Author: Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat

Causes of a Frequent Hoarse Voice

A hoarse voice can be caused by various factors, including common illnesses like a cold or sinus infection, or more specific conditions such as laryngitis, which occurs when your vocal cords swell due to allergies, a cold, or an upper respiratory infection. In some cases, a vocal cord hemorrhage, where blood vessels in the vocal cords rupture, can lead to a hoarse voice, allowing you to speak but not sing. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also contribute to hoarseness when stomach acid rises through the esophagus and irritates the vocal cords. Additionally, certain neurological diseases and disorders, such as Parkinson’s Disease or the aftermath of a stroke, can affect the muscles in the larynx, leading to a hoarse voice. Non-cancerous growths like nodules, cysts, or polyps in the throat are also potential causes of this condition.

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Dr. Varma and Mending Kids Mission Trip to Guatemala

This March, Dr. Namrata Varma went on a mission trip to Guatemala through an organization called Mending Kids, a non-profit that provides surgical care for children across the globe.

While in Guatemala, Dr. Varma and her team operated on 41 children and were able to remove tracheostomies (long-term breathing tubes placed in the neck to bypass an obstruction of the airway) in 2 patients who were once told they would need to have the tube in their neck for life.

When To See An ENT For Ear Pain

Otolaryngologist is the medical term for an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. This type of specialist treats many conditions of the ear including hearing impairment, infections, disorders affecting balance, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and pain. Let’s learn more about when to see Southern California Ear, Nose & Throat for ear pain.

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The Connection Between Balance And Hearing Loss

According to a study conducted at John Hopkins, individuals between the ages of 40 and 69 who had mild hearing issues were three times more likely to have reported falling within the last year. If the hearing loss is greater, the risk of falling increases. Both audiologists and physical therapists report the connection between balance and hearing loss.

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Signs You Have A Deviated Septum

Some people are born with it, others develop it from a trauma. By definition, a deviated septum is when the bone and cartilage that divides our nose and nasal cavity is off center, misaligned, or crooked which makes one nasal passage smaller. Now that you know what it is, let’s learn more including some signs you have a deviated septum.

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