EXPERT
Dr. Sally Smalley
Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor (ENT)
Dr. Sally Smalley is an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor, also known as an otolaryngologist, practicing in Fort Stewart, GA. Dr. Smalley specializes in diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat as well as other parts of the head and neck. Such structures an ENT may work on include the sinuses, larynx (voice box) and mouth in addition to the ear, nose and throat. There are seven areas of expertise that an ENT might specialize in, and these are: allergies; facial reconstructive surgery; head and neck; laryngology; otology/neurotology; pediatric otolaryngology; and rhinology.
19 years
Experience
Dr. Sally Smalley
- Calhoun, GA
- Texas A&M University
- Accepting new patients
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Symphony orchestra with a ruptured eardrum?
If you ear drum actually ruptured from your ear infection, you should be on ear drops NOT oral antibiotics. Otic drops provide higher concentration of medication directly to the READ MORE
If you ear drum actually ruptured from your ear infection, you should be on ear drops NOT oral antibiotics. Otic drops provide higher concentration of medication directly to the ear, so once there is a hole, you need to get ofloxacin drops from your doctor.
Yes its fine to play in the orchestra.
Yes its fine to play in the orchestra.
Strep throat?
definitely a tonsillitis. Strep (bacterial tonsillitis) will typically have white patches on the tonsils. From your picture, its likely a viral tonsillitis, which is big red sore READ MORE
definitely a tonsillitis. Strep (bacterial tonsillitis) will typically have white patches on the tonsils. From your picture, its likely a viral tonsillitis, which is big red sore tonsils but without the white stuff.
Take anti-inflammatories, get some cepachol/benzocaine lozenges from the pharmacy, and stay hydrated. It will last a week or so. The neck glands may be swollen and sore for a little longer, but you will be fine.
Take anti-inflammatories, get some cepachol/benzocaine lozenges from the pharmacy, and stay hydrated. It will last a week or so. The neck glands may be swollen and sore for a little longer, but you will be fine.
Sinus pressure?
Take motrin or naprocen, anti-inflammatories.
Use an OTC nasal decongestant spray 2-3x/day for 3 days only.
Use flonase nasal spray every day for minimum of 2 weeks.
Use an OTC nasal decongestant spray 2-3x/day for 3 days only.
Use flonase nasal spray every day for minimum of 2 weeks.
Throat pain?
Its not strep. It is a small sore on the uvula. Likely viral in nature. The doctor can't do anything for it, just has to heal. Mouthwashes can be helpful, or benzocaine throat READ MORE
Its not strep. It is a small sore on the uvula. Likely viral in nature. The doctor can't do anything for it, just has to heal. Mouthwashes can be helpful, or benzocaine throat lozenges are soothing.
My ear canal is hurting?
highly unlikely. The pics look more like some wet skin and wax debris, which is most likely in the ear canal. I suggest having an ENT examine it under a microscope and clean the READ MORE
highly unlikely. The pics look more like some wet skin and wax debris, which is most likely in the ear canal. I suggest having an ENT examine it under a microscope and clean the ear out for you. This can also be soothing to the soreness you have been describing.
Coughing for 3 months?
Best to get seen by an ENT who can loo in your throat with a camera. Cough can be from many different things, and your risks are different if you are a smoker. Differential diagnosis READ MORE
Best to get seen by an ENT who can loo in your throat with a camera. Cough can be from many different things, and your risks are different if you are a smoker. Differential diagnosis includes reflux, post nasal drip, asthma. These are the most common. Neurogenic cough can also develop, which is more of a nerve sensitivity that adds to a behavioral cough. Less common are true vocal cord lesions such as nodules or polyps, cancerous lesions.
Painful ear infection?
How do you know you have an ear infection is my first question? Acute otitis media is a middle ear infection, with INFECTED fluid in the middle ear space. Usually presents as READ MORE
How do you know you have an ear infection is my first question?
Acute otitis media is a middle ear infection, with INFECTED fluid in the middle ear space. Usually presents as fever, pain, URI symptoms.
Acute otitis externa is an infection of the skin of the outer ear, like swimmers ear, and can be fungal or bacterial.
Chronic serous otitis media is not an infection at all, but simply fluid in the middle ear space that is not resolving.
Pulsatile tinnitus (heartbeat in the ear) can be normal, since there are large blood vessels that travel through the temporal bone, where the cochlea is housed in the skull.
