Dr. Kennard Q. Felix - Ear, Nose, Throat Online Specialist

25/08/2026

Safe earwax removal technique

25/08/2026

Why eardrum is important for hearing normally

25/08/2026

Otosclerosis ????

25/08/2026

Physiology of hearing

25/08/2026

Anatomy of the nose

25/08/2026

🚨🚨❗️❗️❗️❗️Your goiter could be cancer !!!

Thyroid Cancer: Signs & Management

Thyroid cancer develops when abnormal cells grow in the thyroid gland, located at the front of the neck. Many thyroid cancers grow slowly and have a good prognosis when detected early.

🟣 Common Signs and Symptoms

➟ A new lump or nodule in the neck

➟ A thyroid lump that gradually increases in size

➟ Swelling in the lower front of the neck

➟ Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck

➟ Many thyroid cancers cause no symptoms in the early stages

🟣 Voice and Throat Symptoms

➟ Persistent hoarseness or voice change

➟ Difficulty swallowing

➟ Feeling of pressure or fullness in the neck

➟ Difficulty breathing can occur if a large tumor compresses the airway

🟣 Other Warning Signs

➟ Persistent neck or throat pain

➟ Pain may occasionally spread toward the ears

➟ A hard or fixed thyroid nodule may be more concerning

➟ Rapidly enlarging neck swelling requires prompt evaluation

🟣 Risk Factors

➟ Previous radiation exposure to the head or neck

➟ Family history of thyroid cancer

➟ Certain inherited syndromes, especially with medullary thyroid cancer

➟ Increasing age can affect the risk and prognosis of some thyroid cancers

🟣 Diagnosis

➟ Thyroid ultrasound is commonly used to examine a suspicious nodule

➟ Blood tests usually include TSH

➟ Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy may be needed to check suspicious nodules

➟ CT, MRI, or other imaging may be used when cancer is advanced or has spread

🟣 Management

➟ Surgery is the main treatment for many thyroid cancers

➟ Part or all of the thyroid may be removed depending on the cancer type and size

➟ Radioactive iodine may be used after surgery for selected differentiated thyroid cancers

➟ Thyroid hormone replacement is often needed after thyroid removal

➟ Some advanced cancers may require targeted therapy, radiotherapy, or other systemic treatment

🟣 Follow-Up

➟ Regular neck examinations and ultrasound may be required

➟ Blood tests help monitor thyroid hormone levels

➟ Thyroglobulin may be monitored after treatment for certain thyroid cancers

➟ Long-term follow-up is important because recurrence can occasionally occur years later

🟣 When to Seek Medical Help

➟ A new or enlarging neck lump

➟ Persistent hoarseness lasting several weeks

➟ Difficulty swallowing or breathing

➟ Enlarged neck lymph nodes

➟ Rapidly increasing thyroid or neck swelling

Medical disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any persistent or enlarging thyroid lump or unexplained neck swelling should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.

24/08/2026

Bad breath or halitosis causes ?

Halitosis (Bad Breath): Causes & Management

Halitosis means persistent unpleasant breath odor. Most cases start in the mouth, commonly from tongue coating, gum disease, tooth decay, dry mouth, or trapped food debris. Less often, nasal, sinus, stomach, or other medical conditions contribute.

🟣 Common Causes

➟ Poor oral hygiene and food debris around teeth

➟ Tongue coating, especially at the back of the tongue

➟ Gingivitis or periodontitis

➟ Dental caries, infected teeth, or dental abscess

➟ Dry mouth from dehydration, mouth breathing, or certain medicines

➟ Smoking or to***co use

➟ Strong-smelling foods such as garlic and onions

🟣 Other Possible Causes

➟ Tonsil stones

➟ Sinusitis or postnasal drip

➟ Throat or respiratory infections

➟ Poorly cleaned dentures or dental appliances

➟ Acid reflux may contribute in some people

➟ Rarely, certain systemic diseases can produce characteristic breath odors

🟣 Common Signs

➟ Persistent unpleasant breath noticed by the person or others

➟ Bad or metallic taste in the mouth

➟ Thick coating on the tongue

➟ Dry mouth

➟ Bleeding or swollen gums

➟ Food trapping or plaque buildup around teeth

🟣 Management

➟ Brush teeth thoroughly twice daily with fluoride toothpaste

➟ Clean between teeth daily using floss or interdental brushes

➟ Gently clean or scrape the tongue, especially the back surface

➟ Drink adequate water and manage dry mouth

➟ Clean dentures and removable appliances every day

➟ Treat tooth decay, gum disease, dental infections, and tonsil stones when present

