The Importance of Indoor Air Quality When You Have Allergies

It’s hard to believe that we’re just a few days away from the official start of spring. While that means longer days and warmer weather for people with seasonal allergies, it also means more pollen and an increase in allergy symptoms. While you may think that avoiding outdoor areas in Columbia, like Granby Park, is…
What to Know About Getting Your Ears Cleaned by an ENT

When your earwax becomes impacted or stuck in your ear canal, it can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms. It’s important that you don’t attempt to remove impacted earwax yourself, especially with a cotton swab or Q-tip. Instead, schedule an appointment with an expert ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician to have your ears cleaned….
Five Tips for Managing a Stuffy Nose

If you’re one of the millions of people dealing with a stuffed-up nose right now, you know how annoying it can be. During this time of year, many cases of nasal congestion are caused by colds. While there are no treatments that fight cold viruses directly, several home remedies can help manage your symptoms and…
What Is a Patulous Eustachian Tube?
The Eustachian tubes are the passages between your middle ears and the back of your throat. They have several jobs, including allowing fluid to drain from the middle ear and equalizing air pressure between your middle ears and your environment. The majority of the time, your Eustachian tubes are closed. They open only when you…
What Are Colds More Common During the Winter?

We all know that winter is synonymous with cold and flu season, but have you ever wondered why? Turns out there are several likely reasons why people get more colds in the winter. Let’s examine why as well as how to minimize your risk of illness. Cold Air May Impact Your Ability To Fight Off…
How To Stop a GERD Cough

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause many unpleasant symptoms, including a chronic cough. What Is GERD? GERD occurs when stomach acid regularly flows back into your esophagus. This happens because the lower esophageal sphincter is weakened or relaxed and allows acid to escape. While almost everyone deals with an occasional episode of acid reflux, having…
How to Know if Your Baby Has an Ear Infection

Middle ear infections, also known as acute otitis media, are extremely common in babies and young children. In fact, according to a study published in American Family Physician, “Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common diagnosis in childhood acute sick visits. By three years of age, 50% to 85% of children will have at…
What Is Epiglottitis?

Your epiglottis is the tissue located at the back of your throat that prevents food and liquid from entering the windpipe as you swallow. If the epiglottis becomes infected or inflamed, it can block or partially block the windpipe and interfere with breathing. As such, it is a potentially life-threatening condition. We review more about…
What’s Causing My Child’s Cough?

Just like adults, there are many reasons why children might develop a cough. In most instances, a child’s cough is nothing to worry about. However, in some cases, like in the case of chronic coughing, it may warrant a visit with a pediatrician to determine the cause. Let’s examine a few of the most common…
When Should My Child See an ENT?

If you’re a parent, you know that children are prone to picking up bugs and minor illnesses pretty frequently. Often, these issues resolve on their own and need no additional care. However, if your child experiences frequent or recurring problems related to their ears, nose or throat, they may need to see an ENT specialist…