Does your child breathe through his/her mouth? Does your child have difficulty sleeping at night? Is there a history of recurrent or constant sinus/upper respiratory infections?

Does any of this sound familiar to you?

I have a young toddler who used to snore and who was a very difficult sleeper. I remember waking up several times nightly in response to audible cries from his bedroom. It seemed as if we could not feed the child enough food to keep him asleep. As a result of poor sleep, he was irritable, tired, and frankly miserable during the day. He did not breathe through his nose, so he did not want to eat, as he struggled to eat and breathe simultaneously. If these things were not enough, he had constant congestion in his nose and required antibiotics for a sinus or ear infection every 4-6 weeks. After consultation with his pediatrician, a referral was made to an otolaryngologist for evaluation of possible adenoid enlargement.

I am an ENT doctor myself, but I do not consider myself to be my children’s doctor, rather I simply try to be a good father. I consulted with Dr. Van Tuyl who performed my son’s adenoidectomy. He had an outpatient procedure and was his normal, bouncing, boisterous self the very next day. He is now a much improved, healthier, and happier version of himself, and his parents are enjoying his new sleep habits as much as he is!

Adenoid tissue is the same type of tissue as the tonsils that line the back of the throat. The adenoid is located in the nasopharynx, the throat in the back of the nasal passages. The normal adenoid tissue is where the infection fighting capability of the immune system matures. This important tissue is found along the length of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.

When the adenoid enlarges, the result is blockage of the nasal passages which can lead to mouth breathing, nasal congestion, sinusitis, snoring, sleep disturbances, and ear infections. The abnormal tissue can be identified by examining the nasopharynx with a mirror, endoscope, or an x-ray or CT scan. Once adenoid hypertrophy is diagnosed, it can be alleviated with a simple procedure known as an adenoidectomy. Fortunately there is redundant tissue throughout the body and the procedure does not lead to immune system deficiency. The procedure is typically performed through the oral cavity under general anesthesia in an outpatient setting. Typically, children can return to their normal diet and activities the day of surgery.

It is rare that I have the opportunity to report on a procedure as a surgeon and as a father. I am glad that I could share my experience with the community. Please come and have a discussion with us if we can be helpful to your child!

– Lawrence L. Robinson, Jr., MD

Do you want to stay active? Vibrant? socially engaged?

Maybe it’s time to do something about your hearing….

Chances are, you’ve enjoyed many years of fun, concerts, parties, and noisy recreational activities. You’ve been enjoying life….but it has been loud! Let’s face it. All that enthusiastic living has taken a toll on your ears. Now you’re having trouble hearing conversations at the dinner table, at parties, and family events. You may be having difficulty communicating with clients at work. Now your ears are screaming for your attention!

Make a New Year’s Resolution! Do something about your hearing. Addressing hearing loss is one of the best things you can do to improve your quality of life! Fortunately for most people with hearing loss, today’s state-of-the-art hearing aids can help. Research by Better Hearing Institute indicates that 8 out of 10 hearing aid wearers say they’re satisfied with the changes that have occurred in their lives due to better hearing provided by their hearing aids.

So go ahead! Make that New Years Resolution!

Call (770) 281-4487or contact us via email to schedule an appointment for a free demonstration. And if you do purchase hearing aids, you receive a $400.00 discount off each hearing aid. Plus a 30 day trial period with no obligation or trial period charge, allowing you to determine for yourself if our state-of-the-art hearing aids can

Revitalize your life with better hearing!

This offer is good through March 31st, 2015.

Good news! Our brains are always changing, which means we are always learning!

Research indicates that the brain continually reorganizes itself by forming NEW CONNECTIONS between brain cells called neurons. This happens throughout our entire lifetimes! This process is known as BRAIN PLASTICITY. Now, what does brain plasticity have to do with hearing?

The answer is “WE HEAR WITH OUR BRAINS!” Auditory signals are collected into the outer ear, transmitted through the middle and inner ears, and travel through the central auditory pathway to the auditory cortex, and eventually into cortical areas of the brain. The auditory cortex and cortical areas within the brain are where sound processing occur. For example, the auditory cortex processes pitch, volume, and rhythm, while cortical regions such as the middle temporal gyrus and frontotemporal systems allow for speech perception, music and noise recognition.

People with hearing loss frequently complain that they “hear but cannot understand”. This is due to the brain failing to receive critical speech information needed for sound recognition. Hearing aids can provide the brain with those missing signals, but the brain has to “relearn” by reorganizing itstelf, restoring old connections and developing new connections for successful sound processing to occur.

Even with todays most advanced technology in hearing aids, BRAIN PLASTICITY, or “learning to listen” is still the most important process determining successful use of hearing aids, leading to better understanding.

Steven W. Sick M.S., CCC-A

Director of Audiology

“Doctor, there is a lump in my throat.” I hear these words from patients nearly every day that I am in the office. There are many causes of difficulty swallowing and an abnormal sensation in the throat. Sometimes the discomfort is caused by an enlarged thyroid or a thyroid nodule. A thyroid nodule is an abnormal growth within the thyroid gland. A large thyroid nodule or an enlarged gland can place pressure on the esophagus, windpipe and spine. The spine is resilient because it is made of bone and the trachea is made of cartilage. However, the esophagus and pharynx (throat) are composed only of muscle and soft tissue and can be compressed with much less force. This is the reason that difficulty swallowing occurs before patients have difficulty breathing or neck pain.

