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Dr. Michael Burnett Specializes in Problems of the Ear, Nose, Sinuses and Throat.

An ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) is a physician trained in the medical and surgical treatment of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. They have special expertise in managing diseases of the ears, nose and nasal passage sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity and upper pharynx (mouth and throat), as well as structures of the neck and face. ENT is the oldest medical specialty in the United States.

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Ear Wax Removal by ENT Doctor

The Best Ear Wax Removal Techniques According to Doctors

Although cotton swabs are still marketed as being the preferred method of ear wax removal, doctors actually recommend various alternatives in their place. You can gently clean the wax out of your ears while in the shower using a warm, wet cloth – without any soap. There are earwax candling kits that use heat, suction and candle wax to safely remove earwax. However, the following techniques are usually the most suitable and come most highly recommended by doctors.

Vacuum Suction

While you have to be very careful about what you put in your ears, commercially sold earwax removal tools that use the power of suction are deemed to be quite safe. These tools basically use low powered suction to pull the excess wax out of your ears. Safe, fast, affordable, and effective, vacuum powered earwax removal suction tools only require you to swap out their batteries once in a while.

Ear Drops

There are many kinds of medicated ear drops that literally dissolve earwax on contact. Some ear drops have to be used several times a day for multiple days before your ears will be fully clear. This is because these kinds of products are safe and gentle enough to be used on babies and small children. If you have an aversion to putting anything in your ears but you want them to be squeaky clean, try ear drops.

Gentle Oil Cleansing

Earwax is just a buildup of excess dirt, which means that some people’s ears are going to get dirtier than others. Doctors have found that excess earwax will literally glide out of your ears if they are sufficiently lubricated. This is why using generic oils such as glycerin or baby oil can help you to keep the inside of your ears quite clean indeed.

Cotton Swabs

In truth, doctors generally don’t want patients to jab and poke around the inside of their ears, but they make an exception in certain cases. If you can’t use ear drops, don’t like the feeling of oil inside of your ears, and would rather not use a vacuum powdered tool, then traditional cotton swabs are still effective. Use cotton swabs that are very wide on the ends and be very gentle when you clean your ears.

Whatever method you use to clean your ears, just be certain that it is gentle. Earwax isn’t a health hazard unless you let it build up for years. If all else fails, you can just have your doctor do it for you. Make an appointment with the best NYC ENT doctor today if you feel you need help with excessive build up.

The Most Common ENT Complaints in Children

The Most Common ENT Complaints in Children

Some children aren’t yet old or mature enough to be able to sit down with their pediatricians and explain what’s the matter with them. This is why it is important to take any child who appears to be having respiratory, sleep or sinus issues to an ENT straight away. Common ENT related complaints that children have include sore throat, chronic runny noses and respiratory sleep issues.

Children Who Can’t Stay Asleep Throughout the Night

The issue can first appear to be related to disobedience or even restlessness. Eventually, many parents are able to tell whether their kids are getting up several times a night because they can’t stay asleep or don’t want to be in bed alone. Sometimes nasal congestion issues in children can be problematic when they aren’t able to breathe through their noses at night. This ENT related complaint in children is best vocalized in kids from six years of age and above.

Sore Scratchy Throat

Generally, when a child complains of having a sore throat, his or her parents will use cough syrup to dull the symptoms. Since children often get sick, complaints of a sore throat are usually no big deal. On the other hand, no one – especially kids – is supposed to have red, raw, constantly sore throats. This makes throat and tonsil infections one of the biggest ENT complaints that children and their families have.

Post Nasal Drip

A nose that drips mucus for long stretches of time can be quite annoying to adults, so imagine how small children cope. Runny noses go hand in hand with post nasal drip, and the symptoms are not always easy to manage. If a child is suffering from allergies, post nasal drip can go on and on without an end in sight. This is another reason for concern for children, their parents and ENT doctors.

Earaches in Children

Earaches can be quite severe, especially for children who cannot vocalize what they are going through. Sinus infections that can masquerade themselves as headaches and often include earache as a symptom. Any child who is sensitive to sound and complains of headache could easily be suffering from an earache.

The most common ENT complaints in children also happen to be common with adults, and they all require the treatment of trained ENTs. The fact of the matter is that the ears, nose and throats of developing children work similarly in adulthood. Make an appointment with the best ENT doctors in NYC today if your child is experiencing any of these symptoms.

