Lawrence Chow / ENT Doctor
What to Do When You’re Sensitive to Dust or Dust Allergy
You might think that being on the road can be a bad place to be when you have dust allergies. But in fact your home may be a more dangerous place for you when you’re allergic to dust. It’s even stranger when you consider how your allergy symptoms become worse when you’re dusting and vacuuming. But that’s because the dusting process stirs up the dust in the air, so you’re liable to inhale them more easily.
You can help minimize the problem by following these dust allergy management tips:
- Clean your home regularly, preferably with a central vacuum or a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- It’s best if someone without the allergy does the cleaning. It should be done while the allergic person is away. The allergic person can then return after about 3 hours, as it can take more than 2 hours for the dust to settle.
- If you’re doing the cleaning and you’re allergic, you should wear an N95 filter mask while you’re cleaning.
- Avoid having wall-to-wall carpets in your home, especially in the bedroom. Carpets tend to be dust collectors. Better to go with wood flooring instead.
- If you’re allergic, you must make sure that you keep your bedroom free from dust and other triggers. You should keep a HEPA air cleaner running in your bedroom all the time. Pet dogs and cats should never be allowed inside. Your mattresses and pillows must use “mite-proof” cases. You need to regularly wash all your bed linens, using hot water.
- Cockroaches can also be a trigger for your allergy symptoms. If you have roaches in your home, you should try cockroach traps and use the services of a professional pest control service. If you have food outside the refrigerator, it must be covered. Food waste must be disposed of in a tightly sealed garbage bin.
- In the furnace and the air conditioning unit, put in a high-efficiency media filter with a MERV rating of 11 or 12. Keep the fan running so the air filter can filter the air throughout the house. Keep the air clean by changing the filter every 3 months, as the seasons change.
- Make sure your HVAC system is inspected and serviced by professionals every 6 months.
- Use a hygrometer to measure the humidity in your home regularly. You need to keep the humidity below 55%. A dehumidifier can help, and you can put in a vent fan in your kitchen and bathrooms. Make sure you repair all water leaks immediately.
If you wonder if you suffers from dust allergy or others, it is suggested to consult an ENT doctor for the appropriate ENT services as soon as possible. HK ENT Specialist Ltd. is a professional Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre to offer ENT Services. Please contact us for an appointment at 3100 0555.
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
Should You Be Concerned When You Suddenly Have a Hoarse Voice?
While you may appreciate a singer who has a hoarse voice, it’s not really good news for you should your voice suddenly turn hoarse. This isn’t a disease in itself, but it’s a symptom of some medical condition.
There are many potential causes for suddenly having a hoarse voice, though thankfully most of them aren’t serious. The hoarseness generally disappears after a while. However, if it lasts for more than 2 weeks, you may want to check in with your ENT doctor. The cause may be a lot more serious usual, and it may even be cancer of the larynx.
Common Treatments
The most typical treatments for hoarseness usually depend on what caused it in the first place. Most of the time, all you really need to do is to rest your voice and to speak without raising your voice. Often you get a hoarse voice when you’ve been screaming for an extended period of time. This can happen when you’re watching a sports event, enjoying a concert, singing out loud with friends, or engaging in a loud argument.
If you’re a smoker, then you really should stop smoking as well. You should avoid secondhand smoke, and you’re supposed to drink plenty of fluids.
Other potential causes of your hoarseness can include the common cold or an infection to your upper respiratory tract. You may be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux, when you end up with irritated vocal chords due to the stomach acid coming up from the swallowing tube. It can also be thyroid problems, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, neurological disorders, or some sort of trauma to your voice box.
Diagnosing the Problem
When you see your ENT doctor when you have a hoarse voice, your doctor will first try to determine the history of the hoarseness. The doctor will also find about your general health. The doctor can then use a laryngoscope to inspect your voice box and the surrounding tissue. They can also check out your voice quality, as this can provide a clue as to the cause of the hoarseness. If your voice is breathy, it can be due to benign tumor, polyp or larynx cancer causing poor vocal cord function.
