Why does my child have chronic ear infections? Nothing seems to help!

Ear infection – The inflammation of the middle ear, in children is a common occurrence AND a common cause of hearing loss. It is important to properly treat infections; this usually includes antibiotics to fight the infection combined with an antihistamine and/or decongestant. If prescribed medications do not eradicate infection, your physician may recommend the insertion of ear tubes. Ear tubes are inserted into a small incision in the eardrum. The tube keeps fluid from accumulating and gives the Eustachian tube opportunity to heal and return to normal; this may take many weeks or months. Contact the practice of Dr. Edward B. Ermini at 910-738-4226 for a consultation and examination to determine if your child is a candidate for this procedure.

Help! I am having problems sleeping through the night. My husband complains because I snore so loudly. What’s the problem, and can you help?

Only a complete consultation and examination can diagnose your issue. However, you may be experiencing sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by a reduction or cessation (pause of breathing, airflow) during sleep. It is common among adults but rare among children. The treatment of sleep apnea may be either surgical or nonsurgical. Contact the practice of Dr. Edward B. Ermini at 910-738-4226 for consultation and diagnosis of your issue.

I have had several dizzy episodes lately. I had an uncle who suffered from vertigo; could I have the same thing?

In general, physicians refer to dizziness as a feeling of being woozy, drunk, unsteady, or giddy. Although patients often use the word dizziness to describe balance or inner-ear problems, it is typically not caused by a disorder of the inner ear. Vertigo, on the other hand, is characterized by hallucination of motion that can be linear (straight ahead), falling, or rocking. It is often described as a spinning, turning, or whirling sensation. What's more, the spinning may be one of self-rotation (subjective vertigo) or rotation of the surrounding environment (objective vertigo). In most cases, the symptom of vertigo implies a disorder of the inner ear or vestibular system. Only a complete consultation and examination can diagnose your issue. Contact the practice of Dr. Edward B. Ermini at 910-738-4226 for your consultation.