

Li Rui

About me
Graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, engaged in otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery for more than four years.
Proficient in diseases
Diseases diagnosis and treatment in otolaryngology. Specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic sinusitis, otitis media, head and neck tumors, and other diseases.

Voices

How should chronic rhinitis be treated?
Chronic rhinitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease with various clinical symptoms. The common manifestations include nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. In terms of treatment, it initially requires some nasopharyngoscopic and sinus CT examinations, which help to clarify the specific degree of chronic rhinitis and rule out any sinusitis. Generally, oral medications and nasal sprays should be considered, including traditional Chinese patent medicines orally, corticosteroid nasal sprays, and nasal irrigation with saline solution. The general treatment period is about one to two weeks. After medication, regular follow-up checks are necessary to observe the recovery process. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

Is Ménière's disease the same as ear stone disease?
Meniere's disease is not the same as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV); they are two different types of disorders. Meniere's disease is primarily caused by fluid accumulation in the labyrinth, leading to episodic vertigo that typically lasts from 20 minutes to half a day. Most patients may also experience tinnitus and hearing loss, and in severe cases, nausea and vomiting. Overall, it is a common disease that tends to recur. Most patients can control and alleviate their symptoms through medication, but a small proportion may not respond well to medication and might need to consider surgical treatment. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

Early symptoms of Ménière's disease
Ménière's disease is a relatively common inner ear disorder. Its initial symptoms are numerous, with dizziness being the most common, predominantly vertigo. It may also be accompanied by tinnitus, mild hearing loss, and some patients may experience nausea, vomiting, and a feeling of fullness in the ears. There are individual differences in specific symptoms. After the onset, it is recommended to visit an otolaryngology department. Tests such as audiological examination, cochlear electrography, and MRI of the inner ear can be conducted. Through these auxiliary examinations, combined with the patient's clinical symptoms and the doctor's clinical experience, a definitive diagnosis can be made, which is important for subsequent treatment. During the treatment process, regular follow-ups are needed to observe the effects.

How to deal with chronic pharyngitis?
Chronic pharyngitis is a relatively common disease in otorhinolaryngology. First, it is necessary to assess the specific extent of inflammation. It is advisable to visit an otorhinolaryngology clinic for a laryngoscopic examination. If the inflammatory response is mild and personal symptoms are not particularly noticeable, regular follow-up and observation are generally recommended. Additionally, dietary control is necessary, including avoiding smoking, alcohol, and spicy or irritating foods. If the inflammatory response is significant and personal symptoms are severe, medical treatment should be considered. Currently, treatment mainly involves nebulization and oral administration of traditional Chinese medicines, along with self-regulation. Some patients may also consider traditional Chinese medicine treatments. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on specific conditions.)

How to maintain daily care for pharyngitis
Pharyngitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease. In daily life, it is first necessary to maintain a bland diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from smoking, and abstain from alcohol. In terms of treatment, most patients can opt for oral traditional Chinese medicine, and this can be supplemented with nebulization. Throughout the medication process, it is necessary to regularly revisit the ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department to monitor the specific effects of the treatment. It is also advisable to minimize speaking. Frequent overuse of the voice can exacerbate the symptoms of pharyngitis and may even trigger an acute episode of chronic pharyngitis. Overall, pharyngitis can generally be well-managed and alleviated through these daily regimens and medical treatments. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

What tests are done for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
The examination items for nasopharyngeal carcinoma are mainly divided into three types. The first type is imaging examinations, the second type is blood tests, and the third type is endoscopic pathological biopsy. Imaging examinations mainly involve CT or MRI of the nasopharynx and the whole body. If necessary, PET-CT may also be considered to clarify the extent of the condition and determine the presence of neck or distant metastases, which is helpful for diagnosis and adjuvant therapy. The second type involves blood tests, mainly including general biochemical blood tests and virus detection, which can assess the basic functional status of the body. The third type is the endoscopic pathological biopsy, which involves performing a pathological biopsy under nasal endoscopy, primarily to confirm the diagnosis and observe the extent of the lesion in the nasopharynx.

What is acute pharyngitis?
Acute pharyngitis is mainly caused by acute viral or bacterial infection, leading to inflammation and resulting in the swelling and reddening of the mucous membrane in the throat. Common symptoms include sudden onset of throat pain and swelling. If the inflammatory response is significant, it may also be accompanied by fever, difficulty swallowing, a sense of obstruction, or breathing difficulties. Generally, it is a common disease. It may be advisable to conduct a laryngoscopy to inspect the extent of inflammation in the throat and perform a routine blood test to determine whether it is an acute bacterial or viral infection. In terms of treatment, oral medication is usually preferred, and nebulization or traditional Chinese medicine can be considered to target the infection. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)

How to cure pharyngitis completely?
Pharyngitis is divided into several types, with chronic pharyngitis and acute pharyngitis being the more commonly encountered in clinical settings. In terms of treatment, chronic pharyngitis is currently difficult to cure completely. Generally, treatment focuses on controlling the condition, alleviating inflammation, and improving symptoms. The existing treatment methods primarily involve oral traditional Chinese medicine formulas, and may also include nebulization and dietary adjustments. Some patients may opt for traditional Chinese medicine treatments. However, overall, treatment mainly aims at control and relief, and it is still challenging to completely cure chronic pharyngitis with existing medical approaches. Acute pharyngitis, on the other hand, is generally treated with antibiotics or antiviral medications, typically over a period of about one week. Overall, the treatment results are quite good, but there can still be a certain degree of recurrence.

Is hyperbaric oxygen effective for otolithiasis?
Ear stone disease, also known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, does not recommend the use of hyperbaric oxygen for treatment, as the treatment effect of hyperbaric oxygen is not good for ear stone disease and is not clinically recommended. Patients with ear stone disease may consider manual repositioning treatment, which generally has a good treatment effect, and most patients are able to recover. If the manual repositioning treatment is not effective, oral medication may be considered in combination with machine chair repositioning. Through this comprehensive treatment, vertigo symptoms can generally be gradually controlled and alleviated. However, there are a small number of patients with severe conditions for whom conservative treatment is ineffective, and surgery may need to be considered.

How to distinguish between rhinitis and a cold
The distinction between rhinitis and a cold primarily hinges on the following aspects: first and foremost, the specific onset time of the illness. Colds generally occur suddenly and last for a relatively short duration, about a week; whereas the duration of rhinitis may be longer, and some individuals might even experience chronic rhinitis, meaning the onset duration for rhinitis is relatively longer. The second aspect is the symptoms. Cold symptoms may include nasal congestion and a runny nose, but most patients will also exhibit other uncomfortable symptoms, such as sore throat, body aches, or fever. In the case of rhinitis, the primary symptoms are usually nasal, such as congestion, runny nose, and sneezing, and generally, there are rarely any whole-body symptoms. The third method is through an examination of the nasal cavity, which is primarily based on the doctor's experiential judgment. These three aspects essentially allow for the differentiation between rhinitis and a cold.