Several of the last few patients that have had removal of all or an abnormal part of the thyroid gland tell me that it is a great relief to not have the constant feeling that a ball is being swallowed or that a vice is around the neck. The thyroid gland is a very important gland, but fortunately the thyroid’s hormones can be replaced with a daily pill. As was mentioned previously, there can be other more common causes of difficulty swallowing, such as acid reflux. Typically patients will be screened or treated for a more common condition if there is suspicion that one of these conditions is present. In the properly selected candidate, removal of an enlarged gland or an abnormal portion can make an positive difference in one’s quality of life.

-Lawrence Robinson, Jr., MD

For more information on thyroid disease and thyroid surgery, please see information on thyroid disease.

I’m sure many will agree there is nothing more upsetting and frustrating then seeing your child sick all the time. Unfortunately I see this often with infants and toddlers that have recurring ear infections. Many times parents of these children are already suffering from lack of sleep and then to deal with a child who has recurrent ear infections that is fussy, uncomfortable, waking up at night crying in pain and with fever can be exhausting. Also, many times these kids have already been treated with multiple rounds of antibiotics, which in itself can cause problems i.e. diaper rash from excessive diarrhea to name the most common, and so parents are left wondering what to do.

The best thing for these kids when medical treatments fail is to have a short outpatient procedure to have tubes inserted. I know surgery is scary especially for the new parent with a 6 month old, but I can’t tell you how many times afterwards I hear things like, “he’s a new baby” “She’s finally sleeping through the night” “It’s the best thing we did”. I am also speaking not only as a medical provider but as a parent of a child that has tubes. My now 22 month old son had recurring ear infections that were unresponsive to antibiotics by mouth and injection. Unlike the kids I talked about earlier he was a very happy baby but always had fluid behind his eardrums. The fluid persisted for 3 months and probably had 2-3 infections during that time. Working in the ENT field I was able to check his hearing and that was the deciding factor for me. The fluid behind his ears was causing hearing loss, which could affect his speech.

The procedure went excellent. It was quick, painless and he hasn’t had any fluid or infection issues since the tubes were placed a few months ago. I always tell parents that the surgery will be harder on them then it is for the child, especially now having experienced it myself.

If you would like more information about ear infections and ear tubes please check out our website under the pediatric tab the link for ear pain and ear tubes. If you have any comments or would like to share your experience feel free to chime in.

Jeff D’Ambrosio PA-C, MPAS

As an adult, do I need the PPSV vaccine?

• All adults 65 years of age and older.
• Anyone 2 through 64 years of age who has a long-term health problem such as: heart disease, lung disease, sickle cell disease, diabetes, alcoholism, cirrhosis, leaks of cerebrospinal fluid or cochlear implant.
• Anyone 2 through 64 years of age who has a disease or condition that lowers the body’s resistance to infection, such as: Hodgkin’s disease; lymphoma or leukemia; kidney failure; multiple myeloma; nephrotic syndrome; HIV infection or AIDS; damaged spleen, or no spleen; organ transplant.
• Anyone 2 through 64 years of age who is taking a drug or treatment that lowers the body’s resistance to infection, such as: long-term steroids, certain cancer drugs, radiation therapy.
• Any adult 19 through 64 years of age who is a smoker or has asthma.
• Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities.

PPSV may be less effective for some people, especially those with lower resistance to infection.

But these people should still be vaccinated, because they are more likely to have serious complications if they get pneumococcal disease.

Children who often get ear infections, sinus infections, or other upper respiratory diseases, but who are otherwise healthy, do not need to get PPSV because it is not effective against those conditions.

Please contact us for an appointment today.

Sleep apnea is known to affect 1 to 3 percent of children, but because there may be many unreported cases, could actually affect more. Sleep apnea can affect your child’s sleep and behavior and if left untreated can lead to more serious problems. Many times sleep apnea goes undiagnosed because parents don’t believe their kids are bad sleepers and Pediatricians have too many things to evaluate during a 10 minute well-child check-up. Because sleep apnea can be difficult to diagnose, it is important to monitor your child for the symptoms and have a doctor see her if she exhibits any.

What is sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when breathing is disrupted during sleep. This occurs when the airway is blocked, resulting in choking that causes a slower heart rate and increased blood pressure, alerting your child’s brain and causing him to wake up.

What kids are at risk?

• Those that were born premature
• Kids that have enlarged tonsils and adenoids, nasal septal deviation, allergies or nasal polyps.
• Kids that have asthma or recurrent upper respiratory infections.
• Obesity
• African American ethnicity
• Kids whose parents have sleep apnea.

