Summertime is here, and one of the many exciting activities of the season is swimming. Swimming is a great way to stay cool in the summer heat, and is fun for adults and kids alike. But it isn’t fun when your ears get irritated by bacteria in the water while swimming, causing an earache.
Whether swimming in a pool, splashing at a splash pad, or floating on beach waves, swimmer's ear can happen to anyone. This irritating earache usually causes the ear to feel itchy, painful, and full of pressure. The good news is relief can be found with help from a McAllen ENT. Keep reading to learn more about swimmer’s ear and where you can go to find earache relief.
Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the ear’s outer layer that is mostly caused by bacteria. Swimming in dirty water is the most common cause, but an infection can also be caused by attempting to remove an obstacle, scratching the inside or outside of the ear, or cleaning the ear with a swab. Even the high Texas humidity can create extra moisture in the ear, breeding harmful bacteria.
Everyone’s body may react a little bit differently when fighting off an infection such as swimmer’s ear. Some people may experience several symptoms, but others may only have one or two. Common symptoms of swimmer’s ear are as follows:
Because swimmer’s ear can spread and cause more problematic infections, it’s important to see an ENT when symptoms of swimmer’s ear begin. Treatment may last 7 to 14 days, depending on the severity and depth of the ear infection. Swimmer’s ear can be treated in a few different ways.
Two types of ear drops may be used to fight the infection. Antibiotic ear drops are commonly used to kill harmful bacteria. You may also be prescribed corticosteroid ear drops to help reduce swelling and itching while the antibiotic works to kill the infection.
Infections that have spread further inside the ear may need a different approach. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed in place of antibiotic ear drops. You may also be given corticosteroid ear drops with the oral antibiotics for optimal earache relief and recovery.
While waiting for the antibiotics to kick in, your doctor might recommend you take an over-the-counter pain reducer. You can also apply a heating pad on the outside of the infected ear to reduce pain. Be sure to discuss with your doctor any concerns you may have about pain-reducing methods.
Swimmer’s ear is a pesky type of infection, but it doesn't have to ruin your whole summer! If you are experiencing an earache in McAllen, don’t spend your summer days suffering.
With the right ENT for you and your loved ones, you can find the help you need to fight that infection. Let the compassionate team at Glatz Group to care for your earache needs today!
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.
Balloon sinuplasty is a procedure designed to treat sinusitis in people of all ages. This FDA-approved procedure has been implemented safely since 2005 to offer relief to individuals suffering from blocked sinuses, giving them a new lease on life and the chance to breathe easily once again.
This minimally invasive operation is a good option for anyone who has not responded well to medications. It is also a promising option for those who have tried other treatments or procedures, but who still continue to deal with blocked sinuses.
Amazingly, this treatment has also proven to be safe and beneficial for children.
If your child needs relief, you may want to consider balloon sinuplasty as a treatment option. Our certified McAllen physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his trusted team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group are happy to help let parents learn more about balloon sinuplasty for your kids.
Many children do not react well to antibiotics prescribed for their allergy or sinus issues. This is where balloon sinuplasty can help. Today’s medical professionals look at balloon sinuplasty as a practical method for children over more invasive procedures. Benefits include:
Balloon sinuplasty can be done in our office, using a local anesthetic, and has numerous advantages over traditional sinus surgery including:
Naturally, you and your child may feel a bit anxious prior to undergoing the procedure. Thankfully, we have a few tips to help ease the situation for both you and your child.
In the vast majority of cases, patients can go home right after the procedure. To help ease any discomfort they may feel after the procedure, consider taking the following steps:
With the Glatz Group, you can rest at ease knowing your child is in good hands and on their way to sinus relief.
If you are concerned about the safety of you and your child from COVID-19, we want to assure you that precautions are taken every day at our office. We are currently using telemedicine to address the needs of our patients without meeting face-to-face.
Online consultations or phone calls are also accepted.
With mandatory shelter-at-home ordinances still in place, your team here at the Glatz Group believes everyone should make it a top priority to not only stay safe, but also to stay healthy - and getting enough sleep is essential to your health.
If you’re suffering from interrupted sleep, this can result in all kinds of issues. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one condition known to negatively affect your sleep. This disorder makes it difficult for you to breathe properly while sleeping, which can cause serious health problems as it progresses.
