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.
ENT, Totum Health News, Totum Health Press
Dr. Lisa Liberatore Using Spirox Latera for Better Breathing
Spirox Latera Device to Help Nasal Breathing – it’s like a Breathe Rite Strip Inside the Nose!
Spirox Latera is a dissolvable implant that is placed inside the nasal tissue to strengthen the nasal walls. It really helps breathing. And an NFL player just had it done!
ENT, Totum Health News
Totum Health One of the First ENT Groups to Offer Spirox Latera
Totum Health has been chosen to be one of the first Ear, Nose and Throat medical groups to offer Spirox Latera. We’ll provide you with more information as we receive it.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Spirox Announces First US Cases with Minimally Invasive Device for Lateral Cartilage Support in Patients with Nasal Valve Collapse, a Major Cause of Nasal Obstruction
MENLO PARK, Calif. – July 14, 2016 – SpiroxTM, Inc., a company committed to transforming treatment of nasal obstruction, today announced the first US cases with the LATERA Absorbable Nasal Implant following its FDA clearance. LATERA provides ENTs and facial plastic surgeons with a new minimally invasive option to support the upper and lower lateral nasal cartilages. Weak lateral cartilage can result in nasal valve collapse, an important, but often undiagnosed, issue affecting the majority of patients1 undergoing nasal obstruction procedures today.
“Nasal obstruction takes a significant toll on patient quality of life, but is often undertreated and underdiagnosed. If we don’t look for nasal valve collapse in these patients, we’re not addressing the entire problem. By providing an intuitive and effective way to support nasal lateral cartilage, LATERA has the potential to improve breathing for our patients,” said Dean Toriumi, MD, professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and past president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS).
Pablo Stolovitzky, MD, clinical assistant professor at Emory University and past chairman of the Board of Governors of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), was among the first physicians to perform a LATERA case in the US. He noted, “LATERA is an important development for nasal obstruction patients when a standard procedure treating the septum and turbinates is often not enough. LATERA provides us with a minimally-invasive solution to support nasal lateral cartilage. I was able to place the implant on my first attempt, and I expect that the physician learning curve will be short.”
Prior to these US cases, a multi-center clinical study conducted in Germany showed that patients that received a LATERA implant alone experienced a reduction in nasal obstruction symptoms at one year, with results in the range of more invasive techniques and without a cosmetic downside.
“We have worked with physician leaders to find a solution to a major clinical need. The research and development behind the innovation is complex, but the technique is elegant and intuitive,” said Duke Rohlen, Spirox chief executive officer. “LATERA gives physicians a new option to support lateral cartilage, enabling a more complete means for addressing their patients’ nasal obstruction symptoms.”
About Nasal Airway Obstruction
Nasal airway obstruction can be caused by several factors, including septal deviation, enlarged turbinates, and weakened upper and/or lower lateral nasal wall cartilage leading to nasal valve collapse. The nasal valve contributes as much as 80 percent of total nasal airway resistance, and even minor constriction of this area results in a clinically significant impairment of nasal breathing for the patient.
Nasal valvular incompetence may equal or even exceed septal deviation as the prime cause of nasal airway obstruction.
About Latera
LATERA is an absorbable polymer implant indicated for supporting the upper and lower lateral nasal cartilage. The minimally invasive technology is intuitive and can be delivered by ENTs or facial plastic surgeons. For a complete list of safety and effectiveness considerations reference the LATERA IFU at www.spiroxmed.com.
ABOUT SPIROX, INC.
Spirox is committed to improving the quality of life for patients suffering from nasal obstruction. The Menlo Park-based company’s first product – the LATERA Absorbable Nasal Implant – is designed to address one of the most common, yet underdiagnosed, causes of nasal obstruction today, nasal valve collapse caused by weakened lateral wall cartilage. For more information, please visit www.spiroxmed.com.
LATERA is available in the US only. Spirox and LATERA and its logos are trademarks of Spirox, Inc.