Bottomline, have an ENT look at your ear to see what the problem is.
Acute otitis media is a middle ear infection, with INFECTED fluid in the middle ear space. Usually presents as fever, pain, URI symptoms.
Acute otitis externa is an infection of the skin of the outer ear, like swimmers ear, and can be fungal or bacterial.
Chronic serous otitis media is not an infection at all, but simply fluid in the middle ear space that is not resolving.
Pulsatile tinnitus (heartbeat in the ear) can be normal, since there are large blood vessels that travel through the temporal bone, where the cochlea is housed in the skull.
Bottomline, have an ENT look at your ear to see what the problem is.
Paratoid swelling?
Chronic sialadentis (inflammation/infection of the salivary gland) can be bothersome. Best to stay hydrated, and stimulate salivation with sugar free sour candy (sialogogues). READ MORE
Chronic sialadentis (inflammation/infection of the salivary gland) can be bothersome. Best to stay hydrated, and stimulate salivation with sugar free sour candy (sialogogues). Sometimes an acute infection needs antibiotics. Chronic conditions may have blockages and narrowing of the salivary duct, which can be removed and/or stretched by an ENT. This is called a sialodendoscopy. If you have a stone, it usually can be removed with sialodochotomy or endoscopy.
Throat soreness is likely unrelated. Sialadenitis usually does not cause throat/voice pain.
Throat soreness is likely unrelated. Sialadenitis usually does not cause throat/voice pain.
Do I have the flu?
No you can't rupture something under the ribs from coughing, but the inside of the lungs can be traumatized and inflamed from coughing. This is essentially bronchitis. The muscles READ MORE
No you can't rupture something under the ribs from coughing, but the inside of the lungs can be traumatized and inflamed from coughing. This is essentially bronchitis. The muscles of the chest and diaphragm will also be sore. A zpack is not enough to treat pneumonia, if thats what you were given it for. Sounds like you could use a chest xray, and then maybe an inhaled steroid if you are negative for pneumonia.
Post surgery?
Extra skin removed from your sinuses? You mean you had sinus surgery to open up your sinus cavities? You should not use your CPAP for at least a week after tonsillectomy or sinus READ MORE
Extra skin removed from your sinuses? You mean you had sinus surgery to open up your sinus cavities?
You should not use your CPAP for at least a week after tonsillectomy or sinus surgery. This can dry out the nasal cavities and the back of the throat and make you more likely to have a post operative bleed.
You should not use your CPAP for at least a week after tonsillectomy or sinus surgery. This can dry out the nasal cavities and the back of the throat and make you more likely to have a post operative bleed.
Thyroid nodule?
thyroid nodule cannot be 'drained' into the throat. How do you know you have a nodule? A thyroid nodule is diagnosed with imaging, such as ultrasound or CT. There are many different READ MORE
thyroid nodule cannot be 'drained' into the throat. How do you know you have a nodule? A thyroid nodule is diagnosed with imaging, such as ultrasound or CT.
There are many different types of cysts that appear on the neck, such as thyroglossal duct cyst or branchial cleft cyst. Also pushing on your throat with any force may move the cartilaginous pieces of the larynx and hypopharynx around, and you might "hear" this sound in your body. Before you diagnose yourself, have your doctor order you a simple thyroid or Neck ultrasound.
Its not common for a person your age to have a thyroid nodule. I would be concerned if that was the case.
There are many different types of cysts that appear on the neck, such as thyroglossal duct cyst or branchial cleft cyst. Also pushing on your throat with any force may move the cartilaginous pieces of the larynx and hypopharynx around, and you might "hear" this sound in your body. Before you diagnose yourself, have your doctor order you a simple thyroid or Neck ultrasound.
Its not common for a person your age to have a thyroid nodule. I would be concerned if that was the case.
Muffled ear
Get an audiogram (hearing test) as soon as you can. Muffled hearing can simply be negative ear pressure, which should clear if you try to pop your ears, as if you were on a plane. READ MORE
Get an audiogram (hearing test) as soon as you can. Muffled hearing can simply be negative ear pressure, which should clear if you try to pop your ears, as if you were on a plane. You could have ear wax, in which case using peroxide drops can help soften the wax and it will come out on its own.