If you or a loved one are dealing with sleep apnea, there’s no need to fret. Our certified McAllen physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his right-hand team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group are here to explain how our in-office procedure, known as balloon sinuplasty, can help you.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, obstructive sleep apnea affects more than 18 million Americans. It is important to understand the symptoms of this condition to know what to look out for.
Symptoms of OSA include but are not limited to:
Snoring and sleep apnea are often confused as one and the same. In general, individuals who have untreated OSA may snore, but only certain individuals who snore actually have sleep apnea.
Snoring occurs because of a vibration in one’s breathing patterns. While snoring may be a symptom of sleep apnea, true sleep apnea is when an individual experiences several pauses in their breathing as they sleep.
Causes of sleep apnea involve a number of factors and would require a thorough evaluation by our team. It is imperative to determine the causes as they are unique to every patient. Typical causes include the following nasal and sinus conditions:
If you have OSA and it goes untreated, you can face some serious health issues. These include:
Your obstructive sleep apnea may be the source of your sinusitis. In sinusitis, sinuses are inflamed, therefore blocking the nasal passages, which impairs breathing, potentially leading to further health issues.
A fairly common treatment for OSA is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Unfortunately, this method does not always give the best relief for your sinus problems. Another issue with CPAP is that the treatment takes place over a longer period of time, which is not an ideal option if you want quick relief.
For the most promising sinus relief, you may want to consider balloon sinuplasty as a treatment for OSA. This non-invasive procedure can be performed in our office with minimal pain.
Balloon sinuplasty helps by resolving chronic sinus congestion and recurring sinus infections, while also improving the state of nasal breathing, reducing snoring and improving issues related to your sleep apnea.
With the Glatz Group, you can be on your way to sinus relief and catching up on sleep. You should always look after your health concerns to prevent future problems.
Please be aware that we are taking all required precautions to ensure our staff and our patients stay safe and healthy. Right now we are using telemedicine to address the needs of our patients.
Online consultations or phone calls are also accepted.
If you need to schedule a treatment with balloon sinuplasty or an in-person examination for your OSA or sinusitis, we may also arrange an in-house procedure for you as soon as we can.
As we stay at home following the guidelines of world health officials, we have to also remember to maintain healthy habits and hygiene. In a recent article published by Valley Central that interviewed our McAllen ENT, Dr. Frank Glatz spoke about a few tips that we can do to stay safe from contracting the virus.
Health experts have warned the public to avoid touching their face by all means, as COVID-19 can be transmitted very easily. Dr. Glatz highly suggests that whenever you leave your home, you should be extra cautious and attentive to what exactly you are touching.
Since it is suspected that the virus can be either airborne or passed on through microdroplets of mucus or saliva, should these substances land on objects you touch, you could get it on your hands. Then, something as simple as rubbing your face, rubbing your eye, or scratching your forehead could send the virus can into the eye, through the eye duct down into the nose, and eventually down into your throat.
At the beginning of this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made the announcement recommending all Americans to cover their mouths. If they do not own a mask, can’t purchase one due to the shortage, or if the store is out of stock, they must at least use any sort of scarf or cloth.
This is a practice Dr. Glatz cannot stress enough for us in the Rio Grande Valley area. If you need to go out to get groceries, pick up some takeout, or pick up a prescription from your local pharmacy, refrain from touching your face.
It is highly advised for everyone to wear gloves and masks as well when going out and about, even if doing so makes you feel uncomfortable from a social perspective. There is absolutely nothing strange when it comes down to protecting yourself and others.
And if you are wearing gloves, make sure you use them properly. Don’t touch items and then touch your face, as that can result in cross-contamination.
Many people may not have too many pairs of gloves to work with, but it is not necessary to have a cupboardful anyway. One thing Dr. Glatz highly recommends is to spray your gloves each time after use with isopropyl alcohol--or Everclear if in a pinch--from a spray bottle, as they’re effectively sterile.
It is far more effective to spray the gloves than to spray your hands due to the fact that your hands have loads of nooks and crannies where bacteria can hide. On these protective gloves, however, there is nowhere for them to hide. Don’t forget to sanitize yourself along with your daily items like your car keys and debit/credit card.
Remember that viruses may live on your daily items and surfaces for up to several hours to several days, depending on the surface. So it is always in your best interest to wipe them down as frequently as possible.
