Sleep is incredibly important to our overall health, including our mental and emotional health. But if you’re experiencing sinus pressure, headaches, drainage, or infections, you’re probably not getting the rest you need!
It’s time to get your tossing, turning, and nose-blowing nights under control! Read on to learn how to sleep with sinus problems by adjusting your sleeping position and visiting your Edinburg ENT doctor!
Sinus headaches and pressure can make it impossible to get to sleep. You can get relief from some of these symptoms by adjusting your sleeping position:
If your sinus issues have escalated and you have severe drainage or an infection, your sleeping position is even more critical. Sleeping on your back with your head elevated also helps if you have a sinus infection. While you’ll need to visit a doctor to get treatment for an infection, sleeping with your head propped up can relieve some of the symptoms, including drainage.
Adjusting how you lay may be the answer you need to get a good night’s rest. While your sleeping position does matter and can help relieve sinus pain, there are a few extra things you can do to help you get an even better night’s sleep.
Sometimes you can do all the right things, sleep in the correct position, and still experience sinus pain. It’s time to take it to the next step and stop counting sheep each night by visiting an experienced and compassionate ear, nose, and throat doctor!
Sleep is important for keeping you in tip-top shape, but sinus issues can really get in the way of that. You deserve a great night’s sleep without feeling sinus pain, pressure, congestion, or a runny nose.
It’s time to reach out to the Glatz Group to get the sleep you need! Our team will find out what’s causing your sinus problems and help you get relief so you can sleep. Don’t let another day go by trying to sleep with sinus pain, call us today for an appointment with your ENT doctor and team in Edinburg, Texas!
If you’re dealing with sinus problems, it might be time to consult a sinus doctor. Whether you’re struggling with cold-like symptoms, including runny nose, sore throat, and headaches, or are looking for simple allergy relief, an ENT has the answers you need.
If you have severe symptoms that last longer than a week, consider reaching out to your McAllen ear, nose, and throat doctor for help.
Also known as otolaryngologists and sinus doctors, ENTs treat issues in your ear, nose, and throat as well as some related issues in your head or neck. An experienced ENT can help you find relief from the following issues.
ENTs also sometimes perform cosmetic and restorative surgeries to help patients improve their breathing and their self-confidence.
Out of all of the treatments an ENT can provide, balloon sinuplasty is one of the most common procedures used to eliminate sinus issues. The procedure works to reshape your sinus pathways in order to facilitate sinus drainage and congestion relief.
Compared to other options such as nasal sprays and medical therapy, balloon sinuplasty is usually more effective and long-lasting. Your ENT can tell you whether or not you may benefit from the procedure, but it does have some general advantages you can keep in mind:
There are a few things you can expect from your first appointment with an ENT. First of all, you can rest assured that your ENT is here to help you find solutions to your medical problems, so there’s no need to be nervous about saying the right things. A typical first appointment will follow the steps listed below:
Your sinus doctor will first ask you questions about your current symptoms and medical conditions, as well as your medical history. In most cases, your ENT will ask for information not just about your health history, but also the history of your close relatives. Be as honest and comprehensive as you can.
After establishing your history and gathering information about your problem, your doctor will administer a physical examination. This exam can identify any problems related to your sinuses, ears, nose, throat, head, or neck.
Following the physical examination, your sinus doctor may require additional testing, including but not limited to the following:
Our team of ENTs are ready to diagnose and treat your sinus issues. Whether you need simple treatment, like relieving ear pressure, or can benefit from more extensive treatments options, like balloon sinuplasty, our team is here to help!
With years of experience giving the highest-quality care to our patients, you can put your trust in us for any sinus issues!
With spring fully upon us, allergy season is in full swing, and many Americans (approximately 37 million of us) are starting to feel the itch. Sinus pressure, nasal pain, and congestion ramp up when there are more allergens thanks to our body’s uncomfortable process of attempting to fight off the allergy.
While allergies are incredibly common, long-term congestion and allergies can lead to more serious sinus problems down the line. If sinus issues are affecting your daily life, talk to your McAllen ENT about chronic sinusitis.
Chronic Sinusitis is characterized by the annual swelling of nasal cavities and passages that can affect the nose, cheeks, and behind the eyes. Chronic sinusitis, compared to usual allergies, can last at least 12 weeks and usually sticks around even after you use over-the-counter or prescription medicine.
