General Questions, Complaints and Answers
Q: Why won’t you refill my medication if it has been more than 6 months since I have seen a doctor?
A: Due to medical concerns, we can not refill your prescription if we have not seen
you in 6 months or more. Your current health status could have changed and
the medication you are on might not be efficacious to your health. It is
imperative that we see you for medication refills if we have not seen you in six
months. This is for your on health.
Q: What are symptoms of vertigo?
A: Vertigo, by definition is the environment you are seeing spinning. Vertigo usually
occurs due to inner ear disease. This can be caused by a virus or other problems and
needs to be addressed at our office, during office hours, for audiogram and other
testing to be performed.
Q: What can I take for a yeast infection, since I have to take an antibiotic?
A: If you have a yeast infection from taking an antibiotic, a medication to alleviate the
yeast infection needs to be prescribed. You may need to call the office for a
prescription of a medication to stop the yeast infection. If it is after hours, call the
next morning.
Q: What can I do for jaw pain?
A: Jaw pain usually occurs due to an abnormality of the jaw joint in front of the ear.
Taking Advil or Aleve can help this condition. It would also need to be evaluated in
the future if it does not clear with these medications. Remember eat soft foods while
jaw pain is occurring.
Q: My child’s tubes just fell out. What do I need to do?
A: Your child’s tubes come out as a natural occurrence, usually between 1-2 years after
tube placement. If the child does no have any difficulty and the tube has come out, it
does not need to be evaluated at that time and can be evaluated at the next regularly
scheduled appointment. If you think your child is having ear problems and the tube is
out, he needs to be evaluated.
Q: My child has tonsillitis. Can you call in some medicine?
A: Tonsillitis can be caused by two distinct causes. This being a virus or bacterial
infection. Calling medication in without knowing the cause of the disease process is
not a wise thing to do. If your child has tonsillitis he needs to be evaluated. Call your
ENT office or pediatrician for evaluation and treatment. If one weekend, you need to
proceed to a walk in clinic or emergency room.
Q: I am hoarse. What should I do?
A: Hoarseness can be caused by multiple problems such as allergies, reflux, etc. If your
allergy is out of control, take your allergy medication. If your heartburn is bad, take
your heartburn medication. If hoarseness lasts more than 3 weeks an is continuous,
you need to evaluated by your ENT physician. Remember speak in a normal voice.
Do not whisper.
Q: I have mouth ulcers. What can I do?
A: Mouth ulcers are usually caused by a viral condition. You have to symptomatically
treat them to decrease the pain so they will get better sooner. Warm salt water mouth
gargles can help. If they become painful and are not responding to the warm salt
water gargles, and are worsening, you need to be evaluated by an ENT physician for
further treatment.
Q: I am sneezing, my nose is running, my eyes are watering. What can I take?
A: If you are sneezing, your nose is running and your eyes are watering, you are having
an allergy attack. If you have an antihistamine/decongestant at home or a plain
antihistamine you need to take this medication as directed. If you were prescribed a
steroid spray you also need to use it as directed. (Antihistamines = Allegra, Claritin,
Zyrtec, Clarinex,) (Antihistamine/Decongestants = Allegra D, Claritn D, Clarinex D,
Zyrtec D, Rynatan) (Steroid Sprays = Nasacort AQ, Rhinocort AQ, Flonase, Nasonex,
Vancenase, Beconase) If these medications are not available you can get OTC
Dimetapp, Drixoral, Claritin, Claritin D or Benadryl. Or ask your pharmacist for
assistance. You can call the next working day for refill on medications if needed.
Q: I think I have a sinus infection. What are the symptoms?
A: Sinus infection occurs when your sinus passages stop up and become infected.
Symptoms include: 1) Facial pressure/pain 2) Discolored drainage 3) Headache 4) Bad
breath 5) Just not feeling well. A sinus infection versus a viral respiratory infection
or cold is difficult to distinguish. If a cold lasts more than 10-14 days, it is a sinus
infection and needs to be treated.