As a child, you may have had a certain allergy, only to find later that the symptoms you experienced were minimal, if even present, when you grew older. That said, however, should you develop an allergy as an adult, it is likely that you will have that allergy for the rest of your life.
Allergies can be very unpredictable, but the service you receive from Glatz Group is ever-reliable, especially during these uncertain times. Certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and the trusted team of sinus relief specialists want to address this question just in case you’ve wondered about your own allergies but cannot visit us to ask because of the shelter-in-place.
The vast majority of people develop allergies in their childhood or young adult years, but the truth of it all is, you can develop an allergy at any point in your life, even as you grow older into adulthood. As you are exposured to environmental allergens like pollen over time, your seasonal allergy symptoms may increase.
There is also a possibility that you will outgrow your allergies. Tolerance to allergens can grow if exposure to the allergen itself is kept at a minimum over time. This is comparable to the way vaccines function to build your immunity against particular bacteria and viruses, or the way allergy shots (immunotherapy) work to reduce a person’s allergic reaction to a certain allergen.
An overly sensitive immune system is what causes allergies. Your immune system is supposed to protect your body against illnesses and viruses, but, unfortunately, if your immune system is extremely sensitive, it will negatively respond to allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites.
Your body reacts to these allergies by increasing the production of mucus, which then causes sneezing, nasal swelling, itchiness in your nose and eyes, and other types of symptoms. Your symptoms can also change as you get older.
People with allergies react to their allergens in ways that vary for each individual. Allergic reactions can also vary from one season to another or from one allergen to another.
There are some people who have enjoyed springtime for many years and then, for whatever reason, the month of May hits, and their nose starts to run. Allergic reactions can ruin the springtime for those who have them by making them feel miserable.
Over time, you may lose your tolerance against pollen, pet dander, and other allergens. The immune system fluctuates all the time, and allergies can change. While growing out of an allergy sounds nice, but the reality is that for most people allergies are more likely to develop than disappear. They can decrease in severity, or reactions may happen less often as time goes on, but most allergy sufferers will remain susceptible.
Taking steps to build immunity, getting rid of the allergen from your environment as much as possible, and focusing on keeping your overall health at its best are all good ways to help minimize your allergic reaction.
The McAllen sinus relief team at Glatz Group would be happy to help you manage your allergy and sinus needs in these difficult times. We can help you find the relief you need, whether you prefer to come to our office or speak via telemedicine services.
As we approach the Spring season in a matter of weeks, most of us are anticipating the beauty and warmth of the great outdoors. Unfortunately, millions of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies are in for a stormy vengeance of sniffling, sneezing, and itchy eyes the season.
It might be time to start stocking up on tissues for your sinus issues. Today, our local McAllen ENT Dr. Frank R. Glatz, trusted and certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma, and the diligent team of sinus relief specialists here at the Glatz Group will go into what to expect this season and how to prepare for the worst.
According to AccuWeather meteorologists, those who suffer from seasonal allergies should prepare themselves for a long, intense season this spring. Pollen levels are expected to be above average for a large section of the US, a region with a population of 193 million people that stretches from Texas to Michigan and on eastward.
With more than 50 million Americans experiencing the discomfort of seasonal allergies, it is predicted that this spring’s more-than-average rainfall, coupled with near-average temperatures, will promote the production of grass, weed, and tree pollen.
Those who suffer from grass pollen may have a long, unforgiving season ahead of them into the summer. These weather and growing conditions also mean that the season may come a-knocking even earlier than we normally would anticipate, for the first time since 1986.
The same stands for tree pollen from the mid-Atlantic spread through the Gulf and the Southern Plains. The East and the Gulf coastline should expect a harsher tree pollen season this 2020.
The forecast in those regions will also be a concern for those whose allergies are triggered by weed pollen, since levels are way above average and could continue on right into the fall.
The rest of the country will not be affected as severely, but allergy sufferers in a couple of locations should probably have their tissues ready and available for use.
The best method to handle spring allergy symptoms is to visit our board-certified ENT at the Glatz Group, who can gladly help you develop a treatment plan catered to your specific needs which may require taking recommended medicines prior to the season starting.