What are the symptoms?
The first sign that your child may have sleep apnea is loud snoring that occurs regularly. You may also notice behavioral changes. Due to a lack of sleep, he or she may be crankier, have more or less energy, and have difficulty concentrating in school. Your child may also want to sleep in unusual positions (with their neck hyper extended), sweat excessively, wet the bed, awake with a morning headache, have impaired growth and even exhibit or have been diagnosed with symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
If you notice that your child has any of those symptoms, has him or her checked by an otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon, who can use a sleep test to determine sleep apnea. For the test, electrodes are attached to the head to monitor brain waves, muscle tension, eye movement, breathing, and the level of oxygen in the blood. The test is not painful and can be performed in a sleep laboratory or at home. Results can vary, so it is important to have the otolaryngologist determine whether your child needs treatment. Often, in mild cases, treatment will be delayed while you are asked to monitor your child and let the doctor know if the symptoms worsen. In severe cases, the doctor will determine the appropriate treatment.
What are the dangers if sleep apnea is left untreated?

Because sleep apnea can lead to more serious problems, it is important that it be properly treated. When left untreated, sleep apnea can cause:

• snoring
• sleep deprivation
• Increased bed wetting
• slowed growth
• Attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• breathing difficulty
• Heart trouble

What causes sleep apnea?
In children, sleep apnea can occur for several physical reasons, including enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and abnormalities of the jaw bone and tongue. These factors cause the airway to be blocked, resulting in vibration of the tonsils, or snoring. Overweight children are at increased risk for sleep apnea. Of the 37 percent of children who are considered overweight, 25 percent of them likely have sleeping difficulties that may include sleep apnea. This is because extra fat around the neck and throat block the airway, making it difficult for these children to sleep soundly. Studies have shown that after three months of exercise, the number of children at risk for sleep apnea dropped by 50 percent.

How is sleep apnea treated?
Because enlarged tonsils and adenoids are a common cause of sleep apnea in children, routine treatment often involves an adenotonsillectomy, an operation to remove the tonsils and adenoids. This is a routine operation with a 90 percent success rate. Studies published in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (October 2005) and presented at the Academy’s 2006 annual meeting in Toronto showed that when children with sleep apnea were tested one to five months after their surgery, they showed extreme improvement in their sleep and behavior, and that these improvements remained nearly a year and a half later.

Benefits of proceeding with adenotonsillcetomy for the treatment of sleep apnea.

• Improved ADHD like symptoms
• Improvement in daytime sleepiness
• Improvement in your child’s grades
• Improved growth and decreased bed wetting

Pediatric otolaryngology or ENT is one of my favorite subspecialty practices. I consider myself a “general ENT” because I manage a decent portion of all of the subspecialty areas—Ears (otology), nasal and sinus (rhinology), voice and swallowing (laryngology), allergy, and head and neck oncology. However, a fair amount of my practices encompasses pediatrics. Children have always been one of my main focal points in pursuing a career in medicine. I began my career volunteering at a hospital in Toledo, Ohio, working with children with various types of cancer. I thought that I would be a pediatrician when I began medical school, but fell in love with the technical aspects of surgery.

As an ENT doctor who enjoys working with children, and as a parent myself, I understand the gravity of having a sick child. Many parents bring their children because they have chronic nasal obstruction, snoring, or difficulty sleeping. Many of these children have been in and out of their pediatrician’s offices for recurrent infections or concern about allergies and asthma. At the center of many of these children’s problems are a common thread, enlarged tonsils and adenoids.

Tonsils and adenoids are a type of tissue where the body processes and fights infected agents such as bacteria and viruses. This tissue is called lymphoid tissue and lines the entire gastrointestinal tract and is also present in the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. When the tonsils and adenoids are enlarged, they can cause a myriad of problems. Some of these problems include recurrent ear infections, hearing loss due to chronic middle ear fluid, chronic sinusitis, mouth breathing, dental problems and facial growth abnormalities, chronic tonsillitis, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing occur when the adenoid and/or tonsils contribute to reduced airflow through the airway when children attempt to sleep. When children fall into deep sleep and their brains attempt to reach the restorative phase of sleep, enlarged tonsils and adenoids can contribute to apnea, which is defined as a cessation of airflow. This can lead to frequent awakening as the brain senses that air exchange is inadequate. As a result, children do not rest well and can also have bedwetting, tossing and turning, and nightmares. The child then ends up waking up feeling tired and not well rested. During the day, the child may have behavioral problems, frequent napping, or headaches. Some children even may be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) when they are actually starved for proper rest.

Removal of enlarged tonsils and adenoids can be curative in many children. After being cured of sleep-disordered breathing or sleep apnea, children and parents both can experience a new life. As a patient recently told one of my nurses after surgery, “it is like night and day. I have a new child.”

-Lawrence Robinson, Jr., M.D.

I don’t know how many times a parent brings their child into our clinic and says something like; “he snores louder than his father” or, “I can hear him snoring from my room and I’m at the other end of the house! There are other times where a parent comes and tells me they get scared because their child is snoring and there’s a loud pause and they feel they need to go in and shake them to make sure they are breathing. These could all be signs of a real problem called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects 1 to 3 percent of children and can cause a slew of health issues. Sleep apnea has also been linked to ADHD problems in children.