Sinusitis affects the drainage of mucus which causes a build-up and contributes to difficulty breathing.
Chronic sinusitus is characterized by most of the same symptoms that most of us associate with allergies and colds, but the effects last longer and sufferers are more likely to see several of the following specific symptoms:
However, these symptoms can also be a sign of acute sinusitis when accompanied by a fever or head cold. Acute sinusitis can also cause a loss of vision and a loss of smell. If left untreated, sinusitis can lead to more serious conditions such as meningitis, or the infection could spread to your bones.
Chronic Sinusitis can be caused by several conditions including nasal polyps, cystic fibrosis, a deviated septum, hayfever, respiratory infections, as well as HIV and other immune-compromising illnesses. You may be more at risk of developing chronic sinusitis if you live with any of the following conditions:
The first step to avoiding chronic sinusitis and many other illnesses is keeping your hands clean, but there are also a few extra things you can add to your daily routine to decrease the likelihood that you’ll develop this condition:
You should consult your doctor if you feel any stiffness in your neck, become confused, have blurred vision, have a fever, or your symptoms have lasted longer than 10 days after treatment.
Once you have a diagnosis, your chronic sinusitis can be remedied in several ways, including using medications, natural therapies, and non-invasive techniques performed by a doctor. Our ENTs can give you the care you need to find relief.
Ear pressure can feel like one or both of your ears are clogged up. Most people don’t pay much attention to their ears or sinuses until something goes wrong. Once ear pressure begins to bother you, it can quickly become uncomfortable and make daily activities difficult.
Thankfully, there are ways that you can relieve your ear pressure at home and the doctor’s office. Learn how to relieve your ear pressure from your McAllen sinus specialists.
The pressure in your ear can build up when the eustachian tube is blocked or stops functioning as it should. Several conditions can cause ear pressure buildup and result in additional symptoms.
If left untreated, your ear pressure can continue to build up and cause further damage.
At-Home Treatments for Ear Pressure
Ear pressure can have many causes and these causes often determine what treatment should be used. If the cause of your ear pressure is easy to identify, you may be able to treat it at home.
Some at-home treatment options include:
If your ear pressure is due to sinus-related conditions, such as sinus congestion, allergies, the common cold, flu, or irritants (e.g. tobacco smoke), some treatment options you can try at home include:
Fluid buildup can be another cause of ear pressure. Oftentimes, removing the fluid can also alleviate the pressure in your ear. Some ways to remove fluid buildup include:
Another big culprit of ear pressure is wax buildup in the ear. Although normal chewing motions can usually move the earwax out of the ear, there are times where it can still build up or get pressed further into the ear.
To get rid of earwax buildup, try:
If you believe that your ear pressure is due to one of these common causes, you may find relief with at-home treatments. Contact your doctor if you’re not finding any relief or your symptoms get worse.
If you’ve tried multiple at-home treatments with no sign of relief, it may be time to see your doctor for further treatment. There are a few procedures that your doctor can do to relieve the pressure in your ear, including:
For this procedure, your doctor will make a small incision in the eardrum. Your doctor will then remove any fluid that has built up in the middle ear. Once the fluid is carefully removed, the incision may remain open until the eustachian tube is no longer blocked or swollen.
To place ear tubes, your doctor will make a small incision similar to a myringotomy. They will first drain the fluid, then place a small metal or plastic tube into the eardrum. The purpose of this tube is to relieve pressure and prevent any additional fluid buildup.
If you’re dealing with ear pressure that won’t go away, your trusted McAllen sinus specialist at Glatz Group can help you find sinus relief! Once we have figured out the cause of your ear pressure, we can then find the best treatment option for you.
Dealing with the pain and discomfort of ear pressure buildup can interfere with your daily life. The pain may come and go, or be a chronic issue, but finding out what’s causing it can get you one step closer to treatment.
Ear pressure buildup can have common and uncommon causes. Learn what these causes are from your McAllen sinus specialists at Glatz Group.
There are many common factors that can cause ear pressure buildup. These causes have often been linked to ear pressure buildup, and treatment can be made available once diagnosed.
Some common causes of ear pressure buildup include:
I. Sinus-Related Issues
Sinus and ear congestion can have common causes. Some of these causes include the flu, common cold, allergies, sinus infections, and irritants. If your ear pressure is building up due to sinus-related issues, your doctor may prescribe a treatment for those problems.
