NetWellness Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Numbness/loss of taste of tongue?

Allen Seiden MD — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:01:00 EST

Question: In August, 2009 I had a steroid injection thru my eardrum for vertigo, been getting the attacks since 2001. In September, 2009 I noticed my tongue was feeling numb in some areas, then a few weeks later I noticed that my tongue had a scalded feeling towards the front and then after that, I lost the & . . .

Answer: Initially I would consider two possibilities:

1- It is possible for the steroid to pass through the eustachian tube and into the back of the nose and then the throat, but usually this would not cause any lasting abnormality. However, the symptoms you describe are very suggestive for . . .

Ask an Expert: Allen Seiden MD, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Ear infection?

Ravi Samy MD, FACS — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:01:00 EST

Question: Hi there, I have recently got an ear infection from a piercing and I have been on antibiotics for a week. My ear didn`t hurt inside before i started to take the medication. Now behind my ear doesn`t hurt anymore and my lobe isn`t infected anymore i dont belive but is still tender. However, the insid . . .

Answer:

Yes. A visit to your physician should determine whether you have debris blocking your ear canal or a further infection.

Ask an Expert: Ravi Samy MD, FACS, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Aldosterone and hearing loss

Daniel Choo MD — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:01:00 EST

Question: What is current thought on abnormally low levels of aldosterone causing hearing loss? What are the treatment options if low levels of aldosterone cause hearing loss? Thanks.

Answer: Aldosterone for hearing loss is still very much investigational. It's certainly unclear what the long term sequelae might be from aldosterone therapy (systemically and for the ear) and its not completely clear how it works in the human ear. There are anecdotal stories about aldosterone helping peopl . . .

Ask an Expert: Daniel Choo MD, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Odd?

Allen Seiden MD — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:01:00 EST

Question: Due to allergies, I feel pressure above my eye and around the base of my nose. Now all of these symptoms make sense when it comes to allergies, but what I don`t understand is how do chills relate to allergies? I always get an ear infection and chills when my sinuses or allergies act up? This is so o . . .

Answer: Allergies can impact eustachian tube function, which in turn may cause pressure and fullness in the ears. However, chills would be unusual. You might consider discussing this with your doctor to make certain there is not some other underlying cause.

Ask an Expert: Allen Seiden MD, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Chronic Carotidynia

Lee Zimmer MD — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:01:00 EST

Question: Hello,

I am a 29 year old healthy male that was diagnosed with Carotidynia about 7 years ago by my family doctor. I was having pain/tenderness on the left side of my neck at the site of the carotid artery. Since I was diagnoses the symptoms seem to recur on average of 1-2 times per year and wou . . .

Answer: I have not found any long term method to relieve carotidynia. If ibuprofen works well and quickly, that is a great first line therapy. Other prescription strength anti-inflammatories may be more effective.

Ask an Expert: Lee Zimmer MD, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Bursts of ringing and tinnitus

Ravi Samy MD, FACS — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:01:00 EST

Question: I have tinnitus and recently have been experiencing loud short bursts of ringing that completely block my hearing during the episode. These attacks have affected both ears. What is the cause of these ringing bursts?

Answer: I recommend that you have a hearing test and see an otolaryngologist as soon as possible. Causes of your symptoms may include Meniere's disease, autoimmune inner ear disease, and Eustachian tube dysfunction. Depending on what the doctor finds, he/she may decide to order an MRI scan, CT scan, or othe . . .

Ask an Expert: Ravi Samy MD, FACS, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Would surgery cure the problem?

Allen Seiden MD — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:01:00 EST

Question: hi, i have a question. I suffer from bursts of excess choking saliva. I have a question. My doctor is thinking about letting me have surgery. If someone had surgery to the saliva glands for overactive salivary glands (relocation of the salivary glands) and the person was suffering from not so much o . . .

Answer:

The surgery you describe is usually offered to address problems with drooling. Both submandibular salivary glands (located in the upper neck below the jawline on the left and right side) are removed, and the ducts to the parotid glands (located in the left and right cheek) are ligated or pl . . .

Ask an Expert: Allen Seiden MD, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Loss of smell and taste

Allen Seiden MD — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:01:00 EST

Question: i am allergic to housedust mite, i lost my sense of smell about 20 years ago, i cannot taste food, i was told about a doctor in cyprus which i attended and he gave me a steroid injection and tablets for one month only, also a nasal steroid spray, i suddenly smelt after about 10 days or so, and i cou . . .

Answer: The fact that your ability to smell fluctuates suggests you have an obstructive problem high in the nose that blocks odors from reaching the smell receptors. Steroid medication decreases swelling and obstruction, and this presumably allows you to smell. However, long term use of such med . . .

Ask an Expert: Allen Seiden MD, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Nerve pain in upper nasal cavity

Allen Seiden MD — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:01:00 EST

Question: To Dr. Seiden:

I suffer from debilitating chronic pressure pain located somewhat behind the nose, at eye level. The pain is dull and prostrating and has lasted many years. It is dramatically reduced with lidocaine injection in middle turbinate or with topical lidocaine inside nose. It responds . . .

Answer: Since your pain responds to anesthetic in the nose, or pushing your nasal side walls outward, it would seem you do have contact headaches. However, in that case your multiple surgical procedures should have been more effective. I don't think it is a good idea to "empty" your nose. . . .

Ask an Expert: Allen Seiden MD, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Can scar tissue be removed?

Yash Patil MD — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:01:00 EST

Question: Ok so since i was little i been having problems with my troat because of papillomas but anyways that problem is gone already THE PROBLEM now is that after all the surgeries that i got i developed scar tissue inside my troat and the scar tissue dont let my voice come out right since that my voice is . . .

Answer: This is a very difficult procedure but we do have doctors who may be able to help. You need to be evaluated, and this would be best performed at a university center by an ENT physician specializing in voice and airway problems. Feel free to email me if you have questions.

Ask an Expert: Yash Patil MD, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Summer Allergy Season

Allen Seiden MD — Mon, 21 Jun 2004 00:06:00 EST

NW Article:

Summer doesn't necessarily mean end of allergies
The "Summer Cold"