Category: Uncategorized

By Eugene Chio, MD

Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians | ENT

Sleep apnea is a common but serious condition that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. Left untreated, it can lead to significant health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, excessive daytime fatigue, and poor quality of life. Many people don’t realize they have sleep apnea until a partner notices loud snoring or pauses in breathing during the night.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is typically the first-line treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and is highly effective for many patients. However, not everyone is able to tolerate wearing a CPAP mask throughout the night. Fortunately, there are several alternative treatment options available, including custom oral appliances made by dental specialists and a variety of surgical procedures tailored to each patient’s needs.

One of the most exciting advances in sleep apnea treatment is hypoglossal nerve stimulation. This innovative therapy involves a small implanted device that stimulates the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue movement. During sleep, the device gently moves the tongue forward to help keep the airway open, reducing airway obstruction and improving breathing throughout the night. For carefully selected patients with obstructive sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP, this treatment can significantly improve sleep quality and overall health.

If you struggle with sleep apnea or have been unable to use CPAP successfully, you may have more options than you realize. The specialists at Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians can evaluate your condition, discuss your treatment goals, and help determine which therapy is right for you. Go to OhioENTandAllergy.com today to request a consultation and learn more about your sleep apnea treatment options.

By Michael Goodman, MD

Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians | Allergy and Immunology

It’s not just “in your head”….Ohio, central Ohio in particular, really is rough for allergy sufferers. There are good reasons why that’s the case. First, Ohio has many pollen-producing plants, including trees, grasses, and weeds (e.g., ragweed). The more plants there are, the more pollen there is. Also, mold loves Ohio. The hot, humid summers and the fact that central Ohio sits in a river basin make it a great environment for mold growth. Unfortunately, our urban environment doesn’t do us any favors either. Urban environments tend to have higher temperatures and increased CO2 levels. These two factors can supercharge plants like ragweed, making them much more allergenic than their rural counterparts. Also, the higher temperatures can lengthen pollen seasons, causing you to suffer for longer.

Due to industrial emissions, transportation, shipping, and other factors, central Ohio can experience significant air pollution issues. Air pollution, PM2.5 pollution in particular, has a wide variety of effects that exacerbate allergies. Research suggests it may increase the development of allergies, intensify your reactions to allergens once sensitized, and contribute to airway inflammation in other ways that further exacerbate your symptoms.

Keeping an eye on both allergen and air quality reports can help you navigate central Ohio’s tough allergy and air quality issues. Many weather apps have sections that provide up-to-date information on these factors. Avoiding spending time outside on high-pollen and poor-air-quality days is a good place to start in controlling your symptoms.

By Evan Tobin, MD

Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians

Most kids get a stuffy nose from time to time, usually from a cold or allergies. Because children (and adults) are meant to breathe through their nose, congestion can affect sleep, appetite, and comfort.

If it continues, you may notice:

• Mouth breathing
• Snoring or restless sleep
• Bed wetting can occur
• Hyperactivity
• Over time, possible dental or bite changes

The nose warms, filters, and cleans the air. In children, the adenoids (tissue in the back of the nose) help fight infection—but if they get too big, they can block airflow.

Why Kids Get Stuffy Noses

1. Viral Infection — “A Cold” (Very Common)

Kids can get 6–10 colds per year. These are more common in colder months and in school or daycare settings.

Symptoms:

• Runny/stuffy nose
• Cough or sore throat
• Sometimes low fever

What helps:

• Saline spray or rinse
• Fluids and rest
• Tylenol® or Motrin® for comfort

Antibiotics are not helpful early.

➡️ Call your pediatrician if symptoms last >10–14 days or worsen.

2. Allergies

Triggered by pollen, dust, pets, or mold. Can be seasonal or year round.

Symptoms:

• Sneezing
• Itchy nose (frequent rubbing)
• Clear runny nose
• Congestion

What helps:

• Antihistamines (Zyrtec®, Claritin®)
• Daily nasal sprays (work best with consistent use)
• Saline rinses

➡️ Ongoing symptoms may need allergy testing or specialist care.

3. Sinus Infection

Sometimes follows a cold. Not as common as in adults.

Watch for:

• Symptoms >10–14 days
• Thick drainage
• Nighttime cough
• Facial pressure (older kids)
• Fever, pain/headache, or facial/eye swelling are warning signs that require a doctor call or consultation.
• May require an office CAT scan if becomes chronic.

Usual treatment as for a cold but the patient may need antibiotics.

Enlarged Adenoids

Very common cause of chronic nasal symptoms — like a cold that won’t go away. Often overlooked.

Signs:

• Mouth breathing
• Snoring / poor sleep
• Constant runny nose
• Frequent ear infections
• Nighttime cough
• Simple scope in office can make the diagnosis

Something Stuck (Foreign Body) in the Nose

More common in younger kids.

Clues:

• Drainage from one side only
• Bad smell
• Symptoms that don’t improve

Swollen Nasal Turbinate Tissue

Normal structures inside the nose can become chronically swollen after colds or allergies and block airflow. Allergy and cold treatment can help. Nasal steroid sprays may be recommended.

When to Call a Doctor

Seek immediate care if your child has:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Swelling around the eyes
• Vision changes
• Trouble breathing
• Symptoms not improving after 10–14 days

Bottom Line

Most childhood nasal congestion is caused by colds, allergies, enlarged adenoids, or (less commonly) sinus infections. Most cases improve with simple care.

If symptoms persist or affect sleep and daily life, it’s worth getting checked — effective treatment can be life changing.

The doctors at Ohio ENT & Allergy are happy to evaluate your child. All insurance is accepted, and a referral may not be necessary.

— Dr. Tobin