A raspy voice can be due to swelling, inflammation from infection, a chemical irritant, voice abuse or paralysis of the vocal chords. If your voice has become high and shaky or too soft, it may be because you’re not breathing in enough air.
Preventive Measures
There are ways you can prevent or reduce the chances of getting a hoarse voice. If it happens to you often, here are measures you can take:
- Always drink plenty of water.
- Try to increase the humidity levels in your home.
- Avoid alcohol and spicy foods.
- You may want to cut back on caffeine as well.
- Definitely quit smoking if you’re a smoker.
- Keep away from smokers too, as you can get a hoarse voice from the secondhand smoke.
- Avoid screaming or shouting for long periods of time.
As ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT Doctor for the appropriate ENT services.
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
Everything You Need to Know about Losing Your Sense of Smell
Among doctors, the loss of the sense of smell is called anosmia. This can be a temporary condition, when you’re suffering from a cold or allergies that irritate the lining of the nose. But a permanent loss of smell is also possible, especially when you suffer a serious medical condition that affects the nerves or the brain. Even old age can lead to loss of smell for some people.
Consequences of Anosmia
Losing your sense of smell may not seem all that serious, as in itself it’s not really a fatal condition. But the sense of smell is an important factor for your appetite. If you’re unable to smell, food may not seem as appetizing as before and you may no longer be as interested in eating as much as you should. This lack of appetite can lead to malnutrition.
It’s also possible that you can get depressed when you lose your sense of smell. Plenty of people comfort themselves with food when they feel bad, and you may feel depressed when you realize that food that were once your favorites are no longer as tasty as you remember them.
Several Potential Causes of the Loss of Smell
While the loss of smell can be attributed to several potential causes, here are the main possible reasons:
Irritation of the Nose Lining If the mucus membranes lining the nose have been irritated, a loss of smell is possible. Such an irritation can be caused by the common cold or by sinus infections, allergies, or the flu. Some chronic congestion not related to allergies can also be the cause, and this irritation can also happen if you’re a smoker. Most cases of temporary or partial loss of smell are usually due to colds. Once you’re over your cold, the problem tends to go away as well.
Physical Blockage of Nasal Passages
If something’s blocking the passage of air through your nose, then your sense of smell will certainly be affected. This blockage can be due to nasal polyps or to tumors. It may also be caused by bone deformities inside the nose.
Nerve or Brain Damage
Inside your nose, you have receptors that send sensory information through the nerves into your brain. If something goes wrong regarding this system, such as there’s something wrong with the nerves or with your brain, then you may lose your sense of smell. Many possible conditions can lead to this kind of damage. Potential suspects include brain tumors, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and stroke. It can be caused by long-term alcoholism, diabetes, or malnutrition. This kind of damage can be an accident caused by brain surgery, head injury, or as a side effect of certain medications.
Conclusion
The potential treatment of the loss of smell depends greatly on what caused it. It’s normal to lose your sense of smell when your nose is stuffed when you have a cold or allergies. But once you’re over your colds and you still can’t smell anything, then you should consult your ENT doctor. Since ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT doctor for the appropriate ENT services.
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
The Problem with Mucus and Postnasal Drip
When you have a cold, you certainly can’t fail to notice that you have a problem with mucus in your nose. What you may not know is that the human body produces mucus everyday, even when you’re not sick. Mucus is produced in the linings of your nose airways, throat, stomach, and intestinal tract. So much mucus is produced that your nose alone is response for about a quart of it each day.
Having mucus in these areas isn’t actually a bad thing. The body produces mucus as part of its defense system. Mucus traps and helps destroy invaders like viruses and bacteria before they can do damage and cause infection.
A Runny Nose and Postnasal Drip
So you may not notice that you have mucus in your nose during most days. The mucus can mix with your saliva, and this can go down the back of your throat without causing any trouble.
But you will notice it when you have a medical condition like a cold and there’s so much more of it than usual or it’s thicker than normal. If there’s so much of it that it starts to run out of your nostrils, then you have a runny nose. But it’s called a postnasal drip when the excess mucus runs down the back of your nose and into your throat.
