FAQ - Dr. Maria Giopanou Otolaryngologist (ENT)

What causes nose bleeding when I blow my nose?

The nose has a quite rich blood supply. Therefore, each time we blow our nose the air and the pressure that is applied can cause rupture of small vessels (epistaxis). If the condition persists please ask for some medical advice.

How do we relieve a 'stuffy' nose?

Depending on the underlying reasons and pathology of this condition, there are a variety of methods to cure a ‘stuffy’ nose. Decongestants is one way, though we must avoid an abuse that can lead to irreversible damage of the nose. In any case please ask some medical advice.

I have tinnitus. How can I manage with this pathology?

Tinnitus are noises- like ringing- that are not produced by an external source. It is usually associated with hearing decline in older ages, but can be the result of different pathologies even in young people. A thorough medical examination is absolutely necessary, especially if tinnitus is accombined with other symptoms.

I have noticed some white spots on my tonsils, but I don't have any other symptoms. Should I be worried for an infection?

Possibly these are tonsil stones. They are remnants of food inside small holes of the tonsils that haven’t or couldn’t be washed away.

Usually this situation comes with a quite bad breath that make the patient feel uncomfortable. In similar cases we give instructions concerning a good hygiene of the oral cavity and more.

I was diagnosed with vertigo, but I see no improvement after taking some anti-vertigo pills. What else can I do?

Vertigo is a sensation of spinning and is caused by specific disorders of the balance system. Though medication suppress this system reaction, they can not cure the cause. The balance system can be restored using certain series of exercises that are instructed by your ENT doctor.

I feel pain in my throat when I wake up in the morning.

Morning difficulty in swallowing, accombined with dry mouth or pharynx, is a quite common cmplain.

Usually the pathology behind this condition is a difficulty in nose breathing that is worsened during the night. Therefore these patients are forced to sleep with an open mouth (and wake up with the above mention symptoms). Moreover gastrointestinal problems can also add in this pathology.

Please ask for ENT expert medical advice in order to receive the proper therapy.

Is the correction of a deviated septum a painful operation? Will my nose be swollen?

This is a totally painless operation and does not affect the face characteristics. The patient can return to their normal activities, following the doctor’s instructions.

There is a bulking on my cheek right in front of my ear. I think it worsens during lunch and I feel a kind of pressure in the area. Is this something bad?

This is a characteristic swollen of the parotid gland.

The diagnosis of the possible causes can be made by your ENT doctor. The condition can be managed surgically or not depending on the underlying pathology.

I think I have a hoarseness the last 6 months or so. What is wrong?

Changes in the voice that are not associated with a recent infection, or persist for more 2-3 months, must be medically investigated.

Most commonly we find polyps or nodules on the vocal cords.

In any case a hoarse voice is a reason to visit our ENT doctor for endoscopy of the larynx and any other examination that is needed to identify the pathology.

I think a have a round bulking on my throat (I can touch it) for about two weeks or so. What is the problem?

Such a finding in the throat can be caused by several reasons. The most common is a simple inflammation of the area that causes a reaction of the local lymph nodes.

No matter the possible cause, the patient must seek for medical examination and advice, as soon as possible.

I think I suddenly lost my hearing in my left ear!!!

This is a typical case of sudden hearing loss. The sooner we make a diagnosis of this pathology and give you the proper therapy, the sooner your hearing will return to normal.

My husband snores and complains of tiredness during the day. Can you give him some medical help?

Of course. It is quite possible that your husband suffers from sleeping apnea. This means that there is an obstacle in the upper or lower respiratory track (or both) causing breathing disruption during sleep.

Your ENT doctor , in communication with your pneumonologist, will ask you to perform some examination in order to find the best therapeutic solution.

Occasionally I suffer from inflammations or bulking of my throat right under my chin. I was told I have a problem with my submaxillary gland. What can I do?

The submaxillary gland usually gets inflammed. The most common reason is an abnormal output of saliva due to obstruction the gland’s duct (one or multiple stones, a benign or malignant lesion e.t.c.).

The diagnosis is done with a thorough examination in the office followed by some scans or biopsies (if needed). The condition can be fixed surgically or pharmaceutically, depending on the underlying cause.

Can adults have their tonsils removed or is it dangerous? When will I recover after surgery?

Tonsillectomy can be performed, if necessary, in any age.

The patient must remain in the hospital for one day and then return home and their everyday activities according to doctor’s instruction.

My daughter (3 years old) has recurrent episodes of otitis. Must we perform some kind of operation?

Otitis media is quite common in these ages. The child must be evaluated (number/ frequency of episodes, hearing problems due to otitis e.t.c.) in order to decide if an operation must be performed or not.

After a thorough examination we can either ‘wait and see’ or move on to myringotomy +/- tubes and adenoeidectomy.