Snoring affects roughly 90 million Americans and is often linked to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder characterized by brief pauses in breathing during sleep. Fortunately, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. The most common cause of snoring is a narrowing of the upper airway. Tissues in the back of the...
A stuffy, plugged-feeling nose is common with colds and allergies. For most people, nasal congestion is a temporary annoyance and inconvenience. It can impair your sense of smell, alter the taste of foods, and cause facial pain. But acute nasal congestion usually resolves on its own. Some people's stuffy noses persist even...
Cold and flu season increases the frequency or severity of ear infections for children. Your child's doctor may recommend ear tubes if your child has frequent ear infections and tends to retain fluid in the middle ear between infections. Your child may also need ear tubes if they have chronic...
Swallowing is an automatic process. You swallow without even thinking about it. While the majority of swallowing issues are brief and short-lived, some may be indicative of a more serious condition, like nerve dysfunction. Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing, and there are a wide range of causes. It’s...
Sleep apnea affects an estimated 25 million Americans. Because it occurs during sleep, many people are unaware that they have a problem. If you have this sleep disorder, or have symptoms of it, you need treatment to reduce the risk of serious health complications. Our ENT physicians at Southern ENT want you to know the...
You may look forward to the blooming flowers and leafy trees of summer. But if you experience seasonal allergies, those lovely trees and plants may trigger your symptoms. That's due to pollen, a fine powder produced by grasses, weeds, and trees. Pollen is completely safe, but if you have seasonal allergies,...
Swallowing may seem like a simple process, but it’s a complex function. This seemingly easy and natural motion entails a series of events that must take place in a carefully coordinated multi-part process. Any problem along the way can cause trouble swallowing. Swallowing disorders affect people of all ages. Here at Southern...
Chronic sinusitis affects millions of Americans each year, and it's easy to mistake the persistent nasal congestion and postnasal drip it causes for something else, such as a cold. If you're one of the millions of people who suffer from chronic sinus inflammation, there are treatments available to help you...
Parents may joke about children having selective hearing, but what should you do if you suspect that your child does have a hearing problem? It’s natural to have some questions and concerns if your child is having trouble hearing. When you have any concerns about your child’s hearing, make your...
Sleep apnea causes frequent but brief interruptions in breathing during sleep. It affects 50-70 million American adults. While sleep apnea affects adults of all ages and even children, it’s more common in older, overweight adults. Because it occurs during sleep, many people with sleep apnea are unaware of it, so...
If you find swallowing difficult or notice that it requires extra effort, you may have a swallowing disorder (dysphagia). You may not notice the symptoms in the beginning. And even if you realize you’re having difficulty swallowing, it may not occur to you that you’re dealing with a treatable medical...
Climate and region play a role in allergies. Whether you’ve always lived in the South or you recently moved here, you may notice more allergy problems than in other parts of the country. The warm, humid climate of Louisiana is the perfect breeding ground for outdoor allergens. At Southern ENT,...
Allergies, colds, flu, and chronic sinusitis are common causes of nasal congestion, and when it strikes, it can make life miserable. The sinus pressure can give way to pain that spreads through your forehead and cheeks, making it difficult to work, study, and go about your daily life. Our medical...
Nearly a third of American adults will have a voice disorder at some point prior to turning age 65. After age 65, voice problems become even more common, due to age-related changes in and around the vocal cords. Voice disorders are pretty common, and you may not know that these...
Vertigo: It’s the name of an award-winning Hitchcock film. That’s a fact. It’s also a medical condition which, along with dizziness, affects about 2.4 million Americans. That’s also a fact. But even though vertigo is relatively common, facts about the condition — why it happens and how it’s treated —...
Parents of young children know all too well that kids tend to get sick. From a runny nose to ear infections, childhood and run-of-the-mill illnesses often go hand in hand. So where is the line between typical childhood sniffles and something you should see a specialist about? At Southern ENT...
If you have a thyroid disorder, you may feel as if you have a lump in your throat when you swallow. In some cases, the thyroid gland is situated at the base of your neck, and when it becomes enlarged, it can press into your windpipe. Thyroid enlargement is referred...
Tinnitus is most often described as a ringing in the ears, but it can also sound like whooshing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, and pulsing. For some people, it’s loud and incredibly disruptive to their lives. For others, it’s soft and barely noticeable. The sound can be high- or low-pitched and may...
Rhinoplasty alters and reconstructs your nose to restore form and function and harmonize your facial features so your nose is proportional to the rest of your face. Whether you choose the procedure to address an injury, correct breathing problems, or improve your appearance, rhinoplasty can make a major difference in...
When fatigue strikes, sinusitis is often an overlooked contributor. Fighting a sinus infection requires a lot of energy, so avoid overdoing it when you have sinusitis. Sometimes sinusitis is the result of an undiagnosed allergy. In this case, symptoms may never seem to go away or may go away only...
You might think of ear infections as a childhood problem. Most children experience an ear infection at some point during their childhood, but ear infections aren’t limited to children. Not only do adults get ear infections, but some adults also experience recurrent ear infections. Ear infections aren’t as common in...
Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgeries performed on children. It’s recommended in cases of frequent throat infection or when the tonsils are chronically inflamed and grow large enough to block the airway. There isn’t a perfect age for your child to have a tonsillectomy. Surgery to remove your...
Dizziness is much more common than people realize. As many as 40% of people experience dizziness. In fact, dizziness is one of the most common complaints that cause people to visit their health care provider. Symptoms of dizziness can range from mild to incapacitating. Dizziness can have a number of...
Tinnitus refers to hearing a sound without an external source. Most people with tinnitus hear a ringing sound, while others complain of a buzzing, humming, or whistling noise. You may hear the sound in one or both ears, and it may be constant or intermittent. Tinnitus often occurs after exposure...
Sinus problems can make life miserable. Whether you have chronic sinusitis or polyps, surgery is often recommended if you have ongoing problems that fail to respond to conservative treatment. Surgery can remove abnormal tissue from the sinuses, drain the sinus passages, and open the passages to restore airflow. Today, most...
Nerve and muscle problems, injury, and certain cancers can cause problems swallowing. It may not cross your mind when you’re enjoying a cold beverage or eating your favorite meal, but swallowing involves complex, coordinated muscle movements that control your throat, mouth, and esophagus. An issue with any of the vital...
Otoplasty restores harmony and balance to your face by correcting the shape, size, or position of your ears. Anyone who is unhappy with the appearance of their ears may benefit from otoplasty. Our surgeons at Southern ENT in southern Louisiana not only specialize in facial plastic surgery but possess a...
If you often wake unrefreshed in the mornings and find that you’re dragging yourself through your day, you could have sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that affects an estimated 22 million Americans. Because it occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they’re living with the effects of sleep apnea....
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.”...