Home › Medical Questions › Archive for Otorhinolaryngology

Otorhinolaryngology

Cold room temperatures give me headaches and migraines?

Posted on by — 1 Comment ↓

I am searching for the medical term or explanation to a condition that I got ever since the following happened:

I was renting for a couple of years a flat (in a relatively new development/house) from a landlord, who refused to fix anything in it, including the heating, which was not working at all (from the very beginning) all winter long.
(I live in Europe by the way)

I was forced to sleep in a room with cold air. And then would get up with horrible headaches and migraines, because of that.

The thing it, it is now already a couple of years after I no longer live in that place, but the health damage still remains!

I am now sensitive to any somewhat cold room temperature (I believe already anything below 25 degrees Celsius), and still get up with forehead pain if having slept in anything but a warm room.
It is always the forehead that aches afterwards.

Please could you advise me what this is, if there is any medical term for this (it’s not hypothermia is it?), and if there is anything I could do in order to reverse the permanent damage which was caused.
(I never before, prior to living in the said flat under the described conditions, suffered from this phenomenon)
(…)
It is very impairing and debilitating to me and I cannot have a normal life (without needing to worry about if a room is warm enough, and without suffering forehead pain) anymore due to this.

Thank you very much in advance for your help and advice.

Does sudafed work for a bad sinus infection?

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Question: Hi doc! I had a really bad sinus infection – really bad and I blew my nose non stop for awhile, now my ears are completely blocked. I feel as though my head is underwater. Does sudafed work? If not – what should I do????

Answer: Hi and thanks for your question. A sinusitis may cause your ears to clog. First and foremost, stop blowing your nose. Start using Xylometazoline nasal drops followed by steam inhalation. Also take an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen (advil). You may need best prescription based oral and topical steroids as well as antibiotics if there is evidence of a bacterial infection. If symptoms persist order please consult, you will need to get blood and CT scan for sinuses, nose and mastoids. Rest and avoid extreme weather changes.

Regards,
Doctor Beverly Lewis

Dr. Beverly Lewis

I had a feeling on the left of my Adam’s apple as if someone was placing their thumb on it.

Posted on by — 1 Comment ↓

Question: I am a 51 year old male. I have had heart burn from July 2018. Then July 2019 the acid went to my throat and just sits there. Even if i clear it it still sits there. From December 2020 i had a feeling on the left of my Adam’s apple as if someone was placing their thumb on it. Not with pressure but just placing it on my throat. But also at the same time December 2020 my throat became very itchy and dry. Then 28th of April i got a burning sensation in the exact same spot. Left of my Adam’s apple. I would not say it was painful but very uncomfortable and very conscious of it. Also my heart burn did clear from when i first got it in July 2018. Can’t remember when but it has come back and it seems higher up like just below my neck not my chest. Also from December 2020 along with my other symptoms i would say i had a voluntary cough. It is actually when i eat or drink that it makes me feel the urge to cough. I think also my burning pain i have now fluctuates to just a burning that i can feel to something bordering on quite painful. I think thats all and i dont think i have missed anything out.

Answer: Hello. Thanks for your question. Looks like you had (and still have) a serious GERD –
Gastroesophageal Reflux – problem. The pressure you describe in your throat -feeling of pressure or what some patients descibe as a lump like sensation is probably caused by LPR (Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease) – a result of your history and battle with acid reflux. As a result of acid reflux in your throat, your body is reacting through excess mucus and inflammation. In my opinion you need to get your acid reflux problem under control. First: Watch your diet – cut out coffee, acidic drinks, spice, fats, alcohol. Eat small meals. Don’t lie horizontal after your eat. 2. Other treatments you can use involves the use of antiacids, H-2-receptor blockers, proton pump inhibitors. If problem persists or worsens, you may also want to consult an ENT/Gastroenterologist for prescription strength medications as well as possible x-ray, acid (pH) probe test and upper endoscopy.

Let us know how it goes.

Dr. D. Zluf
Dr. D. Zluf

I went to ER, strep test was negative but doctor said it must be strep?

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Question:

I am 21-year-old female. I am pretty healthy and have an average weight. I had a sore throat for two days and it is extremely hard to swallow due to swelling to the point I can barely eat solid food. It is not scratchy, and I do not have a cough or fever.

I went to the urgent care, strep was negative but the doctor said it must be strep and would not listen to any of my symptoms. He spent about 30 seconds with me and is treating me with Biaxin. Pain is killing me, and my stomach is having a hard time with these antibiotics even with food. I am attaching a photo.

Answer:

From the picture we received, you seem to be suffering from acute follicular tonsillitis. Usually, this is caused by strep, other bacteria responsible for this condition are Hemophilus and Moraxella. A course of antibiotic at this stage helps in early recovery. As you have been started on macrolide antibiotic, I believe it is the best course of action at this stage – you need to follow the whole course for it to be effective.

Antibiotics are known to cause gastric upset, which usually disappears once the course stops. If this is too difficult to endure ask your Doctor for  Zantac (Ranitidine) 150 mg and take before food twice daily and use warm salt water gargles at least three times a day. If situation continues, please follow up with your Doctor after seven days.

Regards,

I have had a severe sinus cold which has affected my sense of smell?

Posted on by — 1 Comment ↓

Hello doctor, 2 months ago I suffered from a severe head sinus cold for 2 weeks. After which i felt fine, but I started to lose my sense of smell. It began slowly but now is continuing and I am worried. I saw a doctor who said I had nose polyps and inflammation. what do you recommend I do. I don’t want to no longer be able to smell!

