Imagine allergy relief with no needles required. For millions of Americans, immunotherapy eliminates problems with year-round allergies. It’s sometimes referred to as “allergy shots.” But did you know that there is an allergy treatment that doesn't require shots? Whether you dislike needles yourself or are the parent of a child who is uncomfortable with needles, this treatment may be right for you! Read on to discover more about SLIT.

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Inadequate sleep is often due to sleep apnea, a condition where the sleeper stops breathing in short intervals hundreds of times during the night.  This disorder affects more than 18 million American adults; it can even affect children. While snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, not everyone who snores has the disorder, which is why it is important to be evaluated by your ENT for an accurate diagnosis. Read about the symptoms and solutions here.

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Did a runny nose keep you from going on that weekend hike? Perhaps a scratchy throat or watery eyes put a damper on your vacation. Seasonal allergies are not only an inconvenience, but they also keep you from enjoying the activities you love. If this sounds familiar, the good news is there’s hope. Through allergy testing, your ear, nose and throat physician learns more about your specific allergy and is able to develop a customized plan for you.

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Under normal circumstances, your nasal and sinus passages work together with streamline efficiency. The sinuses are lined with small, hair-like structures called cilia. When the cilia sway back and forth, they gently escort dirt, mucus and other irritants out of your nose. However, when the sinus passages are swollen due to allergies or sinusitis, the cilia can’t do their job properly, and the resulting mucus buildup could easily result in an infection. In other words, your sinuses become like a slow-draining bathtub. Thankfully, a little salt water can make a huge difference. See how.

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If that gorgeous bouquet of red roses doesn’t smell as sweet as you remember—or if you can’t seem to smell them at all---the culprit may be a grayish, grape-shaped growth in your nose called a nasal polyp. Not only do these polyps dampen your sense of smell, but they also make it difficult to breathe. Even worse, because your sense of smell is closely connected to your sense of taste, not being able to enjoy the aroma of your grandma’s homemade chili means you’ll likely not be able to enjoy its flavor to the fullest.

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Spring sneezes may be the last thing on your mind during the winter, but it’s important to have a health care treatment plan in place before allergy season starts. In many cases, a few preventative measures can help you avoid infections.  Following are the top ten questions you should ask your ENT before spring flowers start blooming!

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Health insurance can be confusing, and no one wants to be stuck with an unexpected bill or unplanned expenses. At Raleigh Capitol ENT, we’re also aware of these uncontrollable changes in health care, and we understand the increased pressure many patients are facing. We’re dedicated to providing any information we can to help patients better understand the multitude of changes that are taking place.

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There are times over the winter holidays when you expect to hear ringing: jingle bells on “Santa’s “reindeer, hand bell choirs preforming traditional carols, or the Salvation Army’s bell ringers. However, there’s an extreme difference between the ringing of outside noises and the constant, annoying buzz or high-pitched squeal associated with tinnitus. For millions of Americans, tinnitus has a devastating effect on the quality of their lives. Learn more about ringing in your ears and how it can be treated.

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Hold your breath for 60 seconds. Wait 30 minutes and hold it again. Now, do that twice an hour for eight hours. It’s difficult to get anything done, isn’t it? Now imagine doing that all night—there’s no way you would get a good night’s sleep! This is the case for many with obstructive sleep apnea. Those with sleep apnea can stop breathing hundreds of times during the night. The result can be deadly. See how it affects your health and how it can be stopped.

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It's a disgusting, gooey substance that builds up in the ear, creating a nasty yellow-brown clump. Earwax is considered gross and unappealing, so everyone makes an effort to keep ears clean. Most of the time, this involves a cotton "Q-tip"-type applicator. But did you know that ear, nose and throat doctors usually advise against using this method? Using cotton swabs could put your hearing at risk. Find out more about earwax, and how it can actually help you.

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