II. Fluid Buildup
Fluid buildup in your ear can lead to ear congestion. This can happen when water gets in your ear while showering or swimming. Allergies, eustachian tube dysfunction, and infections can also contribute to fluid buildup in the ears.
III. Wax Buildup
The purpose of earwax is to help clean, protect, and lubricate your ear canal. In certain circumstances, earwax can build up and block the eardrum. If you use cotton swabs to remove earwax, it can push the earwax even further into the ear canal.
IV. Allergies
Allergies can cause pressure to build up in your ear due to the mucus getting backed up into your eustachian tube. Tissues can also swell up in the eustachian tube due to nasal allergies.
V. Travel
The change in air pressure when flying can put stress on your middle ear and eardrum. This often happens during takeoff and landing due to the rapid air pressure changes.
Although less common, there are other instances that could cause your ear pressure buildup. Some of the less common causes include:
If you’re dealing with ear pressure buildup, our McAllen sinus doctor can help. Identifying the cause of your ear congestion can allow our ENT doctor to get to the root of your problem and diagnose the proper treatment.
Whether common or uncommon, our sinus specialists will figure out what is causing your ear pressure buildup.
Schedule an appointment today with your McAllen sinus doctor at Glatz Group of Valley ENT to get to the bottom of your ear pressure buildup.
If you’ve ever suffered from post-nasal drip, you’ve probably tried various at-home and over-the-counter remedies. For many, these offer great success, but there comes a time when it’s necessary to see a doctor. Knowing when to seek the help of your doctor can help you carefully judge and monitor your post-nasal drip symptoms.
Find out when you should see your doctor for a post-nasal drip from your McAllen sinus specialists.
Knowing the symptoms of post-nasal drip can help you identify when and where to seek treatment. Although symptoms may vary for each case, some common symptoms of post-nasal drip include:
If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from post-nasal drip. At first, it’s best to monitor these symptoms at home and notify your doctor if they worsen with time.
Before you run to the doctor, there may be some things you can do at home to treat post-nasal drip. Your first line of defense against post-nasal drip includes:
Some of these at-home treatments can help with your post-nasal drip or make the symptoms less bothersome until you can seek help from your doctor. If you’re not sure whether at-home treatments are right for you, seek the guidance of your doctor or medical professional.
Each case of post-nasal drip is different, and children should be treated differently than adults. If you suspect your child is suffering from post-nasal drip, is younger than 2 months old, and has a fever, you should seek treatment from your doctor.
It’s also best to seek medical attention if your baby’s runny nose or congestion causes trouble with nursing or breathing. Once you see symptoms arising, watch them closely, and if there’s no change or they become more severe, reach out to their pediatrician immediately.
As an adult, you’ll be able to judge your symptoms and know if you require a doctor’s visit. If you’re an adult suffering from post-nasal drip, contact your doctor if:
If any of these symptoms apply to you, reach out to your doctor for treatment.
A sinus specialist can examine you and prescribe the best treatment option for you.
Once you discover that you’re suffering from post-nasal drip, it can be difficult to know when to seek treatment from your sinus doctor. At Glatz Group, our sinus specialists can take a look at your post-nasal drip and get you the treatment you need.
Reach out to your McAllen sinus specialists today to seek treatment for your post-nasal drip. Our team will be happy to take care of you and get you back to your happy, healthy self!
If you’ve experienced post-nasal drip firsthand, you know just how uncomfortable it can be. To properly treat post-nasal drip, your doctor will usually need to first determine its cause. Learning the possible causes of your post-nasal drip can help you identify what is behind that irritating feeling in the back of your throat.
Read on to learn about the five primary causes of post-nasal drip, as well as how your McAllen sinus specialists can help you find relief with treatment.
Mucus plays an important role in your body: it helps trap and destroy bacteria and viruses before they cause an infection. Normally, your mucus goes unnoticed because it mixes with your saliva and smoothly drips down the back of your throat where it can be swallowed.
If your body starts producing greater amounts of mucus, or if your mucus becomes thicker, you may start to notice it gathering at the back of your throat. That feeling of mucus building up or sliding down the back of the throat or nose is referred to as post-nasal drip.
Post-nasal drip can be caused by several factors, including sickness, medical conditions, weather changes, and certain foods and medications. Getting to the root cause of your post-nasal drip can help your doctor find the best treatment plan. Below, you can read about the five most common causes of post-nasal drip.
