Protecting and Preserving Your Skin During Radiation Treatment for Throat Cancer

Radiation therapy is a common and effective treatment for throat cancer, but it can have significant side effects, especially on the skin. One of the most common concerns is radiation-induced dermatitis, which can cause the skin on the neck to become dry, leathery, and thickened over time. This can be uncomfortable and may even impact your quality of life. Fortunately, using a high-quality skincare product like Rejuvaskin cream can help protect and nourish your skin throughout treatment. This …

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Vestibular Migraine: Episodic Dizziness or Vertigo Due to Migraines

Dizziness is a very common complaint patients have when seeing an ENT doctor. However, dizziness is not always due to an inner ear issue. In fact, it accounts for about 30% of all dizzy complaints . Neurological issues can also cause dizziness. Neurological conditions such as strokes can clearly cause vertigo, but more benign issues like vestibular migraines can also trigger vertigo along with ear-specific symptoms, adding to the complexity of correct diagnosis.  Vestibular migraines are a…

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Zepbound, the First Medication FDA Approved to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

On December 20, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Eli Lilly's Zepbound (tirzepatide) as the first medication for treating moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults (older than 18 years) with obesity.  OSA is a condition characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep due to airway obstruction, leading to fragmented sleep and reduced oxygen levels. Traditionally, treatments have included lifestyle changes, continuous positive …

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Risk of Burns from Jewelry NOT Removed During Surgery

It is common practice to require patients to remove all metal jewelry before surgery due to risk of skin burns. But how significant is this risk? Why would it even happen? During surgery, electric cautery is very commonly used to stop any bleeding. The device used, called a monopolar, has a small metal tip when electrically active, can result in an electrically induced burn to any tissue it touches. This is analogous to how some people can accidentally electrocute themselves when taking a bath …

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Do NOT Use Decongestant Nasal Sprays (Afrin, Sinex, 4Way, Phenylephrine, etc) for More Than 3 Days!!!

It says so right on the packaging materials. Although decongestant nasal sprays work great to relieve nasal congestion quickly, when used for more than 3 days, these nasal sprays may actually CAUSE nasal congestion leading many individuals to start using these sprays longer and more frequently. In essence, the nose becomes addicted to the nasal spray. When stopping the nasal spray use, the rebound nasal congestion can be quite severe lasting several weeks. The medical diagnosis is rhinitis medi…

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3 Easy At Home Tests for Cervicogenic Vertigo or Dizziness (Vertigo Triggered by Head Movement Due to Spine Problems)

Transient dizziness or vertigo that occurs with head movements is often attributed to a vestibular problem like BPPV  (displaced inner ear crystal). However, cervical spine problems that have nothing to do with the inner ear can also elicit vertigo attacks with head movements. Additional symptoms that suggest a cervicogenic source of dizziness instead of the inner ear include history of headache, neck pain, and limited cervical range of motion. There are three bedside tests which can furth…

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