ENT Blog
Q-Tips & Ears: Good or Bad?
Keeping cotton swabs, such as Q-tips, in the bathroom to clean out your ears is very common, and many people think this is a necessary task, but it’s one that carries significant risks. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, the use of cotton-tipped swabs or other home instruments pose a serious risk of damage…
What to Do About Frequent Throat Clearing
We all clear our throats sometimes without giving it much thought. We may do it to get someone’s attention, to clear our throats of mucus or the feeling that something’s stuck, or it may be a nervous habit. While there are several reasons for throat clearing, when it becomes a chronic occurrence, it can cause…
Lingering Loss of Smell After COVID-19? Here’s What to Do
Smell is one of our five senses that we often think little about even though it’s strongly linked to emotion and memory. It can alert us to danger and works with our sense of taste to allow us to experience the flavor of food. To lose your sense of smell (also called anosmia), and most…
All About Nasal Congestion
There are two words we hear a lot at Excel ENT all year round, but especially during these cold winter months: “nasal congestion.” While it can be short lived, and it may resolve quickly without intervention, it often comes out of nowhere and it’s usually the first of many symptoms. Nasal congestion can be tricky…
Causes of Chronic Cough
A cough that just won’t go away is one of the most common reasons for a visit to the doctor. Many people initially visit their primary care physician, but if the issue isn’t easily resolved, other doctors and specialists may become involved, such as allergists, pulmonologists, otolaryngologists (ENT), and speech-language pathologists (SLP), such as Excel…
Major Jumps in Hearing Device Technology You Should Know About
New Hearing Device Technology at Excel ENT of Alabama The world of hearing devices can be a little confusing. There are so many different brands and so many features to consider. While hearing aids are available by mail order or from some “big box” retailers, you are missing out on so much with those…
The Driving Force Behind All Sinus Issues: Inflammation
Many patients often wonder WHY they continue to have sinus problems. What’s the root cause and the driving force behind sinus headaches, drainage, congestion, and pain? The answer is inflammation, and knowing what this means will result in a better overall understanding of your sinus issues. More About Sinus Inflammation Chronic sinusitis occurs when the…
Do You Have Good Vocal Hygiene?
When you think of “good hygiene” you may immediately come up with washing your hands, brushing your teeth, showering often, and keeping your nails clipped. But did you realize that there is such a thing as “vocal hygiene,” and that it’s very important for your ability to speak and communicate? We use our voices constantly,…
Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline
Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline There are many risks associated with hearing loss that can negatively affect quality of life. One such factor is that people who have hearing loss are more at risk of experiencing cognitive decline. Those with more severe degrees of hearing loss are at even greater risk. At Excel ENT,…
The Cause of Your Summer Sinus Issues: Inflammation
Days spent at the pool, nights around the bonfire, hours spent playing outside in the grass. While these are all wonderful things about summer, they can also cause inflammation of your sinuses, which then may lead to sinus problems. At Excel ENT, we have many strategies to recommend and treatment options available that can provide…