Consequences
What happens when you have postnasal drip? When you have this problem, it feels like something is obstructing your throat and you tend to want to clear your throat constantly. This can lead to a cough, which can get worse during the night. Postnasal drip is in fact one of the more common causes of stubborn cough that won’t go away. When you have too much mucus running down the back of your throat, you may cough a lot and you’ll feel hoarse. You can end up with a sore throat.
The mucus you swallow can also obstruct your Eustachian tube, which connects your middle ear to your throat. This can lead to an ear infection, which can get very painful. If those passages become clogged, you can also get a sinus infection.
Causes of Postnasal Drip and Potential Treatments
Excessive mucus that can lead to postnasal drip can be caused by many potential conditions. The specific cause can determine the right treatment for the problem.
These possible causes can include the following:
- Allergies , also called allergic postnasal drip
- Certain foods most especially spicy dishes
- Certain medications, including blood pressure medications and birth control pills
- Changing weather, cold temperatures, or really dry air
- Colds
- A deviated septum, which refers to the crooked placement of the wall that separates the two nostrils
- The flu
- Fumes from irritants like smoke, perfumes, chemicals, or cleaning products
- An object stuck in the nose which can happen with children
- Pregnancy
- Sinus infection or sinusitis
Once the cause has been determined by your ENT doctor, the appropriate treatment can then be suggested. If you suffer an ENT problem, it is suggested to consult an ENT doctor for the appropriate ENT services. Please contact us for an appointment of our ENT services and consulation at 3100 0555.
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
Side Effects Of Surgical Removal Of Thyroid Mass
The removal of a thyroid mass via surgery is an oft-recommended treatment for the malignant growth. But it has its risks, too, including side effects that affect a patient’s ability to talk, chew and swallow, as well as your activity levels and mood. In most cases, nonetheless, patients will feel better a couple of weeks after surgery; some people may take a longer time to recover.
Talk to your ENT doctor about these side effects and possible coping measures in your case. You may also talk to fellow patients but set realistic expectations as what may have worked well for them may not work so well for you.
Eating and Drinking Issues
Due to the throat surgery, you will have difficulty in swallowing because of the swelling in the area. You may find, too, that it’s painful to swallow even fluids like water, a temporary difficulty lasting for a few days. But you may also be able to drink or eat normally within several hours after the surgery depending on the technique used by your surgeon.
Even when you’re finding it difficult to swallow, you should eat nutritious foods and drinks to aid in your faster recovery. Your doctor will formulate a diet plan that will meet your nutrition needs at every stage of your treatment and recovery. You may, for example, start with soft foods after surgery and with small yet frequent meals.
Of course, it’s important to eat a balanced diet filled with nutritious food like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, among others. Your body will require good nutrition for a full post-surgery recovery and for beating cancer.
Physical Effects
In some cases, thyroid surgery affects the voice box particularly its nerves although it’s often a temporary effect and it improves over time. Your voice may sound weak or hoarse for a few days, perhaps a few weeks, afterwards.
You may experience discomfort or pain in the incision site, too. You can ask your doctor for pain medication, which will contribute to your overall well-being and faster recovery.
Due to the position you were placed in during surgery, you may wake up with a stiff neck and back, a temporary side effect, too. You can ask for a massage or physiotherapy to relieve these symptoms, as well as use a triangle-shaped pillow designed for optimum neck support.
And then there’s the issue of scarring on the incision site. You may observe a 5-centimeter to 7-centimeter long horizontal scar above your collarbone; your doctor will choose a natural skin crease to hide, so to speak, the incision site.
Don’t worry if the incision site looks red because it will fade in time and become less noticeable. You should keep the incision area moisturized, perhaps use a special tape to facilitate faster healing.
Keep in mind, too, that these side effects may seem unbearable in the short-term period but these are temporary. The possible long-term reward of remission should be enough reward.
HK ENT Specialist Ltd. is a Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre offering ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy, Sleep Disordered Breathing Management, Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services. If you have ENT problem, it is suggested to call us to make an appointment for the appropriate ENT services.
