Ear, Nose & Throat Blog

Rhinitis Medicamentosa (aka Afrin Addiction)

Rhinitis Medicamentosa (aka Afrin Addiction) – by Dr. Bryant T. Conger Afrin (oxymetazoline), Neo-Synephrine (phenylephrine), and other over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays are popular short-term remedies for nasal obstruction due to colds, sinus infections, and allergies. However, their overuse can lead to a serious medical problem called “rhinitis medicamentosa.” These sprays contain a chemical that causes…

How to Recognize & Treat Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS)

Many are faced with chronic symptoms such as headaches, congestion, facial pain, fatigue, nasal blockage & discharge and dental pain. You may think these symptoms are related to allergies or a mild cold but you could be suffering from a condition known as Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS). CRS causes inflammation or swelling in the tissue lining…

How to Prepare Yourself for Flu Season

Fall is upon us again. The kids are back in school, football is back in full swing, and cold and flu season is beginning to ramp up. Here are some helpful tips to minimize your chances of contracting these annoying and potentially dangerous viruses: The most important action you can take in preparation for the winter…

One of Atlanta’s Top ENTs Celebrates 30 Years in Practice

Roswell, GA, August 2019 – North Fulton ENT Associates’ Roy Schottenfeld, M.D. celebrates 30 years of serving patients in the specialty of Otolaryngology. Dr. Schottenfeld, an Atlanta native, founded North Fulton ENT Associates in 1989 after finishing his residency in otolaryngology head and neck surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Schottenfeld additionally received his Doctor…

Can Treating Hearing Loss Help Prevent Dementia?

Recently, a study published in The Lancet, one of the world’s leading medical journals, called dementia “the greatest global challenge for health and social care in the 21st century.” The study, conducted by The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention and Care, noted that 50 million people have dementia worldwide — and that the number is expected…

Help! Something’s Wrong With My Hearing Aid

Like any electronic device, hearing aids will occasionally malfunction. Not to worry – we’re here to assist you in identifying minor hearing aid problems and how to troubleshoot them. This information may save you time and reduce frustration by helping you remedy some of these problems yourself, so you can continue receiving benefit from your…

Protect Your Hearing From Fireworks This Season

It’s almost Independence Day! For many, July 4th holiday celebrations will include barbeques, parades and, of course, fireworks. Don’t forget about protecting your ears! Before you enjoy the show, follow these safety tips to protect your hearing from the loud blasts of fireworks. 1. Keep your Distance: Adults should be at least 22 yards away…

Hearing Loss is More Common in Men

June celebrates Men’s Health Month and Father’s Day, making it the perfect opportunity to discuss hearing health amongst men. Hearing health issues and hearing loss affect men and women differently. Men are almost twice as likely as women to have hearing loss among adults aged 20-69. For the male population 75 and older, hearing loss…

8 Things Untreated Hearing Loss Can Impact

Hearing loss is as unique to each person as a fingerprint. No one person has the same type of loss in each ear, nor do people get hearing loss the same way. But, what everyone with hearing has in common are the 8 possible things that hearing loss can indirectly or directly affect. 1. Vocabulary…

Three Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Hearing Care Follow-up Appointments

Like your car, teeth, and even your financial portfolio, your hearing aids and hearing health can benefit from routine care and maintenance. After a hearing aid fitting, your hearing healthcare professional will likely recommend follow-up appointments. These routine visits offer great opportunities to ask your hearing professional questions, have maintenance performed on your hearing aids,…