Q: My snoring is terrible. Can the doctor help me?
A: If your snoring has become terrible, this can be multifactorial in origin or due to more
than one cause. It starts with nose. Unstopping your nose is very important to
decrease your snoring. Take a decongestant such as Sudafed OTC or Profen II, Entex,
Duratuss, or Sudal by prescription. This needs to be taken in addition to a steroid
spray. Recently pillar implants have become a in office procedure that has had some
degree of success. The implants are successful if your soft palate is the cause of your
snoring rather than your nose.
Q: My nose is bleeding what should I do?
A: Nose bleeds are generally due to your nose being dry and/or irritated. You should use
salt water spray (aka: saline spray OTC) 4-5 times day to keep the nose moist
throughout the day. A saline gel OTC should be used at bedtime to keep nose moist
while sleeping. Afrin nasal spray always is on hand for nosebleeds. If nosebleed
occurs spray Afrin in the nose and sit still. The bleeding should stop soon after use. If
bleeding persists spray cotton ball with Afrin and place in nostril. Seek medical
attention if bleeding continues.
Q: Can my sinuses make me dizzy?
A: Nasal congestion or sinus disease does not cause dizziness. If your ears are stopped
up or you have a viral illness this can contribute to dizziness and needs to be
evaluated.
Q: I am dizzy and nauseated. What can I do for this?
A: If you are both dizzy and nauseated this is not due to a sinus or nasal condition. It is
due to a viral infection of the inner ear or some other inner ear pathology which needs
to be evaluated and treated by an ENT physician in the office. If it has become severe
and is after office hours you need to proceed to the Emergency Room.
Q: My ears hurt and are sore to touch. Why?
A: This could be consistent with your external ear canal becoming infected. If you have
drops at home start them as directed. After using them for 3-4 days your ear(s)
should improve. If this does not happen call the office for an evaluation.
Q: My child is running fever. No ear drainage, no sore throat and no cough. What should I do?
A: Treat the fever with Tylenol or pediatric Motrin. It is more than likely a viral in
origin, but if it persists call your pediatrician for evaluation.
Q: My child’s ears are draining even though I am using drops. What should I do?
A: If drainage persists even with the use of drops for 3-4 days, oral antibiotics may need
to administered. Call the office for evaluation and treatment.
Q: Why does my child need another set of tube?
A: Ear disease in children is caused by eustachian tube dysfunction. The eustachian
tube is a tube which goes from the back of your child’s nose to the middle ear. This
lets the pressure equilibrate between the external environment and your child’s
middle ear. Until the eustachian tubes start to work, tympanostomy tubes serve a
function of the eustachian tube and will be needed. This allows the pressure to
equilibrate between the external environment and your child’s ear.
Q: My ears are stopped up but I can not take decongestants because of my blood pressure. What can I do?
A: If you feel stopped up and you can not take decongestants, use Afrin spray, 2 puffs
twice a day for 3 days. You can not use it for more than 3 days because you might
form an addiction to it. If we have prescribed Mucinex and a steroid spray use this on
a daily basis. It will not make your blood pressure go up.
After Surgery General Questions, Complaints and Answers
NASAL/SINUS SURGERY
Q: My nose is stopped up.
A: After nasal surgery your nose is congested with mucus, blood and swelling. What should you do to unstop your nose?
Irrigate with sinus rinse kit 1-2 times a day – If you have been doing this already and have even been irrigating more than 2 times a day try irrigating every other day and use nasal saline spray (otc) 4-5 times day. Sometimes irrigations can cause swelling to occur.
Facial Steam – Your nose loves warm moist air. Steam from the shower or breathing the steam from a pot of boiling water can help give you some relief.
Afrin Nasal Spray – This spray is provided after surgery, usually in a generic form. If congestion is severe you can use Afrin twice a day for 3 days or if bleeding occurs.
