It can be challenging to live with chronic sinusitis. Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) lasts for at least 12 weeks. Making breathing difficult due to nasal obstruction, affecting how things taste and smell. Sinusitis cause pain, tenderness, and swelling around the areas of the eyes, cheeks, nose, and forehead.

Chronic sinusitis can be treated with medications. However, not all patients respond well to them. As a last resort, an ENT specialist would recommend a sinus surgery.

In the traditional sinus surgery, the bone and tissues are removed to enlarged the sinus opening. This helps in clearing the blocked sinuses and consequently, restores the normal sinus drainage. However, this surgery is usually associated with pain and scarring.

What is Balloon Sinuplasty?

If you have chronic sinusitis but are hesitant to undergo the traditional sinus surgery, Balloon Sinuplasty may be right for you.

Unlike the traditional sinus surgery, Balloon Sinuplasty doesn’t involve any cutting or removal of bones and tissues. It uses a small, flexible balloon catheter to open up the blocked sinus passageways.

How does Balloon Sinuplasty work?

During a Balloon Sinuplasty procedure, a balloon catheter is inserted into the inflamed sinus. The balloon is then inflated to expand the sinus. Saline solution is sprayed in order to flush out pus and mucus. The system is then removed, leaving the sinuses open.

What can you expect during and after a Balloon Sinuplasty procedure?

Many cases of Balloon Sinuplasty use general anesthesia but there’s a growing number of ENT doctors who are using local anesthesia for in-office Balloon Sinuplasty.

As with recovery, you can resume to your normal activities 2 days after the procedure.

Image: https://www.istockphoto.com/au/photo/my-sinuses-are-so-blocked-gm468447672-61745376

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-sinusitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351661

http://www.balloonsinuplasty.com/what-is-balloon-sinuplasty/procedure-overview

http://www.balloonsinuplasty.com/what-is-balloon-sinuplasty/faqs#n67

https://www.americansinus.com/results-of-balloon-sinuplasty/

About 37 million Americans snore. While it’s very common, snoring is a major deterrent to quality sleep. Knowing what causes it is one step towards getting better sleep at night.

Here are the most common causes of snoring:

1. Aging

As we get older, our throat muscles and tongue tend to relax more during sleep. This causes a vibration on the inhale which leads to snoring.

2. Being overweight

Your mouth’s anatomy can play a role in your snoring. If you’re overweight, you tend to have extra tissues at the back of your throat, which can narrow the airways.

3. Having too much alcohol

You may end up snoring if you consume too much alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol has a relaxing effect on the throat muscles and can decrease the natural defense against airway obstruction.

4. Sleeping on the back

Snoring is usually more frequent and louder when you sleep on your back. This has something to do with the gravity’s effect on the airway (it narrows it).

5. Having obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. It is characterized by loud snoring followed by periods of silence when breathing stops or nearly stops.

6. Having nose and throat conditions

There are several nose and throat conditions that can cause you to snore. These include nasal polyps, a deviated septum, and enlarged tonsils.

Snoring can affect your or your partner’s quality of sleep and eventually, your quality of life. Seeing a specialist can help you find out what causes your snoring and what can be done to remedy it.

Image: https://www.istockphoto.com/au/photo/stressed-young-woman-covering-her-ears-because-her-husband-is-snoring-gm996096184-269580407

References:
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/common-causes-snoring
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/snoring/symptoms-causes/syc-20377694

Sickness is inevitable especially among kids.  While some conditions can easily be managed at home,  there are those that need to be referred to the specialist.

Ears, nose, and throat infections are common among kids. If your child is showing any of the following, don’t hesitate to take him or her to an ENT doctor.

1. Snoring
Children shouldn’t snore. If you find your child snoring loudly during sleep, he or she may have issues concerning his or her nose. It could be congestion from allergies or a case of sleep apnea. Whatever it may be, it’s always better to see a specialist to find out the underlying cause.

2. Recurrent colds
Colds are very common especially if your kid is usually around other kids. But if your child is getting colds more frequently and longer than the usual, then it’s time to take him/her to a specialist.

3. Persistent nosebleeds
Children can easily end up with nosebleeds from physical trauma or when they’re picking their nose. However,  if your child is experiencing nosebleeds multiple times a week, then it’s worth to give your ENT doctor a call.

Persistent bleeding may be due to inflamed nasal passages,  nasal polyps or deviated septum.