Best ENT doctor for Snoring NYC

How to Treat Snoring Naturally

At times, people snore simply because they are in a deep state of sleep. Snoring can also occur after a long period of physically exerting yourself. However, when snoring is loud and constant you might want to review your natural treatment options. In childhood, snoring is often successfully treated with tonsillectomy procedures. This procedure is also suggested to some adults when snoring becomes an issue. Try out these natural treatments before considering surgery.

Clear Your Nasal Passageways

If you go to bed congested, there is a big chance that you are going to end up snoring throughout the night. Even if you don’t feel particularly congested you can do a couple of things so that snoring is kept to a minimum. Nose strips that help to keep your nasal airways open can be worn to sleep, preventing you from snoring in most cases. Sleeping in a bedroom that contains a humidifier will also prevent congestion. Fans, open windows and air purifiers will all be your friend when you want to avoid becoming congested in your sleep, and thus keep you from snoring naturally.

Sleep on Your Side

A lot of people who snore tend to sleep flat on their backs. While this position may feel most comfortable just as you fall asleep, it can lead to you struggling to catch your breath as you rest. Try going to slumber on your side or even on your stomach to naturally treat a snoring issue. It can take time to adjust to sleeping in a new position so use body pillows or even sleep with your back against the wall at first. Eventually, your body will get used to the change and you will be able to sleep soundly without snoring.

Wear a CPAP Mask

When constricted airways are the cause of snoring, the only other natural treatment option available is CPAP machines. By wearing a CPAP mask when you sleep, you are guaranteed to keep a healthy flow of air going into your airways. Sleeping with a mask can take some getting used to but it is also the most effective way of avoiding snoring.

If you snore, you may have sleep apnea or you could have constant nasal congestion. Either way, it is better to be safe than sorry so go see an ENT and get checked out. Your snoring issue may only be a nuisance now, but it can become more serious with time. Go and visit the best NYC ENT doctors and make an appointment today.

Nasal Congestion

The Treatment Options for Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion can be quite unpleasant, especially if it is prolonged. Normally, a stuffy nose is alleviated by getting a tissue and blowing out the mucus. Severe nasal congestion on the other hand can follow you for days at a time. Sufferers have a few different ways that they can treat their nasal congestion issues. Some solutions are completely naturally, others require the assistance of ENTs, and other options only require a trip to the local drugstore.

Holistic Remedies for Rhinitis

When you wake up with nasal congestion, you usually just hope that your nasal passages will become unblocked as time passes. Sometimes just getting up and walking around helps the mucus to drain and enables you to breathe in normally. In the event that time doesn’t help, you can try several holistic remedies. Drinking tea with lemon and honey isn’t just good for treating the common cold – it can help to clear your sinuses as well. Peppermint in all forms helps with congestion as well, so drink your peppermint tea and use peppermint oil to feel better naturally.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Whether you are experiencing nasal congestion because the seasons are changing and your allergies are flaring up, or you can’t seem to get rid of a nasty cold, sometimes over-the-counter drugs work well. For the most part, any medication you would buy over-the-counter for nasal congestion is just going to help lessen the symptoms and not treat the root cause. On the other hand, over-the-counter drugs provide symptom alleviation so that you feel good enough to let your body do all the work.

Visiting an ENT

If your nasal congestion has been chronic, long lasting and unrelenting, you need to see an ENT. Nothing else that you try at home is going to provide sufficient relief. If you have nasal congestion because of nasal polyps, an ENT can perform a procedure that will have you breathing freely in no time. In the event that allergies are the culprit, your ENT can tell you what you are allergic to and give you prescription medication that can really help.

Remember that nasal congestion can possibly be a sign that you are not yet over the flu or you could be congested because of allergies. It is perfectly okay to try to treat your nasal congestion but don’t avoid seeing a doctor if things don’t get better.

If you suffer from Nasal Congestion, see the best ENT doctors in NYC by scheduling an appointment as soon as you can.

NYC ENT Doctor for Bad Breath – Halitosis

What is Halitosis?

Make no mistake about it – bad breath can be difficult to eliminate because it starts inside of the body. Halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath, can persist even if you have immaculate oral health habits. You may be eating the wrong foods, be experiencing the unpleasant side effects of a new prescription medication, or simply have something strange going on in your digestive system.