The common cold, the flu, allergies, and sinus infections can all contribute to post-nasal drip. When your body becomes sick, it triggers excess mucus production which may cause you to notice that mucus build-up in the back of your throat.
There are some medical conditions that can cause a post-nasal drip, the most common being a deviated septum. A deviated septum is a malformation in the wall separating the two nostrils that can affect the flow of air through the sinuses.
Changes in weather can be another cause of post-nasal drip. When the temperature drops or the air becomes dry, your body may start producing more or thicker mucus in order to adapt.
Spicy foods can be a trigger for mucus flow, and can cause extra mucus to run down the back of your throat, resulting in a post-nasal drip.
Certain blood pressure medications can cause an increase in mucus production. The increased estrogen levels caused by the use of birth control pills can also contribute to post-nasal drip.
Identifying the cause of your post-nasal drip can help your doctor decide what treatment plan will work best for you. Keeping track of the medication you take, the foods you eat, and environmental conditions you are in can also help your doctor determine the cause.
To find the right treatment for your post-nasal, you and your doctor will first need to identify what's causing it. If you're suffering from a post-nasal drip that won't go away, visit your ENT to learn about the cause of your condition and the treatment most likely to give you relief. While cases may vary, some of the most common post-nasal drip treatments include the following:
Your doctor will help you choose the right method for addressing your post-nasal drip, but that might not include medication. Another solution can be to thin out your mucus by drinking more water, using saline nasal sprays, or turning on a humidifier in your home.
Post-nasal drip can be uncomfortable to deal with, but treatment can be found once your doctor has identified the cause. If you suspect that you are suffering from post-nasal drip, call your doctor to get to the root of the issue.
Schedule an appointment with your McAllen sinus specialists at the Glatz Group today to find out what’s causing your post-nasal drip.
Sinus infections can be hard to manage as you deal with congestion, nasal pain, and a sore throat. While many people use exercise in an attempt to clear their nasal passages, it also comes with the possibility of developing sinus headaches.
Your McAllen sinus specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT will explain why individuals get sinus headaches when exercising and how sufferers can treat them.
A sinus headache is defined as a feeling of pressure around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. Sinus headaches can be caused by an existing sinus infection, which happens when the tissue inside your sinus cavities becomes inflamed and swollen.
Sinus infections are common around the fall and winter months. As the air dries out, the body begins to work overtime fighting off the cold and flu viruses, leaving itself susceptible to other maladies.
While most don’t feel like exercising when they have a sinus infection, others do so in hopes that it will help them breathe better.
Often, exercise can help alleviate the symptoms of a sinus infection if done correctly. However, pushing too hard and vigorously exercising can cause a buildup of pressure around the nasal cavities and forehead, resulting in a sinus headache.
It’s important that you don’t do too much, too fast when exercising with a sinus infection. The best thing for you is rest, but if you feel the need to exercise, here are a couple of tips that may help:
It’s always in your best interest to warm-up before a workout, even more so when dealing with a sinus infection. Start with five minutes of low-intensity activity such as walking, cycling, or arm circles. This will increase your blood circulation and loosen your muscles.
A sinus infection can make it hard to breathe, and sometimes exercise can alleviate a stuffy nose. This happens when your increase in circulation clears the sinus pressure that has been built up. If you push too hard, however, the opposite effect could happen, and you are left with a sinus headache.
By starting light, you can see how far your body can be pushed, and if you feel relief from your symptoms, you can continue on.
Certain environmental factors can trigger your sinus infection and make it more difficult to work out. Whether it be outdoor pollen or dust inside a gym, pay attention to your symptoms wherever you are when working out.
You can make changes if necessary to avoid worsening symptoms.
If you’ve taken all the precautions and still end up with a sinus headache, there are a couple of things that you can do to find relief.
A couple of examples include:
These treatments are all temporary and if symptoms persist, it is highly recommended to see your ENT Specialist to figure out the source of the sinus issues. If your sinus symptoms worsen, you may want to consider a minimally invasive procedure we offer known as balloon sinuplasty.
It can feel like you’ll never get relief from your sinus infection and the sinus headaches that come with it.
You can rest easy knowing your friendly McAllen sinus doctor won’t stop until we get to the bottom of your sinus issues.
Many of us look at healthcare as a process where our doctors make decisions, and we simply listen to those decisions. However, your comfort, preferences, and personal needs should play a significant role in your healthcare, including choosing the right doctor in the first place.
