Why Do I Still Get Ear Infections...As an Adult?

Ear infections are something that only children are supposed to get right? Wrong. Unfortunately, some adults still find themselves suffering from ear infections. There are several risk factors that make some adults more prone to getting ear infections.

Weakened Immune System

Having a weakened immune system increases your likelihood of getting sick, allowing for a greater chance to get an ear infection. When you get sick, your sinuses clog which leads to a fluid buildup in the Eustachian tube. The accumulation of fluid in your Eustachian tubes then becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, causing infection.

Smoking

Smoking isn’t normally associated with ear problems, but it does take a toll on your auditory system. The more you smoke, the greater the chance of getting an ear infection. Smoke irritates the ear’s Eustachian tubes, causing them to swell. The swelling hampers the Eustachian tubes of its primary role, pressure equalization, which then causes fluid to build up. This results in an infection.

Cotton Swabs

While it might seem like a good idea to use a cotton swab to get the wax out of the ear, it does more harm than good. The ear needs wax to prevent dirt and debris from getting into the ear canal. Using a cotton swab not only removes some of the good wax, but it also pushes the remaining wax further down the ear canal. The wax then attracts bacteria and debris, creating a safe haven for a bacterial infection.

It’s Not an Ear Infection

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is where stress on the jaw joint causes pain. TMJ is often associated with ear pain and mimics the symptoms of an ear infection. There are a few distinguishing characteristics that differentiate TMJ from an ear infection.  If you are also experiencing pain while chewing or have a toothache, this could be a result of TMJ.

If you believe you’re suffering from recurring ear infections as an adult, contact Dr. Han at Florida ENT. Utilizing the latest advances in medicine and state-of-the-art techniques, our goal is to treat our patients with comfort and compassion. To learn more about the services we provide, give us a call at (877) EAR-NOSE!

Are Sinus Infections Contagious?

With the season beginning to change, sinus infections are sure to become more frequent in our community. The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention speculates that upwards of 29 million people over the age of 18 suffer with sinusitis in any given year.

If you've ever wondered if a sinus infection is contagious, and want to avoid being the "person who got everyone sick," we’ve got information that is perfect for you.

What is Sinusitis?

A sinus infection occurs when the passageways located in the nose and sinus cavity become inflamed and fill up with fluid. The fluid buildup then becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, causing an infection in the affected area. Sinusitis symptoms are similar to those of a cold and include facial pain, runny nose, congestion, and loss of smell.

Is it Contagious?

More often than not, sinus infections cannot be spread from person to person, but there are some situations where they are contagious. When sinusitis is caused by a virus, it can be spread to another person. Even though another person may get sick from the virus, it doesn't always turn into a sinus infection.

Prevention

You can help to prevent spreading sinusitis by following these tips:

·         Covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing

·         Washing your hands

·         Staying home from school or work

If you find yourself battling with sinus infections this spring and would like to consult with a healthcare professional, call Florida ENT at 877-EAR-NOSE to schedule an appointment. Your health is always of the utmost importance!

What Causes You to Lose Your Voice?

Do you ever wake up with a sore throat and go to talk, but only a whisper comes out? The most common culprit for voice loss is laryngitis. Laryngitis causes the vocal cords in our voice box to become swollen and inflamed, which restricts our ability to speak in a normal voice. Symptoms include throat pain, difficulty talking, hoarseness, and a persistent cough.

There are two kinds of laryngitis that can occur, acute laryngitis and chronic laryngitis.

Acute Laryngitis

Acute laryngitis occurs abruptly, has no long-term consequences, and often resolves itself without treatment. It is the more common form of laryngitis and is usually caused by:

·         Strain - Happens from overuse or yelling

·         Viral Infection - Caused by a cold that lingers, making the vocal cords swell

Chronic Laryngitis

Chronic laryngitis happens when symptoms last for longer than three weeks and can be caused by:

·         Acid Reflux - A condition where acid from your stomach moves back up into your throat and irritate the lining of your food pipe. This can take a huge toll on the vocal cords.

·         Smoking - Smoke and chemicals being inhaled can cause damage to the vocal cords.

·         Allergies - Seasonal changes and household allergies such as dandruff can cause the vocal cord to become inflamed.

·         Drinking Alcohol Heavily - produces an irritant inflames the larynx

Prevention

Here are some quick tips to prevent you from losing your voice:

·         Give up smoking

·         Keep hydrated

·         Avoid spicy foods

·         Limit alcohol consumption

If you are continually losing your voice, set up an appointment with your Orlando ear nose throat doctor at Florida ENT today! Offices serving Orlando and Kissimmee.

Spring Is Here -- 7 Tips to Prepare for Spring Allergy Season

Allergic to pollen? If so, read the following seven tips and be prepared to face spring!

Spring is right around the corner and with it, spring allergy season is sure to follow. Here are seven tips that will get you ready for the season.

Tip #1: Exercise Indoors

For those who spend a lot of time exercising outside, change your routine. Exercise in your home or head to your local gym or recreation center.

Tip #2: Change Your Air Filters

Replace the air filters in your house before allergy season hits to keep your home free of allergens.

Tip #3: Wear Sunglasses

Wearing large sunglasses when your outside can block some of the pollen from sneaking into your eyes and eyelids.

