Lawrence Chow / ENT Doctor
Dealing with Allergies in the Time of the Coronavirus
It’s quite unfortunate that allergy season is already in full swing at the same time as Covid-19 continues to take lives. Many people who experience allergies at this time of the year may be more anxious about their symptoms for this reason.
Are you one of them or you know somebody in these shoes? Your anxiety is justified, in a way, because allergies can have an impact on the overall health of your respiratory system. You may even be at greater risk of getting the coronavirus because your respiratory system is more fragile.
But before you succumb to panic, here are a few things that you should know to keep your wits about you.
Keep Your Lungs Healthy From the Start
If you have had allergy attacks at this time of the year before, then you will likely still get them in 2020. You should then start taking precautionary measures now so that your lungs will be remain healthy. You can talk to your ENT doctor about starting early on your medications, perhaps changing them to account for the new threat.
The earlier you start on your anti-allergy medications, the less likely you will experience the symptoms. Your body’s immune system isn’t sent into overdrive fighting the inflammation caused by allergens and, thus, it has less mucus production. The common medications include nasal steroids and antihistamines, which are prescribed as a way to control the symptoms of an allergy attack.
Of course, you should minimize your exposure to the allergens that trigger your symptoms. Since this is the time of Covid-19, you have to adopt the preventive measures recommended by WHO and other medical experts. These include practicing good hygiene including washing your hands frequently and social distancing.
Keep Calm and Carry On
Unless you have been exposed to people carrying the coronavirus or people diagnosed with Covid-19, you have to keep calm if your allergy symptoms seem to have returned. You may or may not have the coronavirus but it’s important to keep calm, seek testing and medical treatment, if needed, and protect others.
There are also cases when an allergy attack happens for the first time in adults. Again, don’t panic as it’s actually common for adults who have never experienced allergies to have them in later life. The adult-onset allergies may likely be due to higher levels of pollution and declining immune system function.
The bottom line: There may be no effective vaccine and treatments yet for Covid-19 but there are treatments that will address your allergies. Get control on what you can and let the medical experts find the solution to the current pandemic.
For details of the ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT doctor.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
Turn Off the Post-nasal Drip With These Effective Methods
The mucus running down your nose isn’t just inconvenient since it requires constant wiping, but it can also be embarrassing. Plus, it’s another symptom of a cold, or allergies or flu that makes your life less happy, perhaps even add to your anxiety about a more serious illness.
You may have to see your ENT doctor for a medical evaluation in case your post-nasal drip symptoms aren’t resolved in a few days. But in the meantime, you may want to adopt these easy yet effective methods to turn off the tap, so to speak.
Limit Your Allergen Exposure
Allergies are among the more common causes of post-nasal drip. If you have post-nasal drip and a feeling of itchiness, then you’re likely having an allergy attack. This is because the allergy cells in your body release histamine that, in turn, causes itchiness.
- Use HEPA filters and dust mite covers in your home. These will decrease your exposure to allergens floating in the air and on your upholstered furniture including your mattress.
- Wash your bed linens in hot water as frequently as possible.
- Keep your pets outdoors since their hair and dead skin cells can cause allergies.
- Get rid of items in your house that can collect dust, such as carpets and rugs, even old books and magazines.
Watch What You Eat
Gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD) can cause post-nasal drip and can be triggered by eating fried and fatty food as well as chocolate, alcohol, coffee, soda and citrus fruits. If your post-nasal drip occurs after eating these food, then you may have to limit, if not stop, eating them.
You should also consider eating smaller yet more frequent meals, as well as eating more whole grains, lean meats and ginger. You will be healthier for it, too!
You may also benefit from reducing your intake of dairy products. These include cheese, milk and yogurt, although you can still enjoy them in limited amounts.
Rinse Your Sinuses
This works because it removes the allergens and irritants lodged in your nasal passages. The less irritants, the less irritation and the less drip since your body doesn’t have to produce as much mucus to get rid of them.
Rinsing your sinuses is as easy as pie, too! You can either use a homemade rinse or buy pre-packaged saline solutions. For a DIY solution, you can use distilled water, boiled water that has been cooled afterwards, or filtered tap water.
Steaming is also an effective way to rinse out your nasal passages and loosen mucus from your throat. You can fill a pail or large bowl of hot water, add two drops of eucalyptus oil, and place a towel over your head while inhaling the steam. You can do this for 10 minutes at a time, 2-3 times a day.
Your ENT doctor can also recommend medications but these tips will improve your condition, too. Think of it as a wholistic approach to becoming better sans the post-nasal drip.