🟣 Lifestyle Measures

➟ Stop smoking and to***co use

➟ Limit foods that repeatedly trigger bad breath

➟ Sugar-free gum may stimulate saliva when the mouth is dry

➟ Avoid excessive alcohol-containing mouthwash if it worsens dryness

➟ Mouthwash may temporarily reduce odor but does not replace brushing, interdental cleaning, or treatment of the cause

🟣 When to See a Dentist or Doctor

➟ Bad breath persists despite good oral hygiene

➟ Gums bleed, swell, or recede

➟ Toothache, pus, or dental swelling is present

➟ Persistent dry mouth develops

➟ There are recurrent tonsil stones, sinus symptoms, or reflux symptoms

➟ Unexplained bad breath continues even after dental causes have been ruled out

Medical disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Persistent halitosis should be evaluated by a qualified dentist or healthcare professional to identify and treat the underlying cause.

23/08/2026

Perforated eardrum 👂

Perforated Eardrum: Causes, Signs & Management

A perforated eardrum, or tympanic membrane perforation, is a hole or tear in the thin membrane separating the ear canal from the middle ear. Many small perforations heal on their own, but some need specialist treatment.

🟣 Common Causes

➟ Middle-ear infection causing pressure and rupture of the eardrum

➟ Sudden pressure changes from flying, diving, or explosions

➟ Direct injury from cotton buds, hairpins, or other objects placed in the ear

➟ Head or ear trauma

➟ Very loud noise or blast injury

🟣 Common Signs and Symptoms

➟ Sudden ear pain, which may improve after the eardrum ruptures

➟ Reduced or muffled hearing

➟ Ringing in the ear, called tinnitus

➟ Fluid, pus, or blood draining from the ear

➟ Feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear

➟ Dizziness or vertigo may occur

🟣 Signs Suggesting Infection

➟ Fever

➟ Ear discharge that is yellow, green, or foul-smelling

➟ Increasing ear pain

➟ Reduced hearing

➟ Persistent infection may delay healing

🟣 Management

➟ Keep the ear dry while it heals

➟ Avoid swimming unless cleared by a healthcare professional

➟ Use petroleum-coated cotton at the outer ear during showering if advised

➟ Do not put cotton buds, oils, or unprescribed drops into the ear

➟ Pain-relieving medicines may be used when appropriate

➟ Antibiotic ear drops or oral antibiotics may be prescribed if infection is present

🟣 Healing

➟ Many small perforations heal naturally within several weeks

➟ Hearing often improves as the eardrum closes

➟ Persistent perforations may require an eardrum patch or tympanoplasty surgery

➟ Hearing testing may be needed if hearing loss continues

🟣 Important Precautions

➟ Do not blow the nose forcefully

➟ Avoid pressure changes such as diving until the eardrum has healed

➟ Do not use ear drops unless they are confirmed safe for a perforated eardrum

➟ Avoid inserting anything into the ear canal

🟣 When to Seek Medical Help

➟ Ear discharge continues for more than a few days

➟ Hearing remains reduced

➟ Ear pain or infection keeps returning

➟ The perforation followed significant trauma

➟ Symptoms do not improve within several weeks

🟣 When Urgent Assessment Is Needed

➟ Severe or persistent vertigo

➟ Sudden major hearing loss

➟ Facial weakness

➟ Heavy bleeding from the ear

➟ Clear watery fluid draining after a significant head injury

➟ Severe headache, confusion, or other neurological symptoms after trauma

Medical disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Persistent hearing loss, ear discharge, severe dizziness, or a perforation after significant injury should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional or ENT specialist.

22/08/2026

Is inhalers good for you ? Does it relieve nasal congestion ?

Nasal Inhalers: Helpful or Harmful?

Nasal inhalers can provide temporary relief from a stuffy nose, but not all inhalers are meant for frequent or prolonged use.
Some decongestant nasal sprays can cause rebound congestion when overused, making your nose feel even more blocked.

Before using a nasal inhaler:
✔️ Know what’s in it
✔️ Follow the recommended directions
✔️ Avoid prolonged use of decongestant sprays
✔️ Consult an ENT specialist if nasal congestion keeps coming back

Treat the cause, not just the congestion.

This is the official public service page of the Philippine Society of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (PSO-HNS).

21/08/2026

How your eardrum heals by itself