- SinusitisWhen I suffered from chronic sinusitis, I would have a hard time sleeping at night, my breathing would be difficult, and the post-nasal drip was so bad that it would cause issues with asthma. I wasn’t able to exercise the way I wanted to – I missed a few 5K runs due to sinusitis. Finally, my sinusitis could be embarrassing at times – I had a lot of nasal discharge, which could be quite disgusting and required me to blow my nose constantly while teaching.
- Ear InfectionsEar infections can occur in the outer or middle ear. An ear infection occurs in the middle ear when fluid becomes trapped following a viral or bacterial infection. This painful affliction is most common in children, but can affect people of all ages. Infections can also occur in the outer ear. They are most common when the skin in the outer ear is dry and cracked. Ear infections can be either acute (of short duration) or chronic (persisting or reoccurring frequently).
- ImmunizationsMake sure your child is vaccinated. Immunizations offer protection from many childhood infections that can cause hearing damage.
- EndoscopyA diagnosis is usually made through visual inspection with an otoscope or nasal endoscopy. An imaging test, either a CT scan or MRI, can be useful in determining the size of the polyp and in ruling out more serious growths, such as tumors. Allergy tests may be administered in order to identify the substance responsible for your symptoms.
- Mental Health
- ThyroidHead and Neck. This includes treatment for thyroid disorders, lumps in the neck and cancer of the voice box.
- MRIYour otolaryngologist can diagnose an acoustic neuroma primarily through a review of your symptoms in conjunction with a hearing test and imaging scans (CT or MRI). Because growth of the tumor is usually very slow, many times your doctor will simply want to monitor the tumor’s progress over time, especially when few symptoms are present. Regular imaging tests every six to 12 months can track any growth.
- Computed TomographyTo confirm a nasal fracture, your doctor will perform a physical exam. He or she will press on the sides of your nose and look inside your nostrils for signs of broken bones. Topical anesthetics may be applied before the physical exam to control the pain. An imaging test is usually unnecessary, but based on the severity of your injury a CT scan may be required if a physical exam is too painful to be performed.
- ChemotherapySome drugs cause damage to the sensory cells responsible for hearing. These include certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, salicylate pain relievers (e.g., aspirin), quinine (for treating malaria) and diuretics. In order to reduce your odds of hearing loss when taking medications, follow these tips...
- OtolaryngologyAt Red River ENT Associates in Rapides Parish, we have a team of experts, including physicians and clinicians who are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of care. You’ll find that all of our physicians are board-certified in Otolaryngology.
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Rhinoplasty
- Cyst
- Allergies