For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please contact us.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
Lost Your Sense of Smell? It May Not Be Coronavirus!
Do you feel like you’ve suddenly lost your sense of smell and you’re now panicking? Perhaps you think that it’s the coronavirus because you’ve read reports on social media about Covid-19 patients losing their sense of smell. Perhaps you believe that you now have Covid-19, thus, the panic.
But don’t jump into conclusions! While there are, indeed, an increasing number of reports about Covid-19 patients losing their sense of smell, known as anosmia, these are just anecdotal evidence. Scientists aren’t sure yet whether there’s a connection between anosmia and Covid-19.
Contrasting Opinions from the Experts
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery suggested that anosmia can be used for screening new Covid-19 cases. It based its suggestion on reports that Covid-19 patients didn’t have noticeable symptoms but their sense of smell was either significantly reduced or completely lost.
But there are opinions to the contrary from other medical experts. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for instance, haven’t added anosmia to their Covid-19 list of symptoms. These organizations also said that the simple loss of smell isn’t sufficient reason to make a definitive diagnosis of coronavirus.
Common in Viral Infections
It should be noted that in numerous studies, up to 40% of people with the common cold and flu, among other viral infections, experience temporary anosmia. This is also the case among people with allergies, partly because of the runny nose. But it’s usually resolved within a couple of weeks or so.
About 3% to 20% of the general population are known to experience prolonged smell disorders. These disorders are more common among older people because of underlying medical conditions and history. These include severe head trauma, nasal polyps and neurodegenerative diseases.
But it’s too early to tell whether anosmia is, indeed, a Covid-19 symptom. One of the reasons is that the connection is based on anecdotal reports instead of scientific studies conducted over the long-term period. There’s also the matter of people confusing the loss of the sense of smell and taste since these are closely intertwined.
A British study was conducted wherein the researchers used an online app to collect data on Covid-19 symptoms from 579 patients. Their conclusion: Nearly 60% of the surveyed patients reported losing their sense of smell and taste. But about 18% of 1,123 people who tested negative for the coronavirus also reported the same loss!
The bottom line: While we are all concerned about the spread of the coronavirus in the United States and the world, we should keep calm and seek medical attention, when needed. If you lost your sense of smell, it may or may not be a cause for concern and only your ENT doctor can give a definite answer.
Seek medical attention if it continues to be bothersome to you or your family members. Otherwise, you may want to stay home and follow the shelter-in-place order, especially if you don’t have fever, dry cough and shortness of breath.
For details of the ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT doctor.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
Who’s Likely to Get Throat Cancer?
Throat cancer is a scary ENT disease, not only because it’s the Big C but also because it can take away the capacity to speak! Take note that it occurs in the pharynx (throat) as well as in the larynx (voice box) or in the tonsils, all of which are important in the generation of sound.
Some people have higher risk for getting throat cancer. Let’s take a look at these risk factors as well as the symptoms of this ENT disease to look out for.
Risk Factors
Keep in mind that belonging to one or more of these risk factors doesn’t automatically mean that you will get cancer, 100%. Instead, these factors will increase your risk of getting the Big C because of the accumulated damage inflicted on the throat.
- The use of tobacco products including chewing and smoking tobacco because it has nicotine and other substances that compromise the health of the tissues in the throat.
- The excessive use of alcohol because of its adverse effects on the body, especially over a prolonged period.
- The presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease, has also been shown to increase the risk of throat cancer.
- The untreated diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has also been shown as a risk factor in throat cancer.
Surprisingly, a diet with insufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables can also increase the risk of throat cancer! But this may not be surprising considering that a healthy body and, thus, a healthy immune system may decrease the risk of getting any type of cancer.
Signs and Symptoms
The specific location where the malignant growth occurs largely determines the symptoms that can be experienced. There’s also the matter of lumps in the neck or throat being an indication of an upper respiratory infection. The lumps may be caused by enlarged lymph nodes fighting off the infection, such as strep throat, followed by their return to their normal size once the infection clears.
But if a lump persists without the presence of an infection or even after the infection has been treated may be a warning sign of cancer. The lump may or may not be accompanied by a thickness or swelling in the neck.
If you have the following symptoms along with a lump in your neck, then you should seek your doctor’s opinion. Early diagnosis and treatment is key in successfully overcoming throat cancer.
