Information

EAR INFECTIONS

Otitis externa is an inflammation of the ear canal. This inflammation occurs when the ear canal becomes infected usually after getting water in the ear canal (i.e. swimming, bathing). There is tenderness in front of the ear and when the ear is gently pulled. This type the infection is treated with antibiotic ear drops and preventing water from getting her canal. At times, oral antibiotics are also needed to clear this type of ear infection. Occasionally, a small sponge must be placed in the ear canal to allow the ear drops to get into the ear canal.

Otitis mediais an inflammation of the eardrum. This type of infection usually occurs after a cold. The eardrum appears to be inflamed and red.Children will generally tug at their ears. This type of infection is treated with an oral antibiotic. If the eardrum ruptures, an antibiotic ear drop may also be needed to resolve this type of infection. If a person continues to get recurrent otitis media, he/she may be a candidate for placement of tubes in the eardrums to prevent further infections.

An inner ear infection is usually caused by a virus. Symptoms may include dizziness and hearing loss. This type of infection is treated with medication to reduce inflammation in the inner ear and reduce dizziness.It may take weeks/months to fully recover from this type of infection.

Both otitis externa and otitis media may result in fluid accumulating behind the eardrums. This fluid may take several weeks to up to three months to spontaneously resolve. If the fluid has not resolved after three months, medication or placement of tubes in the eardrums may be necessary.

VERTIGO

Vertigo is a form of dizziness which is a sensation of spinning or whirling that may be severe enough to cause nausea or vomiting. This sensation can be caused by problems in the ear, brain or balance system. The most common cause of vertigo is an inner ear infection. This type of infection is treated with supportive care until the body resets its balance system. It is important to determine the cause of vertigo to receive the appropriate medical care for the underlying condition which is causing the vertigo.

HEARING LOSS

There are two types of hearing loss. A conductive hearing loss is caused by an abnormality in conduction of sound from the eardrum to the organ of hearing. This type of hearing loss is usually correctable. It may be caused by fluid behind the eardrum, scarring of the eardrum/space behind the eardrum or abnormalities of the bones of hearing. Medication or surgery may be necessary to correct this type of hearing loss. A sensorineural hearing loss is a type of hearing loss caused by damage to the nerve of hearing. This type of hearing loss cannot be corrected with medication or surgery. It occurs as a normal process of aging, exposure to loud noises, side effect of medications, secondary to certain medical diseases/conditions or tumors pressing on the nerve of hearing. Once the cause of this type of this type of hearing loss is determined, further treatment options can be given.

ACOUSTIC NEUROMA

An acoustic neuroma is a benign, slow growing brain tumor which arises from the nerve of hearing. This type of tumor is a rare cause of unilateral hearing loss, dizziness and other symptoms related to the brain. The best way to diagnose this tumor is with a hearing test and an MRI of the brain. Treatment options include surgery and radiation. Hearing preservation after treatment is very unlikely.

EAR WAX

Ear wax is normal and healthy. Everyone makes ear wax, though some people make more than others. The healthy ear cleans itself. Do not put a finger, swab, etc. into the ear canal. This can hurt and push the wax in deeper. Deep wax can cause pain, fullness, noise in the ear or hearing loss. See a doctor to determine if the ear wax is deep. If the wax is very deep, special instruments may be needed to remove it. Even though you may not stick anything in your ear, you can still experience impacted wax. This is because the ear does not work as well as you age, and health problems or hearing aids might make it harder for your ear to remove ear wax. For example, if you are 70 and use hearing aids, you might need wax removed every year or two. Sometimes, drops may be needed to soften the ear wax prior to removal to insure no damage occurs to the ear canal or eardrum. The best method of ear wax removal should be discussed with you physician.

SINUS INFECTIONS

Sinus infections are caused when the sinuses become inflamed secondary to infection, allergies or irritants. When the sinuses become inflamed, the sinus openings which drain into the nose become blocked. This can result in headaches, facial pain/pressure, nasal discharge, feeling light-headed or dizzy, and nasal congestion. Sinus infections can be acute or chronic (lingering for more than 6 weeks). Most sinus infections are treated with antibiotics and decongestants. If sinus infections are recurrent, the sinuses may be evaluated with a CT scan. This will help determine whether surgery is necessary for you sinus problems.

