Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Spring 2017 - 5

Maryland School of Medicine,

ENT specialist to be evaluated

discusses some of the condi-

for cancer. Smokers in

tions she commonly treats.

particular are at high risk

children often develop

for head and neck cancers,

ear infections. To reduce

Dr. Gupta says. These cancers

their risk, eliminate exposure

can be diagnosed and treated

to cigarette smoke and make

at UMMC Midtown Campus.

sure babies are upright

CARING
FOR ADULTS
Earwax. This protects the ear
from dust and other foreign
particles, but too much wax
can get hard and block the
ear. Dr. Gupta says you can
treat earwax buildup at
home with over-the-counter
hydrogen-peroxide based

TRAVEL TIP

If you have a cold and
you need to fly, spray
nasal decongestant like
Afrin® in your nose before
takeoff. It can help with
the ear discomfort that
comes from air pressure
changes, Dr. Gupta says.

products such as Debrox®

to be successfully treated.
Ear infections. Young

Thyroid conditions.

when they have a bottle.

The thyroid controls many

Ear infections can be

important functions of the

treated with oral antibiotics.

body, such as your heart rate,

Children who have repeated

breathing and body weight.

ear infections can have tubes

Thyroid problems can also be

surgically placed in their ears.

hard to diagnose. People with

These allow fluid to drain,

thyroid problems-such as

making infection less likely.
Snoring. Some children

that can soften or dissolve

It can cause problems

hyperthyroidism, hypothy-

earwax. Don't use cotton

sleeping because it's more

roidism, thyroid nodules

snore or pause in breath-

swabs! (See below.) An ENT

noticeable when it's quiet.

and thyroid cancer-can be

ing when they are sleeping.

can also remove more

Turning on a fan for white

diagnosed and treated at

Sometimes it's caused by

stubborn wax buildup.

noise or playing the TV or

UMMC Midtown Campus'

allergies, which can lead

radio at low volume can help.

thyroid clinic.

to swelling in the nose and

Hearing loss. Aging and
noise exposure are two of

"Talk to your doctor if it's

the top causes of hearing

affecting your quality of life."

loss. This type of hearing loss

Sinus problems. Most

HELPING KIDS

adenoids. Treating the
allergies may solve the

Many ENT illnesses are com-

problem. If not, doctors might

stems from damage to the

sinus complaints-trouble

mon in young children and

recommend removing the

nerve, so it's not reversible.

breathing through your nose,

often require a doctor's care

tonsils or adenoids. 

"We counsel people on how

sore throats, and swallowing

to preserve as much of the

and voice problems-stem

rest of their hearing as they

from allergies, Dr. Gupta says.

can," Dr. Gupta says. People

Over-the-counter antihista-

who might benefit from

mines such as Claritin® and

hearing aids can be referred

Zyrtec® can help, as can

to an audiologist.

nasal steroid sprays such

Tinnitus. Ringing or
buzzing in the ears is

as Flonase® or Nasacort®.
Allergy shots offer per-

common among people

manent relief but require

with hearing loss. "With

weekly shots for three to

tinnitus, you're not getting

five years.

as much hearing from the

Neck masses. If you have

outside world, so the brain

a neck mass or hoarseness

fills in the gaps with its own

that lasts longer than four

sound," says Dr. Gupta.

weeks, see your doctor or an

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
An ENT specialist can help you breathe easy. For an
appointment with Dr. Gupta or another ENT specialist
at UMMC Midtown Campus, call 443-552-2653.

THREE WAYS TO BETTER
CARE FOR YOUR EARS,
NOSE AND THROAT
1. Put down the cotton swabs. People push wax
deeper into their ears with cotton swabs such as
Q-tips. If buildup worsens, then they need to have
the wax removed by a doctor.
2. Stick with your allergy medicines. People often
take their antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays
only when their symptoms are flaring. "You might
need to use them consistently for at least six weeks
to notice a difference," Dr. Gupta says.
3. Reduce the volume. Cut back on listening
with headphones and ear buds as much as you can.
When you do use them, set the volume at the lowest
level that allows you to still hear and enjoy. "We're
seeing a lot more young people with hearing loss
because of headphones and ear buds," Dr. Gupta says.

umm.edu/midtown | Spring 2017  5
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