4. Problem in swallowing
It’s never a good sign when your child experiences problems with swallowing. It’s best to take him/her to a specialist to see what’s wrong in his/her throat.

5. Hearing loss
Hearing loss,  whether it’s on one or both ears, should prompt you to consult a pediatric ENT. Ear infections are very common in kids. When left unmanaged, it can lead to more serious complications like hearing loss and meningitis.

Greater Knoxville ENT provides the most advanced care for conditions concerning the nose, sinuses, mouth, throat, and ears. If you need a specialist for your child, don’t hesitate to call us for an appointment.

Image: https://www.istockphoto.com/au/photo/little-girl-seeing-doctor-gm155849523-19435996

References:
https://scentmd.com/blog/4-signs-you-should-see-a-pediatric-ent-doctor
scentmd.com/blog/4-signs-you-should-see-a-pediatric-ent-doctor

If you’ve been feeling like you’re spinning or that the world around you is spinning, then you may be experiencing vertigo.
 

What is vertigo? 

Vertigo is a symptom. It is a sensation that either you or the environment is spinning.  

Some people with vertigo barely noticed it while there are those with severe cases who find it hard to keep themselves in balance and do day-to-day tasks. 

What causes it? 

There are different causes of vertigo and these include: 

• Meniere’s Disease 

It’s an inner ear problem caused by fluid buildup and changing pressure inside the ear. Aside from vertigo, Meniere’s disease also causes ringing or buzzing in the ears. 

•  Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo 

BPPV is another inner problem that occurs when tiny calcium particles clump in the inner ear.  

•  Vestibular Neuritis 

This is an inner problem associated with viral infection. The infection causes inflammation of the nerves that play a role in sensing balance.  

 How does vertigo feel? 

Many people often described vertigo as feeling tilting, unbalanced, spinning, or swaying.  

In some cases, vertigo may come with other symptoms like nausea, headache, vomiting, and ringing in the ears. 

Can vertigo be treated? 

Although many cases of vertigo go away on their own as the brain is able to adapt, there are some that requires treatment. Some of the most common treatment options include:
 

• Vestibular rehabilitation 

It’s a form of physical therapy that aims to strengthen the vestibular system. This system has an important role to play in keeping our balance. It sends signals to our brain about our head and body movement relative to gravity.
 

• Canalith repositioning maneuvers 

These are movements designed to move the calcium deposits (canaliths) out of the ear canal and into the inner ear chamber, where they will be absorbed by the body.
 

• Surgery 

In some cases, surgery may be needed. These are vertigo cases caused by a tumor or brain/neck injury. 

If your vertigo is keeping you from having a normal life, consult a specialist.  

Image: https://www.istockphoto.com/au/photo/man-suffering-from-dizziness-with-difficulty-standing-up-while-leaning-on-wall-gm892430126-247005315
 

References: 

https://www.webmd.com/brain/vertigo-symptoms-causes-treatment#1 

https://www.rxlist.com/vertigo_overview/article.htm 

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/vertigo 

We often associate hearing loss with aging. While it’s true that hearing loss is more common among older people, it can happen to anyone, regardless of age. It can manifest in different ways, depending on the severity and type of hearing loss.

Regardless of the type and cause of hearing loss, the symptoms are almost the same. These include:

• difficulty in understanding speech especially in a noisy environment
• listening to television or radio at high volume
• difficulty hearing people on the phone
• ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
• having trouble hearing children and women
• the perception that others are mumbling
• feeling stressed out from straining what other people are saying
• feeling nervous from meeting other people

Greater Knoxville ENT Can Help

If you think you are suffering from hearing loss, we can help.

We perform hearing tests to help determine the type and severity of hearing loss you have, which can also determine the most appropriate treatment for you.

We have on-site Ear, Nose, and Throat physicians and audiologists who are experts in evaluating and treating hearing loss. All of our patients have customized treatment plans. We also offer sampling of solutions available in our facility, which include custom earplugs, assistive listening devices (ALDs), hearing aids, and earmolds.

Let us help you hear better this year! Call us  to schedule an appointment.

Image: https://www.istockphoto.com/au/photo/close-up-of-a-man-trying-to-hear-gm845308108-138450987

Reference:

http://www.betterhearing.org/hearingpedia/signs-hearing-loss

Have you been considering cosmetic treatment or a facial peel? This may be the perfect time. Colder temperatures are optimal for treatments that can help improve your complexion, as well as for plastic surgery. During other times of the year, like spring and summer, people tend to spend more time outside and in the sun and protecting your skin from the sun post-treatment is necessary for proper healing.