Whenever your breath is unpleasant, you are suffering from halitosis. Sometimes chewing a piece of gum can make your breath smell better. In other cases, avoiding eating certain foods can do the trick. Realize that halitosis isn’t just a matter of your breath smelling bad to other people. If you can smell your own breath and it makes you raise an eyebrow, you should work to get a handle on things.

Causes

Most of the time, halitosis starts in the throat and mouth. If you don’t brush your teeth regularly enough, plaque and trapped food can make your

mouth smell awful. People who fail to gargle can also experience halitosis as the throat is a breeding ground for bacteria. Sometimes digestive troubles are the root cause of halitosis as well.

Signs and Symptoms

The most obvious sign of halitosis is bad smelling breath. You might also find that your mouth has a funny aftertaste whenever you experience halitosis. This could be because an abundance of bacteria are living and reproducing there. If you burp and then develop an unpleasant flavor in your mouth, this is also a sign of halitosis. When halitosis is related to the digestive system, you might start to develop a body odor that permeates through your skin. Yet another unfortunate symptom of halitosis is when other people around you tell you that your breath smells unpleasant.

Treatment

The vast majority of halitosis sufferers can self-diagnose and eliminate their symptoms. It could involve changing their toothpaste brands, using water picks to get rid of food between teeth, or even changing their diets. Unless your doctor has specifically told you that halitosis requires medical intervention, you can treat it on your own.

It may start in your mouth, but your breath goes out into the environment, so you should see to it that it remains fresh. When brushing alone doesn’t fix things, go to see an ENT. Visit an experienced ENT to learn more about practical solutions for halitosis.

ENT doctor for Tinnitus NYC

What is Tinnitus?

When damage occurs to the inner part of the ear, tinnitus can develop. Imagine going to a concert and standing towards the very front of the stage, right next to the speakers. At first, the music may sound very loud but after a while, you get used to the volume. It won’t be until after the concert is over and you end up shouting instead of speaking that you realize exactly what you put your ears through. Go to enough concerts and stand right by the speakers enough times and you can develop tinnitus.

Unlike traditional hearing loss, tinnitus only describes damage that occurs to the tiny hairs located on the inside of the ear canal. Normally, sound is interpreted by the human ear when these tiny hairs vibrate. When tinnitus occurs, an annoying buzzing sound can replace certain frequencies, causing irritation. It isn’t to be confused with hearing loss as you can hear perfectly fine and still have tinnitus.

Causes

The only way to develop tinnitus is to damage the inner part of the ear indirectly. What this means is that tinnitus is caused by exposure to high volumes and loud sounds over a long period. If you work in construction and use tools like jackhammers, tinnitus can develop if you don’t wear protective ear buds. Musicians are also prone to develop tinnitus as they can be exposed to music that goes well over the standard decibel level recommended by doctors. If you listen to your music too loud or watch television at heightened levels, there is a chance that tinnitus could develop.

Signs and Symptoms

Any time you hear a ringing sound in your ears that doesn’t go away, you should consult with a doctor. Sometimes people can experience

periods of hearing loss or ringing in the ears and not have tinnitus. If you hear ringing sounds that don’t go away after you yawn, take a nap and get away from all audio devices, you might be suffering from tinnitus.

Treatment

There aren’t any known treatments for tinnitus that alleviate all the symptoms or reverse the disorder. On the other hand, some medications are known to provide sufferers with relief and lesson the ringing sensations they experience. If tinnitus is paired with hearing loss, then sometimes hearing aids can be helpful.

Treatment options for tinnitus exist, but you do have to see an ENT. It is best to reach out and get help as soon as you are experiencing symptoms. Get treatment for tinnitus by contacting the best ENT doctors in NYC.

What Causes Recurring Nose Bleeds?

Getting a nose bleed every once in a while is perfectly normal, but when they occur frequently there might be reason for you to visit an ENT. When a nose bleed comes, it is usually fast, hard and messy. Thankfully, nose bleeds almost always stop as quickly as they start. If nose bleeds are occurring several times a week you should be checked out by a doctor right away. Here are some of the main reasons behind recurring nose bleeds.

