Sinus is an anatomical structure within our skull and air cavities which are filled with air. Often it gets infected and fills up with fluid. Such condition is known as sinusitis. The latest method of solving this problem is using balloon sinuplasty. The long term results are perfect with no recurrence.
Ear Nose Throat specialist is a doctor which deals with diseases and condition of the three important organs of the head. In view of the position of these organs; ENT surgeons are also known as Head Neck Surgeons. Most ENT conditions have relationship to the neck especially in cancer in which there is a high probable to spread into the lymph nodes within the neck.
ENT has subspeciality in rhinology [nose], otology[ear], larynx [throat] and paediatric ENT [children]. Besifdes that ENT has speciality in allergy, voice and sleep/snoring.
Absolute Contraindications
Inability to equalize pressure in the middle ear by auto-inflation. This may be due to a correctable problem such as polyps, nasal septal deviation or coryza in which case the diver can be reevaluated after correction of the problem.
Perforation of the tympanic membrane. Until fully healed or successfully repaired with good Eustachian tube function, diving is contraindicated.
Open, nonhealed perforation of the TM.
Monomeric TM
Tympanoplasty, other than myringoplasty (Type I)
History of stapedectomy. * Recent studies have shown that this is not necessarily true. See this article:
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2001 Oct;125(4):356-60
Diving after stapedectomy: clinical experience and recommendations.
House JW, Toh EH, Perez A.
Clinical Studies Department, House Ear Clinic and Institute, 2100 West Third
Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057, USA.
CONCLUSIONS: Stapedectomy does not appear to increase the risk of inner ear
barotrauma in scuba and sky divers. These activities may be pursued with
relative safety after stapes surgery, provided adequate eustachian tube
function has been established.
History of inner ear surgery
Status post laryngectomy or partial laryngectomy
History of vestibular decompression sickness
Radical mastoidectomy (posterior) involving the external canal is disqualifying. (Closed childhood OK)
Meniere’s disease is disqualifying
Labyrinthitis
Perilymphatic fistula
Cholesteatoma is disqualifying
Cerumen impactions -remove before allowing to dive.
Stenosis or atresia of the ear canal-disqualifying.
Facial paralysis secondary to barotrauma
Tracheostomy, tracheostoma
Incompetent larynx due to surgery (Cannot close for valsalva maneuver)
Laryngocoele
An ear infection can cause intense pain during the first 24 hours. Ear infections don’t typically require an emergency room visit, though many parents desperate to help their child feel better resort to this costly option. But many times, home treatment can help relieve your child’s discomfort. Try one or more of the following:
Pain relief. An over-the-counter pain reliever, in children or infant concentration, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and, after age 6 months, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) can help relieve ear infection pain. Don’t hesitate to use these products whether or not you go to the doctor. Use of pain relievers won’t otherwise change the course of treatment your doctor would recommend. Be sure to use the correct dosage for your child’s age and weight. Giving your child too much medication can cause serious side effects. Never give aspirin to children under age 19 years. It may cause Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition.
Warmth. Apply warmth to the ear. Using a warm, moist cloth may help relieve pain and comfort your child.
Eardrops. Consider asking your doctor about eardrops that numb the ear. These medications (such as A/B Otic or Aurodex) contain a numbing medication (typically benzocaine) which is similar to Novocaine and is also found in the teething medications. These won’t cure the infection, but they may ease pain. Don’t use eardrops if fluid is draining from your child’s ear. Before using drops, warm them slightly by placing the bottle in warm water. Then, gently lay your child’s head and body on a flat surface with the affected ear facing up. Don’t try to insert the drops with your child in your arms or on your lap.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ear-infections/EI99999/PAGE=EI00028
Hearing loss in new born is usually detected using devices such as OAE and BERA. These are test done on babies to look for early detection of hearing loss. Often the results need to be repeated if some abnormalities are detected. Early rehablitation of the child using newer devices with better outcomes: Cochlear Implants, middle ear implants or powerful hearing aids. The most important aspect of hearing loss in children is early detection and early rehablitation.
For more than a century, doctors have used skin tests to help diagnose allergies. During these tests, your skin is exposed to allergy-causing substances (allergens) and then is observed for signs of an allergic reaction.
Along with your medical history, skin tests can confirm whether signs and symptoms, such as sneezing, wheezing and skin rashes, are caused by allergies. They can also identify the specific substances that trigger allergic reactions. Such information can help your doctor develop an allergy treatment plan that may include allergen avoidance, medications or allergy shots (immunotherapy).
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy-tests/MY00131
http://www.entspecialistclinic.com/blog/wp-login.php
Snoring is often a social problem and a great disturbance to your sleeping partner. It is caused by the vibrations of the soft palate and tissues surrounding the throat during deep sleep. Many patients; have a complete or partial nose blockage which contributes to snoring. Simple treatment of the nose using medication or RF surgery helps. Sometimes surgery of the palate may give good results.
Sleep apnea van be related with snoring
Log on to: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/snoring/DS00297
SINUSITIS plagues a portion of the Malaysian population, but advancement in modern treatment has resulted in an almost painless cure, writes Dr KULJIT SINGH. News Straits Times Malaysia 28 Oct 2007
We often hear about complaints of “sinus” problem and how it affects the quality of life. Symptoms may include runny nose, nasal blockage and loss of sense of smell caused by sneezing. However, these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have sinusitis, as it could be mere rhinitis.
Typical sinusitis symptoms will be nasal pain, facial discomfort and a yellowish discharge. …
Hearing aids are little devices that assist hearing impaired to gain a good quality of hearing. Most patients are shy and uncomfortable with using one as it may reveal age or some sort of disability. The technology is so advance that hearing aids are smaller than 10 years ago and the comfort level is better.
Patients should see an ENT doctor first to make sure there is no defect or disease in the ears before purchasing hearing aids.
Dr Kuljit Singh
President Malaysian Society Otorhinolaryngologist
Sudden Hearing loss usually occurs in one ear. It is painless without any other symptoms. An immediate Pure Tone Audiometry is essential and followed by serial audiological monitoring. Choice of treatment will be steroid [prednisole], anti viral and methyl cobalamine.
In most cases, full recovery is possible within a few weeks.
Dr Kuljit Singh