In the fall and winter, your skin is more likely to protected from complications that can occur from receiving too much UV exposure while skin is still in the recovery stage. Because there are lower UV levels during these months, it’s a great time to consider cosmetic treatments. Most people also find it easier to recuperate indoors during the colder months, without the added pressure of beach vacations, pool time, and other outdoor activities.

Patients at Greater Knoxville ENT can choose to begin or continue cosmetic treatment through a number of pharmaceutical grade products. Our products are carefully chosen to provide patients with the best options to allow their skin to change in the best possible way.

Call (865) 244-4396 to schedule an appointment, or contact us online.

Can you imagine what life would be like without hearing?

If you have normal, healthy hearing, you may wonder what you can do to keep it that way. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Here are 3 tips to prevent hearing loss and protect your ears:

1. Turn the volume down
   If you like to enjoy music through headphones, use the 60/60 rule. This rule suggests to listen on your headphones at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes per day. Don’t let your jam sessions now, keep you from jam session in the future!
2. Use earplugs
   Approximately 15% of Americans have noise-related hearing loss because of loud work or leisure environments. Whether you’re around loud machines at work all day, or you’re playing music on the weekends, custom-fitted ear plugs can help filter extra noise while maintaining the original sound quality as closely as possible.
3. Get your ears checked
   Be sure to make hearing screenings a part of your regular checkups. Because hearing loss can happen gradually, it’s also recommended that you have annual hearing consultations with a hearing healthcare professional. That way, you’ll be more likely to recognize signs of hearing loss and take action as soon as you do.At Greater Knoxville ENT, we provide comprehensive hearing care with onsite Ear, Nose and Throat Physicians and Audiologists. Our solutions are customized to fit the needs of each individual patient. Call 865-244-4396 to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists today.

Did you know that hearing loss affects one in ten North Americans each year? Every October is recognized as Audiology Awareness Month. The purpose is to increase awareness of audiology and to educate the public on the importance of healthy hearing and the professionals who dedicate their lives to helping others hear again.

What is Audiology?

Audiology is known as the science and study of hearing. Audiologists are experts who help to prevent, diagnose and treat hearing and balance disorders. Through treatment with an audiologist, patients can not only improve their hearing, but improve their quality of life.

Audiology at GKENT

At Greater Knoxville ENT, we provide the best hearing care services available, including comprehensive diagnostic hearing evaluations, as well as hearing aids and Bluetooth accessories to help you get the most out of life. Our audiologists have met state and national requirements and have attained the highest level of preparation for providing healthcare to those with hearing problems.

Our talented group of physicians can help you uncover a new world of improved hearing and overall ear health! We treat a number of conditions related to audiology and hearing. Call 865-244-4396 to schedule an appointment or contact us here.

Greater Knoxville ENT is proud to announce that Dr. Elise Denneny has been named President-elect for the Tennessee Medical Association, effective in May.

When she takes office as the 2019-2020 TMA President, Dr. Denneny will be the third female president in TMA history.

“In thirty years of practicing medicine across every kind of practice setting I’ve seen the relevance and impact of organized medicine. It impacts the lives of physicians, patients families and communities. The Tennessee Medical Association fights for those interests along with federal, state and local societies. TMA has momentum on the back of recent legislative successes,” says Denneny.

Dr. Denneny is a current member of the TMA Board of Trustees and is past president of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine.

See Galina Kremenchugskaya, patient at Greater Knoxville ENT, discuss her experience with Dr. Richard DePersio.

Dr. DePersio has a special interest in head and neck surgery, facial plastic surgery, and endoscopic sinus surgery. He has board certification in both otolaryngology and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Interested in cosmetic surgery at Greater Knoxville ENT? Request an appointment online, or call (865) 244-4396.

Knathan Halliburton, a member of the Knoxville band The Wild Things, had developed a hearing problem that was dramatically affecting his life. After being diagnosed with otosclerosis at Greater Knoxville ENT, Halliburton received custom hearing aids and treatment that helped him regain his hearing and brought sound back to his life. Halliburton wrote and recorded a song about his experience as a way of thanking Greater Knoxville ENT.

Watch Knathan’s story below, and listen to his original song here.