Common Problems

Many ailments related to the ears, nose and throat affect nearly all of us. It is important that patients know the basics of these common malidies that touch our daily lives.

Allergies

If you have nasal allergies, you are probably familiar with many of the following symptoms: sneezing; itchy nose, eyes, ears, and throat; clear, runny nasal discharge; stuffed-up nose; and red, watery eyes. However, many people do not realize that nasal allergies can also cause chronic fatigue or tiredness, sore throats, coughing, stomachaches, headaches, and tenderness in your cheeks and forehead.

Allergies are incredibly common. If your allergies bother you only at certain times of the year, you may have “hay fever”, or seasonal nasal allergies. If your allergies seem to be with you all year long, you have perennial nasal allergies. In either case, you will be happy to know that you do not have to suffer in silence. You and your doctor at South Texas ENT can develop a plan to keep your allergies under control. Learn More...

Nosebleeds

Physicians classify nosebleeds into two different types - Anterior and Posterior Nosebleeds.

Anterior Nosebleed: Most nosebleeds begin in the lower part of the septum near the nostrils. The septum contains small blood vessels that can be traumatized easily. This type of nosebleed begins with a flow of blood out of one nostril when the patient is sitting or standing. Anterior nosebleeds are common in dry climates or during the winter months when heated, dry indoor air dehydrates the nasal membranes. Keeping the nasal passages moist can help to prevent recurring nosebleeds. Posterior Nosebleed: More rarely, a nosebleed can begin high and deep within the nose and flow down the back of the mouth and throat even if the patient is sitting or standing. These types of nosebleeds are often more severe and almost always require a physician's care. Posterior nosebleeds are more likely to occur in older people, persons with high blood pressure, and in cases of injury to the nose or face. Many active nosebleeds can be stopped at the doctor's office with cautery followed by a nasal pack.

Hoarseness

There are many causes of hoarseness. Fortunately, most are not serious and tend to go away in a short period of time.

Acute Laryngitis: Usually occurs due to a common cold, upper respiratory infection, or irritation caused by excessive voice use such as screaming at a sporting event.

Vocal Nodules: More prolonged hoarseness is usually due to using your voice either too much, too loudly, or improperly over extended periods of time. These habits can lead to vocal cord nodules, which are callous-like growths. However, swelling of the vocal cords usually precedes vocal nodules. Vocal cord polyps represent a more extensive swelling.

Gastroesophageal Reflux: When stomach acid comes up the swallowing tube (esophagus), it can irritate the vocal cords and cause hoarseness. Many patients with reflux-related changes to their voice do not have symptoms of heartburn. Usually, the voice is worse in the morning and improves during the day. These people may have a cough or a sensation of a lump in their throat, mucus sticking in their throat or an excessive desire to clear their throat.

Smoking: Smoking is the major cause of throat cancer. If smokers are hoarse, for more than two weeks, they must see an Otolaryngologist for a complete throat and neck exam.

Tonsillitis

Your tonsils and adenoids are part of your immune system. Infection in the tonsils (i.e. Tonsillitis) is very common. There are several variations of tonsillitis: acute, recurrent, chronic and peritonsillar abscess.

Symptoms may include: fever, sore throat, foul breath, difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, tender lymph nodes, mouth breathing, snoring, or sleep apnea. These symptoms usually resolve in three to four days but may last up to two weeks.

Tonsillitis is usually treated with antibiotics. When the condition is chronic or recurrent, a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils and possibly the adenoids is often recommended.

A peritonsillar abscess is treated by draining the abscess in the office, under local anesthesia. This may or may not be followed by a tonsillectomy.