Category Archives: Q&A

Q&A: How do I bring my CPAP machine with me when I fly?

CPAP Travel case

Fortunately, the answer is even easier than you think.  Thanks in part to the Americans with Disabilities Act, airlines have to provide you accommodations to carry your CPAP machine (or BIPAP/AutoPap or other respiratory device).  Also as CPAP machine’s are increasingly common, a great number of travelers every day are flying with their CPAP machines. […]

Q&A: Will ear plugs hurt my ears?

Question: Can the constant use of ear plugs hurt my ears?  – CR In Tennessee Yes in fact, but everyone is different. The ear canals connect the inner ear’s hearing apparatus to the outside world. These ear canals are lined with skin that has sweat glands, hair follicles and wax-producing glands. Many people have a tendency […]

Q&A: Why does my nose run when I exercise?

Question: My nose almost always runs when I work out. Usually it is thin and watery but sometimes thicker. It can be embarrassing since I’m constantly blowing my nose like I’m sick. -Barbara in St. Pete Beach, Florida Answer: The nasal mucous glands can get inappropriately activated during a number of otherwise normal scenarios. The […]

Q&A: Does my kid need ear tubes?

Q&A: My three year-old son gets ear infections every fall and spring.  Does he need to get ear tubes? -T. in Georgia Thanks, T.  Constantly battling with ear infections can take a toll on you as well as your child.  We place tubes usually for two separate reasons: #1 fluid behind the eardrum that does […]

Q&A: Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Question: “Every night my husband snores very loud. I have trouble falling asleep when it is real bad.  Is this serious? My friend said he needs to lose weight, what does weight have to do with this?” – Leslie Answer: Thanks for sharing Leslie.  Simple snoring or “stertor” or “stertorous breathing” is extremely common amongst […]

Q&A: What is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Thanks for the question SDinPenn.  Balloon Sinusplasty is a term used to describe opening up the sinus channels by inflating strong balloons instead of more traditional ways of cutting away the bones.  It has several advantages, including safety, less bleeding, and less pain – leading to quicker recovery.  The problems with the balloon include difficulty […]

Q&A: Did my Toothbrush give me Strep Throat?

Answer: Probably not! It has been shown that the bacteria causing strep throat, and recurrent tonsil infections, do tend to colonize your toothbrush (or dental retainer). However other studies show that the disease is just as likely to return whether or not you switch brushes. So I’m certain that hearing this gross tidbit will have […]

Q&A: Tonsil Stones

Question: Are tonsil stones painful? Answer: No, tonsil stones themselves are not usually painful.  The “stones” are actually accumulations of debris within the crevasses of the tonsils.  Usually this debris is dried saliva, food particles, and bacterial bi-products.  The tonsils can have deep in-folds that allow trapping of the debris and formation of these little […]