Selecting the right ear, nose, and throat (ENT) is just as important as choosing any other kind of doctor. Whether you’re struggling with allergy symptoms or sinus problems, or need a procedure like a balloon sinuplasty, picking a doctor who will acknowledge your concerns and meet your needs is essential.
Picking a doctor can be tricky, but today your experienced McAllen sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT will list three steps to ease the process.
Before you can decide which ENT will align with your needs, you need to identify exactly what those needs are. ENT doctors specialize in specific fields and often have more experience dealing with certain issues or age groups than others.
Personal factors that could come into play when choosing an ENT include:
Once you have a clear picture of your own needs and preferences, you can begin researching ENTs in your area.
Next, you will need to gather information about the ENTs you are considering. You can then use this information to narrow down your list of options. Using the ENT’s own website, state websites, and Healthgrades.com, you can learn a lot about the ENT’s experience, history, and personal information. Aspects that you should consider include:
Ideally, you will find an ENT with experience regarding your specific needs, age, and gender. You also may wish to choose an ENT of the same gender as yourself if that will make you more comfortable sharing personal information. Another approach you can try is to check reviews from existing patients in order to verify that the ENT has a history of good service.
If any of this information isn’t available online, you can ask the ENT or their office directly.
Finally, another way to ensure that the ENT you’ve chosen is the best possible fit for you is to call and speak with the ENT or their office to get more information. This is a good way to learn more about the ENT’s specific experience, training, and history of surgery complications.
Beyond that information, consulting with an ENT before you make your final decision will give you the opportunity to gauge whether or not the ENT’s communications style works for you. You need to be able to have open and clear conversations with your doctor regarding your needs and concerns. This means getting complete answers to any questions you may have, feeling free to voice any concerns, and having your concerns respected and addressed. Your ENT should be interested in getting to know you and your needs in order to give you the best service possible.
Consulting ahead of time will also allow you to ask about the doctor’s telehealth capabilities. While virtual appointments don’t replace in-person visits, they can reduce the number of trips you will need to make to the doctor’s office. Check-ups on symptoms and routine follow-ups can often be carried out over video or phone, saving you time and effort.
It is also worth noting that calling ahead will let you verify that the ENT is covered by your insurance. Unfortunately, the amount of insurance coverage available is usually the deciding factor when it comes to choosing a doctor. Regardless, it is best to be absolutely sure to take the aforementioned details into account when evaluating between the ENTs covered by your plan.
If you’ve ever experienced the burning pain in your chest that comes along with acid reflux, then you know how uncomfortable it is to suffer from and still try to live a normal life.
Today, your committed McAllen sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT will highlight what you should know about acid reflux and how to get rid of it.
Acid reflux is a chronic disease caused when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of your esophagus relaxes at the wrong time. This allows stomach acid to back up into your esophagus, causing heartburn that can sometimes feel like a heart attack.
Poor clearance of food or acid from the esophagus, too much acid in the stomach, and delayed stomach emptying can all be factors that lead to acid reflux.
Acid reflux can affect people of all ages, including infants. The only people who have a higher risk of developing acid reflux are those with asthma.
If you have nighttime acid reflux, you could also experience:
Acid reflux can also contribute to sinusitis. This is due to the fact that the acid can travel up to your nose and sinuses. This acid causes inflammation in the nose and sinus linings.
If you’re looking for a way to relieve acid reflux without medication, you could try the following:
When the stomach is full, there can be more reflux in the esophagus. If you can, eat small meals frequently throughout the day rather than three large meals.
Certain foods like mint, fatty foods, spicy foods, tomatoes, onions, garlic, coffee, tea, alcohol, and chocolate can all trigger acid reflux. It is in your best interest to avoid these foods if you are experiencing acid reflux symptoms.
Carbonated beverages are responsible for making you burp, meaning that they send acid into the esophagus. If you are suffering from acid reflux, make sure to drink water.
Gravity helps keep acid in the stomach so it is highly advised not to lay down after eating. Stay standing or even sitting up instead.
Nicotine can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, causing acid reflux.
If none of these solutions help relieve your acid reflux, it is important to seek medical care. Your primary care doctor will then refer you to an ENT. ENTs have extensive experience with diagnosing acid reflux.
Once in the office, your specialist will use an endoscopy to diagnose your condition. After providing a diagnosis, your ENT will offer a treatment plan to treat your acid reflux.