ENT and Allergy Center

12/16/2025

🤧 Chronic Rhinitis: It’s Not Just “A Stuffy Nose”

If you deal with ongoing congestion, runny nose, sneezing, or post-nasal drip—you may have chronic rhinitis.

👉 The key to feeling better? Consistency.

Nasal sprays work best when used DAILY, not just on the days you feel miserable.
Waiting until you’re completely stuffed up makes them less effective.

💧 Saline is your nose’s best friend:
• Moisturizes dry, irritated nasal lining
• Washes out allergens, dust, and irritants
• Helps clear crusting and thick mucus
• Preps the nose so medicated sprays work better

✨ Think of nasal care like brushing your teeth—routine matters.

If your symptoms linger despite consistent treatment, it may be time for a deeper look and a personalized plan.

12/11/2025

🩸 Let’s Talk Nosebleeds (and How to Prevent Them!)

Nosebleeds are super common—especially in the winter when the air gets dry—but they can still be annoying and sometimes a little scary. The good news? Most are easy to prevent!

Why do nosebleeds happen?
Your nose has lots of tiny blood vessels close to the surface. When the inside of your nose dries out or gets irritated, those vessels can crack and bleed.
Common triggers: dry air, allergies, frequent nose blowing, picking, colds, sinus infections, and even certain medications.

Simple Ways to Prevent Nosebleeds:
👃 Keep the inside of your nose moisturized.
• Use saline spray 1–2× daily
• Apply a thin layer of saline gel or Vaseline
• Run a humidifier in your bedroom at night

☀️ Stay hydrated.
Drinking plenty of water keeps your mucus membranes from drying out.

🤧 Be gentle with your nose.
• Avoid aggressive blowing
• Don’t pick the inside of your nose (kids especially!)

🌿 Manage allergies.
Allergy control cuts down on inflammation and irritation.

🚫 Avoid smoke exposure.
Smoke dries out and irritates nasal tissue, making bleeds more likely.

If you do get a nosebleed:
Lean forward, pinch the soft part of your nose, and hold steady pressure for 10–15 minutes. No tilting your head back!

If nosebleeds happen frequently, last a long time, or are happening on just one side repeatedly, it’s a good idea to get checked out by an ENT or your provider.

12/11/2025

There is a snowball effect - the impact of loud noise exposure on children goes beyond hearing loss.

In an op-ed for MedPage Today, AMA president and otolaryngologist Bobby Mukkamala, MD, warns of the risks associated with "prolonged high-volume noise, particularly through headphones and earbuds."

http://spr.ly/61847hc5e

12/09/2025

🤧 What Actually Causes Sinus Infections?

Most sinus infections start as viruses (just like the common cold!).
Only about 2% turn into bacterial infections — which means antibiotics aren’t helpful for most people.

⸻

Viral vs. Bacterial: How Can You Tell?

It’s not always obvious, but these patterns can help:

Viral sinus infections:
✔️ Usually improve on their own in 7–10 days

Bacterial sinus infections are more likely if:
⚠️ Symptoms last >10 days with no improvement
⚠️ Symptoms get worse after 7–8 days
⚠️ You have high fever (102°F+) and thick colored drainage for 3–4 days
⚠️ You start to feel better, then get worse again (“double sickening”)

⸻

When Do You Actually Need Antibiotics?

You may need them if you meet the patterns above — but most people don’t.
Antibiotics offer only small benefits, and they can cause side effects or contribute to resistance.

⸻

So What Helps You Feel Better?

These treatments help whether it’s viral or bacterial:

• OTC pain relievers
• Saline nasal rinses
• Nasal steroid sprays
• Short-term nasal decongestant sprays (no more than 5 days)

⸻

When to Call Your Provider 📞

Reach out if:
• You’re not improving after 7–10 days
• Your symptoms get worse at any point
• You develop high fever, severe headache, or vision changes
• You’re unsure what to do next

⸻

Most sinus infections get better with time and good symptom care — not antibiotics.
If you’re unsure, your healthcare provider can guide you on the best plan for your situation

11/28/2025

ENT and Allergy Center will be closed
Friday, November 28

11/27/2025

Huge news! ENT & Allergy Center has been nominated in 6 categories in the 2025 Best of Northwest Arkansas online poll!
If our team has helped you breathe easier, hear better or simply feel more like yourself, please take a moment to vote. You can vote once per day through Friday, December 12!

Vote once per day through December 12

11/13/2025

🌟 Happy Nurse Practitioner Week! 🌟

This week, we celebrate our incredible Nurse Practitioner,Haley, whose expertise and compassion make such a difference for our patients every day.

Haley joined The ENT and Allergy Center in 2013 after two years in Family Medicine and has since become an integral part of our team. She finds it especially rewarding to treat otolaryngic allergy, helping patients achieve better surgical outcomes and long-term control of chronic conditions.

Haley earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rockhurst University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Indiana State University. She is board-certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a Certified Otorhinolaryngology Nurse, Certified Asthma Educator, and an active member of multiple national specialty organizations.

We’re so grateful for Haley’s dedication, expertise, and the compassionate care she provides every day. 💙👩‍⚕️

11/11/2025

In honor of Diabetes Awareness month here is some information about diabetes and hearing loss.

Did you know that more than 37 million people in the United States have diabetes. Research shows that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes as it is in those who don't have diabetes.

High blood glucose levels, associated with diabetes, cause damage to the small blood vessels in the inner ear, similar to the way in which diabetes can damage the eyes and the kidneys.

If you are a diabetic and experiencing hearing loss, you are encouraged to seek help from an audiologist.
From a full hearing exam, you'll learn more about your hearing loss. You will also be told what can be done to treat it. Call (479)587-0088 to schedule your hearing examination today.

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 Honoring Our Veterans 🇺🇸
Today, we pause to honor and thank the brave men and women who have served our country. Your courage, dedication, and sacrifice protect the freedoms we enjoy every day.

From all of us at the ENT & Allergy Center, thank you for your service and commitment. We are deeply grateful for all you have given to our nation. ❤️💙

10/18/2025

A 3-year-old girl who underwent a breakthrough gene therapy treatment to treat profound hearing loss can hear on her own, two years after the treatment.

Read more: https://abcnews.link/s2n3i78

10/17/2025

Let’s talk NASAL DECONGESTANT SPRAYS 🚨

Products like Afrin (oxymetazoline) or Neo-Synephrine can give fast relief when you’re miserably stuffy… but there’s a catch.

Using them longer than 3 days can trigger something called rebound congestion (a.k.a. rhinitis medicamentosa). That means the spray ends up causing more swelling and blockage, and patients get stuck in a cycle of constantly needing it just to breathe.

I see this all the time—someone starts it for a cold or allergies, then weeks later they can’t stop and nothing else works.

✅ Safe tips:
• Use only 2–3 days max
• Switch to steroid nasal sprays, saline rinses, or allergy treatment for long-term help
• If you’re already “stuck” on a decongestant spray, talk to your provider—we can help you taper and heal the lining of your nose

Short-term relief should never become a long-term problem! 👃
If you’re hooked on a decongestant consult our office for strategies to come off of it and manage your congestion!

10/17/2025

Look at the break we’re about to get from the pollen! 🎉