Allergy

Pollen allergy / Hay fever Allergies, or allergic diseases, refer to the immune system’s hypersensitivity to something in one’s environment. Some allergies include hay fever, food allergies, dermatitis, allergic asthma and anaphylaxis. Allergy symptoms include itchy eyes, swelling, rash, runny or stuffy nose, shortness of breath and itchy or plugged ears. Common allergens are pollens, grasses, molds, dust mites and pets. Dr. Lollar has completed a fellowship in rhinology and is a board-certified allergist.

Allergy Symptoms

Skin allergies Skin allergies commonly present as bumps, redness, dryness and itchiness. Skin allergies can also overlap with food allergies as some people have contact allergies to certain foods. Common skin allergies include atopic dermatitis, which is a common form of eczema; hives, which can be caused by an allergen or an infection; contact dermatitis,…

Allergy Drops

Allergy drops, also known as sublingual immunotherapy, are overall safer than allergy shots, called subcutaneous immunotherapy, because they aren’t administered with a needle. The principle of allergy drops is the same as allergy shots. It is a long-term treatment that decreases symptoms by increasing the body’s immunity. The patient drips liquid that contains allergens under…

Non-Pharmacologic Therapy

The best way to treat allergy symptoms is to completely avoid allergens. Although this may be impossible, certain behaviors, called non-pharmacologic therapy, can help minimize them. Here are a few simple things you can do to reduce the presence of allergens in your home: o Encase your mattress and pillows in dust mite-proof cases. Wash…

Allergies

Allergies, or allergic diseases, refer to the immune system’s hypersensitivity to something in one’s environment. Some allergies include hay fever, food allergies, dermatitis, allergic asthma and anaphylaxis. Allergy symptoms include itchy eyes, swelling, rash, runny or stuffy nose, shortness of breath and itchy or plugged ears. Common allergens are pollens, grasses, molds, dust mites and…

Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are benign growths that occur on the mucosal lining of the nasal passages. They are typically small and though noncancerous can still cause obstructions of the sinuses, leading to congestion, breathing problems and sinus infections. Signs & Symptoms of Nasal Polyps Some nasal polyps are tiny and cause few problems. Others produce symptoms…

Balloon Sinuplasty

Sinusitis is inflammation and infections of the sinuses – the small, air-filled pockets in the nose and forehead that produce mucus. Symptoms of sinusitis include a runny nose, reduced sense of smell, pain or tenderness around the sinus area, nasal drainage and headaches. Chronic sinusitis is inflammation that persists in one or more of the…

Nasal & Sinus Surgery

The goal of nasal and sinus surgery is to remove infections, growths, injury, or congenital abnormalities in the sinus or nasal cavities to promote drainage and prevent problems like sinusitis, or sinus infections. Types of sinus and nasal surgeries include removal of infected, swollen or damaged tissues, reconstruction of bone to create wider openings for…

Other Nose Conditions

Nosebleeds Nosebleeds (epistaxis) are a common nasal condition that has many causes including dryness, inflammation, injury, high blood pressure and tumors. Treatment for nosebleeds depends on the underlying cause, which is determined by your doctor after an examination. Nasal Irrigations Nasal irrigation systems are devices to flush the nose or sinuses to remove mucus or…

Ears

ears The ear is, of course, the organ that conducts hearing; however, as mammals, we also use our ears for balance. The ear consists of three major parts: the outer ear, which is the part we can see; the middle ear, which transfers sound waves from the ear drum; and the inner ear, which sends vibrations to the brain to be interpreted as sound. The relationship between the ears and the brain is what causes us to perceive sound and sense balance.

Ear Surgery

Ear surgery is performed to treat diseases, injuries and deformations of the ear. There are many types of ear surgeries because there are many problems that can affect the ear. Common ear surgeries include stapedotomy to treat hearing loss, myringoplasty or tympanoplasty to reconstruct damaged eardrums, mastoidectomy to eliminate disease or infection, ear tube surgery,…

Hearing Loss

More than 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. There are three major types of hearing loss, but every individual’s experience is affected by different factors, such as genetics, age and exposure to noise. The three types of hearing loss are conductive, sensorineural and mixed. Conductive hearing loss is maybe due to problems…

Hearing Aids

On average, adults wait seven years before they seek help for their hearing loss. In most cases, hearing aids can be a solution to improve symptoms. Hearing aids are electronic devices that bring sound into the ear and amplify it to a level that the damaged ear can recognize. Though there may be differences in…

Ear Infections

Ear infections can occur when fluid becomes trapped in the middle ear behind the eardrum. They usually occur during or after a cold, infection or allergic reaction when the immune system is compromised. Ear infections can be acute (painful but short in duration) or chronic (recurring infections or a single infection that does not heal).…

Other Ear Conditions

Earwax Removal Earwax, also called cerumen, is produced by glands in the ears to clean, lubricate and protect the ears from bacteria. It is important that the ear produces earwax, but sometimes it produces too much. When this happens, people sometimes stick foreign objects like cotton swabs or bobby pins into the ear canal to…

