Radiofrequency of inferior turbinate

It is a minimal invasive procedure for Nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. A special designed applicator is used to apply the radiofrequency to the submucosal tissue of the inferior turbinate. With a controlled increase in temperature, volume reduction is achieved through the scaring and later resorption of the submucosal tissue. The whole procedure is performed under local anaesthesia in outpatient basis. No hospital stay is required. The pain or discomfort will be minimal and easily controlled by analgesic.

Inferior turbinectomy

Nasal obstruction can be caused by the mucosa hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate. Under general anaesthesia, the inferior turbinate will be removed. A dramatic relieve of Nasal obstruction will be expected.

Septoplasty

Nasal obstruction can be caused by a deviated nasal septum. By removing the deformed bone or cartilage and repositioning of the septum, the septum can be straightened. Symmetric patent nasal air flow can then be restored. The operation is performed under general anaesthesia.

Reference information: ent-hk.com www.ent-hk.com

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your ENT doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis is defined as inflammation of the nose and the paranasal sinuses. The symptoms include nasal blockage, loss of smell, nasal discharge, postnasal drip and facial pain. It is defined as acute sinusitis if complete resolution of symptoms is achieved within 12 weeks. If the symptoms persist more than 12 weeks, it is defined as chronic sinusitis.

Examination for sinusitis must include nasoendoscopy. This procedure is performed by ENT specialists under local anaesthesia. The abnormalities include mucopurulent nasal discharge, the mucosal edema with total obliteration of the sinus outlet and nasal polyps will be detected. Besides, the anatomy of the nasal cavity and sinus outlet can also be seen.

CT scan of the paranasal sinuses is useful for assessment of sinusitis. It can detect mucosal changes within ostiomeatal complex and/or sinuses and also opacity of the sinuses and delineate the anatomy of the sinuses.

Reference information: ent-hk.comwww.ent-hk.com

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your ENT doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Allergic Rhinitis Treatment

Allergens Avoidance

House dust mites feed on human skin danders. Warm and humid condition facilitates their growth. Bed mattress, pillows, carpet, upholstered furniture and fluffy toys should be cleaned regularly.

Animal danders are present in high amounts in domestic dust, upholstered furnishings and mattress. Avoid keeping pets if possible.

Pollens that cause most common allergies are grasses, weeds and trees. Wearing mask for outdoor activity during the pollen seasons is recommended.

Medication

The most common prescribed medication is antihistamine. Both sedating and non-sedating antihistamine are available.

The other type of medication is Vasoconstrictor which can be administered as oral or local via nasal spray. Vasoconstrictor is useful for relieving nasal obstruction. Oral Vasoconstrictor may cause systemic side effects while local Vasoconstrictor should not be used continuously for more than a week.

Steroid nasal spray is useful for all nasal symptoms including nasal obstruction. It is more effective than the oral medication. 

Reference information: www.ent-hk.com

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your ENT doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a global health problem affecting 10% to 20% of the population. It represents an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated inflammation of the nasal mucosa.

The symptoms of Allergic rhinitis include sneezing, nasal discharge, postnasal dribbling, nasal obstruction and nasal itchiness. It affects social life, sleep, work and school. Serious Allergic rhinitis may lead to sinusitis, asthma, etc.

Allergic rhinitis can be seasonal or perennial. Outdoor allergens (e.g. pollen) appear to constitute a greater risk for seasonal rhinitis than indoor allergens and indoor allergens (e.g. house dust mite) a greater risk for perennial rhinitis.

