General ENT
Sleep Apnea
People with sleep apnea stop breathing while they sleep, sometimes hundreds of times per night, and sometimes for a minute or longer. Sleep apnea affects about 18 million people of all ages in the U.S. and takes three forms: obstructive, central and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common form, occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the throat closes, blocking (obstructing) the person's airway. The airway remains open in central sleep apnea, but the brain does not send signals to the muscles involved in breathing. Mixed sleep apnea combines aspects of the obstructive and central types. A common warning sign of sleep apnea is snoring (especially snoring interspersed with gasps or lack of breathing) although it is not always as a result of sleep apnea.
Snoring
When we sleep, our throat muscles relax and vibrate when air tries to pass through but it blocked. Snoring can be brought on by nasal congestion, alcohol consumption, sleep apnea or simply the anatomy of your mouth. If your tonsils are enlarged, your airway can be narrower and vibrate more when air tries to flow through. Being overweight can also contribute to a narrowed airway.
For those with sleep apnea or just heavy snoring, there are several treatment options available:
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) - surgery that treats obstructive sleep apnea by tightening the tissue in the throat and palate to expand the passageways.
- Thermal Ablation Palatoplasty (TAP) - TAP is a variety of procedures used to treat snoring and sleep apnea. Some procedures include bipolar cautery, laser and radiofrequency. Laser Assisted Uvula Palatoplasty (LAUP) removes the obstruction in the airway with a laser while radiofrequency ablation emits energy to the area to shrink excess tissue in the area.
- Genioglossus and Hyoid Advancement - surgically opens up the lower throat and pulls the tongue muscles forward.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) - involves the patient wearing a pressurized mask over their nose while they sleep. The mask pumps air through the airway to keep is open.
- Septoplasty and Turbinate Surgery - reduces resistance to air flow through the nose.
While snoring may seem harmless, it is a serious medical condition that requires treatment to prevent future health problems for you and others. Talk to your doctor today if you suffer from snoring.
Deviated Septum
A deviated septum is a common condition that involves a displacement of the septum, the wall that separates the nostrils, to one side of the nose. About 80 percent of people have a deviated septum, which often develops as a result of an injury to the nose. This condition makes one nasal passage smaller than the other, which can affect breathing if the displacement is great enough.
Patients with a severe deviated septum may experience nasal congestion, nosebleeds and frequent or recurring sinus infections as a result of their uneven nasal passages. Those with only minor displacement may not even be aware that they have a deviated septum and experience no symptoms.
Treatment for a deviated septum can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the symptoms associated. For most patients, this condition can be managed through decongestants and antihistamines that aim to reduce nasal congestion. For more severe cases, surgery may be required to correct the displacement. Surgery involves a procedure called a septoplasty to reposition the septum in the center of the nose.Ear Tubes
Comprehensive Ear, Nose, and Throat P.C. in Grand Rapids, MI specializes in Ear Tubes for both the pediatric population, as well as adults. Children who suffer from repeat ear infections or fluid in the ear may benefit from ear tubes. Ear tubes are plastic inserts that are surgically placed in the eardrum under light gas anesthesia. The insertion of ear tubes can help allow air to enter the middle ear, allow fluid out of the ear, prevent future buildup of fluid and restore hearing.
Ear tube surgery, known as a myringotomy, involves a tiny incision in the eardrum. Any fluid in the ear is removed and the tube is then inserted. The surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure and only takes approximately 5 minutes.
Tonsillectomy
A tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils (two oval-shaped pads located in the back of the throat on each side). A tonsillectomy is needed for children experiencing recurring episodes of tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) or an infection that has not gotten better with other treatment. In some cases, a tonsillectomy may be performed if enlarged tonsils block normal breathing. This can lead to problems such as sleep apnea and difficulty eating. Occasionally, a tonsillectomy may be performed to treat cancer.
Our doctors perform tonsillectomy using several proven techniques including patented Coblation technology, which involves the use of radiofrequency energy to quickly and safely remove tissue for less bleeding and less post-operative pain. We do not use heating or burning to remove tissue. A tonsillectomy is much more commonly performed on children rather than adults. The surgery is most often an outpatient procedure and uses a general anesthetic for children
Pediatric Otolaryngology
Although children are often affected by the same ear, nose and throat conditions as adults, they often require special care to treat these complex conditions. Children are often more susceptible to ENT conditions and are commonly affected by chronic ear infections, tonsillitis, congenital defects, voice and speech disorders, sleep apnea and more.Our doctors are specially trained to diagnose and treat the unique conditions that affect children.We strive to provide the most effective treatment while taking into consideration the comfort of our patients and concerns of their parents.
Enlarged adenoids - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001649.htm
Tongue-tied
Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) refers to condition where a tight band anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This is usually diagnosed at birth. Babies may have difficulty feeding. During speech development, articulation may become an issue. The treatment is to release the band under masked (non-general) anesthesia. This typically performed at some point within the first 3 years of life. This procedure takes less than 5 minutes.
Otology
Otology involves the diagnosis and treatment of ear diseases, as well as hearing and balance disorders, including tinnitus, ear infections (otitis media), hearing loss, Meniere’s disease and others. These conditions may cause symptoms such as ear pain, headaches, fever, dizziness, hearing loss and discharge. Many ear conditions are especially common in children, who may require special care for their condition.
Our doctors are specially trained to handle all aspects of inner ear conditions, which play a major role in the functioning of the eyes, bones and joints to help maintain balance.
Treatment for these conditions often involves hearing aids, ear tubes, medication, surgery or other approaches. Your doctor will decide which treatment is best for you after a thorough evaluation of your condition and overall health.
Laryngology
Laryngology involves care of the voice and treatment of voice-related disorders such as laryngitis, spasmodic dysphonia, vocal cord paralysis, cancer of the vocal cord, benign growths and more. These disorders often develop as a result of aging, overuse, surgery, smoking or throat cancer.
Our doctors are fully trained and experienced in providing comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for these and other voice disorders, aiming to restore function to the voice while reducing pain and other symptoms. Treatment for voice disorders may include voice therapy, medicine or surgery, depending on each patient’s individual condition.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a noise such as ringing or buzzing in the ears that affects millions of people, most often as a result of an underlying condition such as inner ear cell damage, age-related hearing loss and exposure to loud noise. While not a serious condition, many people are bothered by tinnitus and seek treatment to correct it.
The symptoms of tinnitus are only the sensation of noises like ringing, buzzing, clicking or hissing. The patient is the only one that hears these phantom noises. The noises can vary in volume from very soft to high-pitched and can occur in one or both ears.
Fiberoptic Nasopharyngoscopy
Fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows doctors to evaluate the nose and throat to help determine the cause of symptoms like hoarseness, sore throat, nosebleeds and snoring, as well as to carefully observe, lumps or other abnormal growths within the tissue. During the procedure, a thin fiberoptic tube with a camera on the end is inserted into the nose to provide real-time images of the area.
With fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy, doctors can safely and precisely examine the entire upper respiratory tract. Small samples of tissue, known as a biopsy, can be removed from the area during the same procedure. A local anesthetic spray is used to numb the nasal passage before the tube is inserted to minimize discomfort. There is no downtime after this procedure and results are available right away.
If you are interested in learning more about any of our General ENT Procedures, call 616-942-0380 or click here to contact us.
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