- Difficulty in swallowing that persists for a few weeks without reasonable cause
- Vocal changes like hoarseness
- Feeling of food being lodged in the throat even after swallowing
- Persistent sore throat
- Mouth sores that either doesn’t heal with medication or easily bleeds
- Red- and white-colored patches on the tongue, inside of cheek and/or gums
- Feeling of numbness in the mouth or tongue
- Chronic nasal congestion
- Pain in the ears
Your ENT doctor will perform a series of diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. Keep calm, nonetheless, as throat cancer has several effective treatment protocols when administered properly and promptly.
Since ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT doctor for the appropriate ENT services and treatment.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
Surgical Procedures and Radiation Therapy Options for Acoustic Neuroma
An acoustic neuroma refers to the noncancerous growth that develops on the vestibulocochlear nerve. This is also called the eighth cranial nerve and it connects the inner ear with the brain. These tumors typically grow slowly over a period of years, which is why your ENT doctor generally observes the condition at first to ascertain the best course of treatment.
However, the treatment may be necessary eventually because the tumor can grow and push on the brain. As the tumor becomes bigger, it can press on the nearby cranial nerves which control the muscles for facial expression and sensation. If the tumor becomes large enough, it can press on the brain stem and this can be life-threatening.
Surgery
The ENT doctor can recommend surgery, which may involve removing all or part of the tumor. Removing the acoustic neuroma may be undertaken using any of the 3 main surgical approaches.
Translabyrinthine
This surgical procedure has the surgeon making an incision behind the ear and then removing the bone behind the ear and some of the middle ear. This procedure is used for tumors when they grow larger than 3 centimeters.
The advantage of this technique is that it lets the facial nerve clearly before the removal of the tumor. However, the drawback of this approach is that the patient ends up with permanent hearing loss.
Retrosigmoid / Sub-occipital
This involves opening the skull near the back of the head to expose the back of the tumor. This technique can be used for removing tumors of any size and it also offers the chance of preserving hearing.
Middle Fossa
In this procedure, the surgeon removes a small piece of bone above the ear canal to reach and remove the small tumors confined to the internal auditory canal. This canal is the narrow passageway from the brain to the middle and inner ear. Using this procedure may enable the surgeon to preserve the patient’s hearing as well.
Radiation Therapy
In some cases, the ENT doctor may recommend radiation therapy for the acoustic neuroma. The doctor can deliver high doses of radiation to the tumor while limiting the exposure and damage to surrounding tissue using advanced modern delivery techniques.
Radiation therapy for acoustic neuroma can be delivered in one of two ways.
SRS (Single Fraction Stereotactic Radiosurgery)
In SRS, the doctor aims many hundreds of small beams of radiation at the tumor in just a single session.
FRS (Multi-Session Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy)
The ENT doctor delivers smaller doses of radiation daily, usually over a period of several weeks. Some studies indicate that multi-session therapy may be better at preserving the hearing than SRS.
Both ways are outpatient procedures, with patients not required to stay at the hospital. The radiation therapy kills the tumor cells and the growth of the tumor may stop or slow down. It may even shrink, but the tumor isn’t completely removed.
If you suffer acoustic neuroma, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for details of the treatment.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
Home Remedies You Can Try for Mild Earache
It’s always best to see an ENT doctor if you have an earache. This is obvious when the pain is severe, as you should really seek medical attention right away. An ENT doctor can determine the cause of the pain and recommend a treatment.
When the pain has become mild or when you’re waiting for the doctor’s treatment to remove the pain completely, you can alleviate the pain with the following home remedies.
Hot Pack (or Electric Heating Pad)
The heat can reduce inflammation and pain in your ear. Just make sure that the heating pad isn’t too hot. Children shouldn’t use a hot pack without adult supervision, and no one should fall asleep with a heating pad.
You can apply the hot pack to your ear for about 20 minutes. You can also try touching the hot pad to your neck and throat.
Cold Pack
The cold pack shouldn’t be too cold that it causes pain when applied. You should also never try applying the ice to the skin of children.
You can wrap ice in paper towels or freeze a cold pack and then cover it with a light cloth. Hold it to the affected ear and the area right under the ear for about 2o minutes.
For some people, the best method is to apply the hot and cold packs alternately. Start with 20 minutes with the hot pack, and then follow it up with the cold pack.
Gentle Massage
If the earache is causing a tension headache or there’s pain from the teeth or jaw, you may want to try massaging the tender area. You can also massage the surrounding muscles.
If your doctor says you have an ear infection, you can massage just behind the ears and down the neck using a downward motion. You can continue applying pressure as you work forward to the front of the ears.
