What’s Causing That Tightness in My Throat?
Have you ever felt like your throat is constricted, as if a knot is blocking your airway? Throat tightness can be an unnerving experience, but it’s a common symptom with many potential causes. While it’s often nothing to worry about, understanding what might trigger this sensation is essential to finding relief. Let’s explore some of…
The Impact Of Smoking On ENT Health: Risks and Recovery
It’s widely acknowledged that smoking detrimentally impacts one’s physical health. Among the health risks associated with smoking are cancers of the head, neck and throat, as well as stroke, heart attack, emphysema and other conditions. The CDC identifies smoking as the primary cause of preventable death in the United States. Impacts on ENT Health Inhaling…
What Causes White Spots on the Throat
Finding white spots on the back of the throat and tonsils can feel a little alarming. Learning about the possible causes and treatments of these white spots can help ease your concerns and set you on the right treatment path. Let’s explore a few common causes and treatments for these white spots. Strep Throat Strep…
Home Remedies for a Sore Throat and When to See a Doctor
A sore throat is a common condition that sometimes makes it difficult to swallow, eat or talk. Sore throats can have various causes ranging from illnesses to allergies. They’re often not serious and can be treated with home remedies. Understanding the causes and available remedies can help you be prepared to treat one if it…
Why Do I Have Trouble Swallowing?
Difficulty swallowing can get in the way of enjoying your favorite stack of pancakes from Lakeside Cafe. While most people experience difficulty swallowing occasionally, such as when taking large bites of food or drinking certain liquids, ongoing swallowing difficulty may be a sign of dysphagia. What Is Dysphagia? Dysphagia refers to the condition that causes…
Why Do Your Ears Hurt When Swallowing?
Have you ever experienced that uncomfortable sensation of ear pain when swallowing? It’s a common occurrence that often leaves us wondering why our ears are affected by something as basic as swallowing a bite of our favorite breakfast plate at Lakeside Cafe. Let’s explore common causes of ear pain when swallowing and a few preventative…
How to Manage Strep Throat
According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 14,000 to 25,000 cases of strep throat have occurred in each of the most recent five years in the United States. Strep throat is a common infection that can cause discomfort and pain in the throat. Recognizing the symptoms, seeking appropriate medical treatment and following home remedies…
How to Care for Your ENT Health During Holiday Travel
The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the excitement of reuniting with loved ones and creating cherished memories. Amidst the joy and family times, it is crucial to prioritize your ear, nose and throat (ENT) health to ensure a pleasant and worry-free experience. Let’s look at some valuable tips on how to…
What Is Cobblestone Throat?
Seeing or feeling lumps in the back of your throat can be a worrisome experience, but they are likely just a symptom of cobblestone throat. Cobblestone throat causes inflamed tissue in the back of your throat that looks bumpy or rough. The bumps are harmless, fluid-filled tissue that usually forms in response to an infection,…
What Are Treatment Options for Laryngitis?
Laryngitis is the inflammation of your voice box from irritation, overuse or infection. Acute laryngitis lasts three to seven days, and and can be treated with home remedies. Should you find yourself with laryngitis symptoms, you can head to Fort Wayne’s Farmers Market to stock up on tea and honey. Signs, Symptoms and Causes of…
Can Acid Reflux Change Your Voice?
Those who deal with acid reflux are often familiar with the usual tell-tale symptom of heartburn. However, the condition can cause other symptoms as well. In some cases, it can lead to a change in your voice. What is Acid Reflux? Acid reflux is when stomach acid backflows into your esophagus. While many people deal…
Reasons Why You’re Waking Up with a Sore Throat
Many of us have had the experience of waking up with a dry, scratchy or sore throat. It can be especially annoying and uncomfortable if you’re experiencing this problem on a regular basis. Let’s explore several common reasons you might be waking up with a sore throat, as well as what you can do to…
Could Your Tooth Pain Be From a Sinus Infection?
Approximately 28.9 million U.S. adults were diagnosed with sinusitis in 2018. Sinusitis, also called a sinus infection, can cause congestion, runny nose, facial pain and pressure, sore throat, cough and even tooth pain. Tooth pain is less often associated with sinus infections, but because it can have more serious dental causes, it is important to…
Can Stress Worsen Acid Reflux?
Many of us are familiar with the ways stress can manifest in our bodies, from sweaty palms and racing hearts to a nervous stomach and tension headaches. Some people notice an increase in acid reflux during times of high stress. Let’s look at why that might happen, as well as the best ways to manage…
What Are Your Treatment Options for Sinusitis?
Sinusitis, or sinus infection, occurs when mucus builds up in the sinuses that lead to the nasal cavity and causes irritation and inflammation. Symptoms of sinusitis may include nasal discharge, postnatal drip, facial pain, blocked or runny nose, sore throat, cough, tenderness and swelling and more. Sinus infections are a leading health complaint in physician…
Why Does My Throat Hurt While Yawning?
If you experience pain in your throat while yawning, you likely have inflammation in your throat. Let’s go over a few possible causes of this inflammation as well as how these conditions are traded. What Does Throat Pain When Yawning Feel Like? The type of pain you might feel when yawning will often depend on…
Why Is My Throat Burning?
