Tandon, Dev

Definitions

Otolaryngology deals with diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT) and related structures of the head and neck, including the sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity, and upper pharynx (mouth and throat). Otolaryngology is commonly called ENT.moreSnoring is common in adults and can be a social problem. Those who share a bed with someone who snores can develop sleep difficulties. Snoring can sometimes be a sign of a sleep disorder calledobstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Apnoea involves periods when you partly or completely stop breathing for more than 10 seconds while asleep. The episode is followed by a sudden gasp or snort when breathing resumes. Then, snoring starts again. With OSA, the pauses in breathing occur because the airway has become narrowed, blocked or floppy. As well as OSA, some causes for snoring may include: being overweight; pregnancy; nasal congestion; swelling of the roof of the mouth (soft palate) or uvula (the tissue that hangs down in the back of the mouth); swollen adenoids and tonsils that block the airways; use of sleeping pills, antihistamines or alcohol before bedtime; large tongue size compared to the mouth; and abnormalities in the bones of the face. Factors that increase the risk of OSA include: certain shapes of the palate or airway that make it narrower or collapse more easily; large tonsils and adenoids in children that can block the airway; large neck size; and large tongue. Sleeping on the back also increases sleep apnoea episodes. Many people with OSA wake up unrefreshed in the morning and feel sleepy throughout the day. OSA may lead to leg swelling; depression; and hyperactive behaviour, especially in children. Tests will include an examination of mouth, neck and throat. You may be given a survey on daytime sleepiness, sleep quality and bedtime habits. A sleep study (polysomnogram) is often used to confirm OSA. Treatment aims to keep the airway open so that breathing does not stop during sleep. Lifestyle changes to relieve symptoms, including snoring, may involve: avoiding alcohol or sedatives at bedtime; not sleeping on the back; and losing weight. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a common treatment. CPAP is delivered by a machine with a tight-fitting face mask. It aims to decrease snoring and prevent sleep apnoea. Other treatment options may include: dental appliances to prevent the tongue from falling back; and surgery to the palate, nose, sinuses and airways.moreEndoscopic sinus surgery (also called sinoscopy) is a procedure to remove blockages in the sinuses (the air-filled spaces in the skull bone around the nose). These blockages cause sinusitis, aninflammation of the lining membrane of the sinuses, causing pain and impaired breathing. A thin, lighted instrument with a camera at its tip (an endoscope) is inserted into the nostrils, to view the sinuses. Surgical instruments can then be used along with the endoscope to remove the blockages and improve breathing. The surgery increases the amount of air flowing through the sinuses and allows mucus to drain properly out of the nose. This is usually a day-stay procedure. Endoscopic sinus surgery may also be used to correct a deviated septum (in which the partition separating the left and right sides of the nose is crooked); remove polyps (non-cancerous lumps); or remove tumours.moreOtolaryngology or ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck diseases and disorders. The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull behind the forehead, nasal bones, cheeks and eyes that are lined with mucus membranes. Normally, mucus is able to drain out and air can circulate. But when the sinus openings become blocked or too much mucus builds up, a viral, bacterial or fungal infection may occur. Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the lining membrane that occurs with such an infection. Treatment usually includes antibiotics, decongestants and pain relievers. Surgery may be required to remove blockages in sinuses. Nose disorders (or nasal disorders) may include: deviated septum (a problem with the wall that divides the nasal cavity into halves) and other defects; nasal polyps (soft growths that develop on the lining of your nose or sinuses); frequent nosebleeds; and rhinitis (inflammation of the nose and sinuses, sometimes caused by allergies). Cancer of the nasal cavity and sinuses is rare. Surgery may be required to treat some of these problems.more