PENN MEDICINE BECKER ENT & ALLERGY – MONROE, NJ

Head and Neck

Head and neck diseases and disorders range from hyperthyroidism to cancer and from sleep apnea to dysphagia, or trouble swallowing. GERD is another disorder that can cause symptoms in the head and neck. 

Treatment options for head and neck disorders at Penn Medicine Becker ENT and Allergy depend on the type of issue. Cancer treatments can include chemotherapy and radiation as well as surgery to remove tumors. Treating thyroid issues can involve medications to regulate the production of thyroid hormones or surgery to remove the thyroid gland if needed.

GERD treatment might involve medications that neutralize, reduce, or eliminate stomach acid. Some people can get relief from GERD symptoms through lifestyle changes. Surgery to treat GERD is usually only performed as a last resort.

Nose and Sinus

You have four pairs of sinuses: two are above the eyes, two are below the eyes, two are between the eyes, and two are in the back of the forehead. When all is well with the sinuses, they are filled with air and lined with a protective mucus layer. When there’s a problem, the sinuses fill with mucus, causing congestion. They can also become swollen and inflamed.

Unfortunately, many people in the U.S. live with chronic inflammation in their sinuses. Ongoing sinus issues can make life uncomfortable and may even limit daily activities. Patients with chronic sinusitis can have postnasal drip, nasal congestion and blockage, and recurring sinus headaches. 

The otolaryngology specialists at Penn Medicine Becker ENT and Allergy offer treatments to ease symptoms of chronic sinusitis. Treatments can start with medications but may end in surgery to correct anatomical abnormalities in the nasal passages and sinuses. These surgeries can include turbinate surgery, septoplasty, or sinuplasty.

Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Most people, at least 50% of the population, snore at least some of the time. For some people, a partner’s snoring can be loud enough to disturb their sleep, requiring them to sleep in separate rooms. People who snore might also experience sleep disturbances as a result of their own snoring. 

In some cases, snoring goes hand in hand with sleep apnea. When a person has sleep apnea, they stop and start breathing many times throughout their sleep. Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, and waking up feeling tired. 

The condition can interfere with a person’s ability to perform tasks at work and affects their overall quality of life. Some people experience difficulty concentrating or find that they can’t stay awake during the day because of their disrupted sleep.

Sleep apnea treatments include oral appliances and CPAP, which is a machine that keeps the airway open during sleep. Surgery can be beneficial in treating sleep apnea in certain circumstances. The head and neck specialists at Penn Medicine Becker ENT and Allergy can help you find the treatment that gives you the best results and a good night’s sleep. 

Allergies

People develop allergies when their immune systems overreact to substances that are usually harmless. The immune response can cause sneezy, itchy eyes, runny nose, and rashes. People occasionally have extreme reactions to an allergen and can go into anaphylactic shock, causing their throat to close up and resulting in trouble breathing. 

Even if allergies don’t cause life-threatening reactions, they can be a nuisance to live with. Allergy symptoms can make it difficult to concentrate at work or go to school. If your allergies are interfering with your life, then it’s time to see an allergist or immunologist in Monroe, NJ. 

An allergist specializes in the treatment and diagnosis of allergies. They can recommend allergy shots and prescription or over-the-counter medications to help manage your symptoms. They can also perform allergy tests to help you determine what substances you’re allergic to.

Ears and Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be gradual or sudden. You might notice yourself having to increase the volume on your TV or asking people to repeat themselves. Or you might suddenly experience a loss of hearing in one or both ears. 

Regardless of how it develops, it’s important to treat hearing loss as soon as possible so you can easily and comfortably interact with the world. Treatment options can include using hearing aids or removing a buildup of wax from the ears. Preventative measures, such as wearing specially fitted earplugs, can reduce the chance of developing hearing loss. 

The experienced audiologists at Penn Medicine ENT and Allergy can help improve your hearing. They work alongside our board-certified otolaryngologists to treat ear issues such as infections and tinnitus.

Voice and Swallowing

A number of medical conditions can cause changes in your voice or can affect your ability to swallow. Voice disorders can change the sound of your voice, make it weaker, or cause you difficulty when you speak. If you have a swallowing disorder, you might gag when you try to eat or drink. 

Becker ENT and Allergy in Monroe, NJ has a team of speech-language pathologists who can work with you to provide therapy and help you get your voice or swallowing ability back. Our board-certified otolaryngologists can also work with you to develop a treatment plan to correct any underlying issues that are contributing to your voice or swallowing disorder.

Pediatric Ear, Nose & Throat

Ear infections, asthma, and tonsil infections are relatively common in children. Although many kids outgrow childhood allergies or asthma, the conditions can be frightening when they cause symptoms. Pediatric ear, nose, and throat issues can impact a child’s quality of life, interfering with their sleep or causing them to miss school.

The pediatric ENT specialists at Penn Medicine Becker ENT and Allergy make it a point to treat our pediatric patients like they were their own kids. They make every effort to help children (and their parents) feel comfortable and at ease during appointments.