There are multiple health conditions that can cause a burning throat. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the more common causes as well as your treatment options. Acid Reflux Pretty much everyone has experienced acid reflux from time to time. However, some people experience chronic reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD…
How to Stop Postnasal Drip
The term postnasal drip (PND) describes when mucus drips down the back of your throat. Because the mucus irritates the throat, postnasal drip is associated with chronic cough. According to one article, “PND is a common complaint in primary care and ear-nose-throat offices.” Below we review how to stop postnasal drip. Home Remedies Certain home…
What to Eat When You Have a Sore Throat
According to an article published in the journal BMJ Clinical Evidence, “About 10% of people present to primary healthcare services with sore throat each year.” If you’re experiencing a sore throat now, you may be wondering what you can do to relieve it. In fact, some of the foods you eat and beverages you consume…
What Causes Tightness in the Throat?
Several conditions can cause tightness in the throat. Let’s look at a few of the more common causes, as well as when to seek treatment. Common Causes of Throat Tightness GERD/Acid reflux. Reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus and often causes heartburn. If it happens regularly, it’s known as gastroesophageal…
Why Do My Ears and Throat Hurt Simultaneously?
All of us have experienced a sore throat or ear pain at some point in our lives. If you currently find yourself dealing with both at the same time, you may be confused as to what is causing your symptoms. Let’s take a look at a few conditions that can cause discomfort in both the…
How to Prevent ENT Disorders
Otolaryngologists, also known as ENT physicians, diagnose and treat conditions that affect the ears, nose and throat. While an ENT physician is happy to care for these types of ailments, you may want to save yourself the trip and remain healthy by taking the following measures to prevent common ENT disorders. Ear Infections An ear…
How To Know if You Have Throat Cancer
Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that develops in your throat or voice box. It can be hard to identify, especially in the early stages of the disease, as many of the signs and symptoms can mimic other conditions. What Are the Early Signs of Throat Cancer The earliest sign…
What’s Causing Your Chronic Sore Throat?
Sore throats are a common ailment that brings millions of people to the doctor every year. Often, it’s not a sign of any serious condition and will resolve itself in a few days with rest and/or proper treatment. However, if you are suffering from a chronic sore throat that lasts weeks or even months, or…
Acid Reflux: Is It GERD or LPR?
Many Americans suffer from acid reflux every year. It occurs when stomach acid travels up into your esophagus and often causes the telltale symptom of heartburn. If you experience acid reflux more than a couple of times a week, you likely have a chronic condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, some people with…
What to Know About Strep Throat: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments
Strep throat is a common infection that can affect both children and adults. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Up to 3 in 10 children with a sore throat have strep throat, about 1 in 10 adults with a sore throat has strep throat.” Below we review everything you need…
How Are ENT Disorders Diagnosed?
Otolaryngologists, more commonly known as ENT physicians, are experts in diagnosing and treating ear, nose and throat disorders. Below we review some of the questions your ENT physician may ask you to diagnose your symptoms and how some common ENT disorders are diagnosed. What Questions Will an ENT Physician Ask? Some questions you can expect…
How Hypothyroidism Can Impact Your Life & Ways of Treating It
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. There are many ways in which hypothyroidism can impact your life, which we review below. Fortunately, hypothyroidism, like many thyroid and parathyroid conditions, is a treatable condition, which we also discuss. Symptoms of Hypothyroidism Some of the…
Are Your Symptoms the Result of Laryngitis?
Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx, also known as the voice box. Let’s take a look at some of the common symptoms and causes of laryngitis as well as what to do if you believe you have the condition. Symptoms of Laryngitis Laryngitis often affects the way your voice sounds. You may notice hoarseness…
How Your Diet Can Limit Acid Reflux Symptoms
Many of us have experienced the occasional case of acid reflux. However, others experience symptoms such as pain or burning in their chest after almost every meal or a chronic cough caused by irritation. If you’re someone who suffers from regular acid reflux symptoms, let’s look at ways altering your diet can improve your condition….
How to Prepare for Your Child’s First Visit with a Speech Therapist
If your child has been diagnosed with a communication, feeding or swallowing disorder, they may have been referred to a speech-language pathologist (SLP). SLPs are trained and licensed professionals who can help your child overcome these types of disorders. If you’re on the fence about speech therapy, know that one study found that, “An average…
What are Voice Disorders and How are They Treated?
Research indicates that voice disorders affect 1 in 13 adults every year. They impact your ability to speak normally and interfere with your ability to communicate. However, many people don’t seek treatment for voice issues. Let’s examine some common symptoms and causes, as well as what can be done to treat your voice condition. Symptoms…
Is Your Headache from Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux, occurs when a person’s stomach contents flow back up into their esophagus. If you experience chronic or severe acid reflux, you may be diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some symptoms of this condition include regurgitation, heartburn, sore throat, chest pain, nausea, pain or difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, chronic…
Thyroid Cancer is on the Rise in Women: Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer than men. In the past few decades, this gap has widened even further. However, the reasons for the increase may be more complex than you might initially think. Why is Thyroid Cancer More Common in Women? One of the main reasons thyroid cancers and other…
Adult Tonsillectomy & What to Expect
The surgical removal of the tonsils is called a tonsillectomy. While tonsillectomies are mostly performed on children, sometimes adults need their tonsils out too. In this post, we review the signs it’s time for your tonsils to come out, how to prepare for surgery, what the surgery entails and what the recovery process is like….