What is Cricopharyngeal Muscle Dysfunction? When a person swallows, the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), sometimes called the cricopharyngeus, which is a semi-circular muscle in the neck, relaxes to permit food to pass through to the esophagus and eventually the stomach. When not swallowing, the UES is usually contracted. If Cricopharyngeal Muscle Dysfunction (CMD) is present, […]
Snoring is a very common condition that is characterized by a noisy breathing that occurs while you sleep. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO), snoring affects up to up to 45% of American adults. While most people snore every once in a while, some do it on a regular basis. Unfortunately, snoring, especially […]
Tonsils and adenoids are part of your child’s body’s immune system for fighting against infection. They are lymph nodes that are located in the back area of the throat, behind the nose. Pediatric tonsillitis refers to when your child’s tonsils become infected with bacteria or viruses. Causes of Pediatric Tonsillitis Tonsillitis is normally the result […]
Bell’s Palsy a medical condition that causes a sudden paralysis or temporary weakness in the muscles in your face. The weakened or paralyzed face muscles can result in one side of your face being droopy or saggy, your smile appearing to be one-sided, and it can affect your ability to close one of your eyes […]
If you have a partial or complete loss of smell, you may be living with hyposmia. This can take a toll on your everyday life as smell brings pleasure to day-to-day tasks and allows you to develop and remember memories. A sense of smell can also keep you safe as a loss of it can […]
What is Grave’s Disease? Grave’s Disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, a condition where your thyroid gland overproduces thyroid hormones. The additional thyroid hormones can negatively affect important aspects of your body and health including regulation of body temperature, your central nervous system, brain development. Left untreated, Grave’s Disease can also lead to […]
Also known as fine needle biopsy, fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a diagnostic procedure that involves a doctor inserting a needle into your mass or lump to collect a cell sample. Once a doctor collects your cell sample, they’ll use a microscope to examine your cells and determine whether your lump is cancerous or noncancerous. […]
Aspiration is the act of breathing foreign objects such as food, stomach contents, vomit, or saliva. Oftentimes aspiration will feel like something, “went down the wrong tube,” causing you to suddenly cough as your body tries to remove the foreign object. People may also experience difficulty breathing, a hoarse voice, or heartburn. Although aspiration is […]
The thyroid is a small gland located in your neck that produces hormones that help regulate your bodily functions. Hyperthyroidism is a condition that arises when your thyroid gland is overactive, or produces an overabundance of certain hormones that increase your metabolism and cause unexpected weight loss or heart beat irregularities. Causes of Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism […]
Chronic sinusitis is a common condition that arises when your sinuses face swelling and inflammation for three months or longer. It can prevent mucus from draining as it should and leave you with a persistent stuffy nose. Some of the most common symptoms of chronic sinusitis include thick nasal discharge, congestion, problems breathing through your […]
Sore Throatvoxmdtemplate2020-03-31T15:44:17+00:00 A sore throat usually involves pain, irritation, or itchiness of the throat area. The symptoms are usually exasperated during swallowing. Viral infections are the most common cause of sore throats and can typically be resolved on their own after a few days with or without medication. Bacterial infections, especially strep throat, are less […]
Nasal physiology is crucial because it helps us understand conditions that can develop in the nose and sinuses. First and foremost, let’s discuss respiration since the nose is known as a natural pathway for breathing. We often breathe through the nose, which act similarly to an air conditioner. In order to prompt gas exchange in […]
If you have a partial or complete loss of smell, you may be living with hyposmia. This can take a toll on your everyday life as smell brings pleasure to day-to-day tasks and allows you to develop and remember memories. A sense of smell can also keep you safe as a loss of it can […]
Your vocal cords, also called vocal folds, are two small bands of flexible muscle within your windpipe that help you speak, swallow, breathe, and prevent food, drink, and saliva from entering your windpipe. When the nerve impulses going to your voice box or larynx are interrupted for some reason, you can suffer from a condition […]