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Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
About me
With over 10 years of experience in clinical otolaryngology, I have accumulated a certain amount of expertise in diagnosing and treating diseases in this specialty. I have a professional perspective on understanding health issues, believing that prevention is better than cure. Therefore, on online platforms, while addressing the concerns of those seeking advice, I am more willing to provide some popular science knowledge on disease prevention. Those in need are welcome to consult.
Proficient in diseases
Allergic rhinitis, pharyngitis, chronic pharyngitis, sinusitis, nasal polyps, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, laryngeal carcinoma, vocal cord polyps, adenoid hypertrophy, chronic tonsillitis, snoring, tinnitus, thyroid nodules, otitis media, etc.
Voices
Adenoid hypertrophy is caused by what?
Adenoid hypertrophy can be divided into physiological and pathological hypertrophy. Physiological hypertrophy is a normal part of everyone's development. It begins at the age of three, peaks at about seven, and gradually shrinks around the age of ten. Pathological hypertrophy, on the other hand, often occurs on the basis of physiological hypertrophy, followed by inflammatory stimuli. Factors such as viral infections, colds, and allergic reactions are the main causes of pathological adenoid hypertrophy. This type of hypertrophy can lead to poor respiratory function, symptoms such as snoring during sleep, nasal congestion, and a runny nose. If the enlarged adenoids block the Eustachian tube, it can also lead to secretory otitis media.
Do you need to be hospitalized for nasal polyp surgery?
The surgery for nasal polyps is performed under general anesthesia using endoscopic techniques to excise the polyps. The procedure places high demands on the patient's overall health, but typically yields good results. As such, hospitalization is required for nasal polyp surgery, as it often involves additional procedures such as sinus opening and correction of a deviated nasal septum. Nasal polyps are generally caused by sinusitis, rhinitis, or chronic inflammation over a long period of time. Simply removing the nasal polyps may lead to recurrence. In order to thoroughly treat nasal polyps, and address chronic inflammation, sinus issues, and anatomical abnormalities such as a deviated nasal septum, specific treatments are required during surgery. This not only effectively eradicates the nasal polyps but also helps prevent their recurrence. Therefore, hospitalization is required for this type of surgery.
Does adenoid hypertrophy cause a runny nose?
Adenoid hypertrophy can cause a runny nose, which is a very common symptom of adenoid hypertrophy. Since the adenoids are located at the back of the nasal cavity, specifically in the nasopharynx, the mucus secreted by the nasal cavity normally flows backward, precisely to the back of the nasal cavity, passing over the adenoids. When the adenoids are enlarged, they block the drainage pathway of the mucus, causing most of it to flow out from the front of the nasal cavity. Therefore, adenoid hypertrophy can lead to a runny nose, which is one of its symptoms, and can also cause related symptoms of rhinitis such as nasal congestion. After nasal congestion, it may lead to various other manifestations, including snoring.
Do vocal cord polyps hurt?
Vocal cord polyps are a very common condition in otolaryngology. They generally do not cause pain because they are a disease caused by talking excessively or improper pronunciation over the long term, rather than an acute inflammation. Therefore, pain from vocal cord polyps is rare. The main symptom is hoarseness. Vocal cord polyps are caused by excessive talking, which over time leads to thickening of the mucous membrane on the surface of the vocal cords and even hyperplasia, forming minor lesions. This can cause incomplete closure of the glottis, resulting in hoarseness, difficulty reaching high notes, and other related symptoms. It is very rare for vocal cord polyps to cause pain, and this is not a main symptom.
How are vocal cord polyps caused?
The main causes of vocal cord polyps are improper voicing or excessive voice use. For example, professions that involve a lot of talking, such as teachers, salespeople, singers, actors, etc., can also lead to polyps after a single intense vocalization. For instance, clinically, it is seen in individuals who go to karaoke after drinking and shout loudly, straining their voice, which can then cause the formation of the vertical polyps. Additionally, upper respiratory infections, such as hoarseness following a cold, can also lead to the diagnosis of vocal cord polyps upon further examination. Therefore, the primary causes are improper or excessive voice use and some upper respiratory infections that lead to vocal cord polyps.
