When To See A Sinus Specialist

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, approximately 35 million people develop chronic sinusitis each year, making it one of the most common health complaints in the country. So if you suffer from chronic sinus infections and recurring colds, you’re not alone! Fortunately, care of the nasal cavity and sinuses are one of the primary skills of otolaryngologists.

While there are a variety of ways to treat problems with your sinuses, you can highly benefit from seeing a specialist.

Here are a few ways to know when it’s time to see a sinus specialist: 

1. You’ve Already Tried Home Remedies 

2. You’re Experiencing Long-Term Symptoms 

3. You Have Underlying Conditions 

Contact us to learn more about our nose and sinus care services. 

You’ve Already Tried Home Remedies 

Maybe you’ve been sleeping with a humidifier, taking over-the-counter medications, and drinking plenty of fluids but nothing’s changed. What next? If you’ve already tried home remedies, without any relief, it’s recommended that you see a sinus specialist. They’ll be able to diagnose the cause of your problems and the best course of action depending on the severity. This will prevent your symptoms from getting worse and prevent the risk of a serious infection. 

You’re Experiencing Long-Term Symptoms 

Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses which causes inflammation and makes it difficult to breathe through your nose. As UCLA Health states, chronic sinusitis also impacts other aspects of your daily health, “in these patients, we tend to see depression, loss of productivity, problems concentrating and sleeping, and the sense that you’re constantly living in a brain fog.” 

Most cases of sinusitis last around seven to ten days but if your symptoms persist for longer, it’s best to see a doctor. 

You Have Underlying Conditions: 

While sinus problems can result from a variety of factions, it’s important to be aware of any underlying conditions that can make them happen or get worse. Immune system disorders like cystic fibrosis can lead to nasal blockage since it prevents the normal flow of air in and out of your lungs and other organs. This creates a sticky mucus that breeds bacteria and viruses. Another cause is respiratory infections as they can inflame and thicken your sinus membranes and block mucus drainage.

As Mayo Clinic states, chronic sinusitis complications are rare but they may include vision problems and infections. If your sinus infection moves to your eye socket, it can cause reduced vision or possibly create permanent blindness. A serious infection can occur if inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cords occurs. 

Let the Specialists at OAT Help You: 

At OAT, our board-certified specialists will help you breathe more easily by providing comprehensive treatment for your nasal and sinus problems. 

Whether you’re experiencing common nasal ailments like allergies (both seasonal and airborne), smell disorders, or, nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum or a serious or reoccurring infection, our team is here to help. 

Our Services and Conditions Treated Include: 

• Rhinitis

• Sinusitis

• Nasal obstruction

• Balloon sinuplasty

• Endoscopic sinus surgery

• Postnasal drip

• Deviated septum

• Nasal polyps

• Acute sinusitis

• Chronic sinusitis

• Frequent nosebleeds

• Smell disorders

• Septoplasty

• Turbinate reduction

• Functional rhinoplasty

Ready to learn more about our services? Contact us today to get started. 

Signs it’s Time to Visit a Hearing Center

Our ears are incredibly complex and delicate organs that are not only responsible for collecting, processing, and sending sound signals to our brains and enabling us to hear, but they also help us maintain our equilibrium and balance. As you get older, it’s common for hearing loss to occur. While it may happen gradually over time, it’s easy to not realize just how much your hearing has changed. 

According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, the average American with hearing loss waits seven years before seeking help. Hearing loss has also been shown to negatively impact nearly every aspect of an individual’s life such as physical health, emotional and mental health, family relationships, and self-esteem. That’s why we’ve put together a list of signs it's time to visit a hearing center.

A few signs its time to visit a hearing center include: 

1. Trouble Following Conversations 

2. Ear Pain 

3. Experiencing Tinnitus 

4. You’re Due For A Checkup 

Trouble Following Conversations

When experiencing hearing loss, it can become difficult to follow a conversation, even when there is little to no background noise. You may also find yourself needing to turn up the volume when watching TV, speaking to someone on the phone, or listening to the radio. This can cause issues in your daily life as you may miss important information when speaking with your friends and family or at work. 

Ear Pain 

While ear aches are common for children, they happen often for adults too. Common causes include earwax buildup, which can harden and block your ear canal, changes in air pressure, and swimmer’s ear, which happens when water is trapped in your ear canal, and breeds germs. 

Certain causes of ear pain like swimmers' ear can cause future problems as an infection can spread to other areas surrounding the ear and may require urgent medical attention. 

