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Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
About me
With over 10 years of experience in clinical otolaryngology, I have accumulated a certain amount of expertise in diagnosing and treating diseases in this specialty. I have a professional perspective on understanding health issues, believing that prevention is better than cure. Therefore, on online platforms, while addressing the concerns of those seeking advice, I am more willing to provide some popular science knowledge on disease prevention. Those in need are welcome to consult.
Proficient in diseases
Allergic rhinitis, pharyngitis, chronic pharyngitis, sinusitis, nasal polyps, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, laryngeal carcinoma, vocal cord polyps, adenoid hypertrophy, chronic tonsillitis, snoring, tinnitus, thyroid nodules, otitis media, etc.
Voices
Is a hoarse voice an indication of throat cancer?
Hoarseness does not necessarily indicate laryngeal cancer because there are many diseases that can cause hoarseness. Common ones include vocal cord nodules, vocal cord polyps, acute laryngitis, chronic laryngitis, vocal cord grooves, and laryngeal cancer. The primary approach should be to visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department in a hospital, undergo an electronic fibrolaryngoscopy, and then determine the specific lesion based on the examination results. It is incorrect to diagnose laryngeal cancer based solely on hoarseness. For instance, some types of laryngeal cancer, such as supraglottic or subglottic, may cause hoarseness symptoms to appear late or even not at all. Therefore, while hoarseness does not necessarily mean laryngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer can potentially cause hoarseness. It is crucial to seek timely medical attention and undergo electronic fibrolaryngoscopy for a basic definitive diagnosis when hoarseness occurs. Apart from diseases of the throat, conditions affecting the thyroid, mediastinum, and esophagus can also cause hoarseness when they progress to a certain stage. Thus, hoarseness is a symptom that can be caused by many diseases, but it is not necessarily indicative of laryngeal cancer. Supraglottic laryngeal cancer, however, can manifest hoarseness as an early symptom. Therefore, it is critical to seek medical attention promptly once this symptom occurs.
Will there be a change in voice after vocal cord nodule surgery?
Vocal cord nodules commonly develop symmetrically at the anterior-middle third of both vocal cords. After the surgery for this condition, the hoarseness in the voice might initially worsen compared to before the surgery, particularly during the recovery period. After the surgery, it's crucial to rest the voice, meaning speaking less. Voice rest also includes proper phonation, which entails speaking correctly or not at all. It is advised to limit speaking to no more than five sentences per day. Moreover, during recovery, the voice may initially sound more hoarse than before the surgery but it should return to a state similar to that before the surgery once fully recovered. If after the surgery and subsequent recovery, the voice does not vary significantly from its pre-surgery state, this is generally the expected outcome. However, it isn't guaranteed 100%, as variations can occur depending on whether adequate voice rest was taken and whether proper phonation techniques were employed post-surgery.
Chronic Tonsillitis Dietary Precautions
In terms of diet, there are several points to note for chronic tonsillitis: First, it is very important to drink plenty of water, which is vital for the maintenance of chronic tonsillitis. As for food, it is necessary to avoid spicy and stimulating foods and primarily adopt a light diet, eating plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins in the body, which is also very important for the prevention and care of chronic tonsillitis. Additionally, try to avoid environments with smoking and alcohol; specifically, do not smoke or drink alcohol, and avoid inhaling second-hand smoke. Pay attention to oral hygiene and rinse your mouth promptly after eating.
Causes of Chronic Rhinitis
The causes of chronic rhinitis are quite complex and not due to a single factor. It often arises from multiple factors after prolonged and repeated acute attacks, leading to chronic inflammatory changes. These changes primarily affect the nasal mucosa, with the most common causes including: First, prolonged and repeated bouts of acute rhinitis that are not thoroughly treated can lead to chronic rhinitis. This also includes some chronic diseases of the nasal cavity and sinuses, such as congenital deviation of the nasal septum, meaning the middle part of the nose is crooked, which disrupts drainage and airflow in the nasal cavity. Thus, when there is an acute inflammation, the secretions cannot be drained timely, eventually causing chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Second, inflammation of nearby tissues and organs can lead to chronic rhinitis, such as chronic tonsillitis and adenoid hyperplasia during childhood. These chronic inflammations can cause secretions in the nasopharyngeal area to irritate and contribute to the chronic inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane, impacting each other. Third, occupational and environmental factors play a role. The living and working environment, along with lifestyle habits, greatly influence the incidence of chronic rhinitis. People who frequently smoke or drink alcohol are more susceptible to this condition. Additionally, if the work or living environment is polluted, dirty, dusty, or exposed to other harmful gases or chemicals, it may also lead to chronic rhinitis. Therefore, the formation of chronic rhinitis involves multifaceted and multiple causes, and the specific reasons should be analyzed based on different patients.