If you have had sudden change in your hearing, this can be permanent if not caught within 4 weeks of the change occuring. If you do catch the change within 4 weeks, you may be able to treat it with a dose of steroids in order to try and recover the damage to the hearing nerve. Walmart has health clinics, some of which offer free audiograms. Ask the audiologist to test you for sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
If you have had sudden change in your hearing, this can be permanent if not caught within 4 weeks of the change occuring. If you do catch the change within 4 weeks, you may be able to treat it with a dose of steroids in order to try and recover the damage to the hearing nerve. Walmart has health clinics, some of which offer free audiograms. Ask the audiologist to test you for sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Pill possibly stuck in throat?
It is very VERY uncommon for the pill or anything to actually be stuck in the throat, though it feels that way. Typically the pill or large piece of food simply irritates the mucosa READ MORE
It is very VERY uncommon for the pill or anything to actually be stuck in the throat, though it feels that way. Typically the pill or large piece of food simply irritates the mucosa passing through the top of the esophagus. The irritated are is swollen and feels weird. Its ok. Pills are made to dissolve. Even if it is there, it won't be for long.
Sudden weight loss in a few weeks and swollen thyroid?
if you thyroid is normal, then its normal. And a swollen thyroid is only diagnosed by imaging, such as ultrasound, which can actually measure the size of the gland. Weight loss READ MORE
if you thyroid is normal, then its normal. And a swollen thyroid is only diagnosed by imaging, such as ultrasound, which can actually measure the size of the gland. Weight loss can happen because of many different things. I suggest seeing a gastroenterologist for your continued weight loss.
Lung issue?
if you aren't breathing at all for 20 minutes you would be dead. So you are breathing. I suggest seeing a doctor and talk to them about getting a sleep study. Other things that READ MORE
if you aren't breathing at all for 20 minutes you would be dead. So you are breathing.
I suggest seeing a doctor and talk to them about getting a sleep study. Other things that can cause coughing are reflux, post nasal drip, and pulmonary problems. Try taking an OTC reflux medication at night, and use a nasal steroid spray every day for at least 2 weeks.
I suggest seeing a doctor and talk to them about getting a sleep study. Other things that can cause coughing are reflux, post nasal drip, and pulmonary problems. Try taking an OTC reflux medication at night, and use a nasal steroid spray every day for at least 2 weeks.
Something stuck in my mouth?
Could be simply inflammation and edema from the infected tooth you had pulled. Would be a good idea to see your dentist. If you are a smoker and its been there for a while, you READ MORE
Could be simply inflammation and edema from the infected tooth you had pulled. Would be a good idea to see your dentist. If you are a smoker and its been there for a while, you need an exam of your mouth to check for concerning lesions.
Sinus drainage?
Akylol is an OTC menthol additive which can be added to a sinus irrigation and can be very soothing. Afrin nasal spray in a nasal decongestant spray which can be used 2-3x per READ MORE
Akylol is an OTC menthol additive which can be added to a sinus irrigation and can be very soothing. Afrin nasal spray in a nasal decongestant spray which can be used 2-3x per day for 3 days ONLY. this can help open the sinus drainage pathways to clear whatever mucous is in there.
Nose cartilage inquiry?
You'll be fine, but sounds like an odd habit. Constant pressure on cartilage can shift the shape somewhat, but this is seen when the cartilage is growing, like in puppies ears READ MORE
You'll be fine, but sounds like an odd habit. Constant pressure on cartilage can shift the shape somewhat, but this is seen when the cartilage is growing, like in puppies ears or young children.
How do I regain my sense of smell?
anosmia can be evaluated with an UPSIT scratch and sniff test. this will quantify your level of anosmia. Nasal steroid spray and Nasal antihistamine spray (astelin) when used daily READ MORE
anosmia can be evaluated with an UPSIT scratch and sniff test. this will quantify your level of anosmia.
Nasal steroid spray and Nasal antihistamine spray (astelin) when used daily are best to control allergic rhinitis symptoms, vs nasal steroid or oral antihistamines alone.
Nasal steroid spray and Nasal antihistamine spray (astelin) when used daily are best to control allergic rhinitis symptoms, vs nasal steroid or oral antihistamines alone.
What does a vertigo attack feel like?
could be, but vertigo is specifically spinning dizziness. At your age, you are most likely experiencing orthostatic hypotension from being dehydrated.
