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Older adults aren’t the only ones who experience hearing loss: children of all ages can experience a loss of hearing. Roughly three out of 1,000 babies are born with hearing loss, and its prevalence is increasing in adolescents. Noise-induced hearing loss is largely responsible for this increase. If you suspect your child has difficulty hearing,…

Cancers in this region include: Oral cavity cancer involves the lips, tongue, the floor of the mouth, the hard and soft palates, or the gums. Laryngeal cancer involves the voice box. Pharyngeal cancer involves any part of the throat except for the voice box.  Salivary gland cancer involves the salivary glands.  Causes of Head and…

Skin cancer can develop on any part of the body that receives frequent sun exposure – the scalp, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, for instance. One of the areas most prone to skin cancer is the face. It can affect people of all skin tones, including individuals with darker complexions. What Are the…

A number of masses may develop in your head or neck; these masses may also be called growths, tumors, lumps or bumps. While some head and neck masses are cancerous, many are not. It is important to see a physician if any abnormal bump or lump persists for more than two weeks. If a cancer…

Snoring is extremely common: 45 percent of American adults snore occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. While many consider it a mere nuisance, snoring is actually a sleep disorder that can be the sign of a serious medical condition. What Causes Snoring? When you sleep, your tongue, throat muscles and soft palate relax. If…

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing is interrupted periodically throughout the night. These pauses, or gaps, in breathing may be accompanied by choking or gasping but rarely awaken the sleeping individual. An estimated 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, many of them unaware of their condition. What Causes Sleep Apnea? There are…

What Is Sleep Apnea? Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in your mouth, tongue and throat relax, collapsing and blocking the upper airway. This causes you to stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night, leading to a drop in your blood oxygen levels. It can cause serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke…

When you swallow, you are chewing food and moving it to the esophagus, a tube that connects to the stomach. Dysphagia, the medical term for difficulty swallowing, is characterized by the sensation of food or liquid getting stuck in the throat or chest. Numerous factors can cause swallowing difficulty, most of them relatively benign.  The…

What Causes a Sore Throat? Most sore throats are the result of viral infections due to the common cold or flu. Bacterial infections including strep throat, tonsillitis, whooping cough and diphtheria may also cause a sore throat. Additional causes include allergies, acid reflux, environmental irritants, dry air and strained vocal cords. Sore Throat Treatment If…

A cough lasting eight weeks or longer is considered chronic. A chronic cough can disrupt your sleep and affect your work. It may include other symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, runny nose, congestion and heartburn. If you have a cough that lasts more than a month, make an appointment with your ear nose…