ENT doctors in houston

August is wellness month, and a resource to help you in your overall wellness is an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, or ENT. An ENT specializes in all ailments of the ear, nose and throat, and can help you with the following eight conditions. 

#1 Hearing Loss

If you feel like your hearing has gotten worse, or if you often find yourself turning up the volume on your devices, it may be time to seek hearing help from an ENT. Your ENT can work with an audiologist to uncover the cause of your hearing loss. Causes range from a buildup of earwax or an ear infection, to a ruptured eardrum or inner ear damage. 

#2 Chronic Ear Infections

Ear infections are infections of the air-filled space behind the eardrum. Most commonly affecting children from ages six months to two years, ear infections can cause congestion, swelling, fever, headache, impaired hearing and loss of balance. 

If your child is consistently developing ear infections, it’s a good idea to talk with an ENT specialist. Ear infections can impact their ability to hear clearly, and recurrent infections can cause speech, social and developmental delays. 

The most common treatment for chronic ear infections are inner ear tubes that help ventilate the ear and prevent any future fluid buildups. 

#3 Tinnitus or Ringing in the Ear

Tinnitus or ringing in the ear, refers to head or ear noise from no external source that persists for longer than five minutes and occurs more than once per week. For many patients, tinnitus is incredibly bothersome and can affect their ability to go about their daily lives. Though there is no cure for tinnitus, an ENT can help you with strategies to decrease your perception of the ringing. 

#4 Vertigo

Vertigo, or chronic dizziness, is most commonly caused by dislodged calcium crystals in your inner ear. It can sometimes be a short-term issue, like when you stand up too quickly, have a migraine or are taking certain medication. Over 30% of Americans have reported experiencing vertigo at some point in their lives. If you have chronic vertigo, especially when moving your head by rolling over, looking up or bending down, an ENT can help you with strategies to manage this problem. 

#5 Sinusitis

Chronic stuffy nose, or sinusitis, occurs when your sinuses are inflamed and swollen. The swelling interferes with your nasal drainage, causing a stuffy nose. Patients with sinusitis may find it difficult to breathe through their nose, have tenderness around their eyes, and/or have a discolored discharge from their nose. Chronic sinusitis is marked by a history of sinus infections that don’t respond to typical treatment. An ENT can help determine the cause of your sinusitis and develop a treatment plan that works best for you. 

#6 Swollen Lymph Nodes

Your lymph nodes play a key role in helping your body ward off infections. You have many lymph nodes in your head and neck that can become swollen or tender due to infection. 

Most swollen lymph nodes get better on their own; however, if they are persistent for more than two weeks, get bigger, feel hard or rubbery, or are associated with fever, night sweats and weight loss, you should seek the help of an ENT immediately. 

#7 Chronic Tonsillitis

If you have a chronic sore throat, or your tonsils are constantly inflamed, your ENT can help diagnose your symptoms and help determine a treatment plan. Common symptoms of tonsillitis include sore throat, tender lymph nodes and difficulty swallowing. 

#8 Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a dangerous condition characterized by patients who stop breathing or experience shallow breath patterns during sleep. When this occurs, you may snore loudly or make choking sounds as your brain tries to regulate your breathing. More than 18 million Americans are living with sleep apnea, but many go undiagnosed. 

An ENT can perform a sleep study to measure your oxygen levels. Treatment is important as sleep apnea can cause your brain to be oxygen deprived during sleep, causing restlessness and chronic fatigue.

Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists in East Texas – Townsen Memorial

At Townsen Memorial, our family of hospitals are equipped with the latest in ENT technology and specialists. If you’re suffering from any of the conditions above, we can help. 

We strive to provide the best patient experience across all Townsen Memorial affiliated sites. Our standard of high-quality care starts at our Emergency Room and carries on through our Imaging Centers, Surgery Centers, and through our Hospital. Our medical sites are located in Houston, TX and the surrounding areas, to provide the best care to patients in and around Harris County. To learn more, visit our website or call 1-877-494-9487.

Summer temperatures are heating up, and while most enjoy the days at the beach and spending time in the great outdoors, the sun can actually be dangerous if you aren’t prepared. According to the CDC, heat stroke is responsible for the death of over 600 Americans each year. Fortunately, there are warning signs of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke that you can look out for. 

Who’s Most At Risk? 

While spending time outdoors in hotter weather, those most at risk for a heat-related illness are the following: 

• Infants and children under age 10
• People 65 and older
• People who are overweight
• People who are ill, have chronic health conditions or are on certain medications

It’s also important to note that people and animals left in a hot car can become sick in a matter of minutes. Never leave a loved one or pet in a hot car, even if you’re just going inside for one thing. 

Heat Exhaustion

Heat Exhaustion occurs when your body loses too much water and salt through sweating. This can cause a variety of symptoms that you should know to look out for, including:

• Sweating
• Pale, ashen or moist skin
• Muscle cramps (especially for those working or exercising outdoors in high temperatures)
• Fatigue, weakness or exhaustion
• Headache, dizziness or fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid heart rate

If you’re with someone who is experiencing some of these symptoms, it’s important to act quickly. Heat Exhaustion can cause a stroke or even death. Move them to a shaded or cool area, give them water or other cool (non-alcoholic) drinks, and provide them wet towels to apply to their face, or even better, have them take a cool shower. 

Heat Stroke

The symptoms of this deadly illness include:

• Body temperature above 103 degrees
• Skin that is flushed, dry and hot to the touch; sweating has usually stopped
• Rapid breathing
• Headache, dizziness, confusion or other signs of altered mental status
• Irrational or belligerent behavior
• Convulsions or unresponsiveness

If a loved one is experiencing Heat Stroke, it can be scary. However, it is important to remain calm and get them medical help as soon as possible. Immediately call 911, move them to a cool place and remove any of their unnecessary clothing. Try to cool the victim by placing them in cool water, such as a shower, or covering them in cool towels. Monitor their health and breathing until their temperature is at or below 101 degrees. Be prepared to give them CPR if needed. 

It is important to NOT do the following things when treating someone who is having a Heat Stroke: 

• DO NOT force the victim to drink liquids
• DO NOT apply rubbing alcohol to the skin
• DO NOT allow victims to take pain relievers or salt tablets

How To Avoid Heat-Related Illnesses

The best ways to avoid Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke include staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol, and using the air conditioning in your home to cool off. 

Wearing loose clothing and a hat can also protect you from the sun’s harsh summer rays. You should also avoid spending a lot of time outside during the hottest part of the day, which is from 11 am to 3 pm. If you’re sweating a lot, replace your salt loss with a sports drink or fruit juice. Finally, wear sunscreen because a sunburn can affect the way your body cools itself. 

Townsen Memorial Hospital Is Here For You

At Townsen Memorial Hospital in Humble, TX, our medical staff is experienced in treating heat-borne illnesses. We’re conveniently located off of 59N and FM 1960 at the corner of 1960 & Townsen Rd. to ensure you can arrive safely and quickly should you need medical attention. With a 24/7 emergency room and a hospital staff trained in all specialties, we’re here for you when you need us. To learn more, visit our website or call 1-877-494-9487.