ENT Problems in the time of COVID 19 and Coronavirus

Coronavirus affects different people differently. It is established, however, that most of the people who are infected will show dry cough, fever and fatigue. A few other symptoms which must be looked out for, are as follows:

• Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
• Aches and pains in muscles and/or bones
• Frequent/Constant headaches
• Unusual loss of smell or taste
• Running or a congested nose 
• Loose motions

Someone who shows mild and common symptoms but is healthy otherwise can try to manage his symptoms, but medical help must be sought immediately in case they get serious. 

Best ENT Specialist in Mumbai play an imperative role in the fight against coronavirus. ENT patients who suffer from sinus, ear infection, sore throat, nosebleeds, etc. need to be all the more careful during these testing times. But at the same time, it must be remembered that having an ENT problem does not mean that you are infected with the coronavirus. Doctors believe that infection from coronavirus is possible through our eyes but it isn’t likely through one’s ears. If someone who is infected with COVID 19, coughs or sneezes, the infection can easily spread through the nose and mouth.

If you or anyone around you has developed any of the mentioned symptoms or is showing conditions that affect their ears, nose, throat or if anyone has been exposed to novel coronavirus you must seek medical help. The doctors and staff at AUM ENT Clinic are well-trained to help you with a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Blog reviewed by: Dr. Shailesh Pandey, Ent Surgeon Mumbai


AUM ENT CLINIC
For Appointment: Call us on 022 40032116

OR

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea and its Lesser Twin-Snoring

Snoring is more than just a frustrating habit that makes your sleeping partners uncomfortable. This can also be an indication of something worse. Here are some essential facts you need to know about snoring and its association with sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a disorder which is characterized by abnormally shallow breathing (hypopneas) or abnormal pauses in breathing (apneas) during sleep. These apneas can occur due to a physical blockage to airflow or a lack of respiratory effort, or a combination of both.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – OSA happens when the airway is blocked, the patient’s tongue falls back against the soft palate, and the soft palate and uvula fall back against the back of the throat, effectively closing the airway and causing pauses in breathing and subsequently loud snoring. Patients suffering from OSA often feel exhausted during the day and report daytime drowsiness, which they often become used to. OSA can also affect the work performance, attention, enthusiasm and also have other cognitive or behavioral effects.

Snoring:  Snoring is due to relaxation in soft tissues (when breathing) around the back of the throat which causes the narrowing of the upper respiratory structures while sleeping. Meanwhile, anything that narrows the breathing passages can also cause snoring, which includes: Enlarged uvula, medically known as the Palatine uvula (fleshy piece of tissue that hangs down in the back of your throat), deviated septum (when the thin wall between your nostrils is misaligned), an elongated soft palate, obstructions in the nasal area and larger tonsils.

If you suffer from daytime fatigue and sleepiness, and/ or if you don't feel refreshed in the morning after a night's sleep, you should, perhaps, consider getting a sleep study. There are a few ways that you can get that done. The usual method is to go to a sleep study clinic (or a clinic which specializes in Sleep Apnea Snoring Treatment), where you will be connected to a variety of devices that will monitor your body functions while you are sleeping. These include brain activity, eye movements, heart rhythm, oxygen saturation, and muscle activity. Another option is you can get a home testing device, which will also monitor your certain sleep functions, but in the comfort of your own home and bed.

Symptoms of sleep apnea

• Loud and chronic snoring almost every night
• Snorting, Choking or gasping during sleep
• Pauses in breathing
• A sore throat or feeling dehydrated when waking up
• Night sweats, waking up at night feeling short of breath, Insomnia, restless or fitful sleep
• Daytime drowsiness and exhaustion, irrespective of the time you spend in bed
• Absent-mindedness and difficulty concentrating
• Going to the restroom frequently during the night
• Morning headaches
• Uncharacteristic grumpiness, petulance, or depression
• Sexual dysfunction

So, how can you say if you have sleep apnea or just fall into the group of “simple snorers?”
Understanding your conditions and symptoms is the first and most elementary step in finding a remedy. The obvious way is to examine how you feel during the daytime. Simple snoring doesn’t hamper the quality of your sleep as much as sleep apnea does, so you’re less likely to suffer from sleepiness, mood swings and extreme fatigue during the day. The main risk related to sleep apnea is going undiagnosed. When a sleeper experiences no snoring, but still has sleep apnea, the risk increases radically. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder, so you should contact a doctor right away if you or your partner notices the symptoms. Your doctor’s diagnosis of sleep apnea may involve seeing a professional sleep specialist and tests that can be done in a clinic or at home.

