Many people are all-too familiar with acid reflux and how it can potentially affect us. We know the classic symptoms of indigestion and “heartburn” (GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease). Some of us experience less common symptoms that affect the throat, such as chronic cough, throat clearing, hoarseness, a feeling of a lump in the throat, and post-nasal drip (LPR or laryngopharyngeal reflux disease). (more…)
Located over the forehead, between the eyes, over the cheeks and behind the nose, the sinuses are air cavities in the skull that are surrounded by bone and lined with mucous membranes, the “skin” that covers the inside of the nose and sinuses. This membrane has glands that produce mucous, and hair cells (“cilia”) that move the mucous and filter the air. The sinuses and the nasal cavity—whose job it is to warm and filter the air as it passes through the nose during breathing—produce 1 liter of mucous daily, which naturally moistens the nose and throat and helps in the initial process of food digestion. When the mucous gets trapped in the sinuses and/or the sinuses are not breathing well, sinus pressure and possibly sinus infections will occur. (more…)
Guest post by Danielle Jardine, MD
National Handwashing Awareness Week is December 7-13. Make sure you are washing your hands the right way to prevent the spread of cold and flu this season.
When you see that sign in the restroom with instructions on how to wash your hands, you can’t help but roll your eyes, right? It’s OK to admit it. We all know the best way to wash our hands and how important this simple act is to helping us stay healthy and avoid disease. At least that’s what many people think. (more…)
Polycystic ovary syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is one of the most common female endocrine disorders.
A syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that occur together to characterize a particular condition. The definition of PCOS includes irregular periods, signs of excess androgenic hormones (masculine hormones) such as acne and excess hair growth, and an exclusion of other causes of an elevation of androgens. Although the name indicates the presence of cysts on the ovaries, not all women with PCOS have cysts (and not all women with ovarian cysts have PCOS). (more…)
Summer is the season when New Yorkers tend to eat more fruits. Certain fruits, vegetables and nuts can cause oral itching and other symptoms in people with various pollen allergies, particularly tree pollen. The symptoms, which may also include nasal, eye and even gastrointestinal symptoms, usually occur within minutes of eating the food. Rarely, the food exposure can result in anaphylaxis, a more generalized life-threatening reaction marked by low blood pressure, hives and wheezing. (more…)
One common complaint I hear from patients in my practice is the sensation that their heart skips a beat, or that every once in a while they experience an unusually strong heartbeat. This can be felt in the chest or even in the neck. (more…)