Ongoing Care
Often ENT disorders, such as ear or sinus infections or strep throat are treated as they occur and require no ongoing care. Some disorders, such as sleep apnea or allergies, respond to lifestyle changes or medications, which involve ongoing behaviors or care. Talk to your WellStar ENT specialist about how you can best manage your ENT condition on an ongoing basis.
Allergies
WellStar physicians offer allergy testing to discover which substances cause your allergic reactions and to determine how allergic you are to these substances. Treatments vary depending on what you are allergic to, from over-the-counter (OTC) medications to allergy shots to lifestyle changes that remove the substances from your life.
Many allergy sufferers are able to control symptoms with a good medication regimen. WellStar ENT specialists can help you find the right combination of treatments that can get you feeling well again. Patients unable to get relief with medications may be candidates for immunotherapy or allergy shots.
Sleep Apnea
Treatments for sleep apnea include:
- Use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
- Weight loss
- Stopping smoking
These treatments involve ongoing behavioral changes. Your WellStar physician will help design a long-term treatment plan for you that may include lifestyle changes.