Remember to keep head elevated – You don’t have to sleep sitting straight up but some elevation helps with the swelling and pressure you may be experiencing.
Q: My head is hurting.
A: Swelling is the number one cause of headache after surgery. What can you do?
Take your pain medication.
Use facial steam as described above.
Use afrin as described above.
Irrigate only once a day or every other day. Use Saline spray (otc) 4-5 times a day. Irrigation can sometimes call swelling which in turn causes headaches.
NOTE: Head Congestion and some pain are expected after nasal/sinus surgery.
Q: I have a lot of drainage from my nose since surgery. What should I do?
A: Your secretion production increases after nasal/sinus surgery, due to the trauma of the
surgery itself. We don’t want to dry your nose up to much at this time due to the fact
it could cause a postoperative infection or postoperative pain and pressure. If
drainage is too much you can try an antihistamine every third day.
Q: When should I start irrigations?
A: Start irrigations the day after surgery. 1-2 times day is usually adequate. The day of your procedure go home, relax, sit in an easy chair and do not overexert yourself. Overexertion can cause bleeding to occur.
Q: When can I blow my nose after surgery?
A: You should not blow your nose until after your first postoperative visit with your
physician. Even then your physician will instruct you to blow gently.
Q: I have a terrible smell in my nose. Why?
A: After surgery secretions can be entrapped in your nasal or sinus cavity. When they become trapped for too long they can become infected and become malodorous. If this occurs you need to:
If cleared by your physician, you can irrigate vigorously and blow your nose to try and wash the trapped mucus out. Again you have to be cleared by your physician to blow your nose.
If you have antibiotic at home start them as directed.
If you are unable wash/blow the trapped mucus out and the symptoms persist you should call the office for the physician to remove these infected secretions.
Q: When can I go back to work?
A: You can return to work after nasal/sinus surgery 7-10 days after your procedure. This
is the general rule for patients who have jobs that requires lifting, becoming hot
and/or vigorous activity. If you have a job that keeps you in a cool environment, that
does not require heavy lifting and/or heavy activity you can return to work in 4-5
days.
Q: Do I have stitches?
A: If your procedure included a Septoplasty, you have stitches which suture your septum
back together. These sutures will break on their own. If a stitch comes loose and
hangs from your nose you can clip it so it does not show. If you pull on the stitch
you will not hurt anything concerning your surgery, it will just be tender.
Q: When I irrigate my nose nothing is coming out. Why?
A: After sinus surgery mucus can sometimes become trapped or stuck. If this occurs you
can not irrigate your nose because the water will not go up in your nasal cavity. If
this continues after 48 hours you need to contact the office so the physician can help
clean your nose, increasing your postoperative comfort. Also during the 48 hour
period you can try to use Afrin twice a day for three days to help decrease swelling.
Facial steam can often help with loosening these trapped secretions.
Q: I had my polyps removed. Why are they back?
A: Polyps are caused by infection and allergy. Removing polyps will get rid of them at
that time. The most important thing after surgery is your post surgical care for
prevention of their reoccurrence. You can often control polyp formation by using
your decongestant, steroid spray, antihistamine decongestant and antibiotics to help
control infections and polyp formation.
Q: I have a lot of pressure in my head. Not pain. Why?
A: Again as mentioned before, swelling is the cause of this pressure like feeling. It
doesn’t always hurt but it causes your head to feel congested. To help alleviate this
pressure you should start your decongestant and use Afrin twice a day for 3 days.
Facial steam also often helps alleviate this pressure sensation.
Q: The drainage from my nose is going down my throat and making me
nauseated. What can I do?
A: Drainage will increase after surgery. If it is making you nauseated it is probably
tinged with a little old blood. Take your Phenergan given after surgery to help with
your nausea.
Q: Why is it necessary to irrigate my nose?
A: Reason number one is to keep your nose clean. Reason number two is it helps
decongest your nose making it easier to breathe through your nose.
