Ear, Nose and Throat

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  Sleep apnoea in adults

Sleep apnoea matters because:

  • Undiagnosed individuals have a 7 x increased risk of having a road traffic accident.
  • It is associated with hypertension, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Treatment reduces cardiovascular risk.
  Acute sinusitis
Most people with coryzal symptoms have a viral sinusitis which is self-limiting: 0.5–2% of these will go on to develop bacterial sinusitis as a complication.
  Grazax for hay fever
Grazax is a sublingual dissolving tablet containing standardised extract of Phleum pratense grass pollen
  Sore throats
By day 3, 40% of sore throats will have got better regardless of treatment.
  Clinical review of acute otitis media
Twenty five years ago a trainer threw a copy of the BMJ across to his trainee and suggested he take a look at the study on acute otitis media (AOM). The trainee spent some time studying the article by van Buchem and then, being an evidence-based sort of guy, put it into action.
  Glue ear
Glue ear is very common in children. Indeed most children, and many adults, may get an effusion in the middle ear with ear infections and URTIs. However, if this persists (6w seems to be the definition used by most) it earns the label otitis media with effusion. However, it is only really of clinical significance when it impairs function, particularly hearing, speech and language development, or behaviour.
  The common cold
The cure for the common cold has become the philosopher's stone of medicine, a fabled remedy perhaps never to be discovered. Here we look at some recent research regarding the cold.
  Ottorhoea
The discharging ear is a common presentation for us. The 10-minute consultation in the BMJ has recently covered the topic. Is there anything new we should be aware of? Not really to be honest, but here are the salient points!