C/V ENT Surgical Group's Resources

Ears are among the most important parts of your body. Your ears help keep you balanced and oriented when you walk and move. They also capture sounds so you can understand the environment and communicate with those around you. But when problems arise that endanger their health or function, it can be challenging to figure out what’s happening without a formal diagnosis or treatment plan.

Your throat, also called the pharynx transports food and fluids from your mouth into the esophagus and stomach for digestion. It also enables airflow to the windpipe and larynx. At this point in your life, you’re probably aware of what it's like to have the occasional dry, or sore throat. Soreness is common during times of infection and illness. Yet sometimes the sensation is a sign of a throat disorder.

You may suffer from sleep apnea if you frequently snore or wake up feeling tired and unrested. Sleep apnea impacts up to 30 percent of adults between the ages of 30 and 70, according to the American Academy Sleep Academy. Though various sleep apnea treatments are available, ranging from snore strips, humidifiers, nasal rinses, mouth guards, and CPAP machines, they don't work for everyone. Many people suffering from sleep apnea eventually see an ENT or sleep specialist for relief.

Hallmark symptoms associated with sleep apnea include frequent interruptions in breathing during sleep, daytime sleepiness, decreased cognitive function, and headaches. The condition can wreak havoc on your health without timely diagnosis and sleep apnea treatment. Continue reading to learn the long-term effects of sleep apnea.

For some, it seems like allergy season is a year-round event. When symptoms strike, the most common assumption is that it’s a cold or mild respiratory infection when it really could be seasonal allergies or something else.

If you normally experience allergy or cold symptoms multiple times a year, read this to learn the signs, differences, and treatment considerations.

Sleep apnea is very commonly associated with excessive loud snoring nightly and occurs frequently. Although frustrating, it's far from being the most significant or noticeable impact the condition has on your life. The ENT experts at C/V ENT Surgical Group are highly qualified to diagnose and treat your sleep apnea so you can breathe and sleep better.

Snoring is more than a sleep disturbance and a relationship killer for some. It’s a common condition that impacts over 90% of adults and 27% of children at some point in their lives. Though occasional snoring episodes are usually nothing to worry about, persistent or routine snoring is often a serious issue. Sometimes, snoring means there is dysfunction or abnormalities within the internal structures of the nose, mouth, throat, or airways that could lead to severe health complications like sleep apnea without timely medical treatment.

During the summer, most people spend more time outdoors to enjoy the heat, scenic views, seasonal activities, and sunny weather. The season is also one of the most dreaded times of the year for people with certain allergies. Elevated temperatures and humidity levels contribute to many people's frequent, acute, and chronic allergy symptoms.

Nosebleeds, at times, can bleed so profusely that they seem more serious than usual and can be frightening to deal with at home. Nosebleeds are so prevalent that up to 60 percent of the population has them. Though common and typically normal, it's not unheard of for people to go to ER for treatment when the bleeding persists or occurs more frequently. For many people, it’s standard practice to go to the emergency room or a primary physician for symptoms or issues that affect their ears, noses, and throats.

ENT doctors/specialists, also known as otolaryngologists, are well versed in diagnosing and treating common and severe medical disorders that impair the function, health, and in some cases, the appearance of the nose, throat, or ears. They also provide medical and surgical care for seemingly common medical concerns that can impact daily living and overall quality of life like nosebleeds.

It’s estimated that over 50 million people experience seasonal allergies or also known as hay fever symptoms at least once in their lifetime. As prevalent as allergies are, they are not usually life-threatening. Typically, symptoms are manageable with careful considerations to avoid triggers. But some individuals experience persistent or severe allergy symptoms that affect practically every aspect of their lives, including shortness of breath and sleep. Many of these symptoms are not solely influenced by weather, though many people believe otherwise.

Anyone in Los Angeles who thinks they’re safe from allergies may be in for a rude surprise. Despite having a subtropical climate most of the year, the area is also prone to dry, hot air, rainy and cool weather, leaving many Angelenos feeling like their allergies are driving them crazy. Whether it is food allergies, environmental, or nature-related, an ENT doctor can provide relief, especially if these symptoms coincide with sinus infections or cause nasal, ear, or throat pain, blockages, congestion, or structural abnormalities.

The ear, nose, and throat are unique areas of the head, face, and neck that often suffer from problems just like any other area of the body. No matter how you look at it, sleeping, eating, breathing, listening, and even talking and swallowing are all possible because of these features.

When issues occur, such as illness, infection, or even trauma from injuries, physical altercations, or accidents, sometimes a trip to a general practitioner, urgent care, or emergency room won't do. Anytime you have ear, nose, or throat problems, it’s beneficial to see a Los Angeles ENT doctor for assessment, diagnostics, and treatment.

Knowing when to see an ENT doctor is not always easy, especially when dealing with certain illnesses, symptoms, or injuries. Some issues are beyond the scope of self-care, first-aid, and store treatments and require treatment from an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Here's a checklist of the most common ENT problems in Los Angeles.