Q: Why are my ears stopped up? What can I Do?
A: Your eustachian tube may swell after surgery causing your ear to feel stopped up.
This is a normal occurrence. Use your decongestant and steroid spray. Afrin can also
be used twice a day for 3 days to help unstop the ear(s). Be patient. This can take a
few days or a few weeks to improve.
TONSILLECTOMY/ADENOIDECTOMY
Q: What is causing my bad breath?
A: Scabs that are on the tonsillar fossa will become soft from the saliva and will become
malodorous. This is a normal occurrence. Make sure you are taking your
postoperative antibiotic. This will go away with time. We do not recommend
gargling after tonsillectomy, due to the fact this could increase bleeding.
Q: Why is my ear hurting?
A: Ear pain is a normal occurrence. This referred pain from your tonsillar fossa where
your tonsils were excised. This is transmitted by the 5th cranial nerve and needs to be
treated with your pain medication. This is most likely not an ear infection.
Q: There is white stuff on the back of my throat. I think it’s infected.
A: Scabs which are present after surgery are black. After a few days of saliva bathing
these scabs, they will turn white and thick. This is a normal occurrence and often
mistaken for infection.
Q: I can not get my child to eat or drink after surgery. What do I do?
A: There is raw tissue in the throat after surgery. It is painful to drink but it is imperative
for both adults and children after surgery. This will keep the patient from becoming
dehydrated and will also help with the pain. If it is believed the patient has become
dehydrated you need to call the office.
Q: My child is running fever.
A: After surgery fever can be a normal occurrence for about 3-4 days. As long as your
child is drinking, eating and is taking postoperative antibiotics you can use Tylenol to
control the fever. If the fever becomes difficult to control or becomes greater than
103 call the office.
Q: My child is congested and can not breathe through his/her nose.
A: After adenoidectomy there is an accumulation of mucus and blood in the back of the
nose. This can increase congestion and make it difficult to breathe through the nose.
Using NeoSynephrine or salt water drops will help. The congestion should begin to
decrease.
TUBE PLACEMENT
Q: My child is pulling at his/her ears. Why?
A: This is normal after tube placement. Give the child 2-3 days and this should
decrease.
Q: My child is crying all night.
A: This is not an unusual occurrence. The child can often get upset from the surgery
alone. It is usually not associated with any ear discomfort. Give the child 2-3 days
and this should improve. If it doesn’t, call the office.
Q: Why is drainage coming from my child’s ear?
A: After tube placement drainage can occur from the ears. This can be bloody or
discolored drainage due to the infection that was in the ears. Use the drops provided
after surgery. This should get better. If it doesn’t improve within 4-5 days, you need
to call the office for antibiotics by mouth.
Q: When can I take my child back to daycare?
A: You can take your child back to daycare the day after surgery. Unless your child is
running fever.
Q: I think the drops are hurting my child’s ears.
A: Sometimes the drops can be irritating to a child’s ears. If the child cries more than
two times when using the drops call the office. We will change the drops to another.
THYROID AND PARATHYROID SURGERY
Q: I'm having numbness and tingling sensations in the perioral area (around the lips) or in the fingers and toes. What should I do?
A: If these symptoms occur, do not ignore them. Take 1 Extra-Strength Tums 3 times daily (If you are a diabetic, take 2 Sugar-Free E-X 3 times daily). If the symptoms continue, notify our office immediately so we can have a calcium blood level checked.
Q: What should I do with my incision site? Can I apply anything to it?
A: Dr Lindman generally uses a skin adhesive agent called Dermabond. This provides a watertight seal to your incision immediately and allows you to bath in a shower or tub the night of surgery. Do not apply any ointments or creams to the incision for two weeks as this may contribute to the glue coming off too soon and your wound becoming infected and/or opening up. The dermabond usually comes off on its own after about 2 weeks. You may then begin to apply a suncreen with an spf of 15 or more on a daily basis.