Head & Neck Specialists

If you are suffering from a head or neck condition, the doctors at Sierra Nevada Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) can help. Our physicians are trained in the field of otolaryngology–a combination of the Greek terms for ear (oto), throat (laryn) and nose (rhino). We are head and neck specialists with years of experience treating a wide range of disorders and diseases originating in or affecting areas above a patient’s shoulders. From diagnosis tsurgery to everything in between, our team at Sierra Nevada ENT is here to help.

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Head and Neck Conditions

The head and neck include the important functions of sight, smell, hearing, and the appearance of the face. In the head and neck area, otolaryngologists (ENT specialists) are trained to treat infections, benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumors, facial trauma, and deformities of the face. They perform both cosmetic plastic and reconstructive surgery.

An ENT specialist is specially trained in the anatomy and function of the head and neck, making him or her the ideal resource for your head and neck care. If you have a problem that is related to your ear, nose, or throat, you may need to see an ENT specialist. Their training includes 15 years of college, medical school, a residency and an internship and board certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology.

Learn more about head and neck conditions that you may be experiencing. Our expert ENT staff can help manage existing conditions to improve your daily life.

Professional Otolaryngologists

If you are suffering from any head or neck condition, it is important to be evaluated by a medical professional. The otolaryngologists at Sierra Nevada ENT specialize in head and neck conditions, as well as surgery. We offer diagnosis and treatment for a variety of issues affecting the head and neck in a caring, safe and professional setting.

With locations in Reno, Carson City, Gardnerville and Fallon, our team has been proudly serving Northern Nevada and the surrounding area for over 25 years. Call to set up your appointment today.

Bell’s Palsy

What it is:

Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes the facial nerve not to work resulting in paralysis and distortion of the face. When Bell's palsy occurs, the function of the facial nerve is disrupted, causing an interruption in the messages that the brain sends to the facial muscles. This interruption results in facial weakness or paralysis. Bell's palsy is named after Sir Charles Bell, a 19th-century surgeon from Scotland who described the facial nerve and its connection to the condition.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of Bell's palsy can vary from person to person and range in severity from mild weakness to total paralysis. Bell’s palsy symptoms can include facial paralysis or weakness involving sagging, frozen expressions, frowns, droopiness, drooling, loss of taste, inability to close the eye, or tearing. Other symptoms may include pain or discomfort around the jaw and behind the ear, ringing in one or both ears, headache, loss of taste, impaired speech, dizziness, and difficulty eating or drinking.

Possible treatments:

Oral steroids
Lubricating eye drops
Analgesics or moist heat to relieve pain

More information:

American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Stanford Health Care

Neck lumps/Benign tumors

What it is:

A lump in the neck can have a variety of causes, including a bacterial or viral infection, cancer, thyroid disease or allergic reaction. The most common lumps or swellings are enlarged lymph nodes. These can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, cancer, or other more unusual causes. Swollen salivary glands under the jaw may be caused by infection or cancer. A tumor is abnormal growth of cells that serves no purpose. A benign tumor is not a malignant tumor, malignant tumors are called cancers. In some cases, benign tumors need no treatment.

Symptoms:

Lump in the neck

Possible treatments:

Surgery
Antibiotics
Radioactive iodine (in cases of thyroid disease)

More information:

U.S. National Library of Medicine

Oral cavity tumors

What it is:

Oral cavity tumors, or oral cancer, includes cancer of the lips, the inside lining of the lips and cheeks (buccal mucosa), the teeth, the gums, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth below the tongue, and the bony roof of the mouth. An oral cavity tumor is a tumor that forms in the mouth. Most cancers that form here are a type of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

Symptoms:

A red or whitish sore in the mouth that does not heal (most common symptom)
Pain in the mouth that doesn’t go away (also quite common)
A lump or thickening in the cheek or growth in the mouth
A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth
A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat that doesn’t go away
Trouble chewing or swallowing problems
Trouble moving the jaw or tongue
Numbness of the tongue or other areas of the mouth
Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
Loosening of the teeth or pain around the teeth or jaw
Change in the voice
A lump or mass in the neck
Bringing up blood
Persistent earache

Possible treatments:

Surgical resection
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Targeted therapy
Palliative treatment (patient comfort)

More information:

American Cancer Society

Sleep apnea

What it is:

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep, you might have sleep apnea. There are two types of sleep apnea:

Central sleep apnea happens when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the muscles to start breathing. Central sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when air can’t flow into or out of the nose or mouth although efforts to breathe continue.

Symptoms:

Disrupted sleep
Snoring
Awakening gasping for breath or choking sensation
Daytime sleepiness
AM headaches from disrupted sleep
Dry mouth/sore throat

Possible treatments:

Weight loss and exercise
Use of CPAP device when sleeping
Surgery
Behavioral therapy including; avoiding alcohol, tobacco and sleeping pills

More information:

Are You Sleeping With the Enemy (aka Apnea)?
Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sore throat

What it is:

A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. Infections from viruses or bacteria are the main cause of sore throats and can make it difficult to talk and breathe. Allergies and sinus infections can also contribute to a sore throat. If you have a sore throat that lasts for more than five to seven days, you should see your doctor. Strep throat, a less common type of sore throat caused by bacteria, requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications.

