What’s the Difference Between Pharyngitis, Laryngitis and Tonsillitis?
If you’ve been sick with a virus recently, a sore throat may have been one of your symptoms. There are actually three subtypes of sore throat, and they’re distinguished by what part of the throat is affected. The three types are pharyngitis, laryngitis and tonsillitis. Pharyngitis Your throat, also known as the pharynx, is a…
At-Home Balance Exercises for Vertigo
Vertigo is a frustrating and sometimes debilitating condition characterized by extreme dizziness. You may feel like you’re spinning when standing still or have trouble discerning up from down. It can be a common symptom of balance disorders like Meniere’s disease or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). You can strengthen your sense of balance by performing…
What Is Sinusitis and How Do I Treat It?
Do you have a stuffy nose that just isn’t getting better? It may have developed into a sinus infection, or sinusitis. Sinus infections cause facial pressure, pain and overall discomfort, often occurring during or after a cold, flu or allergy flare-up. What Is Sinusitis? There are four air-filled chambers inside your face: two behind your…
What Can I Do to Ease My Throat Pain?
Last week, we discussed the potential causes of a sore throat. Knowing is half the battle, however, so let’s go over some ways you can treat or ease the pain in your throat at home and when you should see a doctor. Hydration and Moisture When your throat is sore for any reason, letting it…
Why Does My Throat Hurt When I Swallow?
A sore throat, characterized by a raspy or burning sensation in the back of the throat, makes necessary activities like conversing and eating painfully uncomfortable. You may feel a sharp pain in your throat when you swallow. You may also lose your voice. Knowing what caused your throat pain is important for treating it. Many…
How To Warm Up Your Voice Before Public Speaking
Do you have a big speech coming up, like a toast at a wedding or a presentation at work? Doing some vocal warm-ups before picking up the mic is highly recommended if you want to sound your best, just like a musician tuning their instrument before a performance. Why Do I Need to Warm Up…
What’s the Difference Between Dizziness and Vertigo?
You’ve probably heard the terms dizziness and vertigo used interchangeably. While vertigo causes dizziness, not all dizziness is vertigo. Let’s look at the difference between the two conditions and how you can manage them. What To Know About Vertigo Vertigo causes dizziness that makes you feel like you or the room is spinning. There are…
What to Know About Phonophobia
Phonophobia is more than just an aversion to loud or jarring noises. It is a condition where certain sounds provoke a strong fear response. Although it shares some features with other auditory sensitivities like misophonia (anger-driven) and hyperacusis (sound sensitivity), phonophobia is distinct in that it is rooted in fear, not frustration or discomfort. Gaining…
What to Know About Earwax Impaction Linked to Chronic Ear Pain
Earwax, or cerumen, is a natural defense mechanism your body uses to safeguard the ear canal. It traps particles like dust and dirt, helping to keep the inner ear clean and infection-free. Typically, earwax migrates outward on its own. However, if it builds up or becomes stuck, it can result in earwax impaction, sometimes accompanied…
What to Know About Pharyngitis
Pharyngitis is a sore, scratchy throat that may make swallowing uncomfortable. This common condition is an inflammation of the pharynx or back of the throat, and it’s usually a symptom of an underlying infection. While most cases are mild and resolve on their own, some forms of pharyngitis require a trip to the doctor. What…