Treatment:

Non – Invasive method

Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP): This small device uses mild air pressure to keep airways of a person with sleep apnea to open continuously to breathe more easily during sleep. This is a portable device and is fitted on the nose when needed.

Conservative Methods

Uvulectomy: This is performed on patients with a large uvula that causes loud snoring. The procedure involves complete or partial incising the uvula and/or inferior rim of the soft palate, thereby reducing its size.
Septoplasty, Somnoplasty and functional Rhinoplasty: These surgical procedures will be performed when Snoring is a result of nasal obstruction and depending on the severity.

Adenotonsillectomy: This is the removal of the tonsils and adenoids which is commonly performed in children with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Palatal implants: A single-stage office procedure (a form of oropharyngeal surgery) involving the placement of three polyester implants in the soft palate under local anesthesia to help reduce vibration that causes snoring.

Surgical procedures

Palatal surgery: Also called as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), this is a procedure used to remove excess tissue in the throat to broaden the airway.

Genioglossal advancement surgery: Genioglossus is the largest muscle of the tongue responsible for protruding the tongue. Genioglossus advancement captures this area of bony attachment and permanently repositions it. The procedure creates more room for the tongue to relax during sleep without obstructing the passages resulting in an enlargement and stabilization of the airway.

Thyrohyoid suspension procedure: This involves advancing the hyoid bone (U-shaped bone in the neck, located above the level area of the thyroid cartilage) anterior or interior to the thyroid cartilage and helps to stabilize the collapsible region of the airway. Maxillary-mandibular advancement: Also called as bimaxillary advancement or double jaw advancement, maxillary-mandibular advancement provides the greatest improvement in treating severe obstructive sleep apnea compared to other procedures. In this process, the upper (maxilla) and lower (mandible) jaws are moved forward, and it effectively enlarges the airway in both the palate and tongue regions.

Tracheotomy: Tracheotomy is used to cure rare cases with chronic OSA syndrome or life-threatening sleep-disordered breathing.

AUM ENT Clinic is dedicated ENT Treatment Center in Mumbai to the delivery of empathetic, quality, state-of-the-art and cost-effective health care with best-in-class technology and equipment. AUM ENT Clinic is dedicated to the prevention and alleviation of human suffering in patients with disorders in the field of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery as well as snoring treatment in Mumbai. The clinic also provides Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment, and Snoring Treatment in Mumbai.

AUM ENT CLINIC
For appointment: Call us on 022 40032116 

Or

Visit : https://www.entspecialistmumbai.com/contact

Betadine mouth wash, useful in protection against the virus

Betadine is nothing short of a common household name. To all our throat problems, betadine has always been the perfect solution. But this humble solution is making headlines over the past few weeks, as many researchers believe that betadine mouthwash can be helpful in destroying the coronavirus and thus be instrumental in preventing COVID-19. It is also believed that if someone is already sick, the effects could be reduced with the use of betadine mouthwash. 

From the past few decades, we all know that betadine to be a microbicidal agent. Researchers believe that povidone and iodine, the main components of betadine, show considerable virucidal activity. In an interview given to Times of India, Dr Sumita Shakar, associate professor in plastic surgery at Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, said , “Betadine is valuable because of its most potent bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal properties. I am confident that this drug is going to be a more effective solution before a vaccine comes.”

After testing on a small group of COVID-19 patients, researchers have discovered that after the use of the mouthwash, the viruses in their saliva sample had reduced notably. It was also mentioned in a recent research that the effect of the betadine mouthwash lasts for 4-6 hours and thus rinsing the mouth for 2-3 minutes should be a repeated process, at least 4 times in a day. 

Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Center (TIDREC) at the University of Malaya, have conducted various laboratory tests and have confirmed that the tested products killed almost 99.99% of SARS-CoV-2 virus in about 15 seconds. 

Scientists also noticed that even in diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), that are very much like COVID-19, the iodine mouthwash had produced quite effective results. Many doctor scientists believe that using the betadine mouthwash regularly could be the simplest and cheapest way to safeguard oneself against the deadly coronavirus.