Click here to learn more about our services and request an appointment. 

Experiencing Tinnitus

Do you have ringing in one or both ears? As stated by Mayo Clinic, the noise you hear when you have tinnitus isn't caused by an external sound, and other people usually can't hear it. It’s a common problem and affects about 15% to 20% of people, and is especially common in older adults. Other symptoms include buzzing, clicking, and humming noises. Common causes include hearing loss, ear infections, head or neck injuries, and medications. 

You’re Due For A Checkup

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) guidelines state that healthy adults ages 18-40 years old, who are not experiencing any noticeable hearing loss, should have their hearing tested every three to five years. However, for other groups, such as those over 60 years old, it’s recommended that you get tested more often. People who are often exposed to loud noises such as those working in live music or construction are more likely to develop hearing loss and should get their hearing tested once a year. 

During a checkup, a baseline hearing test a baseline test will show you where your hearing is at that point. A more comprehensive test is a hearing screening which is either pass or fail. If you fail the test, a specialist will be able to give you a more detailed evaluation. 

OAT, a Nashville Hearing Center: 

At Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee, we strive to create a culture of patient-centered care valuing accessibility, compassion, innovation, and education. We provide a respectful, patient-focused approach in a warm atmosphere. 

Our team of physicians, practitioners, and experienced audiologists will listen to your concerns, conduct thorough diagnostic tests and hearing evaluations, and will recommend the best possible course of treatment. We are also happy to work with you to suggest protective measures to protect and maintain your hearing.

Contact Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee today to learn more about our hearing services. 

A Pediatric Otolaryngologist Can Help Your Child

Does your child have trouble breathing? If so, they may be experiencing issues with their tonsils and adenoids. To correctly identify the sinus needs of your child, a visit to your local otolaryngologist will be beneficial. 

Obviously, your child's health is something that is very important to you. It is often difficult to understand what health issues are affecting your child, especially if they are young. For this reason, ENT clinics are very useful. It is important to ensure your child gets the care they need by having an ear, nose, and throat specialist analyze the source of their discomfort instead of making an educated guess on your own. 

While a general practitioner is usually a good place to start, this can sometimes be a waste of time if they are already going to recommend you visit a pediatric otolaryngologist in Nashville, TN. 

Here’s how a pediatric otolaryngologist can help your child:

1. Pediatric ENT Services

2. Pediatric Health Assessment 

3. Sinus & Nasal Surgery

4. Ear Tube Solutions 

5. Pediatric Otolaryngology with OAT

Pediatric ENT Services

At OAT, our team of Pediatric specialist provide a full array of pediatric ear, nose, and throat services and treatment for the following: 

• Chronic or recurring ear infections

• Ear tubes

• Hearing screening and testing

• Balance disorders

• Diagnosis and treatment of pediatric sleep apnea

• Tonsils and adenoids

• Pediatric allergies

• Pediatric sinusitis

• Pediatric head and neck tumors

• Speech and language disorders

• Tongue tie

• Swallowing disorders

Pediatric Health Assessment

As with any doctor's appointment, a pediatric otolaryngology appointment will begin with a health assessment of your child. When it comes to young children who like to rough house and get their hands dirty, frequent nose bleeds or other sinus issues are not uncommon. 

However, when you begin to notice an abnormal amount of nosebleeds or discharge from your child’s sinuses, a visit to a local ENT might be in your best interest. From sinus issues such as labored breathing, issues with swallowing, excessive snoring or even allergies, a pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist can ensure that your child is experiencing any life threatening issues. 

Similarly, outside of sinuses, your child may be experiencing some form of hearing loss. With that in mind, an experienced otolaryngologist can also assess your child’s hearing. While our children might not listen to us every time we speak to them, if your child has been notorious for not listening, but has a decent temperament, you may want to seek the opinion of a local ENT specialist. When it comes to your child, what seems like a lack of listening skills may actually have nothing to do with your child’s attention span. 

Sinus & Nasal Surgery

For many pediatric patients, allergy treatment and antibiotics can control sinusitis; however, for others, surgery may be required. At OAT, our highly-qualified otolaryngologist surgeons can perform balloon sinuplasty, a minimally-invasive, in-office sinus procedure for patients seeking relief from painful sinus infections. 

For young patients whose breathing problems are caused by their tonsils and adenoids, removal surgery can help to improve airflow, or can even reposition the breathing mechanism to help patients breathe more freely. Upon visiting your local ENT specialist, you’ll be able to decide which plan of action will be best for your child. 