Excessive Nose Picking

Strangely enough, picking your nose can lead to recurring nose bleeds. For some people, nose picking is a pathological and involuntary behavior. Others will even ‘pick’ their noses with q-tips in an attempt to keep them cleaned out. Blowing your nose is the safest way to eliminate mucus and keep your nose tidy. Even then, you should be careful about the pressure that you apply to your nose.

Nasal Passageway Dryness

In the winter, recurring nose bleeds become more common in some people simply because the air is drier. When the inside of your nose dries out, it is more susceptible to cracking and bleeding. You can try nasal irrigation as a means of keeping your nasal passageways moist and healthy. Humidifiers are also good for helping to combat dry air and nose bleeds during the winter months.
Inability to Clot Blood

If your nose bleeds frequently and it takes a long time for it to stop, you might have blood clotting issues. Some blood disorders such as hemophilia can make something as innocuous as a nose bleed potentially deadly. Try gently pinching your nose and tilting your head back to see if that slows the bleeding. If it doesn’t you may need to see if you are having issues with nose bleeds or if you are experiencing a symptom of something larger.

Cancer and Leukemia

Frequent nose bleeds have been directly linked to the early stages of some types of cancer and leukemia. Nose bleeds are not meant to occur on a regular basis. Because there are sometimes very few signs attached to cancer, you should consult with your primary care physician to learn why you are having recurring nose bleeds.

When a nose bleed starts and stops suddenly, you may become alarmed. It is only when the same thing happens repeatedly within a short space that you should become concerned. For help diagnosing the cause of your nose bleeds, visit the best ENT doctor in NYC to make an appointment today.

Contact us at 212-867-4813 to schedule a consultation.

What is Tonsillitis?

Believe it or not, but if you are having trouble with your sinuses, you are also probably having issues with your tonsils. Located behind the tongue, tonsils serve a limited number of purposes. People can live perfectly normal lives with and without tonsils, which is why tonsillectomy remains a common treatment method for tonsillitis.

What is Tonsillitis?

When you get a sore throat, you might gargle with salt water or take over the counter cold medicine to make your symptoms go away. While you might seek to treat the entire throat area, inflammation in the throat may occur in the tonsil region. These two fleshy pieces of tissue move as you talk, sing, eat and drink. Anything can lead to their irritation, which is commonly referred to as tonsillitis.

Causes

The main cause of tonsillitis is sinus infection or congestion. When you get a stuffy nose, the mucus comes out when you blow it, but it also impacts the tonsils. Remember, mucus is a waste product that your body wants to get rid of. It contains dirt and germs that can lead to a bacterial infection – which is exactly what tonsillitis is. When your tonsils get infected, your entire immune system is at risk.

Signs and Symptoms

The easiest way to tell if you have tonsillitis is to feel for swollen lymph nodes. Gently apply pressure to the outside of your neck, at the point located just below the jaw bone. If the area feels tender, swollen and sore when you touch it, you likely have tonsillitis. Additionally, tonsillitis symptoms include lethargy, sore throat, and sometimes low-grade fever.

Treatment

Most of the time you won’t need to take antibiotics in order to get rid of tonsillitis. The bacterial infection generally resolves itself naturally in less than a week. If your doctor does order a round of antibiotics, it is likely because you have a weak immune system. Those who repeatedly come down with tonsillitis might need to have them fully removed in order to feel better permanently.

Experiencing swollen, sore tonsils is never fun but most infections only last a matter of days. You can try wearing facemasks out in public if you are susceptible to these kinds of infections. Otherwise, consult with an ENT for more options. Take care of your tonsils and you will have a much stronger immune system, leading you to have fewer illnesses. Schedule your consultation today with a world class NYC ENT.

Contact us at 212-867-4813 to schedule a consultation.

What is Vertigo?

As a small child you may have stood in place and spun into a circle, making the world around you whiz into a blur. After coming to a stop, everything continued to spin, and you likely had trouble maintaining your balance. This, in a nutshell, is the best way to describe what vertigo feels like.… Continue Reading

What Are Nasal Polyps?

They can’t be seen by the naked eye, but nasal polyps reside deep within the nasal passages. Normally, air flows between the nose, throat and mouth uninhibited. Nasal polyps hang like stalactites from the inside of your nasal passages, and they can cause you to feel like you are always congested. Because they can’t be… Continue Reading

Michael C. Burnett, MD

115 East 57th Street
(Between Park + Lexington Ave.)
Suite 600
New York, NY 10022

212-867-4813