1. Bonaparte JP, Cheung L. Does the Cottle Maneuver predict outcomes after septal surgery? American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting (AAO-HNSF). 2015
2. Elwany S, Thabet H. Obstruction of the nasal valve. J Laryngol Otol. 1996 Mar; 110(3):221-4
3. Bloching MB. Disorders of the nasal valve area. GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007; 6:Doc07. Published online 2008 Mar 14
4. Constanstian MB, Clardy RB. The Relative Importance of Septal and Nasal Valvular Surgery in Correcting Airway Obstruction in Primary and Secondary Rhinoplasty. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 1995 Jul; 98(1): 47
Totum Health News
All Prescriptions Written in New York Must Now Be Transmitted Electroniclly
As of March 27, prescriptions will no longer be handwritten or called in to the pharmacy. There are some exceptions, such as during disasters or in the event of technological or electrical failures. In those case, prescriptions can be handwritten but only on an official New York State prescription form.
PURPOSE
All prescriptions written in New York must now be transmitted electronically from the prescriber to the pharmacy, as part of the state’s I-STOP initiative (Internet System for Tracking Over Prescribing. Its aim is to stem the flow of legal drugs into illicit markets.
WHAT IS AN ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTION?
A prescription signed and transmitted directly to a pharmacy from the point of care through a secure e-prescribing tool or electronic health record system.
WHAT IT’S NOT
- A prescription sent to a pharmacy in an email
- A prescription that’s faxed to a pharmacy from a computer (e-fax)
- A prescription written on a computer, printed and hand-delivered to the pharmacy
DOES I-STOP MANDATE ANYTHING OTHER THAN ELECTRONIC PRESCRIBING?
In brief, I-STOP requires a prescriber to consult the State’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PMP) database prior to prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance, it reclassified a number of controlled substances, it created the Prescription Pain Medication Awareness Program and it mandated the DOH to establish a consumer program for the safe disposal of controlled substances.
Totum Health News, Totum Health Press
Lisa Liberatore, MD FACS Named One of New York Magazine’s Best Doctors
Congratulations Dr. Liberatore!
Totum Health’s Medical Director, Lisa Liberatore, MD FACS was recently named to New York Magazine’s Best Doctors of 2015 list. The rankings were compiled by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a New York City research and information firm and based on a regional peer-review survey that asks thousands of New York City physicians to nominate the Best Doctors who they deem as being the best in their fields.
Totum Health is home to the top Manhattan ENT doctors, Lisa A. Liberatore, MD FACS and Dara Liotta, MD who provide innovative Ear, Nose & Throat, Sleep, Sinus, Allergy and Facial Plastic and Cosmetic treatments in their beautiful Upper East Side location.
Totum Health Events, Totum Health News
4th Annual Row for Autism Regatta on April 18, 2015
The Town of North Hempstead and Friends of Port Rowing are pleased to host the 4th Annual Row for Autism Regatta on April 18, 2015
The US Rowing-sponsored event is held at North Hempstead Beach Park, 175 West Shore Road, Port Washington, NY. Port Rowing offers the opportunity for those affected by autism to participate in the sport of rowing through our adaptive rowing program. The adaptive program partners rowers with special needs with able-bodied peers in both practice and in competitions.
Totum Health News
Lexington ENT Earns Prestigious AAAHC Accreditation
After an intensive two-day review by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), Totum Health is proud to announce that Lexington ENT has been awarded full accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This accreditation status distinguishes Lexington ENT from many other facilities, ensuring the highest quality of care to patients as determined by an independent, external process of evaluation.
Totum Health Insights, Totum Health News
Dr. Lisa Liberatore Discusses Sleep Apnea on ABC Eyewitness News
Dr. Lisa Liberatore a Manhattan Ear, Nose and Throat and sleep apnea expert discusses Sleep Apnea on New York City’s ABC Eyewitness News. During this interview she discusses the condition and the various treatment options available. Many people snore, however signs of snoring do not always equate to having Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea means that there is an obstruction to the flow of air when breathing in that causes pauses in breathing. Some sufferers stop Sleep Apnea affects millions of people and if left untreated can raise the risk of diabetes, stroke, hypertension, and weight gain. If you or a loved one snore or suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea it is time to get help.
Watch the Interview from ABC Eyewitness News
To view the video in its entirety please click here: Manhattan ENT physician, Dr. Lisa Liberatore Discusses Sleep Apnea with ABC Eyewitness News
