The radiofrequency procedure is a safe, fast and effective way to relieve nasal obstruction due to enlarged turbinates. It is performed in our office under local anesthesia, and typically takes less than 30 minutes. The radiofrequency energy is delivered under the surface layer of the turbinates, sparing the mucosa or membrane. The treated tissue is heated just enough to create an area of coagulation. This avoids annoying crusting and bleeding after the procedure and nasal packing is not required. Over the next three to six weeks, patients usually start to experience improved nasal breathing. Pain medication is rarely needed. After a short period of observation, patients can drive home, or resume normal activities.

To date, there have been no significant complications reported. No nasal packing is required, and most patients do not require pain medication. Some patients experience a stuffy nose for up to one week after the procedure. Nasal crusting can occur, which is usually relieved by a saline nasal spray. The turbinates can slowly enlarge after the procedure, especially if there are nasal allergies or infections. Occasionally, a second procedure is needed after 3 months if nasal blockage returns.

The goal of radiofrequency turbinate reduction is to improve breathing through the nose in an office setting with minimal risk to the patient. It is not cosmetic surgery and is covered by most insurance plans. If you have any questions about this procedure, we invite you to make an appointment for an evaluation to determine whether you are a candidate.

Sunday January 18, 2009

Sacrifice and reward

By RICHARD LIM

MISCONCEPTIONS were shattered at The Star Education Fair 2009 as the realities of the medical practice were discussed during the medicine and dentistry session.

“A lot of young people think that being a doctor will make them rich,” said Malaysian Medical Association deputy secretary Dr Kuljit Singh. “If you really want to be rich, be a businessman, set up your own hospital and hire the doctors.

The seven-time fair speaker connected with the 1100-strong audience with wit and candour.  “Before you practise, you’ll have to undergo tough study at medical school for four-anda-half to six years and pass about 30 exams and daily assessments. And if you want to specialise, it means another four years of study.”  …more sacrifice-and-reward

KUALA LUMPUR: Government hospitals with private wings have succeeded in balancing the needs of the public and giving first-class service to those who can afford it, said the president of the Malaysian Society of Otorhinolaryngologists-Head & Neck Surgeons.

Dr Kuljit Singh said the system was mutually beneficial to patients and doctors.  Practised by two teaching hospitals — University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and

Hospital Universiti Kebang-saan Malaysia — the system allows for specialists to see patients after working hours for a higher fee.  This allows the doctors to earn more money and gives patients the chance to be treated by the best medical brains.

Dr Kuljit, who was with UMMC from 1998 till last year, said when the system first took off, it used to be only after working hours, in the eve-nings. But it has now been extended to the late afternoons, too…more  government-hospital-with-private-wings

March 16, 2008

A Healed Life

Filed under: Faith Chronicles

This is a story about how my illness was healed and how my life itself has been changed by the healing of my ilness.  For those of you who have known me personally, you might have known that I have a bad case of allergic cold that I had since I was about 3 years old. This illness was very burdensome for me as everyday I have to take one pill of Actifed to fight the allergic reaction. If I forgot to take it even once, then the next day I will have a runny nose with unstoppable sneezing all day round. For years I have been praying for God to take this illness away from me. This year, my prayers were finally heard and answered, although I needed quite a measure of faith in the process.

On January 30th, 2008, I went to HSC Medical Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to visit a Dr. Kuljit Singh, a very good specialist in the nose-ear-throat field. He was highly recommended by a friend who was healed after he visited the doctor. Little did I know what I would face, as the doctor diagnosed me and concluded that I needed a surgery to heal this illness. After 20 years, the inner parts of my nose have became so swollen that my nasal passage is completely blocked. Because of this, I have a breathing problem, and in turn, the breathing problem led to my weak physical fitness as my oxygen intake is severely decreased. The doctor proposed to operate me the next day, and he promised that by February 1st I can already go home to Indonesia… more A Healed Life

A dizzy attack may be accompanied by other symptoms such as blurred vision, disorientation, nausea, fatigue and weakness.  ONE minute, Kim was laughing with some friends over lunch in a crowded restaurant. The next minute she fell quiet, her head bowed, eyes closed, hands holding her temple.

When asked what was wrong, she took a while to respond: her head was spinning. The episode lasted about one minute, after which Kim felt fine, albeit a little shaken.

Kim, 34, just had a bout of vertigo, a sensation that the room or surrounding is spinning or moving…spinning-spells_-determining-the-symptoms-of-dizziness

Ear, nose and throat (ENT) infections are common conditions seen in all primary care clinics. The main concern is to diagnose accurately without causing complications. The possibility of viral infections should be ruled out before antibiotics are prescribed to prevent the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

… more 

We are familiar with the use of balloon angioplasty and arterial stenting in cardiology, and the results for coronary artery disease have been proven over the last decade.  Similar technology has progressed into use in sinus surgery, and sinusitis patients can now have their narrow sinus openings dilated with a balloon. This new technique of Balloon SinuplastyTM, which was invented in the US by Acclarent Inc., has been proven to be safe and is associated with reduced bleeding and shorter hospitalization. The level of postoperative care is reduced as there is no pain or bleeding and nasal packing is not required.

Patients are able to return to work or go for a holiday the very next day after the procedure.  A computerized tomography (CT) scan is performed before the operation to assist the surgeon in diagnosing sinusitis and detecting abnormalities.  The balloon is inserted into the sinus with the guidance of fl uoroscopy, which is similar to the cardiac angiogram. However, the radiation exposure is comparatively low, as most ENT surgeons with previous sinus surgery experience will be able to insert the balloon with minimal use of fl uoroscopy… more balloon-sinuplasty

“Anaphylaxis normally occurs away from medical help, but it requires a

quick acting drug for early administration. It is essential that immediate

treatment is given to patient experiencing an anaphylactic shock,”

explained Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) specialist Dr Kuljit Singh.

… more in-case-of-emergency

In the News

Oh me throat

Date: 15 January 2009

You can literally lose your voice, and much more, if throat cancer strikes.

Cancer of the throat is also known as laryngeal cancer. The larynx consists of three

main areas – supraglottis, glottis and sub glottis.

However, the English word “throat” has a larger area than the larynx, and includes

the pharynx.

The laryngeal covering consists of squamous cells. Thus, squamous cell carcinomas

are commonly seen in malignancies of the larynx.

According to consultant otolaryngology specialist and surgeon Dr Kuljit Singh, the

earliest symptoms of laryngeal cancer would be hoarseness of the voice, which may

persist for more than two weeks. Most infective causes of hoarseness will have

similar symptoms but should subside within 14 days.

Many patients will also complain of a sore throat or feeling that something is stuck

in the throat and these symptoms should be investigated if they do not get better

after conservative medication. This symptom is usually associated with a dry

irritating cough.

Symptoms which are considered bad would be when the patient develops breathing

problems, bad breath, weight loss, ear ache, spitting out blood and a lump within

the neck. … more

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