Male
Age: 35
Medications: None.

I was prescribed Klavox 1g twice a day to treat ear infection?

Posted on by — 2 Comments ↓

Hi,
I was prescribed Klavox 1g twice a day to treat ear infection. After the second day of taking the ab, I started feeling discomfort in my stomach, gas, bloating and diarrhea. I consulted a Gastroenterologist who advised me to stop taking Klavox, and prescribed Flagyl 500ml three times a day. Now, the bowel movements are bearable, and I feel generally better. However, I am experiencing ear pain again. I don’t know what to do? Does that mean the ear infection is back in full force? I am so worried…

Age: 37
Female
Medications: Omeprazole 20, Dogmatil 50

I have bumps on the back of my throat and my tonsils seems to be swollen?

Posted on by — 1 Comment ↓

I recently noticed I have bumps on the back of my throat and my tonsils seems to be swollen and have signs of puss . The doctor took a strep throat test but it came back negative and never gave me any information further then that so I’m here for a second opinion. Sound I be worried/ concerned? What are the possibilities of it being.

Age: 19
Male
Medications: None
General Information: Strep test taken negative result

(unpublished photos)

I am having trouble with nausea and light headedness?

Posted on by — 1 Comment ↓

I am having trouble with nausea and light hotheadedness. It’s not vertigo. I have been to a cardiologist and an ENT in the past week and a half. I was told I had an inner ear infection and was given ABT and flonase at urgent care. I have felt this way for over 2 weeks and nothing has helped. My forehead is slightly “puffy” above my right eye and the right side of my face is puffy. In the past month I had a tooth removed, went into Afib and had to go to the hospital, plus the inner ear fluid and infection. I need someone to tell me why this is not getting better. I have no sinus pain, and have used the neti pot, flonase, sinutab and vaporizer. I can’t eat bc of the nausea and lightheadedness. I am not dehydrated, my blood sugar is normal, my blood pressure is normal, I drink 64 oz of fluids a day, help!

Age: 32
Male
Medications: Propranolol

I have sinus. Infections a lot and allergies. Had two sinus surgeries?

Posted on by — 2 Comments ↓

I am 45 female . I have sinus. Infections a lot and allergies. Had two sinus surgeries. Feel infection coming on now. I also have acid reflux. I take klonipin Effexor Prilosec Zyrtec and on antibiotics often. I do smoke . But my question is I do get oral thrush from using Flonase sometimes. I can see white spots on my uvula . Now I have a red uvula and don’t know if coming from antibiotics. Or sinus dripping or acid reflux or thrush. Constant tickle and cough in throat and itchy ears inside and blocked ears . Do you think it’s thrush coming from augmentin or from allergies or sinuses or acid reflux. Sinuses bad right now and allergies and reflux. ?????? I’ve been taking thrush pills Incase . Lozenges has from doctor before . And also take probiotic between the antibiotics during day

Age: 45
Female
Medications: Effexor klonipin nac supplement probiotics Zyrtec Flonase
General Information: Didn’t know if itchy inside ears and sometimes white spots on uvula and red and itchy nose from antibiotics and too much in body or from sinuses allergies or acid reflux .

I have diagnosed eustachian tube dysfunction with tinnitus?

Posted on by — 2 Comments ↓

I have diagnosed eustachian tube dysfunction with tinnitus secondary to sinusitis x4 weeks. I’m on the 12th day of Amoxicillian with two more to go. I’m also now on Flonase and Zyrtec also. The allergy and infection systems are mostly gone, but my ears feel full and my hearing is muffled. When would be the appropriate time to test for fluid in my ears, and possible interconnecting to have them drained. My doc says this will clear up on its own over time but I’m not so sure.

Thank you.

Age: 70
Female
Medications: Glypizide, metformin, lo dose asa

Is this strep throat or pharyngitis?

Posted on by — 3 Comments ↓

Is this strep throat or pharyngitis? I quit smoking but smoked about 4 last week with a friend out in the cold and I didn’t have a jacket. I also kissed someone who was coughing the day before (stupid I know). I ended up feeling sick on Saturday with a headache, a little nausea and a temp of 99. What do you think it could be? Helppp.

Age: 25
Male
Medications: None

I’ve had this spot on my tongue for about a year?

Posted on by — 4 Comments ↓

Hi. I’m 20 years old and I’ve had this place on my tongue for about a year. I first thought it was an ulcer, but never thought anything about it as I pretty much forgot it was there. It has not gotten bigger or caused me any pain. It’s just there. I don’t have any other spots on my tongue at all. I was on prednisone last year for 4 months and got off of it in July. I started hydrochoroquine for an autoimmune disease in February along the steroids. I noticed the place in March or April. I stopped the hydrochloroquine in November because of a seizure. Found out I have epilepsy and am on lamotrogine. My blood has been tested several times so I don’t think it could be cancer or something seriously wrong. I have honestly forgotten to ask my doctor about this place until now. My medical bills are through the roof and I’d rather not go to the doctor for this place on my tongue. If you could please give me an opinion on what I should do for this, I would be thankful.

Age: 20
Female
Medications: lamotrogine
No
General Information: No other symptoms. Adult Still’s Disease, Raynaud’s, POTS and Generalized Epilepsy