When to See an ENT vs. When to Wait It Out
Approximately 27 million people in the U.S. visit ENT specialists each year. An ENT specialist—also called an otolaryngologist—is a medical professional who specializes in and treats conditions affecting the ears, nose and throat (that’s what ENT stands for!). Conditions in the ears, nose and throat, like a stuffy nose, hoarse voice, ear infection or sinus…
Utah’s Winter Inversion and Its Effects on Sinus and Throat Health
If you’ve lived in Utah for a while, you’re probably familiar with winter inversions. Utah’s altitude and geography make it susceptible to this unique phenomenon, in which warm air at high altitudes traps cold air beneath it, and with it, the emissions and air pollution that would normally escape into the atmosphere. The result is…
Sleeping Positions that Help with Sleep Apnea (and Sleep Positions that Make Sleep Apnea Worse)
Sleep apnea is a frustrating condition that diminishes the quality of your valuable sleep. It can be a challenging condition to manage, but one strategy you can use is to adjust your sleeping position. What Causes Sleep Apnea? When you sleep, the tissues in your mouth—tongue, throat muscles and soft palate—relax. This relaxation happens to…
Is My Sore Throat Caused by Allergies?
If you’ve been suffering from allergies this season and have been experiencing a sore throat, you may be wondering if they’re related. Over 30% of Americans have some type of allergy, and most of those suffer from seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies prompt a wide variety of symptoms, including congestion, itchy and watery eyes, skin rashes,…
How to Prevent Cobblestone Throat During Allergy Season
Cobblestone throat is a condition that causes the back of the throat to appear bumpy and irritated, often resembling cobblestones. A potential cause can be allergies, so understanding the causes along with management options ca help prevent it. About Cobblestone Throat Cobblestone throat is not a medical condition but a physical change in the throat’s…
What Is Chronic Throat Pain and How Can I Manage It?
Chronic throat pain, or chronic pharyngitis, is a sore throat lasting longer than 10 days. Sore throats that go away before 10 days but frequently recur are also considered chronic. If you’ve been battling persistent throat pain, take a look at our list of common causes and a few ways you can find relief. Common…
Understanding and Managing Strep Throat
Strep throat, caused by the group A Streptococcus bacterium, is a highly contagious bacterial infection. You or someone you know has likely had strep throat at least once. While it can affect anyone, it’s most frequently diagnosed in children. Because strep throat is so contagious, recognizing the symptoms and knowing how to manage and prevent…
Understanding the Link Between Acid Reflux and Throat Health
Have you ever noticed a lingering sore throat, persistent cough or an unusual hoarseness in your voice that doesn’t seem to go away? Acid reflux may be the culprit. Let’s dive into how acid reflux impacts throat health and what you can do to protect it. What Is Acid Reflux? Acid reflux occurs when stomach…
Understanding Common Causes and Treatments of Postnasal Drip
Almost everyone is familiar with that irksome feeling that you have something in the back of your throat. For some, that slight tickle is more than a phantom sensation. It could be a mild but often annoying condition called postnasal drip. What is Postnasal Drip? Postnasal drip occurs when excess mucus builds up in your…
What Is the Relationship Between Air Quality and ENT Health?
Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors. When you spend so much of your time indoors, whether at home, school or work, it is crucial to ensure your environment isn’t negatively affecting your ENT health. Why Is ENT Health Important? ENT health, concerning the ear, nose and throat, is crucial to daily functioning and…