Dr. Prashanth R Reddy, ENT, Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgeon Many people in India often suffer from chronic headaches, neck, and shoulder pains without knowing that these problems could actually stem from issues in their nasal passages. These discomforts usually happen because important nerves in the nasal area, like the anterior ethmoidal nerve and the sphenopalatine ganglion, get pressed on. The anterior ethmoidal nerve is crucial because it gives feeling to parts of the nose and the sinus (a hollow space in the bones around the nose). When there are common structural issues like a bent septum, large turbinates (tiny structures within the nose cleanse and moisten the air as it travels through the nostrils into the lungs), or nasal polyps, they can squash this nerve, causing pain that spreads to the head, neck, and shoulders. Figuring out and treating this can be tough. The sphenopalatine ganglion is another important part near the nose that helps manage different head and facial pains. But if there’s pressure or irritation because of nasal problems, it can cause a lot of ongoing discomfort. Blocked nasal passages can really mess up the sleep. When one can’t breathe properly, one will get disrupted sleep, making them feel tired during the day and less productive. Constantly blocked noses often lead to snoring and can even cause serious sleep issues like obstructive sleep apnea, which will end up hurting the heart health. When the nose is blocked, we often end up breathing through the mouth, which is not recommended. This means the body is not getting enough oxygen, and the body might start using up energy differently, leading to muscle cramps and constant pain. Plus, not breathing correctly can make other health problems worse. Low oxygen levels can disturb your thinking, mood, and overall health, making life harder. The ongoing stress from dealing with constant pain and tiredness also makes a person more likely to get sick, showing how important nasal health is for your overall well-being. It’s important for people dealing with persistent head, neck, or shoulder pain, as well as ongoing breathing or sleep problems, to get checked out by an ENT specialist. Getting a quick and accurate diagnosis is essential for effectively handling these complex issues and getting back to a better quality of life. They can take a close look to find out exactly what’s causing the symptoms. Once they know, they can come up with a plan to treat the underlying nasal issues and ease the symptoms. Treatment could mean taking medicine to reduce swelling and clear out your nose, having surgery to fix structural problems, or trying therapies to relieve nerve pressure and make your nose work better. Fixing these issues can make a big difference, leading to better sleep, less pain, and a happier, more active life.
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
