

Li Rui

About me
Graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, engaged in otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery for more than four years.
Proficient in diseases
Diseases diagnosis and treatment in otolaryngology. Specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic sinusitis, otitis media, head and neck tumors, and other diseases.

Voices

How to treat hypertrophic turbinates and sinusitis?
Nasal hypertrophy and sinusitis are relatively common diseases. In terms of treatment, it is first necessary to visit the Otolaryngology department, where an endoscopic nasal examination, sinus CT scan, and routine blood test should be conducted to assess the severity of the condition. If the inflammatory response is relatively localized, it is generally considered treatable with medication. If the inflammatory response is particularly severe, accompanied by related clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge, headache, dizziness, and reduced sense of smell, and if the effect of standardized conservative medical treatment is not satisfactory, surgical treatment may also be considered. However, whether it is medical treatment or surgical treatment, regular follow-up checks are necessary to observe if there is any recurrence of the condition. (Please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

Does Meniere's disease cause headaches?
Meniere's disease is a relatively common inner ear disorder characterized by multiple clinical symptoms. Generally, it does not cause headaches, but common symptoms include vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. Some patients may experience nausea and vomiting, and the condition may relapse multiple times. After the onset of the disease, it is advisable to visit an otolaryngologist. Auditory tests and cochleograms can be conducted, and some patients may need a head MRI. These diagnostic tests, combined with the doctor's clinical experience, can help determine the extent of the condition. Most patients can opt for conservative medical treatment, but a small number of patients with severe conditions and poor response to conservative treatment may need to consider surgery.

Can throat cancer be cured?
Throat cancer is a relatively common malignant tumor in the head and neck area. Some patients can achieve clinical cure, which generally means no local recurrence or distant metastasis for 5 years after the end of treatment. However, the specific treatment outcomes can vary significantly among individuals. Generally, early-stage throat cancer has better treatment outcomes and a higher 5-year survival rate. If it's in the middle to late stages, throat cancer tends to be more difficult to treat and the outcomes are poorer. Therefore, it's important to seek prompt treatment from an otolaryngologist after the onset of the disease, receive targeted treatment, and undergo regular follow-ups to monitor the efficacy of the treatment.

Can nasal polyps be treated with medication?
Some patients with nasal polyps can opt for medical treatment, as there are mainly two types of treatments for nasal polyps: conservative treatment and surgical removal. For cases with minimal absorption, limited scope, and shorter duration, conservative treatment is generally recommended, primarily using corticosteroid nasal sprays. Regular follow-ups and a sufficient course of medication are necessary, typically rechecking with a rhinoscope every three months, and visiting the otorhinolaryngology department every one to two weeks for a check-up. If conservative treatment is ineffective and the patient has numerous nasal polyps, surgical removal should be considered.

How to deal with tinnitus caused by otolithiasis?
Otolithiasis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease, with clinical symptoms mainly manifested as vertigo. Some patients may experience nausea and vomiting, but it generally does not lead to tinnitus. There are many causes of tinnitus, with neurological causes being common, and it may also be due to inflammatory responses. Therefore, after the occurrence of otolithiasis accompanied by tinnitus, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist. Tests such as positional experiments, audiometric testing, and endoscopic examination of the ear can help determine the specific cause of the disease and the extent of the condition, after which targeted treatment can be administered. Regular follow-ups are needed during the treatment process to monitor the effects.

Do vocal cord nodules require hospitalization?
Vocal cord nodules are a relatively common otolaryngological condition, generally not requiring hospitalization. Initially, it is recommended to visit an ENT outpatient clinic for a laryngoscopy to assess the severity of the condition. Treatment usually involves outpatient medication, commonly using nebulization therapy, in combination with oral traditional Chinese medicine and vocal rehabilitation training. With these treatments, the condition gradually improves. For a small portion of patients with severe vocal cord nodules and significant hoarseness, if conservative treatment does not relieve symptoms, hospitalization and surgery may be considered.

Can vocal cord polyps be treated conservatively?
Vocal cord polyps are relatively common otolaryngological diseases. Some patients may consider conservative treatments such as oral medication, nebulization therapy, and voice rehabilitation training. However, throughout the treatment process, regular follow-ups are necessary to observe the treatment effects. If symptoms like hoarseness gradually improve and the vocal cord polyps shrink after conservative treatments, it might be advisable to continue the treatment. Conversely, if hoarseness or the size of the polyps does not improve or continues to grow, conservative treatments are deemed ineffective, and surgical removal may be necessary. Post-operative regular check-ups are also essential to monitor for any recurrence. (Please administer medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

Can you smoke with hypertrophic turbinates?
Patients with enlarged nasal turbinates are advised not to smoke, as cigarettes contain a variety of chemicals that can directly irritate the nasal mucosa and turbinate tissue, potentially exacerbating the condition of turbinate hypertrophy. Smoking may also cause acute rhinitis and acute sinusitis, which could worsen the existing condition. Patients with enlarged nasal turbinates should seek medical attention from an otolaryngologist after the onset of symptoms, and may undergo nasal endoscopy and sinus CT scans to assess the severity of their condition. Typically, treatment options include oral medications and nasal spray medications, but surgical treatment may need to be considered for a small number of patients who do not respond well to medication. (Please follow medical advice regarding medications.)

What are the causes of nasal turbinate hypertrophy?
Turbinate hypertrophy is a relatively common otorhinolaryngological disease, and there are many causes for turbinate hypertrophy. Some of it is physiological hypertrophy, which is simply thickening of the turbinate tissue without causing noticeable clinical symptoms. In general, this situation does not require special treatment, but regular follow-ups are necessary. It may also result from acute rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, or sinusitis, which can lead to turbinate hypertrophy with associated clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and dizziness. In such cases, pharmacological treatment should be considered, commonly involving oral medications and nasal sprays, with regular follow-ups to monitor recovery.

Can nasal polyps be treated without surgery?
A portion of patients with nasal polyps may not require surgery. The decision to operate on nasal polyps primarily depends on the severity of the condition and the overall health of the patient. If the nasal polyps are particularly localized and the patient does not exhibit significant symptoms such as nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, headaches, or dizziness, conservative treatment or regular check-ups may be considered. Conservative treatment involves the use of nasal sprays and regular examinations with a nasopharyngoscope to monitor the growth of the polyps. However, if the nasal polyps are extensive and accompanied by clinical symptoms, and conservative treatment proves ineffective, surgery may need to be considered. Currently, endoscopic surgery is commonly performed and is generally very effective with minimal trauma.