Patient Information
Following Topics are available for the Information of Patients:
2.THE FLU
4.SNORING: NOT FUNNY, NOT HOPLESS
Insight into Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy :
Tonsils and adenoids are masses of tissue that are similar to the
lymph nodes or "glands" found in the neck, groin, and armpits.
Tonsils are the two masses on the back of the throat. Adenoids are
high in the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth (soft
palate) and are not visible through the mouth without special instruments.
Tonsils and adenoids are near the entrance to the breathing passages where they can catch incoming germs, which cause infections. They "sample" bacteria and viruses and can become infected themselves. Scientists believe they work as part of the body's immune system by filtering germs that attempt to invade the body, and that they help to develop antibodies to germs. This happens primarily during the first few years of life, becoming less important as we get older. Children who must have their tonsils and adenoids removed suffer no loss in their resistance.
What Affects Tonsils and Adenoids?
The most common problems affecting the tonsils and adenoids are recurrent
infections (throat or ear) and significant enlargement or obstruction
that causes breathing and swallowing problems.
Abscesses around the tonsils, chronic tonsillitis, and infections of small pockets within the tonsils that produce foul-smelling, cheese-like formations can also affect the tonsils and adenoids, making them sore and swollen. Tumors are rare, but can grow on the tonsils.
When
Should I See My Doctor?
You should see your doctor when you or your child suffer the common
symptoms of infected or enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
The
Exam
The primary methods used to check tonsils and adenoids are:
- Medical history
- Physical examination
- Throat cultures/Strep tests
- X-rays
- Blood tests
What Should I Expect At the Exam?
Your physician will ask about problems of the ear, nose, and throat
and examine the head and neck. He or she will use a small mirror
or a flexible lighted instrument to see these areas.
Cultures/strep tests are important in diagnosing certain infections in the throat, especially "strep" throat.
X-rays are sometimes helpful in determining the size and shape of the adenoids. Blood tests can determine problems such as mononucleosis.
How Are Tonsil and Adenoid Diseases Treated?
Bacterial infections of the tonsils, especially those caused by streptococcus,
are first treated with antibiotics. Sometimes, removal of the tonsils
and/or adenoids may be recommended. The two primary reasons for tonsil
and/or adenoid removal are (1) recurrent infection despite antibiotic
therapy and (2) difficulty breathing due to enlarged tonsils and/or
adenoids.
Such obstruction to breathing causes snoring and disturbed sleep that leads to daytime sleepiness in adults and behavioral problems in children. Some orthodontists believe chronic mouth breathing from large tonsils and adenoids causes malformations of the face and improper alignment of the teeth.
Chronic infection can affect other areas such as the eustachian tube – the passage between the back of the nose and the inside of the ear. This can lead to frequent ear infections and potential hearing loss.
Recent studies indicate adenoidectomy may be a beneficial treatment for some children with chronic earaches accompanied by fluid in the middle ear (otitis media with effusion).
In adults, the possibility of cancer or a tumor may be another reason for removing the tonsils and adenoids.
In some patients, especially those with infectious mononucleosis, severe enlargement may obstruct the airway. For those patients, treatment with steroids (e.g., cortisone) is sometimes helpful.
Tonsillitis
and Its Symptoms
Tonsillitis is an infection in one or both tonsils. One sign is
swelling of the tonsils. Other signs or symptoms are:
- Redder than normal tonsils
- A white or yellow coating on the tonsils
- A slight voice change due to swelling
- Sore throat
- Uncomfortable or painful swallowing
- Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
- Fever
- Bad breath
Enlarged Adenoids and Their Symptoms
If you or your child's adenoids are enlarged, it may be hard to
breathe through the nose.
Other signs of constant enlargement are:
- Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose most of the time
- Nose sounds "blocked" when the person speaks
- Noisy breathing during the day
- Recurrent ear infections
- Snoring at night
- Breathing stops for a few seconds at night during snoring or loud breathing (sleep apnea)
Surgery
Your child: Talk to your child about his/her feelings and provide
strong reassurance and support throughout the process. Encourage
the idea that the procedure will make him/her healthier. Be with
your child as much as possible before and after the surgery. Tell
him/her to expect a sore throat after surgery. Reassure your child
that the operation does not remove any important parts of the body,
and that he/she will not look any different afterward. If your child
has a friend who has had this surgery, it may be helpful to talk
about it with that friend.
Adults and children: For at least two weeks before any surgery, the patient should refrain from taking aspirin or other medications containing aspirin. (WARNING: Children should never be given aspirin because of the risk of developing Reye's syndrome).
- If the patient or patient's family has had any problems with anesthesia, the surgeon should be informed. If the patient is taking any other medications, has sickle cell anemia, has a bleeding disorder, is pregnant, has concerns about the transfusion of blood, or has used steroids in the past year, the surgeon should be informed.
- A blood test and possibly a urine test may be required prior to surgery.
