How does Olfactory and Taste Dysfunction occur? New Covid-19 Pandemic update 2022

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.

How CT Value in the Covid-19 test is evaluated and its infection severity & viral load?

Ct value stands for cycle threshold. During the RT-PCR test, the Ct value determines the detectable level of the virus in a given sample based on which it is decided if the person is COVID positive or negative. In the RT PCR test, the RNA is extracted from the sample and is converted to DNA, which is then amplified or multiplied. This multiplication happens over a number of cycles in order to find out the viral load. 

What is Cochlear Implantation?

A cochlear implant is an electronic device that restores hearing.  A cochlear implant is very different from a hearing aid. Hearing aids amplify sounds so they may be detected by damaged ears. Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Signals generated by the implant are sent by way of the auditory nerve to the brain, which recognizes the signals as sound.

What is Intranasal Cryotherapy? Easy treatment methods and solutions.

Intranasal Cryotherapy by Dr Baisali Sarkar

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.

How Oral blisters occur in mouth tissues and their treatment’s.

A blister is a pocket of fluid between the upper layers of skin. These are characterized by autoantibodies directed against the adhesion molecules of the skin and mucous membranes. There are two main types of pemphigus than cause mucosal lesions: Pemphigus vulgaris, Paraneoplastic pemphigus. Oral vesicles (small blisters) are rarely seen intact as they break down rapidly and become shallow, irregular erosions (sores) that later ulcerate.