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
Q&A About Parotid Gland Cancer
Parotid gland cancer accounts for majority –about 85% – of all cases of salivary gland tumors. Emphasis must be made, furthermore, that not all parotid tumors are malignant – only about 25% are cancerous. As a type of salivary gland tumor, parotid gland cancer is rare.
Where Does It Occur?
The salivary glands produce saliva, an essential substance in the digestive process as well as in supporting good oral health and in keeping the mouth moist. These are classified into three major types located under and behind the jaw – sublingual, submandibular, and parotid. There are also small salivary glands in other parts of the mouth and throat.
The parotid glands are the largest of these three major types of salivary glands. These are located in front of the ears, one on each side of the head.
What Should You Be Aware Of?
Parotid tumors cause multiple symptoms including:
- Lump on or near your jaw
- Lump in your mouth or neck
- Persistent pain in the area
- Burning or tingling sensation
- Muscle weakness on one side of your face
- Numbness on one part of your face
- Loss of facial movement
- Trouble swallowing
- Difficulty in opening your mouth widely
The mass in your mouth, jaw, or neck may or may not be painful but it’s important to have it checked by your ENT doctor regardless. With a malignant parotid tumor, the facial nerves are also affected resulting in the pain, muscle weakness, and loss of facial movement.
We must emphasize, however, that a mass or lump near your salivary gland doesn’t mean that it’s cancerous. There are many non-cancerous medical conditions that can cause swelling in the salivary glands, such as a stone in their ducts or an infection in the glands.
Who Is At High Risk?
Risk factors refer to the conditions that can increase the risk of developing a certain disease or disorder. But take note that having one or more risk factor doesn’t mean that you will definitely develop the illness – there are many factors that come into play in disease and disorder development.
The risk factors for parotid gland cancer are:
- Older age with most patients being older adults; salivary gland tumors, however, can happen at any age
- Radiation exposure, an ironic thing considering that radiation therapy is used in the treatment of head and neck cancers
- Exposure to certain substances in the workplace, such as asbestos and rubber used in mining, plumbing and manufacturing
If your ENT doctor suspects parotid gland cancer, you will undergo several diagnostic exams. These usually include a thorough physical exam to check for lumps in your jaw, neck and throat, a biopsy to determine whether it’s malignant or benign, and imaging tests like MRI and CT scan.
Parotid gland cancer is treatable with the treatment options including parotidectomy, a surgical operation to remove the parotid gland either partially or completely, and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy hasn’t been proven effective in its treatment.
HK ENT Specialist Ltd. is a Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre offering ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy, Sleep Disordered Breathing Management, Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services. If you have ENT problem, it is suggested to call us to make an appointment for the appropriate ENT services.
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
Tongue Cancer Treatment: Choose It Wisely And Prepare For It Well
Making smart choices in your tongue cancer treatment can be difficult for many reasons. The stress, anxiety and anger that come with the diagnosis of cancer can cloud your judgment, even reinforce your feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
While it’s a difficult process, you have to be an active partner with your ENT doctor and support network in choosing the best treatments in your case. You have, in fact, the primary responsibility in this regard since it’s your mind, body and life.
Making Your Choice
From the medical perspective, your treatment plan will be affected by several factors including:
- The type, location and size of the tumor (e.g., on the visible part of the tongue or at its base)
- The spread of the cancer, if any
- The symptoms, reactions and side effects that you have experienced with prior treatments
- Your age, general health, and medical history
From your personal perspective, you may have ambivalent feelings about the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. You may, for example, feel that everything’s happening too slow or too fast, a valid feeling because it’s your body.
You should then check with your ENT doctor about the right timing for your treatment, especially as you can listen to your body’s signals. You can take as much time as possible before making your decision unless, of course, time is of the essence in beating tongue cancer.
Making your choice should also be based on a deeper understanding of the disease, even when it doesn’t equal the knowledge of your oncologist. At the very least, you should know the available treatments, their pros and cons, and their side effects and complications. You may also want to discuss these matters with your family and friends who can provide emotional and spiritual support.
Most importantly, you have the right as a patient to accept or refuse any or all treatments offered. Your doctor can only provide medical advice but cannot impose his professional judgment on a patient.
