Olfactory and Taste Dysfunction is a Severe Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) is the causative agent for Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19). Corona virus causes respiratory tract infections. The virus mainly spreads by close contact via small droplets produced while coughing, sneezing and talking. Bioaerosol transmission occurs while doing intubation, tracheostomy and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Lump in Throat ( Globus Pharyngeus
What is Globus pharyngeus?
Globus pharyngeus, also called Globus sensation or globus, is the feeling of having something stuck in the throat. It is an overwhelming feeling of a lump or foreign object being lodged in a person’s throat.
It is common, with 22–45% of people experiencing it at least once in their lifetime.
Causes
Globus pharyngeus is often caused by inflammation of the throat. Exact cause behind globus pharyngeus is unknown. Factors that are connected include:-
- Post nasal drip.
- Gastro-esophageal reflux.
- Lingual tonsils.
- Cricopharyngeal spasm.
- Enlarged thyroid.
- Hiatus hernia.
- Chronic sinusitis.
- Cervical osteophytes.
- Foreign body such as fish/chicken bone.
- Laryngo-pharyngeal cancer.
- Anxiety
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of globus pharyngeus is typically a diagnosis of exclusion.
A detailed medical and personal history is taken which includes dietary habits, sleep schedule, history of smoking and alcohol intake and any recent stressors in life. The Next step is a physical examination which includes a general physical examination, a detailed evaluation of the ear, nose and throat. Once the clinical examination is over, a few differential diagnoses are shortlisted and tests advised based on these. These may include blood tests, endoscopy, X-rays and ultrasound of the neck initially and CT or MRI scan eventually.
Management
Reassurance of the patient is recommendable when no cause can be found.
If a cause is identified, treat the cause symptomatically or, if possible, systemically.
Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis must be made from Eagle syndrome which uses the patient’s description of “something caught in my throat” as a diagnostic tool.
Eagle syndrome is an elongation of the styloid process causing irritation to nerves and muscles in the region resulting in a number of unusual symptoms.
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Introduction
Intranasal refers to anything inside the nose. Cryotherapy means “cold therapy” and refers to procedures that freeze part of the body.
Intranasal cryotherapy basically freezes the nerve fibres of the posterior nasal nerve in the back of the nose.
Aim
An overactive posterior nasal nerve can cause the nose to produce excess mucus. Cryotherapy can address the overactive nerve to help reduce runny nose symptoms.
Procedure
- Intranasal cryotherapy is performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure.
- It takes only a few minutes.
- Here topical anesthesia is used to numb the inside of the nose.
- Intranasal cryotherapy device is placed in the back of the nose, along with an endoscope to help the doctor see inside your nose.
- The freezing agent (nitrous oxide cryogen) is applied inside the nose, through a small balloon on the tip of the device.
- The balloon tip is pressed against the overactive nerve fibers.
- The overactive nerves become inactive, which reduces your runny nose.
Caution
We are careful not to disrupt all of the nerve fibres, which would result in a dry nose.
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