An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, and many of them are unaware of it. If you’ve been diagnosed with thyroid disease, learn about your condition and treatment options to improve your symptoms and restore your quality of life. Thyroid function Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped...
Anything that irritates your nasal tissues can cause a runny nose. If you have a cold or influenza, a runny nose comes with the territory. Under these circumstances your runny nose resolves on its own as the infection runs its course. But a runny nose that fails to get better...
For most people, a stuffy nose is a minor, brief nuisance experienced occasionally. For people with chronic sinusitis, nasal congestion is just one of the many bothersome symptoms that plague their daily lives. If you’re one of the 40 million Americans living with the discomfort and health effects of sinus...
The adenoids and tonsils work together to trap germs and clear away infection. Typically, adenoids begin to shrink after age 5 and are virtually gone by adolescence. Problems with the adenoids and tonsils are common during childhood. They may swell even when there is no infection and cause a sore...
The inner ear and brain work together to process information related to balance and eye movement. This is called the vestibular system. Damage or disease can interfere with the normal function of the vestibular system. Inner ear and balance disorders cause a host of issues such as dizziness and spinning...
You may know rhinoplasty as the surgical procedure called a “nose job.” But in addition to altering the look of your nose, rhinoplasty can improve its function. Consider this: Each year surgeons perform more than 200,000 rhinoplasties, and you may find it surprising to learn that a good portion of...
Sinusitis can make life miserable. More than a mere nuisance, the constant nasal pressure, congestion, and frontal headaches can have a major impact on your daily life. Symptoms can interfere with your sleep quality and cut into your productivity at work. Like a domino effect, the sleep interference and reduced...
You’ve probably had problems with your voice at one time or another, but when is it wise to have an evaluation? A night of screaming at a concert or talking too much can cause harmless voice problems from which you bounce back after a few days. But if you regularly...
Like most people, you probably think of rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a nose job, as a cosmetic procedure. But rhinoplasty isn’t purely for aesthetic purposes. Having your nose reshaped can improve breathing problems as well. Addressing breathing problems Structural abnormalities are the most common causes of breathing impairment. A...
The term dysphagia refers to the feeling of difficulty swallowing — that is, passing food or liquid from your mouth to stomach. This disorder is common in all age groups, but it’s especially common in older adults. Problems swallowing can have many causes. It’s something you shouldn’t ignore. If you...
Adequate sleep is key to overall health and well-being. A disturbance in sleep duration or sleep quality can wreak havoc on your health. It’s estimated that 25 million adults in the United States have sleep apnea, a condition that causes frequent but brief pauses in breathing. Many adults who have...
You may think of allergies as a childhood affliction, especially since many adults with allergies developed them when they were children. But adult-onset allergies are more common than you might imagine. When allergies strike in adulthood, they tend to do so during your 20s and 30s. Suddenly having an allergy...
While tinnitus isn’t life-threatening, it can have a major impact on your daily life. People with tinnitus perceive an unpleasant ringing sound or other noise in their ears. For some, the sound is continuous, while others experience tinnitus that comes and goes. If you hear an unusual noise in one...
Sinus issues are common, and for most people they go away on their own. But for millions of Americans, sinus problems are ongoing and severe enough to warrant surgical intervention. When should you consider sinus surgery, and when are other treatments more appropriate? At Southern ENT, we can help you...
Choosing to use a hearing aid is a life-changing decision. Hearing aids do far more than amplify sound; they can significantly improve your quality of life. Hearing loss can impose major stress on your life, from social interactions to job performance. Still, some people find hearing loss difficult to accept...
If you sneeze every now and then, it usually isn’t anything to worry about. But if you can remember sneezing each time you’re around an animal or simply taking a walk in the park, it’s a good idea to see an allergy specialist. Even if you’re unable to pinpoint when...
Let’s face it: No one wants to look old, rundown, and tired — and thanks to facial plastic surgery, you no longer have to. A youthful facial appearance depends on a combination of factors: Skin volume Skin quality Facial structure A firm jawline, plump cheeks, firm facial skin, vibrant eyes,...
If you have sinusitis that comes on suddenly, you can often get relief from antibiotic medications. Sinusitis is considered a chronic condition when it lasts 12 weeks or more. Chronic sinusitis can make you feel miserable. Battling daily with severe congestion, sinus pain, reduced sense of smell, and pressure around...
People with vertigo have a problem with their balance system and experience a sensation that their head or the environment around them is spinning or moving. These dizzy spells can be temporary or chronic. Persistent vertigo can have a major impact on your daily life and can lead to depression...
Located at the back of the throat, the tonsils are part of the body’s lymphatic system. They trap and filter bacteria and viruses to help prevent infection. While tonsils are useful, some children experience repeated infections or other problems with their tonsils that necessitate removing them. If your child is...
Chances are you seldom think about your nose — unless it’s too large, too small, misshapen, or just doesn’t fit your face. Let’s face it, your nose has a prominent spot on your face. You can’t exactly hide it if you don’t like the way it looks. You can, however,...
Virtually everyone knows the stuffed-up feeling of blocked sinuses. It’s part of the common cold and other respiratory infections. But when your symptoms endure for more than three months, you’re into the realm of chronic sinusitis, and your stuffiness is no longer a temporary inconvenience. When your sinusitis requires corrective...
Most babies and toddlers between the ages of 6 months and two years old suffer through an ear infection or two. While they may seem miserable at the time, these infections typically resolve themselves, restoring peace once again. If your child’s ear infections are frequent and hard to treat, however,...
The all-too-common sore throat is often part and parcel of a young child’s life as they negotiate the myriad colds and allergens that await them in the world. But sometimes a sore throat is a sign of something more serious; you just need to recognize the red flags.Here at Southern...
It’s been a while since snoring was merely considered the funny sounds Grandpa made when he napped. We now know that snoring may be an indicator of a serious sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea. All snoring stems from tissue vibrating in the throat, and in some cases, this tissue...
Ear Infection Complications That You Should Take SeriouslyEar infections are the most common illness for which parents take their children to the doctor. A common childhood condition, ear infections can occur so frequently that children and parents alike may take them in stride, treating subsequent incidents as “not that bad.”...