Cough Drops or Hard Candy
It’s not really the hard candy or the cough drops that will offer some relief. It’s actually the sucking you do on these things that can reduce the pressure in the Eustachian tubes in your ear.
Pain Reliever
You can ask your ENT doctor if you can try naproxen, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen to relieve the pain. You really do have to speak to a doctor first before you give these types of medications to young children, especially if they’re younger than 2 years old. These medications can cause serious side effects in young children, and the doctor can set the proper dosage for them.
As ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for the appropriate ENT treatment.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
Who Can Get Otosclerosis?
Otosclerosis is supposed to be a rare condition, but it affects more than 3 million people in the US alone. This condition can cause hearing loss and it starts when a small bone in the middle ear gets stuck in place. This bone is usually the one called the stapes. The bone tissue grows around the stapes improperly, which keeps the stapes from vibrating. This in turn prevents sound from traveling from the middle ear to the inner ear, so you’re unable to hear well.
Not even the medical experts know for certain what causes otosclerosis. This makes it more difficult to determine the chances of a person getting this condition. However, the researchers in this field have collected several statistics and trends regarding the risk factors for the problem:
- People can develop this medical condition when they’re between the ages of 10 and 45 years old. But for the most part, patients are more likely to develop otosclerosis while they’re in their 20s. However, the symptoms are the worst when they’re in their 30s.
- There may be a genetic component, as this can run in families. About half of all patients who develop otosclerosis have a gene that is associated with the condition. However, having this particular gene doesn’t necessarily mean that the person will develop the condition.
- This medical condition can affect both men and women. However, more women than men develop this problem. In addition, women who develop otosclerosis during their pregnancy tend to lose their hearing faster, compared to the men and the women who weren’t pregnant when they had this problem.
- The condition is most prevalent among Caucasians, as almost 105 of that racial group can develop the problem. It’s not as common in the other racial groups, and it’s very rare for African-Americans.
- If a person had measles at any time in their life, it probably increased their chances of developing otosclerosis.
- The condition is also more likely to develop in a person who has stress fractures to the bony tissue around their inner ear.
- Immune disorders, in which the immune system of a patient attacks part of the patient’s body by mistake, have also been linked to otosclerosis.
If you do get otosclerosis, at least you have treatment options. If the case is mild, the otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor, or ENT doctor) may take a slow approach while testing your hearing regularly. A hearing aid may also be recommended. However, serious cases may require surgery. This may help, but like all surgical procedures it has risks as well.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
What To Do After Undergoing Tympanoplasty
Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure that repairs a hole in the eardrum. If you’ve undergone this procedure, here’s a list of what you need to do (and not to do) when you’re at home during your recovery period:
- For the next 2 to 4 weeks, you’re not supposed to do anything strenuous. These activities include aerobic or weightlifting workouts, riding a bike, or even jogging. Wait until your ENT doctor gives you the go signal to resume these activities.
- You shouldn’t even lift anything that can strain you during this time. That means you can’t carry heavy bags or a child.
- Avoid activities such as swimming, scuba diving, or flying in an airplane. Don’t play contact sports as well. All these activities can keep your eardrum from healing properly. Your doctor can tell you when you can start doing these things.
- Don’t drive either until your doctor says you can.
- If you feel tired, just rest. Don’t overexert yourself.
- Get enough sleep as well, as this can help you recover. During the first week after the procedure, use 2 or 3 pillows to prop your head up when you sleep. You can also try sleeping in a reclining chair as well (especially for naps).
- You should try to walk every day. At first, you can walk a little distance. Then each day you can walk just a little bit farther. The walking you do can boost your blood flow and it can also help prevent constipation and pneumonia.
- Don’t do any sudden head movements for the first 2 or 3 days after the tympanoplasty. Don’t bend over during this time either. You’ll feel dizzy if you do.
- Don’t blow your nose until your doctor says it’s alright to do so.
- For the next 3 months, don’t get water into your ear. Taking a bath is alright, but not taking a shower unless you can wear a cap that fully covers your ears. When you do take a bath, use a cotton ball lightly coated with petroleum jelly to plug your ears so the water can’t get in.
- If you have to wear earplugs, use only what your ENT doctor recommends.
- You can get back to work after a week or two, after your ENT doctor says it’s okay. However, if your job requires heavy lifting or some sort of strenuous activity, you may need to take 2 to 4 weeks off.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Take some fiber supplements. These can help with the irregular movements that are common after undergoing surgery.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
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另所有文章內使用的人名均為化名。