Richmond’s Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists
Speaking, eating, tasting, breathing – imagine the many things we could not do without a functional mouth and throat. The specialty of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (Ear, Nose and Throat) includes all of the diseases of the mouth, voice box, windpipe and esophagus except for the teeth. As a result, we often collaborate with specialists in dentistry, oral surgery, gastroenterology and pulmonary medicine. If you have hoarseness, swallowing problems, throat pain or snoring lasting longer than two weeks, you should be examined by a specialist.
Tonsils & Adenoids
When children develop recurrent strep throat, chronic infections or airway obstruction from large tonsils or adenoids, surgery may be recommended. The majority of surgery can be safely performed in an outpatient surgery center. We perform tonsillectomies using low temperature Coblation technology, which has been shown to be less painful than traditional cautery devices.
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Snoring & Sleep Apnea
Snoring can be a tremendous disruption to the members of your household, but how does the snorer feel? Many people who snore actually cut off the airway and stop breathing dozens of times per hour, until they wake up enough to reposition their tongue or throat. Sleep apnea is a serious illness that is commonly overlooked in both children and adults. If you or someone you love snores, talk to a doctor.
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Snoring & Sleep Apnea • Positive Airway Pressure (PAP, CPAP)
Voice Disorders
Hoarseness refers to any alteration of the quality of sound coming from your voice box. Primary causes of hoarseness may include viral laryngitis, allergies, smoking, overuse, and acid reflux. Examination may reveal polyps, nodules, tumors, or subtle swelling of the vocal cords. If you have hoarseness that has been present daily for more than two weeks, we recommend a thorough examination.
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Hoarseness • Vocal Cord Polyps & Nodules • Vocal Preservation • Laryngeal Cancer • Vocal Cord Surgery
Swallowing Disorders
Difficulty swallowing can occur with disease in the mouth, throat or esophagus. While symptoms may be caused by neurologic injury, acid reflux, or even cancer, the otolaryngologist has the training and experience to evaluate all of these areas.
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Swallowing Disorders • Gastroesophageal Acid Reflux • Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
Neck Masses
Tumors or growths in the head and neck region may be divided into those that are benign (not cancerous) and malignant (ie., cancer). Fortunately, most growths in the head and neck region in children are considered to be benign. These benign growths can be related to infection, inflammation, fluid collections, swellings, or neoplasms (tumors) that are non life-threatening. The malignant growths, on the other hand, may be life-threatening and cause other problems related to their growth and spread. Even the malignant growths in the head and neck are usually treatable.
Lymph Nodes
If you’re experiencing swelling of the neck or under your chin, lymph nodes may be the culprit. Swollen lymph nodes can result from infections or certain cancers. A variety of treatments may be prescribed depending on the underlying cause. Difficulty breathing and /or swallowing are potential serious side effects and if you’re experiencing either you should immediately seek the advice of a medical professional.
Salivary Glands
The glands are found in and around your mouth and throat. They all secrete saliva into your mouth, the parotid through tubes that drain saliva, called salivary ducts, near your upper teeth, submandibular under your tongue, and the sublingual through many ducts in the floor of your mouth.
Thyroid Nodules
Your thyroid gland is one of the endocrine glands that makes hormones to regulate physiological functions in your body, like metabolism (heart rate, sweating, energy consumed). Other endocrine glands include the pituitary, adrenal, and parathyroid glands and specialized cells within the pancreas.
Throat Cancer
This year, more than 55,000 Americans will develop cancer of the head and neck (most of which is preventable); nearly 13,000 of them will die from it.