Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Ear, Nose and Throat News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/ent/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171932.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171932.php When people speak, sing, or shout, they produce sound by pushing air over their vocal folds -- bits of muscle and tissue that manipulate the air flow and vibrate within it. When someone has polyps or some other problem with their vocal folds, the airflow can be altered, affecting the sound production. "Voice disorders affect 30 percent of the general population and up to 60 percent of educators," says Plesniak. Ear, Nose and Throat Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171964.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171964.php SinoFresh HealthCare, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: SFSH) announced today the successful results of its initial pilot animal study testing the efficacy of the SinoFresh Nasal Spray product when used on animals infected with the H1N1 ("swine flu") virus. The study data suggests that treatment with SinoFresh allowed the infected animals to recover more rapidly from H1N1 infection than did untreated animals. Swine Flu Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171883.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171883.php SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCLN) announced that patient enrollment is complete ahead of schedule for its phase 2 trial of SCV-07 -- a small molecule synthetic peptide with immunomodulating properties -- for the treatment of severe oral mucositis (OM) in patients with head and neck cancer. Topline results of the oral mucositis trial are expected to be announced in the first half of 2010. Cancer / Oncology Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171857.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171857.php A protein known to stimulate blood vessel growth has now been found to be responsible for the cell overgrowth in the development of polyps that characterize one of the most severe forms of sinusitis, a study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests. The finding gives scientists a new target for developing novel therapies to treat this form of the disease, which typically resists all current treatments. Respiratory / Asthma Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171568.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171568.php Laryngeal cancer (cancer of the larynx) is a rare type of cancer. It can cause hoarseness of the voice and swelling of the throat. The larynx, also known as the voice box, is a tube-like structure found at the entrance of the trachea (windpipe). The lump at the front of the throat, commonly known as the Adam's apple, is the larynx. Cancer / Oncology Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171237.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171237.php The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has once again recognized Erbitux® (cetuximab) as one of the major clinical cancer advances of 2009. This year Erbitux was selected by ASCO for providing the first significant increase in survival for 30 years in the treatment of patients with 1st-line recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Cancer / Oncology Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170873.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170873.php Maney Publishing is pleased to announce the purchase of two quarterly journals from John Wiley & Sons, Ltd: Cochlear Implants International and Deafness & Education International, which together establish a decisive publishing commitment to the clinical treatment and education of the deaf. The acquisition also reflects Maney's continuing involvement and expertise in publishing for specialist societies and professional organisations. Ear, Nose and Throat Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170314.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170314.php Age-related hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder among the elderly. But scientists are still trying to figure out what cellular processes govern or contribute to the loss. Now a University of Florida team and researchers from University of Wisconsin and three other institutions have identified a protein that is central to processes that cause oxidative damage to cells and lead to age-related hearing loss. Hearing / Deafness Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170297.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170297.php The treatment of allergic rhinitis is shown to improve co-existing conditions including conjunctivitis, asthma, sinusitis, otitis media with effusion (fluid in the middle ear) and sleep disorders according to an international expert at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Miami Beach, Fla. Ear, Nose and Throat Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170239.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170239.php The Monell Center and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) are co-hosts of the Beijing International Meeting on Taste and Smell Research. Organized by Monell in collaboration with the CAS, the meeting will be the first international meeting on taste and smell to be held in China. Ear, Nose and Throat Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170110.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170110.php Antibiotic over-prescription is promoted by pediatricians' perception of parents' expectations. Research published in the open access journal BMC Pediatrics shows that pediatricians are more likely to inappropriately prescribe antibiotics for respiratory tract infections if they perceived parents were expecting a prescription. Pediatrics / Children's Health Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170099.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170099.php Common experience tells us that particular scents of childhood can leave quite an impression, for better or for worse. Now, researchers reporting the results of a brain imaging study online on November 5th in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication, show that first scents really do enjoy a "privileged" status in the brain. Neurology / Neuroscience Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169945.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169945.php CPAP Therapy Associated With Slight Weight Gain (#7833) Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a common therapy for sleep apnea, is associated with a slight but temporary weight gain in patients. Researchers from the University of Toledo Medical College in Ohio followed 152 patients who underwent CPAP therapy for 1 month. Of the patients, 119 (78 percent) gained an average of 3 lbs. Weight gain occurred in 81 percent of men and 73 percent of women. Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169834.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169834.php Clinical researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) have confirmed that patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer ("tonsil cancer") harbour a common type of human papilloma virus (HPV16), but also that such cancers are very sensitive to radiation. For some patients, this may mean successful treatment with radiation alone and avoiding the side effects of chemotherapy. "This represents the power of personalized medicine. Cancer / Oncology Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169762.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169762.php Children With Asthma May Benefit From Reduction in Daily Steroids (#9114) Children with status asthmaticus, those who experience prolonged and serious asthma attacks, may safely be able to reduce their daily corticosteroid dose. Researchers from Kosair Children's Hospital in Kentucky conducted before and after chart reviews of 292 patients younger than 18 years who were hospitalized with status asthmaticus. Respiratory / Asthma Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169525.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169525.php More needs to be done to prevent and treat otitis media (otherwise known as middle ear inflammation), which is a major health problem in Indigenous communities and can lead to permanent hearing loss, according to the editor of a supplement on the condition published in the 2 November issue of the Medical Journal of Australia. Each year, three to five Australian children die from complications related to otitis media and another 15 suffer permanent hearing loss. Hearing / Deafness Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169493.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169493.php Fox Valley Ear, Nose & Throat Associates is one of the first in the area to offer an effective new treatment for chronic sinusitis (CRS) called FinESS™ Sinus Treatment. FinESS is a balloon sinuplasty option that breaks the cycle of chronic sinusitis with immediate relief and lasting results and is less-invasive than traditional sinus surgery. Performed in a relaxed outpatient setting, FinESS is effective and results in less pain, bleeding and recovery time for the patient. Ear, Nose and Throat Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169521.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169521.php Epiglottitis is a life-threatening condition. It occurs when the epiglottis, which is a small flap of tissue that covers the windpipe (the trachea), swells and blocks the flow of air into the lungs. It should be regarded as a medical emergency. Left untreated, the symptoms of respiratory failure can quickly worsen, sometimes in the space of just a few hours and may result in death. The epiglottis is located towards the back of the throat underneath the tongue. Ear, Nose and Throat Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169279.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169279.php An innovative four-year project to help families, service providers and policy makers understand the effectiveness of the different types of support available for young deaf children has come to an end, with some interesting findings. Positive Support in the lives of Deaf Children and their Families was a research project funded by the Big Lottery Fund via a partnership with Deafness Research UK. Hearing / Deafness Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169049.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169049.php Philanthropists Irwin and Joan Jacobs of La Jolla, CA are giving a $6.5 million gift to UCSF for head and neck cancer research. It is believed to be the largest private, U.S. gift for research supporting this disease. Irwin Jacobs is the founder, retired CEO, and current board member of telecommunications giant Qualcomm. He is also a survivor of a rare form of the cancer. Cancer / Oncology Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168872.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168872.php Teachers tend to spend more time speaking than most professionals, putting them at a greater risk for hurting their voices - they're 32 times more likely to experience voice problems, according to one study. And unlike singers or actors, teachers can't take a day off when their voices hurt. Now a new study by the National Center for Voice and Speech (NCVS) reveals how teachers use their voices at work and at home and uncovers differences between male and female teachers. Ear, Nose and Throat Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168727.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168727.php Advances in hearing aid design and technology mean more and better choices for consumers. The October issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource covers the pros and cons of various styles, from those that are barely noticeable to others that resemble the latest phones and come in stylish colors. Hearing / Deafness Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168514.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168514.php Deep in the ear, 95 percent of the cells that shuttle sound to the brain are big, boisterous neurons that, to date, have explained most of what scientists know about how hearing works. Whether a rare, whisper-small second set of cells also carry signals from the inner ear to the brain and have a real role in processing sound has been a matter of debate. Hearing / Deafness Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168233.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168233.php New scientific research, which claims to have identified the area of the brain that is activated when a person suffers from tinnitus, may raise false hope among sufferers, according to the British Tinnitus Association (BTA), the only charity in the UK solely dedicated to supporting those with tinnitus. Ear, Nose and Throat Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168098.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168098.php Pacifier, baby bottle or finger sucking may hamper a child's speech development if the habit goes on too long. In a study that took place in Patagonia, Chile, researchers associated the persistence of these sucking habits with an increased risk of speech disorders in preschool children. The children were more likely to have difficulty producing certain word sounds and to simplify their pronunciation. The results are published Wednesday, Oct. Pediatrics / Children's Health