Reference information: www.ent-hk.com

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your ENT doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

良好睡前「儀式」有助解決失眠

參考資料:  http://www.metrohk.com.hk/  www.ent-hk.com

一代流行曲天王米高積遜突然離世，引起陣陣惋惜。據報導，他生前患有經常性失眠，出現依賴安眠藥問題。若果我們同樣出現失眠情況，究竟應如何處理？

 

失眠對我們都市人來說並不陌生。治療失眠除了避免飲用過量咖啡、濃茶或服用藥物外，睡前一小時應避免上網、看電視或其他視聽娛樂，避免過度官能刺激。更應避免在睡牀上看電視和看書。

一些睡前「儀式」亦可助入睡，那就是定時的作息時間、穿舒適的睡衣，睡前聽一會輕鬆的音樂等等，這有利營造安靜的入睡環境。

若失眠情況持續，便應主動求醫，避免在坊間購買安眠藥。服用安眠藥時，應依照醫生處方的分量，以避免濫用或依賴。新一代的安眠藥能有效幫助失眠症患者入睡，藥力維持約4至6小時；故服用後翌日，不會有昏昏欲睡的感覺，而影響早上的精神狀態和日常生活。

以上所提供的資訊僅作為教育及參考用途，如果你有任何醫療問題，應向自己的耳鼻喉專科醫生查詢，而不應單倚賴以上提供的資料。

鼻敏感惡化

另外，有些病人擔心鼻敏感藥會令人嗜睡，影響工作和學習，於是自行購買一些「無睡意」的收鼻水藥物。這些藥物成份不明，短暫可能真的有收鼻水效果，可是長期服用，很可能有嚴重副用作用。其實現在有一些不會令人昏昏欲睡的鼻敏感藥，由於屬於處方藥，病人需向耳鼻喉專科醫生查詢。

亦有一些病人會選擇利用針炙、按摩等方法來治療鼻敏感。其實這些療法只是暫時控制神經感覺，減緩鼻子的敏感反應，停止療程不久就會翻發。長期使用的話，鼻膜就會因為發炎一直損壞，甚至會削弱低抗力。

一些鼻敏感病人即使常常運動仍不停傷風感冒，就是因為鼻敏感處理得不好，惡化成慢性鼻炎，令鼻膜細胞受損，對抗病毒的能力轉弱，於是極易感染病菌。

要控制鼻敏感，就要從環境控制及藥物兩方面著手。病人日常要保持家居清潔，減少塵蟎及霉菌等致敏原，一旦有嚴重徵狀就求醫，只要在鼻敏感初期控制得好，日後即使轉季敏感反應也不會太大。

參考資料:  www.ent-hk.com  www.entific.com.hk

以上所提供的資訊僅作為教育及參考用途，如果你有任何醫療問題，應向自己的耳鼻喉專科醫生查詢，而不應單倚賴以上提供的資料。

持續鼻塞多因鼻敏感

其實，要解決鼻敏感引起的鼻塞並不困難。要對付初起1-2個月的鼻塞，服用4星期的抗組織胺已可痊癒，如果是鼻塞多年的長期患者可能需要數個月、以至一年的療程。

不過〔第一代〕抗組織胺藥物會令人有昏昏欲睡的感覺，如果因為工作及學業需要長期保持清醒的話，可以改用〔新一代〕抗組織胺藥物，副作用較少。

類固醇噴鼻劑效果也良好，它的好處是不會令人昏昏欲睡，可是要噴5-7天才見到效果。

如果用藥後鼻塞情況也不見好轉的話，就需要進一步檢查是否鼻結構出問題。鼻後孔狹窄／閉鎖、下鼻甲骨肥大、鼻息肉、鼻樑受傷都會影響鼻子的空氣流通，引起鼻塞。

要治療這種鼻塞，手術切除阻塞的組織是最徹底的方法。

以往傳統的手術方式有機會令病人大量出血；近年採用的激光或射頻切除手術，創傷性較低，儀器放出的能量可以即時封住傷口，病人幾乎不用流血，在診所完成治療後即可恢復正常生活。

參考資料:  www.singtao.com/  www.ent-hk.com

以上所提供的資訊僅作為教育及參考用途，如果你有任何醫療問題，應向自己的耳鼻喉專科醫生查詢，而不應單倚賴以上提供的資料。