Research & Publications

Dr. Don Sesso in Philly Voice

Snoring By BergerHenry ENT

Caroline Russock, PhillyVoice Contributor, published an article last Thursday on the Surefire solutions to get your partner to stop snoring.

In the article, Dr. Don Sesso discusses the many treatment options to curtail or eliminate snoring, from changing sleeping positions to using body wedge pillows and mouthguards to outpatient and inpatient surgery.

Others quoted in the article vary their treatments with Chinese medicine, customized herb blends and acupuncture as well as chiropractic that focuses on the mind-body connection.

 

Dr. Donald M. Sesso, D.O. FAOCO is the only fellowship-trained sleep surgeon in the Tri-State area and one of an elite group of six surgeons in the United States with triple certification in the treatment of sleep apnea.

The Top Six Treatments for Sinus Infections

Chronic Sinusitis Deviated Septum Sinus Infections By BergerHenry ENT

Frequent sinus infections can cause facial aches and pains and make it difficult to breathe. In some cases, the sinuses are infected but other conditions can mimic sinus infections, as well. Consulting an ear, nose, throat specialist is often the only way to determine the root cause of the symptoms, get an appropriate diagnosis and receive treatment that will relieve painful symptoms.
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Environmental Dust Can Exacerbate Asthma and Other Respiratory Conditions

Environmental Dust Household Dust By BergerHenry ENT

Dust can be hazardous to your health. It exists both inside and outside the home. Regardless of the climate in which you live, environmental dust can exacerbate asthma symptoms and other respiratory conditions. When it builds up in the home, dust is breathed in continuously. Controlling dust exposure is important to avoid inhaling potentially infectious particles.

The United States has five major climate zones1. They range from a tropical climate in south Florida to dryer climates in the west. Temperatures and humidity vary widely in each climate zone but one thing is common to them all; dust exists and is created daily, posing a potential health hazard.
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A Good Night’s Sleep Can Prevent Serious Health Conditions. So, How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

Sleep Deprivation By Donald M. Sesso, D.O.

Newborn babies sleep most of the time. Many teenagers either resist sleep at all costs or sleep all day. Seniors often have trouble sleeping through the night.

Does that mean that we need more or less sleep in our teen years and less sleep as we age?

Our bodies adapt to less sleep as we get less through the years, but that doesn’t mean it is healthy, or beneficial. Six to eight hours of sleep each night is still the recommended guideline.
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It’s Summer – Should I Be Eating Ice to Cool Down?

Iron Deficiency Anemia Pagophagia By Marta T. Becker, M.D.

It’s summer and during its hot days, we’ve all seen many people chew on ice to cool down. Our question is – is this a good idea?

Ice can keep your mouth cool and moist which helps combat dehydration. On the other hand, old wives’ tales say that chewing on ice will break your teeth and lead to a sore throat. Research shows that chewing ice may be ok – unless you crave ice all the time.
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How Your Children Can Avoid Getting Sick at Summer Camp

Summer Camp Illnesses By Lana B. Patitucci, D.O.

According to the American Camp Association, the illness rate for campers is almost double the injury rate despite rigorous training of camp staff to avoid it.

More than 10 million youngsters1 will attend more than 12,000 summer camps this year, so there is ample opportunity for each camper to catch some type of illness. The basic rule of thumb is to keep your child home if your he or she is sick. This may cause scheduling inconveniences but chances are your child’s health will get worse at camp, not better.

We want your children to remain healthy and happy this summer so here are some tips on how to stay well while enjoying summer camp.
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4 Signs That You May Have a Deviated Septum

Deviated Septum By Alan S. Berger, M.D.

The septum is the wall dividing the cavity in your nose into two halves. When that wall moves too far away from center, it’s referred to as a deviated septum.

80 percent1 of people have a deviated septum but most are asymptomatic. Those who are symptomatic find difficulty breathing, experience headaches, or suffer with chronic sinus infections.

How to know if you have a deviated septum

1: Nosebleeds
If a crooked septum is blocking air from flowing into your nose evenly, one or both sides of the nose cavity can dry out. When the membranes inside the nose are dry it can cause a nosebleed. It’s common to occasionally see a drop or two of blood when blowing your nose. However, if you see more than that, or if a nosebleed occurs every day or so, see your ENT doctor. It may be the result of a deviated septum.
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Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning Mouth Syndrome By Marta T. Becker, M.D.

If you think you have burned your tongue but it doesn’t seem to be getting any better, you may be suffering from burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Generally speaking, a burned tongue will recover in two weeks or less. However, if the symptoms continue for longer than that, it may be a good idea to check with an ear, nose and throat specialist to see if you are suffering from BMS.

What is burning mouth syndrome?
Burning mouth syndrome1 is described as a “burning, scalding, or tingling feeling in the mouth that may occur every day for months or longer.” It may also be accompanied by dry mouth. BMS occurs most commonly after the age of 60 and women are five times more apt to suffer from it than men. Other symptoms of the syndrome can include:

  • Numbness in the mouth that comes and goes
  • Pain in the tongue
  • Pain on the roof of the mouth, or throughout the mouth
  • Pain in the lips
  • A lingering metallic taste in the mouth
  • Altered sense of taste

The amount of pain caused by BMS and its frequency differs for each person. For some, the pain comes and goes while, for others, it is more constant and increases in intensity throughout the day. The pain can last for months or years.
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The Water Dehydration Pinch Test (and the Benefits of Drinking Water)

Dehydration Sinusitis By Lana B. Patitucci, D.O.
Woman holding a glass of water

 
We lose water daily through sweat, urine, stool, and even breathing. We can also experience above-average water loss in summer heat, in higher altitudes, and during exercise. Older adults are at risk of dehydration simply due to the fact that their sense of thirst is not as apparent to them as it was in younger days.

These water losses need to be replenished by, you guessed it, consuming water.

How much water? Well, there’s a simple do-it-yourself test for that which we’ll get to a bit later in this article. But, for now, just remember that your water intake must equal your water output. If it doesn’t, then you risk dehydration.

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Your diet should not be your kids diet

Dieting By Alan S. Berger, M.D.

Diets have been around for centuries. In 1820, Lord Byron, an English nobleman and highly-regarded British poet, initiated the Vinegar and Water diet. In the 1930’s, eating grapefruit with every meal became popular and was referred to as, yes, The Grapefruit Diet (otherwise known as the Hollywood Diet). Other notable diets have included Weight Watchers (1963), Cooke Diet (1975), Slim Fast (1977), Scarsdale Diet (1978), Dexatrim (1979), Fit for Life (1985), Atkins Diet (1992), Zone Diet (1995), and the South Beach Diet (2003).

Whether they work(ed) or not depends on who you ask but one thing remains true for all – diets like these  – the ones intended for adults – are not healthy or intended for children. As the World Health Organization1 states in its training program for health professionals, “Children are not little adults.” They have very special nutritional needs and feeding them an adult’s diet could result in malnutrition, illness or worse.
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Dr. Don Sesso in Philly Voice

Caroline Russock, PhillyVoice Contributor, published an article last Thursday on the Surefire solutions to get your partner …

The Top Six Treatments for Sinus Infections

Frequent sinus infections can cause facial aches and pains and make it difficult to breathe. In some cases, the sinuses are …

Environmental Dust Can Exacerbate Asthma and Other Respiratory Conditions

Dust can be hazardous to your health. It exists both inside and outside the home. Regardless of the climate in which you …