Splint removal, you need to visit the doctor after 2 weeks for an endoscopy procedure. This will be your second follow up session. This is followed by 2 months and 6 months successively. 6. How many times do I do the nasal wash? During the first week of your surgery, you need to do Nose wash/sinus rinse 3 times a day. After 2 weeks – Nose wash should be done for 2 times a day. For the next 2 months: First month – one time a day in the evening. Followed by alternate evenings in the second month. Post Surgery Nasal Wash https://www.enthealth.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/nasel_surgery_new.webm 7. What conditions can sinus surgery treat? Sinus surgery can help you feel better if you have: ▪ Chronic sinus headaches or sinusitis ▪ Chronic sinus infections ▪ Abnormal sinus growths ▪ Nasal or sinus polyps ▪ Fungal sinus disease ▪ Obstructions in your sinuses ▪ Nasal or sinus polyps ▪ Structural problems in your sinuses 8. What tips do you have for me to ease some discomfort and pain soon after my surgery? Complete your medication as prescribed by your ENT doctor. Visit the hospital after 7 days for splint removal (depending on your case; as recommended by your doctor). You can also message us on whatsapp if you have any other symptoms after your surgery. Here are few additional health tips that you can follow: ✔ Cough and sneeze with your mouth open. ✔ Do not blow your nose during the first week. During that time, if you have congestion, sniff gently and spit into a tissue. ✔ Avoid hot, spicy foods. ✔ Do not drink through a straw. ✔ Take sufficient rest. 9. Can I see my doctor in case I still have a few symptoms and what are those symptoms? When will they be reduced? Yes, you can visit your doctor if these symptoms last for more than 3 days: ● You are bleeding excessively. ● You have signs of an infection such as fever, yellow-green drainage, unrelieved headache, or increased pain. ● You have decreased or double vision, swelling of the eyes, a stiff neck, or extreme fatigue. ● You have clear watery drainage from your nose. However, remember post splint removal, most of your symptoms will reduce or be eliminated. 10. Can I take a bath after my surgery? Yes, you can have a complete body bath the same day or the next day. 11. Can I move after my surgery? You will be able to mobilize on the same day following 4-5 hours of surgery. Walking, non-strenuous activity can be started from post op day 2. 12. What diet should I follow after my surgery? Intake 3-4 liters of fluids daily (if no medical condition contraindicates the same). A normal, regular diet is advised. Avoid spicy, oily, and sour foods to reduce acidity. 13. What happens soon after my surgery? Are there any risks involved? You can expect some nasal stuffiness, bleeding, and crusting for 3-6 weeks after surgery. Many patients are back to work or school 2-3 days following surgery. Following your doctor’s suggestions can help you prevent complications and recover more quickly. As with any surgery, you run a slight risk of infection and bleeding, including numbness in your front teeth. – Dr. Prashanth R Reddy “E.N.T. health – ENTry for better senses”. Next Blog
