Discover the most common respiratory complaints and what we can do to help.

Breathing trouble of any kind can be scary and a little nerve-wracking, especially if you don’t know what’s going on. Regardless of whether this is happening to you, your child or a family member, it’s important that you get the answers you need to improve your respiratory health. Our Wayne, NJ, otolaryngologist Dr. Frank Kardos is here to tell you the most common respiratory problems and how to best treat them when they happen.

Some of the common causes of long-term respiratory issues include asthma, allergies, chronic sinusitis (a sinus infection), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and chronic bronchitis. While those with acute respiratory infections like pneumonia or the common cold may also experience difficulty breathing, if you are dealing with persistent breathing issues then you will want to turn to our Wayne, NJ, ENT specialist to get to the bottom of your symptoms.

Along with chest congestion and difficulty breathing you may also experience:

• A runny or stuffy nose
• A persistent cough
• Wheezing
• Nasal congestion or pressure
• Watery, itchy or red eyes

How will my respiratory issues be treated?

This will depend on the root cause of your respiratory symptoms. Here are some of the best ways to tackle these common breathing problems:

Asthma: Medication is required to get asthma symptoms under control and to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. You will be prescribed a regular asthma medication to take every day to control your symptoms and to reduce inflammation in the airways. You may also be prescribed a “rescue inhaler”, which provides instant relief when you feel an attack coming on.

Allergies: Besides taking measures to avoid coming in contact with the offending allergen, you may choose to take an over-the-counter antihistamine to temporarily alleviate symptoms. If allergies are severe enough, our allergy specialist would be happy to prescribe a medication to prevent flare-ups. We can also recommend a variety of lifestyle modifications to adopt to reduce allergy symptoms.

Chronic Sinusitis: While some sinus infections will go away on their own, once symptoms have lingered for 12 weeks or more it’s considered a chronic infection. Luckily, we can prescribe medications to reduce inflammation and to improve your breathing. In some cases, a procedure known as balloon sinuplasty is recommended for opening up a partially or fully blocked sinus cavity.

If you are dealing with respiratory issues in Wayne, NJ, it’s a good idea to turn to an ENT specialist who will be able to provide you with the quality, individualized treatment you or your loved one deserves. Call us today to schedule an appointment with us.

Dizziness is a symptom that often alarms patients, but in many cases it is caused by a medical issue that can be easily cured with the help of an ENT. The best course of action is to simply go in for a checkup and talk to your doctor about what's going on. If you're currently experiencing bouts of dizziness, especially if they happen often, learn more about the possible causes and seek help with Dr. Frank Kardos or Dr. Gary Hilt in Wayne, NJ.

The Sensation of Dizziness
Dizziness can feel like your head is spinning. It is disorienting and makes you feel light-headed, sometimes to the point where you have to sit down to collect yourself. Dizziness may affect your ability to see clearly and move around safely throughout the day. It may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, headaches, and a general feeling of discomfort.

Possible Causes of Dizziness
Many cases of dizziness are related to problems in the inner ear, which plays a role in keeping you oriented and balanced. Here are some of the possible reasons why you've been feeling dizzy:

- Migraines (intense headaches that are often focused on specific spots on the head). 
- Inner ear infections (may be caused by fluid buildup or a foreign object in the ear).
- A neuroma (benign growth in the inner ear).
- Meniere's Disease (an ear illness that causes periods of dizziness and tinnitus). 
- BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, which is caused by small calcium crystals moving around in the ear).

Getting Help with Dizziness
The first step to treating your dizziness is to pinpoint the source. A thorough head and ear exam will help your Wayne ENT narrow down the exact cause and eliminate other possibilities, like heart disease and metabolic disorders. If the problem is in fact an ear infection, the treatment is antibiotic therapy and removing any foreign matter from the ear. In other cases, you may need anti-inflammatory medication or minor surgery.

Call an ENT for Help
If you're feeling dizzy, don't allow it to continue to affect your ability to work, drive, and live a normal, happy life. The problem could be something that can quickly and easily be cleared up by a Wayne, NJ ENT. Call (973) 956-1200 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kardos or Dr. Hilt.

Losing your hearing can be a very frustrating experience, but working with a trained doctor to correct it can help you feel like yourself again. Only a certified ear nose and throat doctor like Dr. Frank Kardos in Wayne, NJ, can diagnose the presence of hearing loss, but there are certain signs that may help you decide that you need to schedule an evaluation with us. Dr. Kardos explains the causes and signs of hearing loss in this post.

