Please, submit all prescription requests to your pharmacy no later than Thursday May 26th.

If at any point you experience a medical emergency

Most of us at one time or another get the sniffles, but for 40 million Americans with chronic sinusitis these symptoms never go away.  Last week Dr. Chan took to the airwaves to discuss chronic sinusitis, and a new procedure that can alleviate these symptoms with markedly less down time that traditional sinus surgery.  Click on the link below to hear about your sinuses and Balloon Sinuplasty.

http://www.phsoregon.org/video/?view=t02d94fafb588x480x150

If you or someone you know suffers from chronic sinus issues relief is available.  Contact our office and let us explore the options so you can breathe easier.

One of the most frightening statistics is that nearly 18 million American’s live with sleep apnea, and most don’t know they are living with a potentially life threatening disease. Sleep apnea occurs when an individual pauses or has extremely shallow breaths during their sleep. Partners may report loud snoring, gasping or snorting during sleep. While this can be bothersome to bed partners it can have long term, even fatal affects.

The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine discovered compelling evidence that there is a link between obstructive sleep apnea and stroke in middle age to older men. Researchers studied 5,422 men and woman over an averaged nine year period. Each participant began with an at home sleep test to determine if apneas (pauses in breathing) were present and the severity of the apneas. Men with moderate to severe apnea were three times more likely to have a stroke then men with mild or no sleep apnea. The findings where slightly different in woman; increased risk of stroke only occurred in patients with severe apnea and was usually compounded with other risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

If this evidence wasn’t striking enough the link between our heart’s reaction at night to the apneas doesn’t cease during the day when the apneas aren’t present. When people have apneas during sleep it causes their heart to pump harder due to a lack of oxygen in the system. This causes undue strain on the heart and other organs. The study showed that patients’ heart became accustomed to pumping harder so that even when awake their heart continues to function erratically. This additional strain on the heart puts the individual at increased risk of stroke.

These findings compound the already alarming data that shows links between sleep apnea and diabetes, day time fatigue (which the National Highway Safety Commission links to thousands of fatal crashes each year), hypertension and other health problems.

If you or a loved one snore, or gasp for breath at night it is vital to see a trained physician to explore the possibility of sleep apnea. It’s hard to fathom that something that happens at night, and may only cause a slight annoyance to a bed partner could have dire consequences if left untreated.

We all know that Christmas and the holiday season can bring a number of headaches for parents. It starts with the incessant begging for toys, and ends with days and weeks of whirring, squealing, loud toys; but what we often fail to consider is the hearing of our children. Children’s ears are more sensitive than adults, and are thus more susceptible to loud, high-pitched noises, which over time can cause long term hearing loss.

The Sight and Hearing association releases a yearly list of the year’s loudest toys to help both parents and children protect their hearing (and sanity). Here is this year’s list:

1. Bell Riderz Block Blaster
2. Cars Shake ‘N Go Ramone
3. Transformers Optimus Prime Cyber Sword
4. True Heroes Sonic Battle Blasters
5. CAT Mini Mover
6. Rocket Boost Iron Man 2
7. Road Rippers Rush and Rescue Fire Truck
8. Interaction Morris
9. Proto Bat-Bot Figure
10. CAT Honk and Rumble Wheel
11. Dora Tunes Microphone
12. B. FunKeys
13. Dora Magic Adventure Wand
14. Sesame Street Singing Pop-Up Pals
15. Bruin Musical Teething Keys
16. Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Learning Phone
17. Bruin Mini Kitchen
18. Bruin Lights and Sounds Fire Truck

All of these toys are recommended for children under seven and most under four; the ages when children’s audio development is key. The risk remains with older children as headphones pose a large risk to young ears. We often take for granted our ability to hear and the vital role it plays in our everyday lives. During such a joyous season it’s important to remember the long term affects toys and accessories can have on our children. Let’s make sure that our children and we have a peaceful Christmas and New Year.

It has become a buzz word lately, but what do we really know about our Thyroid? We hear commercials and see advertisements for over and under active thyroids, but how many of us can describe what this essential gland does for us and our bodies? The Thyroid is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body. It’s located in our necks controlling how our bodies use energy, make proteins, and it regulates how sensitive we are to other hormones. The thyroid produces two key hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4), which controls our metabolic rate and affects the growth rate of other systems in the body.

The two major Thyroid problems are hyperthyroidism, an over-active thyroid, and hypothyroidism, an under-active thyroid.