Blog reviewed by:Dr. Shailesh Pandey
Mail Us: aumentclinic@gmail.com
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Repossess the buds

The inability to detect odors and taste would be problematic for many, and this becomes an issue as one grows old. There is a close connection between the senses of smell and taste. The ability to smell will also have a direct impact on our taste buds. Only a few tastes would be known when the nose is affected. 

Causes 

In many of the cases, the problem with taste is connected to the respiratory system. The most common condition that would affect the taste and smell would include:

• Cold 
• Flu 
• Sinus infections 
• Throat infections 
• Salivary gland infections 
• Injury on the nose 
• Nasal polyps 
• Certain medications 
• Drug abuse 
• Age 
• Radiation and related treatments
• Smoking 
• Nutritional deficiency 
• Head or ear injuries 
• Gum infections 

Disorders in the nervous system will also have an impact on the senses of taste and smell. The disorders in the nervous system would affect the nerves and would turn out to be a block in sending messages to the rest of the body. The organs which control the taste will also be affected by nervous impairment. 

Medical care 

Depending on the condition, the doctor would recommend the treatment. Certain problems such as normal cold and flu cure on its own hence, no medicines would be suggested. Decongestants would be provided for short-term use so that the nasal passages can open up and would help to breathe easily. Medications would be provided for issues such as bacterial sinusitis, throat infections, and salivary gland infections. The doctor would prescribe medicines to treat nervous disorders or autoimmune disease as these could repair the taste buds too. 

The doctor would recommend surgery if there are polyps that turn out to be a hindrance to the senses of taste and smell. With surgery, the doctor would remove the polyp and help improve the sense of smell. A healthy lifestyle could also help regain the lost senses to a normal state. Smoking can have an adverse effect on the senses, especially in connection with taste, and it could also dull the sense of smell too. Proper dental hygiene, brushing, and flossing can also bring out a difference orally as it could solve the dental problems that affect the sense of taste. This could eliminate the issues and help regain the senses completely.

Blog reviewed by:Dr. Shailesh Pandey
Mail Us: aumentclinic@gmail.com
Book an appointment: aumentclinic.com/book-appointment.php

What Is A BAHA Implant

The Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) is an innovative surgical implant device that has been approved by the food and drug administration to help people with hearing loss. The device is proven to be reliable and beneficial for patients with chronic ear infections, microtia and, single-sided deafness for which conventional hearing aids are deemed to be ineffective. The system works on the principle by achieving hearing through bone conduction, i.e., by transmitting the sound waves through the bone rather than through the medium of air. Trough this principle, the sound waves received by the system directly reach cochlea bypassing the outer and the middle ear where the information is converted into neural signals and transferred to the brain.

The BAHA system consists of three parts, namely the titanium fixture, the abutment, and the external sound processor. The titanium implant, along with the abutment, is placed behind the deaf ear by a small surgical procedure under anesthesia and allowed for osteointegration with the bone tissue for 3-4 months. Once the implant is firmly attached, the external sound processor is connected. Mostly the surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, or maximum requires a one-night stay in the hospital.

Suitable Candidates For BAHA

The candidates suitable for the procedure should have hearing loss either from one of the below-mentioned conditions such as:

• Congenital atresia
• Chronic otitis media
• Cholesteatoma
• Middle ear dysfunction/disease
• Sudden hearing loss
• Infection of the ear canal resulting in chronic draining ears
• Meniere's disease

Advantages Of BAHA

The device is a boon for individuals who can't use conventional hearing aids. The various benefits include:

• Individuals can hear sounds more clearly due to its principle of bone conduction
• Comfortable to wear
• Can test the equipment before the surgery is conducted
• It does not damage or harm residual hearing
• The device is easy to maintain with a simple design
• Connecting and disconnecting the sound processor is very easy and simple

There are different kinds of BAHA sound processors available to choose from that are compatible with devices like iPods, cell phones, and MP3 players.

To know if you're the right candidate for BAHA, then fix your appointment with Dr.Shailesh Pandey at AUM ENT Clinic. A highly equipped clinic where advanced ENT surgeries are performed.