DEVIATED SEPTUM

The thin wall inside your nose that separates your right and left nasal cavities is called your nasal septum. Ideally, your septum is situated in the center of your nose, equally separating the two sides of your nose. In about 80 percent of people, however, the nasal septum is displaced to one side, making one nasal passage smaller than the other. When your septum is significantly off-center, you have a deviated septum. A significantly deviated septum may result in difficulty breathing and sleeping. It can also be a contributing factor in sinus disease.

NOSEBLEEDS

The nose is a part of the body rich in blood vessels (vascular) and is situated in a vulnerable position as it protrudes on the face. As a result, trauma to the face can cause nasal injury and bleeding. The bleeding may be profuse or a simple complication. Nosebleeds can occur spontaneously when the nasal membranes dry out and crack. This is common in dry climates or during the winter months when the air is dry and warm from household heaters. People are more susceptible to bleeding if they are taking medications which prevent normal blood clotting [warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, or any anti-inflammatory medication]. In this situation, even a minor trauma could result in significant bleeding. If the nosebleed persists or is recurrent, see your doctor, who may then recommend stopping the bleeding with a heating instrument or chemical swab (cautery of the blood vessel that is causing the trouble). If bleeding is still persistent, the doctor may place nasal packs, which compress the bleeding vessels and stop the bleeding.

ALLERGIES

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is a common chronic disease, affecting up to 30 percent of the population. It is the most common reason for chronic sinus and nose problems. Children and young adults are the most common age groups affected by this disease, although many older adults and elderly people also experience symptoms. Allergic rhinitis is defined as inflammation and irritation of the nasal passages due to seasonal and year-round allergens. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itching of the nose, and post-nasal drip. Half of all people with allergic rhinitis also have a component of non-allergic rhinitis to their symptoms. Allergic rhinitis also influences other diseases. Uncontrolled hay fever symptoms can lead to sinus infections, ear infections and worsening of asthma. People with allergic rhinitis are more prone to illnesses, since the inflammation in the nose makes them more susceptible to the virus that causes the common cold. To diagnose allergic rhinitis, your physician will perform a physical exam looking for clues suggesting allergies. The exam includes looking in the ears (fluid behind the ear drum can suggest allergies), in the nose (pale, swollen mucus membranes in the nasal passages suggest allergies), and in the mouth (evidence of post nasal drip may also suggest allergies). Dark circles under the eyes are called "allergic shiners," and are due to nasal congestion. Positive allergy tests are required to diagnose allergic rhinitis; negative allergy testing suggests non-allergic rhinitis. The best treatment for your symptoms can be discussed between you and your physician once a full evaluation has been completed.

SORE THROAT

Dry scratchiness of the throat and painful swallowing are the hallmarks of a sore throat - known medically as pharyngitis. Most often, it is a symptom of another illness - usually a viral infection such as a cold or the flu (influenza). Sore throats that are usually caused by a virus go away on their own in about a week. Only a small percentage are bacterial infections that may require medical care. Recurrent tonsillitis may be an indication for a tonsillectomy. Mononucleosis is another viral illness associated with a severe sore throat. Although signs and symptoms of the disease typically last about 10 days, it can take weeks to recover your strength after a bout of mononucleosis. Other causes of sore throat include dryness, pollution, muscle strain, acid reflux or tumors. A persistent sore throat can signal a more serious medical condition. Your physician can evaluate and treat your sore throat once a diagnosis has been made.

VOICE DISORDERS

Voice is the sound made by air passing from your lungs through your larynx, or voice box. In your larynx are your vocal cords, two bands of muscle that vibrate to make sound. For most of us, our voices play a big part in who we are, what we do and how we communicate. Like fingerprints, each person's voice is unique. Any condition that affects the performance of the voice-producing organ - the larynx - can cause a voice disorder. Vocal cord diseases can result in hoarseness or loss of voice. These diseases include laryngitis (inflammation), polyps (benign growth of the vocal cord), muscle strain and tumors. Allergies and acid reflux can also affect your voice. An examination of the vocal cords (laryngoscopy) can help determine the cause of your vocal cord disorder. Appropriate treatment can be recommended once a diagnosis is made.

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Obstructive sleep apnea is a significant medical problem affecting up to 4 percent of middle-aged adults. The most common complaints are loud snoring, disrupted sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea suffer from fragmented sleep and may develop heart and lung abnormalities because of the repetitive cycles of snoring, airway collapse and arousal. Although most patients are overweight and have a short, thick neck, some are of normal weight but have a small, receding jaw. Because many patients are not aware of their heavy snoring and nighttime arousals, obstructive sleep apnea may remain undiagnosed; therefore, it is helpful to question the bedroom partner of a patient with chronic sleepiness and fatigue. A sleep study is the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. Treatments include weight loss, continuous positive airway pressure (wearing a mask while sleeping) and dental devices that modify the position of the tongue or jaw. Upper airway and jaw surgical procedures may also be a treatment option in selected patients. Your physician can help determine the appropriate treatment for this medical condition.

