Otolaryngology (ENT) Conditions

Our DMC otolaryngology experts treat a variety of conditions affecting the ears, nose and throat, including some of the common conditions listed below. 

Adenoidectomy

Your adenoids are a mass of lymphatic tissue located at the back of your nasal passageway. They are part of your immune system, but when they become a problem it is possible your physician will want to remove your adenoids. This procedure is called an adenoidectomy.

Symptoms

Your symptoms can vary, but often include difficulty breathing through the nose and chronic sore throats.

Allergies

Allergies can be caused by many things, and can appear as a wide range of symptoms. Although some symptoms can be life threatening, it is more likely that your allergies show up as an annoying cough or runny nose. Otolaryngologists, or ENT’s, commonly treat seasonal allergies and hay fever, though they can also treat more specific allergic conditions.

Allergies can be caused by many things, and can appear as a wide range of symptoms. Although some symptoms can be life threatening, it is more likely that your allergies show up as an annoying cough or runny nose. Otolaryngologists, or ENT’s, commonly treat seasonal allergies and hay fever, though they can also treat more specific allergic conditions.

Symptoms

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Persistent coughing or sneezing
• Hives, redness in the skin or other skin rashes
• Itchy, watery eyes

Treatment

Your physician may ask you to go through an allergy test to determine the source of your symptoms. It may be possible that you will be referred to an allergist for further treatment.

Cleft Lip/Palate

Cleft lip and cleft palate occur when the lip or palate do not form properly in the womb. Babies born with these conditions will often be diagnosed before birth using ultrasound technology, allowing physicians to prepare a treatment plan prior to birth. A birth defect, chances of cleft lip/palate increase with mothers who smoke during pregnancy, are older in age, have diabetes, take certain anti-seizure medication or are obese.

Cleft lip and cleft palate occur when the lip or palate do not form properly in the womb. Babies born with these conditions will often be diagnosed before birth using ultrasound technology, allowing physicians to prepare a treatment plan prior to birth. A birth defect, chances of cleft lip/palate increase with mothers who smoke during pregnancy, are older in age, have diabetes, take certain anti-seizure medication or are obese.

Symptoms

Cleft lip is an opening in the lip that can extend up into the nose. Cleft palate is an opening from the roof of the mouth into the nose.

Treatment

Cleft lip/palate is treated by surgical means. Your physician will prepare a treatment plan that is likely to include multiple surgeries during the early part of the child’s life. Depending on the severity of the cleft lip/palate, other specialty physicians may be asked to join the medical team, such as plastic surgeons for reconstruction or dentists for tooth issues.

Orbital Fractures

Commonly called the eye socket, the bone surrounding you eye can be injured in a variety of ways. Most often, orbital fractures occur due to blunt force trauma, or when someone or something hits you hard in the area surrounding your eye. There are three different types of orbital fractures: orbital rim fractures, blowout fractures and direct orbital floor fractures.

Commonly called the eye socket, the bone surrounding you eye can be injured in a variety of ways. Most often, orbital fractures occur due to blunt force trauma, or when someone or something hits you hard in the area surrounding your eye. There are three different types of orbital fractures: orbital rim fractures, blowout fractures and direct orbital floor fractures.

Symptoms

• Pain and/or swelling in the cheek and eye
• Blurry vision or difficulty seeing
• Pain when opening mouth
• Pain and/or difficulty moving eyes to look around
• Bruising around eye
• Redness of the eye

Treatment

Smaller orbital fractures normally heal on their own, with rest and ice. If necessary, antibiotics may be prescribed. Larger fractures, especially those that make moving the eye difficult or painful, will likely require surgery.

Orbital Tumors

Caused by many things, orbital tumors can be an uncomfortable experience. Most orbital tumors are benign, or noncancerous.

Caused by many things, orbital tumors can be an uncomfortable experience. Most orbital tumors are benign, or noncancerous.

Symptoms

• Pain in and around the eye
• Loss of vision or double vision
• Swelling of eyelids
• Growth or mass around the eye
• Eye sticks out more than normal

Treatment

Treatment varies depending on the type and location of the tumor. Your physician may recommend you leave your tumor alone and monitor it for any changes. Other treatment options include radiation therapy and surgery.

Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the partial or complete collapse of the upper airway during sleep. The condition can be caused by a number of different anatomical and neuromuscular factors that cause blockages at various points along the upper airway. Skeletal anatomy and soft tissue structures of the upper airway, including large tongue and fat deposits near the airway, can contribute to sleep apnea. Decreased muscle tone due to aging and use of alcohol, sedatives and muscle relaxants can also play a role.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the partial or complete collapse of the upper airway during sleep. The condition can be caused by a number of different anatomical and neuromuscular factors that cause blockages at various points along the upper airway. Skeletal anatomy and soft tissue structures of the upper airway, including large tongue and fat deposits near the airway, can contribute to sleep apnea. Decreased muscle tone due to aging and use of alcohol, sedatives and muscle relaxants can also play a role.

Symptoms

Sleep apnea can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, depression, impotence, personality change and memory/learning difficulties. These often lead to social and relationship issues, work and school issues, as well as an increased risk of traffic accidents. It is also associated with insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity and high cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Treatment

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device during sleep. This is an extremely safe and effective treatment option, but it is not always accepted by patients. Recent improvements in CPAP devices have helped to increase patient compliance, but a significant number of patients still refuse to use CPAP devices or cannot tolerate them during sleep. Surgical options are available, though not recommended.

Tonsillitis

Your tonsils are the two (2) pads of tissue at the back of your throat. When you suffer from tonsillitis, your tonsils become inflamed and irritated.

Your tonsils are the two (2) pads of tissue at the back of your throat. When you suffer from tonsillitis, your tonsils become inflamed and irritated.

Symptoms

• Pain in the ears
• Pain in the throat, especially while swallowing
• Difficulty swallowing or speaking
• Headache
• Decreased appetite

Treatment

Tonsillitis can be treated through antibiotics and rest in most cases. Your physician may decide surgery is the best option, though alternative treatments are usually used before surgery.