How is acute pharyngitis treated?
The treatment of acute pharyngitis is based on its causes and symptoms. First, it is recommended to gargle with mouthwash, which helps alleviate some throat symptoms. Additionally, it is important to rest, drink plenty of fluids, consume a liquid diet, and avoid foods that are too hot or too harsh to reduce irritation to the throat. Also, minimize speaking to allow the vocal cords to rest thoroughly, which can help alleviate symptoms of hoarseness. In terms of medication, the treatment primarily involves anti-inflammatory and antiviral therapies. Doctors will select the appropriate medication based on your drug sensitivity, routine medication experience, and the seasonal characteristics of the outbreak. Nebulized inhalation treatment is also necessary, which can relieve swelling of the throat mucosa, reduce mucosal swelling, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. If the condition is severe, systemic antibiotics and corticosteroids may be added, and traditional Chinese medicine lozenges can be used to support symptomatic treatment.
How to treat acute pharyngitis symptoms?
The treatment of acute pharyngitis symptoms primarily involves topical medication, systemic medication, and general measures. First, topical treatments mainly include traditional Chinese medicine lozenges, or medications delivered by nebulization, or various mouthwashes, etc. These topical medications mainly provide quick relief from symptoms such as dry throat, sore throat, and throat heat. As for systemic medications, these generally involve the use of antibiotics or antiviral drugs. Doctors will choose different treatments based on their assessment of the condition and what factors they believe have caused the acute pharyngitis. General measures include bed rest, drinking plenty of water, consuming easily digestible food, and avoiding spicy, irritating foods as well as environments with tobacco and alcohol.
How to treat vocal cord nodules?
The main symptom of vocal cord nodules is a hoarse voice, and some people often experience coughing. The cause of vocal cord nodules is related to excessive talking or improper use of the voice, such as in occupations like teachers, salespeople, and singers. Besides voice therapy, another treatment option is nebulizer inhalation, which is used to alleviate symptoms. Commonly used medications include corticosteroids, such as budesonide for nebulizer inhalation treatment, twice a day, one dose each time, but voice therapy is a prerequisite. Without voice therapy and correct voice usage, treatment with medication alone through nebulizer inhalation will not be effective, and the symptoms will not improve significantly. Some patients with vocal cord nodules do not need medication and can fully recover their normal voice and have the nodules disappear just by proper voice therapy and resting the voice for a period. Therefore, voice therapy is the best treatment for this condition.
How to prevent seasonal rhinitis
Seasonal rhinitis, also known as allergic rhinitis with seasonal outbreaks, requires the identification of specific allergens for its prevention. This type of rhinitis is caused by allergies to seasonal factors, so it is necessary to visit an allergen testing center at an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department of a hospital to determine the specific allergens. Then, prior to the season, preventative measures can be taken to avoid contact with these allergens. Medications can be started one or two weeks in advance to alleviate the symptoms of rhinitis. Common medications include anti-allergy nasal steroids and other anti-allergy drugs such as antihistamines and leukotriene antagonists. Nasal steroids are typically administered via nasal spray once or twice a day, and during the prevention period, it can be sprayed once a day.
What department should I go to for adenoid hypertrophy?
Glandular hypertrophy is a common condition in the field of otolaryngology, so for glandular hypertrophy, one should consult the otolaryngology department. The glands are located at the back of the nasal cavity, specifically in the nasopharyngeal area. Thus, when the glands are enlarged, it can cause various related symptoms in the ears, nose, and throat. The most common symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, snoring, mouth breathing, adenoid facies, secretory otitis media, and even suppurative otitis media. Therefore, in such cases, it is essential to visit the otolaryngology department of a hospital, undergo a nasopharyngoscopy to assess the extent of glandular hypertrophy, and decide on the appropriate treatment based on the specific diagnosis.
What will happen if nasal polyps are not operated on?
Nasal polyps are a common pathological change in otolaryngology, mainly caused by chronic inflammatory stimuli such as rhinitis and sinusitis, leading to changes in the nasal mucosa. Nasal polyps are an abnormal structural change. Once nasal polyps occur, emergency surgical treatment is recommended. If surgery is not performed, the polyps will continue to grow larger, altering some of the anatomical structures of the nasal cavity and occupying space, which can impair nasal function. This may lead to nasal congestion, a decrease in the sense of smell, and changes in the external nose, such as a "frog-like" nose; the nose becomes swollen and large, resembling a frog. Over time, due to poor nasal ventilation, this can cause headaches, a heavy head, and other uncomfortable symptoms, therefore urgent surgical treatment is advised.