THROAT CANCER

Throat cancer can develop from the back of the nose to the level of the voice box (larynx) or food pipe (esophagus). Smokers are at high risk of throat cancer. Other people at risk include those who drink a lot of alcohol, especially if they also smoke. Symptoms include difficulty breathing or swallowing, coughing up blood, a mass in the neck and unexplained weight loss. The diagnosis of cancer can only be confirmed when a biopsy is taken. Other testing is usually necessary to determine the exact location of throat cancer (for example, a CT scan of the neck). Treatment depends on the type of cancer and how far it has spread in the body.

VIBRADERM (MICRODERMBRASION)

Vibraderm is one of the latest solutions available to improve the appearance of skin, as an alternative to microdermabrasion. The goal of Vibraderm is to offer a safe and reliable treatment that stimulates natural collagen production and exfoliation to improve the skin's appearance on any area of the body. Many practices use Vibraderm along with a chemical peel or other photodynamic therapy procedures to achieve optimal results. Laser skin resurfacing may also be used in conjunction with Vibraderm. Vibrafusion Therapy will typically produce a 500 percent increase in the absorption of any topical product. Vibrafusion Therapy will massage the clinician's choice of product deep into the skin producing enhanced results from the products. Vibraderm is most effective for patients in the early stage of aging or for youths suffering from damaged skin. Vibraderm treats mild acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, poorly textured skin, fine lines, as well as, large and clogged pores. The procedure is considered effective for both dark- and light-skinned patients. The best candidates are those with an understanding of the procedure and realistic expectations.At the core of Vibraderm is a device that looks like a paddle covered with fine fastened abrasive particles. The stainless steel paddle may cause less skin irritation than traditional microdermabrasion treatments, which "sandblast" abrasive particles over the skin. During the Vibraderm treatment, the treatment provider will evenly move the Vibraderm device over the skin as the paddle gently vibrates at a very high speed. The treatment does not cause discomfort or skin laceration, so healing and recovery time are minimal. The patient's face may be slightly red for about an hour after treatment. Vibraderm packages usually contain six to ten treatments, and multiple treatments are normally performed. A proper daily skincare regimen is also a necessary part of your aftercare plan. Your doctor can help you create the best skincare plan for your condition. As aging continues over time, you may want to continue ongoing procedures to maintain optimal results.

MEDICAL PEELS

Peeling is a technique that can be used to improve the appearance of the skin. There are different compounds that can be used to do a peel. If one uses chemicals for the purpose then the process is known as chemical peel. If one makes use of natural compounds like fruits or natural ingredients then it is known as a fruit peel or a natural peel respectively.PCA Skin is a leading clinical skin care company in the development of professional chemical peels and advanced topicals for nearly 20 years. PCA Skin was the first cosmeceutical company to provide scientifically researched daily care products and professional treatments to the medical and clinical aesthetics markets. The company is acknowledged in medical textbooks as the originator of advanced blended chemical peel formulations. Only your physician can evaluate your skin and recommend the best treatment plan.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses laser light - an intense, pulsating beam of light - to remove unwanted hair. Laser hair removal works by passing a light beam through the skin. The laser targets dark pigment, called melanin, in hair. When the light beam hits the hair follicle (where hair growth originates), the intense heat destroys the hair follicle instantly. In most cases, laser hair removal slows hair regrowth, but it takes several treatments to provide an extended "hair-free" period.

FRAXEL LASER

Fraxel is a laser used to treat damaged and aging skin by harmlessly penetrating the outer layer of skin, but only resurfacing 15-20 percent of the skin during each session. This method protects the skin from enduring too much damage at once and eliminates much of the downtime associated with other types of laser resurfacing treatment. Wrinkles, poor texture, large pores, sun spots, brown spots, scars, melasma, and uneven pigmentation can be treated successfully with the Fraxel laser. Optimal improvement is usually visible in about two to three months. Side effects are minimal and usually limited to a sunburn-like redness, which disappears in a few days. Within 24 hours, new epidermal skin will develop and your skin will have a bronze appearance, which can last from three days up to two weeks depending on what level of treatment you have received. As the new epidermal tissue replaces the damaged tissue, your skin will flake off.