Whether your child will need surgery or a simple antibiotic will depend on the severity of the sinus situation. 

Contact Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee for your pediatric nasal and sinus issue needs.

Ear Tube Solutions 

While it is normal for the majority of children to experience some form of an ear infection over the course of their lifetime, it is not normal for a child to experience an ear infection every year. While the majority of these cases can usually be cleared up with antibiotics, more severe cases occasionally arise and tend to persist.

If your child experiences multiple ear infections within six months, or has a resistance to antibiotics used to treat ear infections, see a pediatric ENT. In this case, ear tubes will likely be necessary and provide the greatest ease for your child's discomfort.

Pediatric Otolaryngology with OAT

At OAT, we treat each and every child as if they were our own. We provide cutting-edge routine and specialty care for ear, nose, and throat disorders and diseases in children. Our practice has generations of experience treating the children of Middle Tennessee.

Whether your child suffers from tongue tie, chronic ear infections, tonsillitis, allergies, or hearing loss, we can help. OAT offers a wide range of in-office diagnostic tools and procedures and our board-certified specialists compassionately work with you and your child to find the right course of treatment.

CONTACT OAT IN NASHVILLE, TN TODAY!

Why You Should Visit an Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor

There are several reasons to see an ENT doctor, and excessive ear wax is sometimes a reason. If you do not have the proper medical services at your disposal, dealing with issues related to ears, noses, and throats can be challenging. 

Obtaining the right diagnosis and getting the right treatment are important components of visiting an ENT doctor. It can be difficult to tell if your symptoms require a medical consultation, especially when there are so many reasons to see an ENT specialist. Nonetheless, there is no need for you to worry as all the information you could possibly need will be provided to you. 

Here’s when you should seek treatment from an ear, nose and throat doctor:

1. Chronic Tonsillitis

2. Regular Sinusitis

3. Consistent Ear Infections

4. Persistent Allergies

5. Hearing Loss in Various Stages

6. Enlarged Neck Lymph Nodes

Chronic Tonsillitis

Both children and adults can suffer from tonsillitis, however, if you find yourself repeatedly suffering from sore throats or tonsillitis, it may be time to see an ENT doctor. Having your tonsils removed may not be necessary, but the procedure usually requires very little downtime, and you'll get to enjoy plenty of tasty ice cream for a few days. 

Symptoms of tonsillitis include difficulty breathing, excessive salivation, severe throat pain, high temperature, and throat pain. Therefore, you should consult an ENT to get a diagnosis and to find out more about your possible treatment options.

Regular Sinusitis

ENT doctors are also often called to treat sinusitis. A common condition associated with the cavities around nasal passages is sinusitis. The inflammation and swelling of the sinuses are likely to last for at least 12 weeks with this illness. Your local ENT specialist can help you find the right treatment options if you or a loved one are suffering from chronic sinusitis.

Unlike primary care doctors, an ear, nose, and throat specialist can provide specialized healthcare services in this area. We can assist you in determining the most appropriate sinusitis treatment plan for you with the help of an ENT specialist.

Consistent Ear Infections

Children commonly suffer from infections in their ears due to sinus issues. Despite the fact that ear infections can affect people of all ages, persistent ear infections in adults can often be a sign of a throat tumor. You should schedule a visit with your local ENT doctor if you experience regular ear infections or ear pain. In addition to treating your ear infection pain, an ear, nose, and throat doctor will ensure your sinuses are free of tumors. 

Contact Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee for your nasal and sinus issues.

Persistent Allergies

An ENT specialist could be of great assistance for someone with allergies of various types, whether they're seasonal or generic. Allergies can affect any part of the body including the skin, eyes, stomach lining, nose, sinuses, throat, and lungs. As a result of these allergic reactions, your body, schedule, and sometimes even your life can be completely upset.

 A physician can ensure you understand your allergies and stay on top of them so your body does not have to, so your immune system can fight off germs that are inhaled, swallowed, or come in touch with your skin. Living a more easy and safe life is possible with allergy treatment options. 

Hearing Loss in Various Stages

The loss of hearing, which is a normal consequence of aging, is another reason to consult with an ENT specialist. Symptoms of sudden hearing loss are often the result of an underlying more serious condition. You can find out why you are experiencing sudden hearing loss by visiting a qualified ear, nose, and throat doctor. 

In addition to ear infections, circulatory problems, and other neurological issues, sudden hearing loss can also be caused by sudden onset of allergy symptoms. A hearing test can be conducted by an ENT to find the cause and solution.