- Generally, after midnight prior to the operation, nothing (chewing gum, mouthwashes, throat lozenges, toothpaste, water) may be taken by mouth. Anything in the stomach may be vomited when anesthesia is induced, and this is dangerous.
When the patient arrives at the hospital or surgery center, the
anesthesiologist or nursing staff may meet with the patient and
family to review the patient's history. The patient will then be
taken to the operating room and given an anesthetic. Intravenous
fluids are usually given during and after surgery.
After the operation, the patient will be taken to the recovery area. Recovery room staff will observe the patient until discharged. Every patient is special, and recovery times vary for each individual. Many patients are released after 2–10 hours. Others are kept overnight. Intensive care may be needed for select cases.
Your ENT specialist will provide you with the details of pre-operative and postoperative care and answer any questions you may have.
After
Surgery
There are several postoperative symptoms that may arise. These include
(but are not limited to) swallowing problems, vomiting, fever, throat
pain, and ear pain. Occasionally, bleeding may occur after surgery.
If the patient has any bleeding, your surgeon should be notified
immediately.
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Definition - A specific viral disease characterized by fever, runny
nose, cough, headache, malaise and swollen nose and throat mucous
membranes. The flu usually occurs in the winter and occurs in epidemics.
In some severe cases, the flu can actually be fatal.
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What
causes the flu?
The flu is caused by a virus called influenza type A. The virus
changes slightly from year to year, but is predictable. This yearly
change is the reason that the vaccination is different from year
to year. The virus is spread from person to person by direct contact
and by air-born droplets. Unlike the viruses that cause the cold,
we can fight influenza A virus with both vaccinations and anti-viral
medications. Signs and Symptoms. For 48 hours after exposure, the
virus replicates and spreads throughout your body. The onset of
symptoms is rapid, with high fever and chills. Muscle aches in the
back and legs, and headaches are common. Later the throat, lungs,
nose and eyes become affected. The cough can be severe and produce
colored sputum. The illness usually begins to resolve in two to
three days. Cough can persist for weeks. In persons who are very
young, very old, or have lung disease, pneumonia and bloody coughing
can develop. Influenza can be fatal in these patients.
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Diagnosis.
The disease is diagnosed based on the symptoms listed above. If
there is a current flu epidemic, then influenza A is more likely.
Fever and muscle aches are the hallmark features that differentiate
the flu from a cold.
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Prevention.
Elderly patients, pregnant women expected to deliver in the winter,
patient's with heart or lung disease, and medical professionals
are encouraged to take the vaccination every year. This vaccination
is very safe compared with the potentially fatal disease. If you
have not been vaccinated and are exposed to the flu, two anti-viral
medicines are currently available that can prevent or reduce flu
symptoms if given quickly. These anti-viral medicines are available
by prescription only from your doctor. They can be helpful to anyone
who is exposed to the flu at work or at home.
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Treatment.
The key to treatment is early diagnosis. If diagnosed early, the
two anti-viral medicines that are available can be prescribed and
will reduce the fever, aches and chest symptoms of the flu. The
medicine should be given early in the course of the illness to be
helpful.
1) Aches, pains and fever are treated with Tylenol or Advil.
2) Nasal congestion is best treated with Sudafed and/or Afrin.
3) The cough
is best treated with Robitussin DM or prescription cough medicine.
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What
should you do if you think you have the flu?
If you believe you have influenza, you should see your doctor immediately.
Unlike a cold, your doctor can treat you much more effectively than
you can treat yourself. Your physician will prescribe medication
for you and may prescribe medication or vaccinations for your family
members to prevent them from becoming infected. In addition to seeing
your physician, it is important to reduce the spread of infection
by washing your hands frequently, staying indoors and avoiding contact
with very young children or the elderly.
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| THE COMMON COLD : |
Definitions - an illness that is short in duration, usually less
than two weeks, does not usually produce fever, except in children.
The common cold causes irritation and drainage in any or all of
the airways including the nose, sinuses, throat, voice box, and
often the bronchial tubes.
------------------------------------------------------------------- What causes the common cold? Symptoms and Signs. Diagnosis: Generic
Ingredients to look for:
What
to do if you have a cold. |
Snoring: Not Funny, Not Hopeless : Forty-five percent of normal adults snore at least occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. Problem snoring is more frequent in males and overweight persons, and it usually grows worse with age. More than 300 devices are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as cures for snoring. Some are variations on the old idea of sewing a sock that holds a tennis ball on the pajama back to force the snorer to sleep on his side. (Snoring is often worse when a person sleeps on his back). Some devices reposition the lower jaw forward; some open nasal air passages; a few others have been designed to condition a person not to snore by producing unpleasant stimuli when snoring occurs. But, if you snore, the truth is that it is not under your control whatsoever. If anti-snoring devices work, it is probably because they keep you awake.
What
Causes Snoring? People who snore may suffer from:
Snoring or obstructive sleep apnea may respond to various treatments now offered by many otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons:
Self-Help for the Light Snorer
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