Tip #4: Change Your Clothes

Pollen and mold spores can cling to clothing. As soon as you get home, take off your shoes and change your clothing to help prevent an allergy attack.

Tip #5: Consider Wearing a Mask

Mowing the grass or working in the garden can cause your allergies to kick in. Wear a surgical mask while working in the yard to lower your contact with allergy instigators.

Tip #6: Use Saline to Clear Your Nose

Try a saline rinse if you are experiencing an allergy attack. A saline nasal spray is an effective and affordable way to clear your sinuses.

Tip #7: See an Allergist

Make an appointment with Florida ENT to see the best way to manage your allergies in this spring.

Our team understands how serious allergies can be and we work hard to help our patients manage the way they deal with allergens. We are determined to help you overcome the yearly allergy season.

Signs That Could Indicate Your Child Needs a Hearing Test

Your child's hearing is one of the most important things you should look out for as a parent. Being able to hear is crucial to a child's development, particularly in communication. A child can only speak what he or she can hear, and often, poor hearing causes problems later in life.

There are some hearing loss signs that could warrant a visit to the ENT. In this post, we will be looking into the top 3 signs that your child may be in need of a hearing test.

1. Unable to localize sound

Most of us look to a direction when we hear something that startles us. A loud banging on the door, somebody shouting, or the TV blaring. The first sign that your child may be experiencing problems hearing is when he or she fails to localize where the sound came from. If there seems to be no expression of shock or finding the source of the sound, it can indicate a hearing problem.

2. Doesn't respond when name is called

Another important hearing milestone is when a child looks when his or her name is called. You can test this by going to a side where your child can't see you (but can most likely hear you) and using a normal intensity voice to call his or her name. If there is no response to their name being called, this may indicate a problem.  Visit your local ENT for a hearing test.

3. Complaining of a hearing problem after an infection

This situation is applicable to older kids. If your child has recently suffered from otitis media or swimmer's ear, a mild case of hearing loss should show signs of recovery in a few days. However, if your child complains of a muffled sound or ringing in the ears after an extended period of time, you may need to seek the help of a professional.

Hearing loss is a major problem that needs immediate attention. If you are in need of a consultation, kindly visit Florida ENT for ear, nose, throat and cosmetic services.

Tips to Stop Nosebleeds -- And Fast!

The nose is comprised of a large number of blood vessels and nosebleeds are a very common occurrence in both kids and adults. They can be caused by injury to the nose, picking the nose, an allergy, a dry nasal passage, or hypertension. If you do spot a nosebleed, we suggest that you avoid panicking as a nosebleed is easy to stop without medical assistance. Contact a doctor if you experience a nosebleed that you are unable to stop or there is a large amount of blood.

Stopping a Nosebleed

Here are the steps to take to stop a nosebleed:

• Sit up straight and lean your head forward slightly 
• Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch the nose 
• Press your nose firmly against your face, while breathing through your mouth 
• Hold your nose for several minutes or until the nosebleed stops 
• Remain seated and apply an ice pack to your nose to help stop the bleeding faster 
• Some find relief by spraying a product like Afrin in their nose to stop the bleeding fast 
• Rest for several minutes

More Tips on Nosebleeds

We also suggest that you refrain from a lot of physical activity after a nosebleed. . Put your feet up, relax, and take a break from whatever you were doing. Refrain from blowing your nose as this may trigger the nosebleed to start up again. If your nose does start to bleed again, use Afrin spray or a generic brand with similar ingredients to stop the nosebleed fast. Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information about nosebleeds.

Will a Sinus Infection Heal On Its Own?

Sinus infections (or sinusitis) can often be healed on their own. In fact, sinusitis usually goes away on its own about 70% of the time.  They are often caused by bacterial infections or viruses and common symptoms include facial pain, headaches, nasal congestion, and a runny nose. If your symptoms do last for more than two weeks, see your physician as this could indicate a more serious problem.

If you are in the beginning stages of your sinus infection, there are several home remedy solutions available to help lessen your symptoms and heal faster.

Natural Home Remedies 

The following home remedies work to get rid of sinusitis naturally:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar
2. Probiotics
3. Vitamin C
4. Grapfruit Seed Extract
5. Fermented Cod Liver Oil
6. Echinacea Tea
7. Saline Spray
8. Raw Garlic

Essential Oil Remedies

The following essential oils contain anti-fungal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help you heal faster:

1. Tea Tree Oil
2. Eucalyptus Oil
3. Peppermint Oil
4. Oregano Oil
5. Rosemary Oil
6. Thyme Oil

Alleviate Symptoms

There are several techniques you can try to help alleviate your symptoms:

1. Neti Pot helps to flush irritants and allergens from your system
2. Eating spicy foods helps to open your nasal passage
3. Steaming helps to alleviate your congestion
4. Using a humidifier keeps your nasal passages moist

Whichever remedy you decide to try, remember a natural solution may take a little longer to relieve your symptoms. Still, natural remedies rarely have side effects and are often a good option for many sinus infection sufferers.

If you experience sinus infections frequently or if your symptoms last for more than two weeks, call our office at 877-EAR-NOSE to schedule an appointment today.