I always seem to have phlegm in my throat and the feeling like there is a lump in my throat...what could this be?

Your symptoms could be the result of extra esophageal or laryngeal reflux.  This is also commonly known as “throat reflux.”  Throat reflux is not like the acid reflux which causes traditional “heartburn” (otherwise known as GERD).  Throat reflux involves your stomach acid coming up high enough into the esophagus that it essentially spills over into the larynx—where your vocal cords are located (the “voice box”).  

Symptoms of throat reflux include any/all of the following: 

• frequent need to clear your throat (excess phlegm in your throat), 

• chronic cough (often a dry cough), 

• hoarseness, 

• trouble swallowing, 

• sensation of having a “lump in the throat”, 

• sour or acid taste in the mouth, sore throat, 

• and at times for some people the sensation that they are choking.  

No where on this list of symptoms for throat reflux do you see “heartburn”, belching, or chest pain.  Again, that is because with THROAT reflux the stomach acid is coming up to a higher place in the esophagus where it is actually affecting the larynx (voice box).  When this occurs, it causes inflammation and swelling which then causes the symptoms noted above.

Call if you have additional questions or to schedule a consultation.  218-454-8888. 

Have a great day!
Kurtis Waters MD

Are there any options to manage chronic ear infections besides having tubes put in the ears?

Yes, there are other options than ear tube placement.  That option is daily antibiotic prophylaxis.  

• This is a low-dose antibiotic that would be taken on a daily basis for 1-3 months.  

• The goal of this option is to decrease the bacterial counts that are within the oropharynx cavity (mouth/throat area) where the eustachian tubes openings are located.  

The Eustachian tubes are the small tubes which connect our middle ear space and throat so that air pressure can equalize.  The goal of this option is to hopefully reduce the number of ear infections overall.  However, this is not a guarantee as ear infections can still occur.  I will also add, that while this is a fine option, many patients opt against it over concerns of antibiotic overuse and antibiotic resistance. 

Call for a consultation 218-454-8888.

Kurtis Waters MD

What are the downsides and possible risks to having tubes in the ears?

There are risks associated with ear tube placement.  For children, tubes are placed in a surgical setting under anesthesia so that they are comfortable and lying still while the tubes are being inserted.  For adults, tubes can be placed in the office under local anesthesia placed into the ear canal—much like going to the dentist for a cavity.  

• There are anesthetic risks when placing ear tubes just like there would be in any surgical procedure requiring sedation/anesthesia.  
• Other risks include potential scarring of the ear drum or permanent perforation of the ear drum.  However, with the short acting tubes (which are used most commonly) that stay in place for a matter of months these risks are more minimal.  
• Scarring of the ear drum can also occur from having recurring infections—it is not exclusive to having tubes. 
• Residual perforation, a perforation that does not heal on its own after the tubes fall out, risk is about 1-3%.  If this were to occur, it could involve another surgical procedure down the road to patch the ear drum.

My next blog will address other options.

  

Have a great day!

Kurtis Waters MD

Enlarged Tonsils

What are symptoms that can be a result of enlarged tonsils?

Symptoms of enlarged tonsils (tonsillar hypertrophy) can include any and all of the following obstructive related symptoms: 

• snoring and apnea spells,
• difficulty swallowing,
• chronic mouth breathing, and
• at times speech delays in children.  

We have many lymph nodes in our bodies, and the tonsils are essentially lymph nodes that we can see.  Children tend to have their tonsils increase in size until they reach the age of 8-9 years old.  At that point, they will begin to regress and shrink in size.  Sometimes parents are concerned about the size of their child’s tonsils because they are afraid they are “too big.”  We often have to reassure parents that it is not just the size of one’s tonsils that we focus on, but what symptoms are those tonsils CAUSING the patient.  Many children, and even adults, have “big” tonsils but their tonsils do not cause them any problems in terms of sleeping/apnea, swallowing, breathing, infections, etc.  When the tonsils do not cause obstructive related symptoms, they do not necessarily need removal unless there are other issues such as recurring infections.

Please call for a consultation, 218-454-8888.  We are conveniently located at Riverstone Professional Center, 13359 Isle Drive, Suite 1, Baxter.

Thank you!

Kurtis Waters MD

Rhinitis or Sinusitis?

 What is the difference between rhinitis and sinusitis? 

Rhinitis is a broad term that is used to describe a NOSE issue.  Symptoms include:

• nasal congestion
• rhinorrhea (runny nose)
• post nasal drainage.  

These symptoms are often present on a recurrent or constant basis for people.  These symptoms can be due to allergic rhinitis (allergies) or non-allergic rhinitis (vasomotor, medication induced, hormonal or age related changes).  Depending on the cause for the rhinitis, it can be managed through various topical and/or oral medications in addition to saline nasal rinses. 

People often confuse that any problem with their nose, is actually a problem with their sinuses. Sinusitis is a term that is used to describe a SINUS issue.  It is often used when describing an infection within the sinuses.  Sinus infections can be allergic, viral, or bacterial in origin.  Symptoms include:

• facial pain/pressure
• dental pain
• purulent (yellowish-green) drainage
• at times a fever  

A bad “head cold” is essentially a viral sinus infection, which will resolve on its own, within 14 days usually.  A bacterial sinus infection typically develops when secretions—that get produced in response to a viral or allergic process—do not move and drain properly become stagnant and allow bacteria to grow within them.  

Please call our office for a consultation.

218-454-8888

Thank you!  

Kurtis Waters MD

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from your friends at Kurtis Waters, MD PA.

Dizziness Matrix

Blogs by Katie-

If your dizziness does not fall into the matrix below, further testing may be considered to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Your symptoms may be related to other etiologies such as Cervical Neck issues, dizziness provoked by neck position, or possibly Migraine Associated Dizziness.

	Episodic Vertigo	Persistent Vertigo
+ Hearing Loss	Meniere’s	Labyrnthitis
No Hearing Loss	BPPV	Vestibular Neuronitis

Please comment here on my blog if you have experienced Vertigo before or after a migraine, or call our office number, 218-454-8888, to schedule an appointment and discuss your personal situation.

Thank You,

Katie Starns, NP

 

 

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