Allergy Sufferers also Have More Severe Migraines

Many people suffer from migraines. Many people also suffer from allergies. What may have been suspected but is now clarified is that those individuals who suffer from BOTH allergies and migraines have much more frequent and severe headaches than those who do not have allergies. [link]Based on a survey response from 5,849 patients who suffer from migraines, over two-thirds also suffered from allergies. From this group, researchers found that the odds...

Read More

Hearing Protection and NRR (Noise Reduction Rating)

For all hearing protection devices from ear plugs to ear muffs, there is a NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) score that informs consumers how much of a decrease in noise exposure to expect with use. For example, if an ear plug has a NRR score of 30, use of the device would be expected to reduce a 90 decibel sound by 30 decibels resulting in a noise exposure of 60 decibels.If two hearing protection devices are used, an ear plug inside the ear canal followed...

Read More

How to Describe Hoarseness?

At heart, physicians are science geeks. And when it comes to a raspy voice, one can go truly bananas in how exactly to describe how a raspy voice sounds.For the layperson, when asked to describe a hoarse voice, one often gets imprecise answers to a question most feel ridiculous... I often get a blank look with an answer that goes something like "You know... raspy... it's not clear." Unfortunately, such a description is inadequate. Even when using...

Read More

At-Home Rapid Strep Testing

Rapid strep test kits can be purchased by anybody to be done at home which may save parents/patients a lot of money in doctor visits for those prone to strep infections. Indeed, should a rapid strep test be positive, than you know that a doctor's visit is definitely worthwhile. (A doctor visit may still be worthwhile since a sore throat may be due to something else like cancer, aphthous ulcer, sinus infection, reflux, etc).Such home kits (which in...

Read More

iPhone App to Objectively Measure Vocal Quality (f0, shimmer, jitter, etc)

For the inner geek in all singers and other professional voice users, you can now download onto your iPhone an advanced voice analysis program that provides objective measures of vocal quality similar to what is obtained in a professional voice laboratory.Called OperaVox, preliminary studies have shown good reliability compared to KayPentax Multidimensional Voice Program (f0, shimmer, jitter). Noise to harmonic ratio showed less reliability. Retest...

Read More

Actor Zac Efron Broke His Jaw

Image by Liam Mendes from WikipediaThis past weekend, actor Zac Efron slipped in a puddle of water outside his home and fell resulting in a severe facial cut as well as a broken jaw. [link]Unlike most facial fractures that do NOT require any surgical intervention, most jaw fractures do need to be surgically repaired and typically entail wiring the jaw shut. Often, a metal plate with screws will be utilized to stabilize the fracture as well.The reason...

Read More

Pediatric Sinus Development and Sinusitis

There is a tendency for any type of nasal drainage to be attributed to "sinusitis" in children. Especially in young children, "sinusitis" is a relatively rare cause for nasal drainage and congestion which is actually more commonly due to viruses and enlarged adenoids.The reason why sinuses play a relatively minor role in nasal drainage and congestion is because sinuses are not fully developed in children. It probably is not until around the age of...

Read More