Hyperthyroidism is exactly like it sounds – an over production of thyroid hormones. Since these hormones regulate our metabolism and other systems, a number of processes in the body speed up with increased Thyroid hormones. Not surprising symptoms are nervousness, irritability, increased perspiration, a racing heart, hand tremors, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, weight loss (despite a healthy appetite). Hypothyroidism usually begins slowly, and many of the symptoms may be attributed to stress rather than a more serious medical condition. The most common form or cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves Disease. It’s characterized by enlarged appearing eyes due to the swelling of the eye muscles pushing the eyes forward. One may also notice swelling in the front of the neck as a result of an enlarged thyroid. Treatment range from antithyroid drugs, beta blockers, radioiodine and surgery. An otolaryngologist, or ear, nose and throat specialist, can diagnose and determine the best treatment for each individual.

In contrast, hypothyroidism is caused by an under-active thyroid. As one can assume this causes the body to become lethargic. The symptoms are fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, depression, muscle cramps, paleness, weight gain/water retention, and poor muscle tone. Approximately three percent of the population has this condition, and can be due to iodine deficiency (the most common), postpartum thyroiditis (affecting women within the first year after giving birth), a high intake of iodine, or lithium based mood stabilizers. Treatment is generally the intake of a daily pill that contains thyroid hormone to help supplement the thyroid’s production.

Other Thyroid problems include goitre’s, tumors, and cancer. Simple blood tests or ultrasounds can easily diagnose most thyroid problems. If you feel as though you may have any of these symptoms it’s best to make an appointment with an otolaryngologist. They are specialist uniquely trained to diagnose and treat Thyroid disorders. It’s always important to see a doctor if any symptoms persist for a length of time. And now that you know your Thyroid be sure to take good care of it by eating well and exercising!

The hustle and bustle of the holidays will soon be here. Can’t you just imagine it? Shopping in decked-out malls…Laughing with cherished friends…Sharing a special meal with loving family…Listening to children laugh as old traditions are made new again.

These are the ingredients for the perfect holiday recipe…unless you suffer from untreated hearing loss. For those who cannot hear as well as they once did, holidays, and the happy noise that accompanies them, can be stressful and lead to isolation and depression.

If you answer “yes” to any of the questions below, now is the time to take action to ensure this year’s holiday events will be enjoyed to their fullest.

• Do you, or someone you know, avoid holiday gatherings, shopping at malls or going to crowded restaurants because it is difficult to understand the conversation in background noise?
• Do you, or someone you know, have difficulty understanding the voices of small children?
• Do you, or someone you know, become embarrassed or frustrated because you sometimes respond inappropriately to a comment or a question that has been asked?

Don’t let this holiday disappoint. Follow this 7-step plan to ensure this holiday is the best one ever!

1. Eliminate the stress of not knowing whether or not you have hearing loss. Make an appointment today to have a hearing test to find out.
2. Don’t put off getting treatment. You may be surprised that your symptoms are caused by something as simple as earwax, which can easily be removed. If, however, your hearing professional recommends hearing instruments, don’t put off getting treatment. Let your hearing professional make a recommendation while you remain in control of your budget.
3. Be confident that you are making a positive, life-changing decision. Today’s hearing instruments are smaller than ever and new open fit technology means you will hardly notice you are wearing them. Feedback management systems can effectively reduce annoying background noises while Adaptive Dual Microphone technology helps you focus on the conversations you want to hear and help eliminate those you don’t.
4. If you already wear hearing instruments, make sure they are in good working order before company arrives or you leave town. Schedule a “clean and check” appointment and stock up on batteries and cleaning supplies.
5. Does your child suffer from Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
6. Chronic nasal congestion is one of the most common complaints we see. Now ENT surgeons have a set of minimally invasive tools, Balloon Sinuplasty, that can be used to enlarge the natural opening of the sinuses without removing bone or tissue. Are you a candidate for balloon sinuplasty?
7. Enjoy the holidays!

Agil is one of the most advanced instruments on the market. Superior technology takes the work out of hearing and listening, so you can hear clearly and effortlessly. As a result, you have more energy to understand and enjoy the voices, music and sounds that color your world and enrich your life.

• Works in harmony with your brain to let you hear voices and sounds clearly.
• Lets you follow conversation by protecting speech information and reducing distortion.
• Provides a full breadth and range of music when you stream through any Bluetooth® device.
• Stylish and comfortable — so small, no one will even notice you’re wearing a hearing device.

At Mt Scott ENT, we feel passionately about helping our patients on their hearing journey and look forward to seeing them during such a joyous time. We encourage you to call and make an appointment today and let us help you enjoy every aspect of this holiday season. We hope to see you soon and wish you the best this holiday season!