Blog reviewed by:Dr. Shailesh Pandey
Mail Us: aumentclinic@gmail.com
Book an appointment: aumentclinic.com/book-appointment.php

Thyroid Disorders And Treatments

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the lower front of the neck in front of the windpipe below Adam's apple. The gland secretes several hormones that collectively influence the body's metabolism, temperature, growth, and development. Currently, it is estimated that around 42 million people in India suffers from thyroid disorders, which predominantly include women.

TYPES OF THYROID DISORDERS

1. HYPERTHYROIDISM

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much of the hormone. The noticeable symptoms of the condition are irritability, fatigue, increased heartbeat, sweating, and weight loss. Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is a disease condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland.

2. HYPOTHYROIDISM

Hypothyroidism is the opposite of hyperthyroidism. It is a condition in which the thyroid does not make enough hormones. Too little production of thyroid hormones leads to symptoms like fatigue, constipation, depression, slow heartbeat,and weight gain. Hypothyroidism is often caused by Hashimoto's disease. 

3. GOITER

A goiter is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck or upper chest. The most common cause of goiter is iodine deficiency in the diet. The symptoms of the goiter are usually not seen until it’s severe. The severe goiter symptoms include swelling in the neck, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, and hoarseness of the voice. 

4. THYROID NODULES

Thyroid nodules are any abnormal growth that forms a lump on the thyroid gland. They can occur in any part of the gland and can be felt easily if compared to other disorders. The causes of the nodules aren't always known but can include iodine deficiency. The symptoms of the thyroid nodules are similar to hyperthyroidism as they produce high levels of hormones. 

5. THYROID CANCER

Thyroid cancer is a condition characterized by the formation of cancer cells from the tissues of the gland. Thyroid cancer has a few noticeable symptoms including a lump in the neck, difficulty swallowing, swollen glands, and hoarse voice.

The above disorders can be effectively diagnosed and treated through consultation with the help of an experienced doctor. Usually, the doctor takes into consideration the noticeable signs, symptoms, and more critically, the blood tests in diagnosing the disease. The common thyroid blood tests suggested by the doctor include T3, T4, TSH, and thyroid antibodies testing. The doctor might suggest treatment options like surgery and medication based on the type of disorder.

Prevent complications from the thyroid disorders by getting diagnosed right away at Dr. Shailesh Pandey's AUM ENT Clinic. Book an appointment now.

Visit Us: aumentclinic.com

Blog reviewed by: Dr Shailesh Pandey

Mail Us: aumentclinic@gmail.com

Book an appointment: aumentclinic.com/book-appointment.php 

New Advances in Thyroid Surgery

The medical field has witnessed rapid progress due to the advancements in science and technology. Highly advanced machine and surgical equipment have been introduced to deliver better treatment and care to the people with fewer side effects. The improvements in surgical techniques have enabled medical practitioners to conduct minimally-invasive surgeries. One such recent development in thyroid surgery is Trans-axillary thyroid surgery.

Thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces thyroid hormones. Trans-axillary thyroid surgery is a surgical procedure in which the incision is made in the underarm area. This surgery is mainly done to operate small thyroid growths and it cannot be used to remove larger growths. Though the conventional method of surgery is favored, many patients were dissatisfied with the exposure of neck scar. But now, with the introduction of Trans Axillary method scars in the neck can be avoided.

Advantages of Trans Axillary method in thyroid surgery.

Trans Axillary thyroid surgery is a safe and effective method with an aesthetic approach. The main aim of the surgery is to avoid an incision in the neck. In conventional thyroid surgery, the incision in the neck can be clearly seen and sometimes keloid scars may develop and worsen, especially in dark-skinned people. 

In the Trans Axillary method, the surgery is done accessing the axilla or underarm to avoid the neck or chest wall incision. The scar occurred due to the surgery is hidden and remains under clothes. For the easy accessibility of thyroid gland, an incision of around four to five centimeters is made through the axilla (armpit). 

Patients who go through Trans Axillary thyroid surgery may experience less soreness and discomfort ability around the incision site. The time of recovery is faster when compared to traditional thyroid surgery.

The patients with trans axillary surgery experience less pain with increased cosmetic satisfaction, and with lower chances of postoperative voice change, paraesthesia and swallowing discomfort.

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Blog reviewed by: Dr Shailesh Pandey

Mail Us: aumentclinic@gmail.com

Book an appointment: aumentclinic.com/book-appointment.php