The treatment options in tongue cancer includes surgical excision of the tumor, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, and chemotherapy. These are typically combined, such as in radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Preparing for Treatment
Regardless of your treatment plan, you should prepare for it in the physical and mental sense. Keep in mind that you will get worse before you can get better with anti-cancer treatments. Radiation therapy, for example, can seriously affect the functioning of your mouth, gums and teeth.
Before your treatment starts, you should consider:
- Seeing an oral medicine specialist or a dentist for the appropriate dental work before and after the treatment. Your dentist may pull out unhealthy teeth before your radiation therapy.
- Adopting healthy lifestyle habits that will affect your mind and body’s preparedness for surgery and other therapies. These include starting an exercise program, stopping smoking, and preparing your mind for the journey ahead.
You may feel that your recovery from tongue cancer isn’t in your control but it is! You just have to see where you can have control and grab it. For details of the treatment, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist.
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
Frequent Throat Clearing Might Be a Sign of A More Serious Condition
For some reason, throat-clearing is one of the most effective ways to grab people’s attention. One ‘ahem’ and all eyes and ears are on some folks. This is why frequent throat-clearing can be a pet peeve of some. Unfortunately, it can also be a sign of a serious condition.
If you often experience some hoarseness in your throat that prompts you to clear them every now and then, you might want to check this out.
Reasons for Frequent Throat-Clearing
There are tons of reasons why some people are compelled to clear their throat very often. Usually, it’s a symptom of a more serious condition like the following:
Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
Also known as silent reflux, this condition pushes up stomach matter to your throat which makes it uncomfortable and makes you clear your throat several times. It’s a lot like acid reflux but it doesn’t usually cause heartburn so it’s less noticeable. The only telltale sign, really, of this condition is the fact that it causes frequent throat-clearing.
Tourette syndrome
Excessive throat-clearing can also be a manifestation of the neurological disorder known as the Tourette syndrome. This condition causes physical tics and vocal outbursts of various kinds.
Allergies
Food allergies can also make you want to clear your throat often. Sometimes, the residue of the food you’ve eaten can tickle your throat which will then prompt you to clear it often.
Postnasal drip
This condition is caused by the body’s excess production of mucus which can then drip down your throat from the back of your nose. It can then create a discomfort in your throat which will then make you clear your throat every so often.
In most occasions, postnasal drips are caused by allergies, viral and sinus infections, cold weather, pregnancy, spicy food, dry air, and some medications.
- Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder with streptococcus (PANDAS)
- This condition is usually a complication of strep throat or scarlet fever in young children. Motor tics are common manifestations of the condition and it sometimes come in the form of chronic throat-clearing.
- However, there are also many cases where excessive throat-clearing is done as a habit. Some folks usually do it subconsciously when they’re stressed or anxious.
- How to Stop Clearing Your Throat Excessively
- If you’re starting to get conscious with your habit of frequent throat-clearing, you might want to know that there are ways how you can make it stop. Here are a few examples of the best ways to go about it:
- Treat the underlying condition.
- By treating the condition that’s causing your excessive throat clearing, your throat won’t have to feel uncomfortable and you won’t feel the need to clear it all the time anymore.
- Be more conscious about your habit.
- There are some instances wherein there’s really no underlying cause for you to need to clear your throat so often. So in these cases, make a conscious effort to stop your habit. Catch yourself when you’re trying to move your throat. Be more self-aware and actively fight this rather annoying habit.
- Drink more fluids.
- To ease the discomfort on your throat, drinking fluids can be of help.
- Find an alternative habit.
If you tend to clear your throat too often as a habit, you might want to switch it to something else. Experts recommend the following as alternatives:
- Swallowing twice
- Sucking on a sugar-free candy
- Yawning
- Coughing
Since ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for the appropriate ENT services.
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
註: 本站無論中文繁體，中文簡體和英文內容所提及的疾病和治療方法僅供讀者參考，並不代表本站推薦該種療法，亦不能代替專業醫生診治，讀者如有需要，應該尋求專業醫生意見或聯絡香港耳鼻喉專科。
另所有文章內使用的人名均為化名。
另所有文章內使用的人名均為化名。