What does it feel like to have vocal cord polyps?
Vocal cord polyps generally do not cause any special sensations by themselves, but some patients may experience pain, stiffness, and fatigue. The main symptom is a hoarse voice, meaning the voice becomes raspier than before, making it difficult to articulate, especially when trying to sing or speak in high tones. In addition to hoarseness, other symptoms can include a feeling of vocal fatigue, throat pain, and an irritating cough. However, these symptoms can vary from person to person, with hoarseness being the primary manifestation.
The best treatment method for vocal cord nodules
Vocal cord nodules are often caused by excessive talking, loud speaking, or overuse of the voice. They are commonly found in individuals who frequently use their voices in their professions, such as salespeople, teachers, and singers. The best treatment approach is to address the root cause, which involves speaking less and using proper vocal techniques. This is the optimal treatment plan. However, this method may not always be effective, as some people, due to their occupational needs, cannot fully achieve vocal rest. If vocal rest does not effectively treat the condition, surgical intervention may then be necessary. During the treatment period, after diagnosing vocal cord nodules, vocal rest is the preferred approach. If vocal rest is ineffective or does not fully resolve the nodules, surgery may be required as a follow-up treatment.
How to completely cure chronic tonsillitis?
The definitive treatment for chronic tonsillitis mainly involves surgical removal. Before undertaking the surgery, doctors will conduct a strict assessment to see if there are indications for surgery. Common indications include repeated episodes of chronic tonsillitis, acute outbreaks, or the formation of a peritonsillar abscess, under which circumstances surgery is strongly recommended. Repeated episodes are defined as more than four occurrences per year, at which point surgery should be considered. Furthermore, if the tonsils are so large that they interfere with swallowing, speech, or breathing, such as causing snoring or unclear speech, surgery should also be considered. Moreover, chronic tonsillitis can lead to other diseases since the tonsils are an immune organ, and prolonged chronic inflammation might trigger certain immune-related diseases, such as chronic nephritis, skin diseases, and psoriasis. In such cases, the relevant departments will advise patients to first visit an otolaryngology (ENT) department to have the tonsils removed, which is beneficial for further treatment of the related diseases. Additionally, if the tonsils exhibit signs of benign growths with chronic inflammation leading to lymphatic tissue hyperplasia and cyst formation, surgical removal is recommended to achieve a definitive cure.
Vocal cord nodules are caused by what?
Vocal cord nodules are mainly caused by improper speaking, excessive speaking, emotional excitement, and shouting. The most common symptom of vocal cord nodules is a hoarse voice. This condition is often seen in people who speak a lot, such as teachers, salespeople, and singers. These include individuals who tend to shout, are impatient, and speak improperly. Such cases are commonly seen in clinics, especially among children. For example, children who shout and speak carelessly at school during the semester may develop vocal cord nodules with hoarseness as a symptom. Additionally, emotionally excitable and impatient people can develop nodules. Some grandparents, who often yell at their children at home, also tend to develop vocal cord nodules. In summary, those who speak too much, shout, mispronounce sounds, or are emotionally excitable are at risk of developing vocal cord nodules.
Does a deviated nasal septum need to be treated?
Deviated nasal septum is a common clinical occurrence in otolaryngology, and many people are told they have a deviated septum during a physical examination, or they feel uncomfortable with their nose and then find out they have a deviated septum when checking. Whether to treat these conditions depends on the specific circumstances. If there is no discomfort in the nose, breathing is normal, the sense of smell is unaffected, and there are no other clinical symptoms, surgery is unnecessary for a deviated septum discovered during a physical examination. However, if there are uncomfortable symptoms caused by the nasal cavity or deviated septum, and after examination, the doctor confirms that these are due to the deviated septum, then active surgical treatment is necessary. Only by correcting the deviated part can a satisfactory treatment outcome be achieved.