Tonsils & Adenoids

The tonsils and adenoids are lymph glands made up of tissues, fibers and white blood cells in the body’s immune system. Tonsils are the two round lumps in your throat that the doctor examines when he tells you to stick out your tongue and say “ah.” Tonsils are prone to swelling, soreness and abscesses when…

Head & Neck Masses

Masses of the head and neck can be malignant or benign. It is important to have masses evaluated right away so that if they are dangerous, treatment can start early. There are three major categories of head and neck masses: congenital, inflammatory and neoplastic. Congenital masses are most common in children, but can be present…

Swallowing Treatment

The process of swallowing consists of three phases. The oral phase is the process of sucking, chewing and moving food or liquid from the mouth toward the throat. The pharyngeal phase is the start of the swallowing reflex when food is squeezed into the throat and the airway is closed to prevent choking. The esophageal…

Voice

Our voices are essential for communication. Voice can be manipulated to convey emotion, alert someone of danger and create music. The human voice can create sounds and articulations used in thousands of languages across the world. We use our voices every day without even thinking about how they work. The mechanism that generates the human…

Hearing Test

The process of hearing requires interaction between the ears and the brain. Hearing tests determine whether or not the two are working together, and if not, what exactly needs to be fixed. Sound waves travel through the ear canal and into the eardrum. These waves move at a certain speed (frequency) and have a certain…

Hearing Loss

Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are devices designed to help those with hearing loss hear, process and understand sound. There are many types of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear aids, in-the-ear aids, invisible in-canal hearing aids, extended-wear hearing aids, open-fit devices and bone-anchored hearing aids. Each works differently and is recommended by a doctor based on the patient’s…

Bone Anchored Hearing Device

A bone-anchored hearing device is a specific type of surgically implanted hearing aid that works by transmitting soundwaves directly through the skull rather than through the ear. The bone-anchored hearing device consists of three parts: a titanium fixture, an abutment and an external sound processor. The fixture is surgically implanted into the bone behind the…

Tinnitus Management

Tinnitus is described as an irritating buzzing, humming or ringing in the ears. What many don’t realize is that it is usually a symptom of a greater problem rather than a disease itself. The first step to tinnitus management is to diagnose the underlying issue. Some common causes of tinnitus include impacted wax in the…

Pediatric Audiology Services

Pediatric audiology is the study and treatment of hearing loss in infants, toddlers, and children. Our experts evaluate and treat children of all developmental stages. Our goal is to detect and treat hearing loss in children as early as possible. Since our audiologists work closely with our physicians, we can care for your child’s whole…

Custom Earmolds & Fittings

Earmolds and fittings are an essential service for the health of the ear. While we do provide custom molds to fit hearing aids, we also do fittings for sound plugs, earpieces, earbuds and plugs for swimming, watching sports, listening to music, working, shooting and other activities. Hearing aids come in shapes and sizes as unique…

Ears

The ear is, of course, the organ that conducts hearing; however, as mammals, we also use our ears for balance. The ear consists of three major parts: the outer ear, which is the part we can see; the middle ear, which transfers sound waves from the ear drum; and the inner ear, which sends vibrations…

Nose & Sinus

The nose is made up of bone and cartilage. Some of the major features of the nose are the nasal root, which is where the top of the nose meets the face; the anterior nasal spine, which is the thin bone projection in the middle of the face; and the nostrils, which remain open to airflow and allow the nose to function. The nose sends signals to the brain as inhaled air passes through the olfactory system. This is the sense of smell.

Throat & Neck

The neck is the connector or the head and the torso. It has many essentials roles, including supporting the head. One of the main features of the neck is the throat, which contains the pharynx, or the tubes traveling to the stomach and lungs, and the larynx, also called the “voice box.” The throat and neck work with the mouth, ears and nose as well as many other parts of the body to eat, swallow, breathe and talk. Dr. Johnson received her Fellowship training at Vanderbilt University in Laryngology (voice and swallowing disorders.) Dr. Johnson is the director of our world-class, multidisciplinary Voice Center of the Ozarks.

Allergy

Sleep

The longest a human has survived without sleep is 264 hours, or 11 days. Sleeping is like eating and breathing – it is an essential human function. When you sleep, your body works to maintain your health; in particular, it maintains the health of your brain. During sleep, your body forms new pathways to help…

Thyroid & Parathyroid

The thyroid and parathyroid are endocrine glands near the throat that secrete hormones throughout the body. The thyroid is bowtie-shaped and rests in front of the trachea (windpipe). It uses iodine from food to regulate the body’s energy and metabolism. The parathyroid is a cluster of glands generally located behind the thyroid. They control the…

Pediatric ENT Services

Ear, nose and throat concerns are among the top reasons children go to see their doctors. This is because children are especially sensitive to issues like ear infections and food allergies, and because certain birth defects such as cleft palates must be treated at a young age to prevent complications when older. The best way…