common symptoms

Nasal obstruction is one of the most common complaints we see, and it can significantly impact your quality of life. When you can't breathe through your nose, it affects your sleep, exercise, concentration, and overall well-being.

Common Causes

• Deviated Septum: The wall between your nasal passages is displaced to one side, blocking airflow
• Turbinate Hypertrophy: Enlarged structures inside the nose that help filter and humidify air
• Chronic Sinusitis: Persistent inflammation and swelling of the sinus passages
• Nasal Polyps: Soft, painless growths on the lining of nasal passages or sinuses
• Allergies: Environmental allergens causing nasal swelling and congestion
• Nasal Valve Collapse: Weakness in the narrowest part of the nasal airway

When to Seek Treatment

If nasal obstruction persists for more than a few weeks, interferes with sleep, or doesn't respond to over-the-counter medications, it's time to see a specialist. Our physicians can perform a thorough examination to identify the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment options, which may include medical management or surgical correction.

Don't let chronic nasal obstruction diminish your quality of life. Schedule a consultation to breathe easier and feel better.

Sinus pressure and headaches can be debilitating, affecting your ability to work, sleep, and enjoy daily activities. The pain and pressure often feel like a constant weight on your face, forehead, or behind your eyes.

Understanding Sinus Pressure

Sinus pressure occurs when the membranes lining your sinuses become inflamed and swollen. This inflammation blocks the normal drainage of mucus, creating a buildup of pressure in the sinus cavities. The result is pain, tenderness, and a feeling of fullness in your face.

Common Symptoms

• Pain and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead
• Headache that worsens when bending forward
• Facial tenderness and swelling
• Thick, discolored nasal discharge
• Reduced sense of smell and taste
• Ear pressure or fullness
• Upper tooth pain
• Fatigue and general malaise

Causes

Sinus pressure and headaches can result from acute sinusitis (often following a cold), chronic sinusitis, allergies, nasal polyps, or structural abnormalities like a deviated septum. Environmental factors such as dry air, pollution, and cigarette smoke can also contribute to sinus inflammation.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of your symptoms. Options range from medical management with antibiotics, nasal corticosteroids, and saline irrigation to advanced surgical procedures like balloon sinuplasty or functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for chronic or recurrent cases.

If you're experiencing persistent sinus pressure or headaches lasting more than 10 days, or if symptoms keep returning, it's time to see a specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Hearing loss can develop gradually or suddenly, affecting one or both ears. It can range from mild difficulty hearing conversations in noisy environments to complete inability to hear sounds. Early detection and treatment are crucial for the best outcomes.

Types of Hearing Loss

• Conductive Hearing Loss: Occurs when sound waves cannot reach the inner ear due to blockage or damage in the outer or middle ear (earwax, fluid, ear infection, perforated eardrum, or damaged ossicles)
• Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Results from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, often due to aging, noise exposure, or certain medications
• Mixed Hearing Loss: A combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss

Common Causes

• Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)
• Chronic ear infections or fluid in the middle ear
• Earwax impaction
• Noise exposure (occupational or recreational)
• Ototoxic medications
• Head trauma or acoustic neuroma
• Genetic factors or congenital conditions

Signs You Should Get Your Hearing Checked

• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
• Difficulty understanding conversations in noisy environments
• Turning up the TV or radio volume
• Feeling that others are mumbling
• Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds (like children's voices or birds chirping)
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

Diagnosis and Treatment

Our audiologist, Dr. Elizabeth Jackson, AuD, performs comprehensive hearing evaluations to determine the type and degree of hearing loss. Treatment options vary based on the cause and may include earwax removal, medical treatment for infections, hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or surgical intervention for structural problems.

Don't let hearing loss isolate you from the world around you. Schedule a hearing evaluation today to explore your options and reconnect with the sounds you've been missing.

That clogged, full feeling in your ears can be frustrating and uncomfortable. When your ears won't "pop" or equalize pressure, it can affect your hearing, cause discomfort, and even lead to dizziness or balance problems.

Understanding Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

The sensation of ear fullness is most commonly caused by Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). The Eustachian tube connects your middle ear to the back of your throat and helps equalize pressure on both sides of your eardrum. When this tube doesn't open properly, pressure builds up in the middle ear, creating that plugged sensation.

Common Causes

• Upper Respiratory Infections: Colds and sinus infections can cause swelling that blocks the Eustachian tube
• Allergies: Allergic inflammation can affect Eustachian tube function
• Altitude Changes: Flying or driving through mountains can create pressure imbalances
• Chronic Sinusitis: Persistent sinus inflammation affecting the Eustachian tube opening
• Enlarged Adenoids: Particularly in children, can block the Eustachian tube opening
• TMJ Disorders: Jaw problems can affect nearby Eustachian tube function

Associated Symptoms

• Feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears
• Muffled or decreased hearing
• Popping or clicking sounds in the ear
• Mild discomfort or pain
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Dizziness or balance problems

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity. Initial approaches may include decongestants, nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines for allergies, or autoinflation techniques. For chronic cases, we may recommend Eustachian tube balloon dilation, a minimally invasive procedure that can provide long-term relief.

If ear fullness persists for more than a few weeks or is accompanied by significant hearing loss or pain, schedule an evaluation to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Snoring and chronic mouth breathing are more than just annoying habits—they can be signs of serious underlying health issues that affect your sleep quality, energy levels, and long-term health.

Understanding Snoring

Snoring occurs when airflow through the mouth and nose is partially blocked during sleep, causing the surrounding tissues to vibrate. While occasional snoring is common, chronic loud snoring—especially when accompanied by pauses in breathing—may indicate obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially serious condition.

Common Causes of Snoring

• Nasal Obstruction: Deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, or nasal polyps
• Enlarged Tonsils or Adenoids: Particularly common in children
• Excess Weight: Extra tissue in the throat can narrow the airway
• Tongue Position: Large tongue or tongue that falls back during sleep
• Soft Palate Issues: Long or thick soft palate can narrow the airway
• Sleep Position: Sleeping on your back can worsen snoring
• Alcohol and Sedatives: Relax throat muscles, worsening airway collapse

Mouth Breathing: A Red Flag

Chronic mouth breathing, especially during sleep, often indicates nasal obstruction or airway problems. In children, persistent mouth breathing can affect facial development, dental health, and cognitive function. In adults, it can lead to dry mouth, bad breath, and increased risk of dental problems and respiratory infections.

When Snoring Becomes Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Warning signs include:

• Loud snoring followed by silent pauses
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability or mood changes
• High blood pressure

Treatment Options

Treatment varies based on the underlying cause and severity. Options include:

• Addressing nasal obstruction (septoplasty, turbinate reduction)
• CPAP therapy for sleep apnea
• Inspire therapy for those who cannot tolerate CPAP (Dr. Michael Medina is trained in Inspire evaluation and management)
• Oral appliances to reposition the jaw
• Lifestyle modifications (weight loss, sleep position changes)
• Surgical options for specific anatomical issues

Don't ignore chronic snoring or mouth breathing. These symptoms can indicate treatable conditions that, when left untreated, can lead to serious health consequences including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline. Schedule a consultation to explore your treatment options and start sleeping better tonight.