ENT, Totum Health News, Wellness
What is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?
What is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?
Ever had a feeling of fullness in your ears, similar to having waterlogged ears after coming out of the swimming pool?
This common phenomenon, known as Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, affects many people around the world. However, it should not be taken lightly. If left untreated, it may cause other serious conditions that require more aggressive treatment options.
The Eustachian Tube
The Eustachian tube is a small tube which connects the middle ear to the upper throat/ back of the nose. This tube normally stays closed unless you yawn, swallow or chew. These actions allow air in and mucus out of the middle ear. Because the middle ear is usually filled with air, the function of the Eustachian tube is to balance air pressure on both sides of the eardrum and drain out mucus. This helps the eardrum to vibrate as required for you to hear properly.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD)
Sometimes the Eustachian tube gets blocked, which disrupts normal eardrum function This creates what is known as Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD).
ETD causes difficulty in hearing, pain, and a full sensation in the ears.
Symptoms of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Mild ETD may be left to cure over time. However, to ease the discomfort caused by ETD, some simple home remedies can treat it. In case it reoccurs, you will need to consult your doctor.
Some common Eustachian Tube Dysfunction symptoms include:
- Fullness in the ears
- Muffled hearing
- The sensation of plugged ears
- Tinnitus, also referred to as ringing in the ears
- Pain in either one or both ears
- Clicking or popping sounds
- A feeling of tickling or irritation
- Dizziness or loss of balance (in some cases)
What Causes Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?
As earlier mentioned, ETD is caused by a blockage or inflammation of the Eustachian Tubes.
Some common causes include:
- Common cold, sinusitis, or infections in the ear and throat – These conditions are characterized by an excessive formation of mucus which further blocks the Eustachian tube. Infections are the major causes of inflammation along these tubes.
- Allergies – Allergies that affect the nose lead to more mucus being produced. This also blocks the Eustachian tube.
- Altitude changes – This is common for people who fly in planes. When a plane descends, there tends to be more pressure nearer to the ground that affects the eardrums, causing pain. Usually, a simple chewing or yawning motion will balance the pressure and resolve ETD. Altitude changes also occur hiking or riding on an elevator.
- Glue Ear – Glue ear, also known as otitis media with effusion (OME), is normally associated with dulled hearing, a condition that is common among children. This is caused by a build-up of a glue-like fluid in the middle ear. Glue ear prevents air from flowing into the middle ear. However, it will clear on its own given some time.
- Enlarged Adenoids – These and other blockages are other known causes of ETD.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Treatment
On normal occasions, ETD will clear on its own with time. However, after cases of allergies, colds, or sinusitis, these symptoms may go for an entire week because it takes longer for mucus or inflammation to clear.
Some simple home remedies that work well to clear ETD include:
- Yawning
- Chewing or swallowing
- Blocking the nostrils and mouth then breathing out
- Using saline nasal sprays to clear out mucus
- In cases where it is caused by allergies, consider taking medications aimed at controlling allergies
- Antibiotics in case of infections
In case of severe ETD or recurring episodes, you will need to see a doctor for professional intervention.
Events, Totum Health Events
8th Annual Totum Art Show Benefitting Luv Michael (LuvMichael.org)
We hope that you will join us for the 8th Annual Totum Health Art Show benefitting Luv Michael (LuvMichael.org). Artist from around NYC will be donating their artwork to be put up for auction or purchase at the event and online.
When: Thursday, June 8th 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: 154 East 85th Street, Backyard Patio
Cocktails & Appetizers will be served
For more details, including a preview of the artwork and early bidding access, please visit livetotum.com
RSVP
To RSVP for the art show, please call 212-288-2222 or email [email protected]
Special thanks to our generous artists for contributing their work for this night’s event
Share the Luv
Luv Michael is a Non Profit 501c3 organization with a mission to train, educate and employ people with Autism. Your donation will help achieve our mission and allow us to build out our training kitchen and school.