Enlarged Neck Lymph Nodes

Many people may begin to experience various swollen lymph nodes on their bodies as they age. Usually benign, these lumps will last between two weeks and three months; however, a lump that stays longer should be evaluated by an ENT. Different types of cancer may sometimes cause persistently swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Make sure that any head or neck issues do not spread to other areas by seeing an ENT doctor.

ENT procedures come with minimal risk factors or long-term side effects. However, depending on the solution that is right for you, you will still want to be in good hands. By choosing an ENT specialist who has been board certified, such as OAT, you increase the likelihood of a successful and efficient procedure. 

If you suspect issues with your sinuses, contact OAT today to schedule an appointment. 

The Benefits of Consulting an ENT and Allergy Clinic in Nashville

Do you know that the average adult inhales over 20,000 liters of air each day? As a result, sinus problems (ear, nose, throat) can cause a multitude of problems for the average person. 

If you do not have access to the right regular ENT specialist health services, dealing with ear, nose, and throat disorders can be a challenge. Choosing a certified ENT doctor for regular appointments makes it easier for you to receive the right diagnosis and receive the right treatment solution for your condition. A proper ENT procedure is necessary if you are experiencing sinus or allergy problems. 

Here are some of the benefits to consulting an ENT and allergy clinic:

1. What is an ENT?

2. Treating Allergies

3. Treating Sinusitis

4. Hearing Aid Solutions

5. Medical Specialization

What is an ENT?

An Otolaryngologist is someone who specializes in hearing, seeing, and treating the ears, nose, and throat. Otolaryngologists are trained in the medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the head, neck, and sinuses. 

Otolaryngologists who hold a Board Certification will have completed extensive training in pediatric and adult ear, nose, and throat problems, allergies, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, throat cancer, salivary gland surgery, sleep apnea surgery, and neck tumor surgery. In addition to dealing with health issues that may include hearing impairment, oral cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea, they also offer community health education programs.

Treating Allergies

Regular visits to your local ENT specialist could be beneficial if you suffer from general allergies or seasonal allergies. With over two hundred airborne allergens in Middle Tennessee, seasonal allergies are becoming increasingly prevalent. You may wish to schedule an ENT appointment if you have noticed changes in your breathing this season. 

At OAT, our airborne and seasonal allergies are successfully identified and treated by our team of highly specialized allergists. When your allergens are identified, we will create a custom program of treatment that may include OTC medications and lifestyle adjustments, prescription medications, environmental controls, or immunotherapy allergy treatments. Keeping up with regular ENT visits can help you avoid allergies taking over your life.

Contact Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee for your nasal and sinus issues.

Treating Sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis affects millions of Americans every year, making it one of the most frequent causes of illness. People living with chronic sinus infections and recurring colds aren't alone! Fortunately, the nasal cavity and sinuses can be taken care of much more easily with an ear, nose, and throat doctor. You'll be able to manage your breathing problems from allergies to deviated septums with an ENT specialist. The typical sinus issues you experience will be a thing of the past, as regular visits to an ear, nose, and throat doctor will prevent them. 

Hearing Aid Solutions 

If you suffer from hearing loss, it's important to stay connected to the things you love. The inability to hear well is a common symptom of aging, and is associated with feelings of isolation and disconnectedness. It is not possible to fix every hearing issue, but the majority of hearing health problems can be fixed. 

Choosing the right ear, nose and throat doctor can help you address your hearing concerns, protect, prevent, and enhance, in a thoughtful way. Our licensed, graduate-level Audiologists work closely with our team of physicians and nurse practitioners to ensure you get the personalized care you deserve, whether it is hearing aids or another form of communication. 

Medical Specialization

Essentially, the sinuses and the pathways associated with them are incredibly complicated, and they are made up of delicate organs. Besides collecting sound signals, processing them, and transferring them to our brains, these sinus organs enable us to hear, see, and experience life.

For some sinus disorders including lesions, internal growths, excessive wax, middle ear infections, and vertigo, specialized care is difficult to find. Throughout your treatment at OAT, our team of physicians, practitioners, and experienced audiologists will listen to your concerns, perform comprehensive diagnostic tests, and provide you with detailed treatment recommendations.

There are minimal risks or long-term effects associated with ENT treatments. Even so, you will want to be in the best hands depending on which solutions are the best fit for you. By choosing an ENT specialist who has been board certified, such as OAT, you increase the likelihood of a successful and efficient procedure. 

If you suspect issues with your sinuses, contact OAT today to schedule an appointment.