What causes hearing loss?

As you've probably guessed, aging is one of the main causes of hearing loss, although doctors aren't sure why. Genetics may be a factor in these cases. Years of exposure to loud sounds can also take its toll on older adults. Damage to the structures inside the ear may also cause hearing loss, as can certain medications or illnesses. While most cases of hearing loss occur gradually, your Wayne ENT doctor also sees patients who have experienced an immediate loss of their hearing due to being too close to a sudden loud sound, such as an explosive or firearm.

What are some early signs of hearing loss?

Early on, hearing loss can be chalked up to the quality of sound coming from the television or a bad connection on the phone. However, if you've consistently been experiencing one or more of the following situations, hearing loss could be the culprit.

• Certain pitches - high, low, or in-between - are difficult or impossible to make out
• Sounds and words are perceived as muffled or mumbled
• You are often asking others to repeat themselves
• You have been told your TV or radio volume is too loud
• You can't make out a conversation in a crowded room (such as at a busy restaurant)

If you think you may be losing your hearing, it's best to see a doctor sooner rather than later. Contact the ENT office of Dr. Frank Kardos in Wayne, NJ, to have your hearing evaluated.

If you battle sinus issues isn’t it time you got all of your health questions answered?

Most people will deal with sinus problems at some point during their lifetime. The nasal congestion, facial pressure and stuffed up nose may be unpleasant but it will often just go away on its own. Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky. Sometimes sinus issues don’t go away or are serious enough that you may require proper medical care. We know you may have questions about your sinus problems and our Wayne, NJ, otolaryngologist Dr. Frank Kardos is here to answer them.

Q. What is sinusitis?

A. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal passageways that can even lead to a partial or complete blockage. Since this condition is usually the result of a viral infection, the body is able to clear the infection on its own over the course of a couple of weeks.

Q. When should you seek medical attention for a sinus infection?

A. There are simple at-home measures you can take to ease symptoms while your body fights the virus. Of course, if you notice that your symptoms don’t improve or actually get worse after 48 hours of caring for your symptoms then it’s a good idea to call our Wayne, NJ, ENT doctor to find out if you should come into the office for more aggressive treatment.

Q. When is sinusitis considered chronic?

A. If you’ve had inflamed, swollen nasal passages for at least 12 weeks despite proper care then our otolaryngologist may diagnose you with chronic sinusitis.

Q. What are the treatment options available to me to treat sinusitis?

A. The treatment plan you receive will really depend on the type of sinusitis you have (acute versus chronic) and the type of symptoms you have. Acute sinusitis will go away on its own and can be managed through over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants, and nasal sprays. If your sinus infection is bacterial then antibiotics will need to be prescribed.

We may also prescribe a strong round of antibiotics if you have chronic sinusitis. If your long-term sinus infection doesn’t improve with these treatment options then you may need to consider balloon sinuplasty or nasal surgery to clear the blockage.

If you still have questions about sinus treatment, or if you need to schedule an appointment with our ENT specialist, then it’s time you called our Wayne, NJ, sinus treatment center to get the care you need to breathe easier.

An ENT specialist such as Dr. Frank Kardos can help diagnose and offer treatment options for hearing loss in Wayne, New Jersey. Understanding which hearing aid will work best for you or a loved one is no easy task, which is why Dr. Kardos is there to help. He'll suggest the best options to all of his patients, according to your personal needs.

Types of Hearing Aids

The most popular hearing aid is the IIC or invisible-in-the canal hearing aid. This custom-fitted type is inserted further into the ear canal than other types. This is what makes it invisible when it is worn. They are designed to be removed daily to promote the best ear health. They work best for mild to moderate hearing loss. The CIC hearing aid is custom-made to fit completely in the ear canal. However, a small plastic handle shows outside of the canal, which is used to properly insert and remove the device. This also works for mild to moderate hearing loss in Wayne, New Jersey.

The ITC or in-the-canal hearing aid is custom made so that a smaller portion of the hearing aid shows in the outer ear. The ITE or in the ear type shows on the outer portion of the ear and is for individuals who don’t want anything directly in their ear canal.

The RIC or receiver in canal device is barely visible when worn and used for those who seek an open and comfortable fit. The behind-the-ear-hearing aid directs amplified sound into the ear bud.

Ultimately, Dr. Kardos has experience offering suggestions of the best hearing aid option for each of his patients. To learn more about treating hearing loss in Wayne, New Jersey, and to get a hearing aid of your own, call to schedule an appointment today at 973-956-1200.