To learn more please visit: luvmichael.org
Totum Health Insights, Wellness
Promoting Wellness in a Healthy Home
There isn’t a specific set of guidelines that must be followed to achieve the perfect healthy home. Everyone has different needs whether personal, mental or health related.
Wellness is more than just being healthy, it’s also about having a balanced and fulfilling life both outside and inside the home. So, how do you incorporate a healthy environment into your home?
Events, Totum Health Events, Wellness
Improving Quality of Life – The Importance of Moving our Bodies and Exercise
This week we had Shannon Cusma, Pilates Manager and lead teacher trainer from Equinox speak to us about the importance of moving our bodies and exercise. It was wonderful!
We were presented with 50 reasons to exercise….the most important being Improving Quality of Life. Shannon reviewed the benefits as well as key steps to get started.
- Find something you enjoy and do it!
- Schedule it on your calendar and don’t cancel on yourself
- Commit to 30 min/day 2-3x/ week and work your way up
- Start Slow
- Track your progress
- Mix it up
Exercise should be fun and enjoyable! Shannon provided us with various workouts and a variety of levels and….demonstrated each one for us. We even had volunteers show us their strength!
The evening concluded with stretches and emphasis was placed on stretching muscles that have been warmed up.
Shannon answered many questions for us. If you are interested in contacting her:
Shannon Cusma
[email protected]
Please RSVP 212-288-2222. Next week I will be giving you a group Health Coaching talk on Life Happens…. how to rebound after struggling circumstances. Feel free to send me your struggles that you deal with! See you on Monday, Feb.20th at 6:30pm.
Best of health,
Sheila
Beauty, Events, Totum Health Events, Totum Health Insights
Healthy Eating 101 – Nutrition
Healthy Eating 101
Our wellness series continues to offer new opportunities for us to make positive changes in our health! Last night enriched us with information on nutrition.
Reyna Franco, Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist, Exercise Physiologist, presented a comprehensive talk on Healthy Eating 101. Initial discussion concerned “Why we eat?” which quickly went into the nutritional value of a healthy eating plan. A basic breakdown of meals should include:
Beauty, ENT, Events, Totum Health Events, Totum Health Insights, Wellness
Simple Steps to Stress Management
Simple Steps to Stress Management
Our awareness of how we manifest stress can be physical, mental, emotional or behavioral. How do you react to stressors? Are you willing to think about changing your reaction?
Events, Totum Health Events
Health & Wellness Series 2017
The holidays are over and here you are… a new year and a new opportunity to make this time your most successful transformation. Totum Health has carefully put a panel of health specialists together to help you reach your own goals for health and wellness in 2017. Together, we can help you break down barriers and destroy bad habits. Sometimes, the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the best step of your life.
Are you tired of being “sick and tired”? Is your weight not moving in the right direction on the scale? Are you looking for more energy and vitality? Having new health concerns? Totum Health has the solution!
Personal success takes time and commitment. Join our 10-week Wellness Series for this life changing event. Our professional panel will guide you on your journey and offer a step by step plan that will give you the results you want. Each lesson is an essential component to your health and wellness. Find the courage to commit and follow through. It’s never too late to become the best version of yourself!
Beauty
Dr. Dara Liotta Reveals Top 3 Facial Rejuvenation Procedures
Did you know that Winter time is the ideal season to undergo any type of cosmetic surgery? Rest, recovery and staying out of direct strong sunlight are important after any facial procedures. Winter time and long holiday weekends offer you the perfect chance to take time off to rejuvenate yourself.
Thanks to innovative skin care technology, the effects of aging on the skin caused by heredity, lifestyle and environmental factors no longer have to be permanent. Today, many new techniques are constantly evolving to keep up with the increasing demand of patients looking to reverse signs of aging and restore a more youthful appearance. At City Aesthetics, we offer the top 3 facial rejuvenation procedures that you could consider this winter season.
