Tennis? Golf? Neither! Ice Hockey for This ENT Doctor!

On a daily basis, I often get asked at least once whether I play tennis or golf... Not sure why those 2 particular activities, but I actually do neither. I play ice hockey instead! You can find me on the ice rink 3-5 days in any given week. Go to practices at 5:30AM prior to ENT clinic. I also currently play for 2 adult ice hockey teams: Cryptic in C Division and Hyenas in D. Also assist coach for the Piedmont Predators hockey club. Played for 25 years in my youth. As a 50+ years old adult …

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When Hearing Aids Aren’t Helping Enough: The Role of Real Ear Measurements (REMs) Technology

Many people try hearing aids expecting a noticeable improvement in how they hear conversations, especially in real-world settings like restaurants, meetings, or family gatherings. But for some, the results fall short, even if the hearing aids cost thousands of dollars. Voices still sound unclear, background noise is overwhelming, and the overall listening experience just isn’t what it should be. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone — and there's a good reason this might be happenin…

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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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