Another option that either Dr. Glatz or Jonathan may propose, depending on the severity of your symptoms and how they react to medications, you may want to consider if you qualify for a procedure done in our very own office known as balloon sinuplasty. The purpose of this operation is to make your sinus passages expand, enabling your sinuses to drain more efficiently while they flush away allergens. This procedure functions as a longer-lasting alternative for patients with symptoms that don’t seem to cooperate or simmer down with the help of medications.
Anesthesia is not mandatory for this procedure, and patients are usually able to resume their daily lives after at least 24 hours of recovery have passed.
The best way to choose the treatment that will work most effectively for your particular symptoms is by speaking with our skilled sinus relief team at Glatz Group in order to prepare for the worst allergy season sooner rather than later.
We also highly suggest limiting or avoiding going outdoors at peak times of the day for pollen, which generally can range from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. to dusk. At the same time, warmer, breezy days tend to exacerbate conditions for allergy sufferers.
Allergies have an undeniable effect on your mind and body. If your allergies are seasonal, it can cause you discomfort for several weeks each year, and if your allergies are chronic it may have more dire effects on your health.
If you find yourself feeling lethargic at work or school lacking the energy to focus, focusing on lessening your allergy symptoms through a little self-care and allergy medication may be all that you need to begin feeling better.
Today, our local McAllen ENT, Dr. Frank R. Glatz and Jonathan Lerma, a certified physician assistant and a member of the sinus relief team here at the Glatz Group, review a few methods you can use to help you lessen the intensity of your allergies.
Allergies can knock you down whether it’s seasonal or an all-year affair, but you don’t have to be left to its mercy. If you’re feeling especially drained, you may want to consider allergy shots or immunotherapy.
People who go for immunotherapy treatment get injections that include the substances they’re allergic to, in increasing amounts once or twice a week. Its purpose is to desensitize the immune system as time progresses. Immunotherapy is the best treatment if your seasonal allergy symptoms come year-round or when you don't have enough success with allergy medications or natural remedies.
While eating right, taking vitamin supplements, and getting some exercise may provide significant health benefits to your body, it also may affect how your immune system reacts to particular allergens.
For instance, supplements like fish oil can reduce inflammation, and if your sinuses are inflamed and causing congestion, fish oil can help provide some relief. Fish oil can also:
Other supplements like quercetin and bromelain have a chance of decreasing respiratory infections and allergy symptoms. Both are made up of strong anti-inflammatory properties that help with allergy inflammation to allow the nasal canal to properly drain and recover.
Exercise, on the other hand, may strengthen your heart and lungs while fortifying your muscles, joints, and cognitive function, but it also has an effect on how your body reacts to allergens. As working out pumps the blood through your veins, it helps you manage your allergy symptoms and directs blood to the vessels in your nose, which constrict and ease the congestion you may be suffering from. Running can also release epinephrine into your system,
While physical activity isn’t a cure for your allergies, it can help to soothe some of your symptoms. You may have to work out indoors if you have pollen allergies or outdoors if you’re allergic to dust mites, but if you can deal with some of your allergy symptoms during exercise, your body will be healthier over time.
While stress itself isn’t an official cause of allergies, it can cause your body to release hormones and chemicals like histamine that can worsen an active allergic reaction. To make matters worse, springtime is a heavy season for allergies that can leave people feeling miserable, underslept, and overly exhausted, further perpetuating their stress.
Thankfully, there are a few methods we can use to ease our stress and hopefully provide some sinus relief. Some methods to reduce stress include:
Using these calming techniques in tandem with allergy medication and any of the other tips within this article is your best bet at finding sinus relief. When all else fails, however, you have a sinus relief team at Glatz Group that is ready and willing to help you feel much better.
Your ears, nose, and throat are all tightly connected, and if something is affecting any particular part of that region, everything suffers. Experiencing a painful episode of sinus congestion is no fun for anyone, and when sinus pressure causes pain, your ears can also be affected, causing dizziness and a sensation that makes your ears feel muffled or clogged.
Fortunately, our McAllen ENT, Dr. Frank R. Glatz, and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group know of several tips that you can do at home for relief. Should your ear congestion progress into pain or come with a fever, however, it is best to come and see us for treatment.
When your Eustachian tube is blocked or stops functioning properly, it can trap fluids within the middle ear. When the Eustachian tube gets clogged, you may feel pressure in your ear, muffling your hearing and causing ear pain. Eventually, this could turn into a painful ear infection.