Botulinum Toxin Injection ( BOTOX) is the first and most common non-surgical procedure in the world. Botox can be used to reduce or eliminate fine lines and wrinkles in face, including frown lines, forehead creases and crow’s feet. After the treated skin area has been cleaned, Botox is injected through a small needle. Botox is an in-office procedure that takes only minutes to perform and shows its full effects after 4-7 days.
Injectable fillers can be a perfect complement to surgery or other procedures that are used to replace volume loss, or augment volume in multiple places on the face. There’s a variety of different types of facial fillers, including Juvederm products (hyaluronic acid), and Radiesse (hydroxyapatite). When performed well, fillers can give you a natural result that lasts up to 6-9 months on average, sometimes lasting up to 2 years.
Face lift and necklift surgery deliver the most impressive rejuvenation of the face, jawline and neck. It targets the lower two thirds of the face, cheeks, nasolabial folds, jowls, jaw line and loose skin of the neck. The surgery is performed using general anesthesia and the expected recovery time is approximately 3 weeks. Face lift and neck lift surgery is an excellent choice for those looking for a more natural and youthful appearance.
For more information on Botox, injectable fillers, and facelift and necklift please contact us today. Dr. Liotta can meet with you for a confidential consultation to answer any questions you may have and find an appropriate treatment for you.
ENT
Is Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube Right For You?
What is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD)?
ETD occurs when the Eustachian tube, an area extending from the middle of the ear to the nasopharynx, cannot open like it should. Some of the causes for ETD include sinus infections, nasal allergies, and common colds.
What are the symptoms of ETD?
Patients with ETD may experience symptoms anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. However, severe cases may last even longer. Symptoms include:
- Continuous feeling of clogged ears
- Hearing problems
- Tinnitus
- Impaired hearing
- Earaches
- Dizziness
What are non-invasive treatments for ETD?
- Nasal sprays
- Decongestants and Antihistamines
- Antibiotics
- Cold medication and cough medicine (Guaifenesin)
What is Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube?
For patients experiencing chronic cases of ETD, a more invasive surgery may be required. The physicians at Lexington ENT at Totum Health begin by inserting a small FDA approved catheter with a balloon at the tip into the Eustachian tube. The balloon is then inflated to physically open the Eustachian tube, and is then deflated and removed.
The procedure is commonly performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Physicians who have used the Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube technique in adults suffering from severe ETD reported that the procedure is safe and causes a short-term and, perhaps, a long-term resolution of symptoms.
For more information please call our patient engagement professionals today at 212-288-2222!
ENT
When a Winter Cold Goes Bad
With the cold weather quickly making its way in, it’s time to start bundling up again! During this season, it’s common for pesky colds to get in the way of our daily activities. Taking precautions such as frequently washing your hands, eating a well-balanced meal, and exercising can help keep colds away and while in some cases, we can quickly recover, there are times when a cold can turn into sinusitis.
What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis occurs when the air cavities around your nasal passages become inflamed. Common causes for sinusitis include common colds, allergies, and infections. If you are experiencing a simple or acute sinusitis, symptoms such as nasal congestion, sinus pressure or pain, headaches, fever, or a sore throat may occur. These cases usually last approximately 2-4 weeks and can be treated with:
- Nasal sprays
- Over-the-counter decongestant and antihistamines
- Warm compresses and hot beverages to help ease the pain
If symptoms get worse over time, it might be best for you to visit a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics, however, if symptoms last for more than 8 weeks, you could be diagnosed with chronic sinusitis.
How to Treat Chronic Sinusitis:
In cases where treatment and medication do not improve symptoms, your ENT doctor may recommend Balloon Sinuplasty Surgery. Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimal invasive procedure used to treat chronic sinusitis. This effective and FDA approved technology uses a small, flexible, sinus balloon catheter to open up blocked sinus passageways, restoring normal sinus drainage. When the sinus balloon is inflated, it gently restructures and widens the walls of the passageway while maintaining the integrity of the sinus lining.
To learn more or see if you are a candidate for this procedure, contact a patient care coordinator today at 212-288-2222!