Any condition that affects your sinuses can cause ear congestion, including:
Ear congestion symptoms can also be caused by other issues in your middle ear or the ear canal that affects the eardrum--also referred to as the tympanic membrane. If you have experienced symptoms and need relief, visit our office today.
There are different appropriate remedies depending on what the cause is. When it has to do with sinus-related problems like the common cold, flu, allergies, sinusitis, or irritants (e.g. tobacco smoke), here are a few things you can do to treat it:
With regards to fluid buildup, an afternoon of fun and sun at the pool or a quick shower can get water inside your ear, causing your ear to be congested. Try these methods to release the water from your ear:
From an overall perspective, the ear is quite a fascinating part of our body. Glands within the ear canal produce earwax, called cerumen, that ultimately protects, lubricates, and self-cleans the area. Normally, chewing and other typical jaw motions shift the earwax out of the ear, where it dries and flakes off, but sometimes, when we try to clean out the earwax by sticking a q tip in our ear, it can create a blockage, causing symptoms of ear congestion. Some simple solutions to get rid of wax buildup from your ears would include:
As for when you are traveling, you can avoid or alleviate airplane ear congestion (caused by air pressure) by chewing gum or hard candy, swallowing, or yawning during takeoff and landing.
If you think there may be a foreign object stuck in your ear canal, however, don’t try to take it out by yourself. Either see your ENT doctor in McAllen immediately or go to urgent care somewhere nearby.
Ear congestion is not uncommon and can often be efficiently resolved at home with the help of home remedies or over-the-counter treatments.
Should your ear congestion last more than two weeks or be followed by a fever, fluid drainage, loss of hearing, balance issues, or severe ear pain, come pay a visit to your local McAllen ENT that we can guarantee you’ll be ‘Glatz’ to see--and hear once your problem is resolved.
Seasonal allergens throughout the United States usually taper off during the winter months, but in Texas, the opposite is true. In fact, McAllen was ranked the worst city in the U.S. because of allergens in 2018, causing individuals that live here to suffer from chronic sinusitis.
You may have a hard time breathing through your nose, and the area around your eyes may feel swollen or tender. Before trying to google and self-diagnose you or your loved one’s symptoms, however, let our McAllen ENT, Dr. Frank R. Glatz, and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group give you the run-down on what chronic sinusitis is, and how it affects you.
Chronic sinusitis occurs when the spaces inside your nose and head--called your sinuses--swell up and are inflamed for three months or longer. This common inflammatory condition prevents mucus from draining properly, thus making your nasal passages congested. In fact, several different causes can attribute to the development of chronic sinusitis, such as:
Be on the lookout for any the following symptoms if you suspect you are currently suffering from chronic sinusitis:
The aforementioned symptoms are not the only key factors to consider during a diagnosis. Other signs and symptoms to consider include:
Chronic sinusitis is often confused with acute sinusitis, as they have similar signs and symptoms. An easy way to distinguish between the two is to remember that acute sinusitis is a temporary infection of the sinuses usually associated with a cold, while the signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis last at least 12 weeks.
Though you may face several episodes of acute sinusitis before developing chronic sinusitis, fever isn't a common sign of chronic sinusitis. You may get one with acute sinusitis.
If any of these symptoms hit close to home for you or your loved one, you’re probably wondering what the next step to take is. Before our trusted ENT can recommend treatment for your condition, he needs to run a diagnosis along with a number of tests that examine your nose with a small, nasal endoscope that lets him look for mechanical obstruction, redness, swelling, and sinus drainage.
If you or your loved one have tried using antibiotics and found them to be ineffective, you may need to consider treatment. Steroids can be more helpful when it comes to treating chronic sinusitis, as they reduce the swelling that leads to nasal and sinus blockage. Nevertheless, many patients require a more effective solution that provides longer-lasting relief. That is where we come in.
Balloon sinuplasty technology is used to treat chronic sinusitis, especially for patients whose symptoms were not resolved with medication. Not only is it a minimally-invasive treatment option, but it also can be performed by our very own McAllen ENT, Dr. Glatz, right in our office.
Chronic sinusitis doesn’t just affect your nasal function; it compromises your quality of life. Most patients are able to go back to their daily lives within 24 hours after the treatment, making balloon sinuplasty a popular choice for sinus relief.