Symptoms:

Severe and prolonged sore throat
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty opening the mouth
Joint pain
Earache
Rash
Fever (over 101°)
Blood in saliva or phlegm
Frequently recurring sore throat
Lump in neck
Hoarseness lasting over two weeks

Possible treatments:

Increasing liquid intake
Humidifier in room
Gargling with warm salt water
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Antibiotics
Surgery

More information:

American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Tonsil and adenoid infections

What it is:

Tonsils and adenoids are the immune system's first line of defense. They fight bacteria and viruses that enter the body through the mouth or nose, but they sometimes become infected. Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, typically of rapid onset. It is a type of pharyngitis. Symptoms may include enlargement of the tonsils, sore throat, fever, trouble swallowing, bad breath, and large lymph nodes around the neck. Most cases of tonsillitis are caused by infection with a common virus, but bacterial infections also may cause tonsillitis.

Symptoms:

Redder than normal tonsils
White or yellow coating on the tonsils
Slight voice change due to swelling
Sore throat, sometimes accompanied by ear pain
Uncomfortable or painful swallowing
Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
Fever
Bad breath

Possible treatments:

Antibiotics
Tonsillectomy (removal of tonsils for recurrent infections) and/or Adenoidectomy (removal of the adenoid for recurring infections or allergies)

More information:

American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Tonsil stones

What it is:

Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are formed when trapped bacteria and other materials in the tonsils harden or calcify. Different types of debris, mainly dead cells, mucus and saliva can get trapped in tonsil crypts and build up. Stones are not always easy to see, and they can range from the size of a grain of rice to the size of a grape. Many people with tonsil stones may not even realize they have them.

Symptoms:

Bad breath
Sore throat
Difficulty swallowing
Ear pain
Tonsil swelling

Possible treatments:

Salt water gargle
Antibiotics
Surgery

More information:

Web MD

Vocal cord problems

What it is:

Vocal cord problems include voice changes and hoarseness caused by infection, irritation, acid reflux, misuse and overuse. Strained vocal cords often aren't noticed until the problem becomes severe. Symptoms may include a raspy, hoarse, low or breathy voice; or trouble swallowing or coughing.

Symptoms:

Quivering sound
Hoarseness
Sound strained or choppy
Weak, whispery, or breathy
Too high or low or change in pitch

Possible treatments:

Voice rest
Change in speaking style
Speech therapy
Medication
Injections
Surgery

More information:

American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Salivary gland disorders

What it is:

The salivary glands produce saliva to moisten the mouth, to help protect teeth from decay and to digest food. Many diseases can affect your salivary glands. Swollen and irritated salivary glands that can be caused by infections, obstruction, tumor, mumps or Sjogren's syndrome. While some conditions go away with time or antibiotics, others require more serious treatments, including surgery.

Symptoms:

Bad taste in the mouth
Difficulty opening your mouth
Dry mouth
Pain in the face or mouth
Swelling of the face or neck

Possible treatments:

Obstruction – Antibiotics, increase in fluid intake, manual opening of duct
Infection – Antibiotics, increase in fluid intake
Tumor – Surgery, radiation (if cancerous)
Sjogren's syndrome

More information:

U.S. National Library of Medicine,
American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Salivary gland stones

What it is:

A salivary gland stone is an obstruction to the flow of saliva from stones that have formed. Also called sialolithiasis, or a salivary duct stone. A salivary gland stone can block the flow of saliva in the mouth.

Symptoms:

Symptoms typically occur during eating and include:
Swelling of the gland
Pain in the glands

Possible treatments:

Removal of the stone (Papillotomy)
Surgery

More information:

American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Head and neck skin cancer/Malignant tumor

What it is:

Many different types of skin cancer can affect your skin and neck. Skin cancer occurs when cancerous (malignant) cells develop in the outer layers of the skin. The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (70 percent of all skin cancers) and squamous cell carcinoma (20 percent of all skin cancers). These types of skin cancer are classified as non-melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma (5 percent of all skin cancers) is the third type of skin cancer.

Symptoms:

Changes in the skin
Skin sores that do not heal

Possible treatments:

Surgery/excision
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy

More information:

American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Basal cell carcinoma

What it is:

Basal cell carcinomas are abnormal, uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in the skin’s basal cells, which line the deepest layer of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin). Basal cell carcinoma typically occurs in areas of your neck or face that are exposed to the sun. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and the most frequently occurring form of all cancers. According to Skincancer.org, in the U.S. alone, more than 4 million cases are diagnosed each year.

Symptoms:

Small raised bump that has a pearly appearance (typically in sun exposed area)
Open sores
Red patches
Pink growths
Shiny bumps or scars
A scabbing sore that heals and returns

Possible treatments:

Surgery/excision
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy

More information:

American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Squamous cell carcinoma

What it is:

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells arising in the squamous cells, which compose most of the skin’s upper layers (the epidermis). It's usually found on areas of the body damaged by UV rays from the sun or tanning beds. Sun-exposed skin includes the head, neck, chest, upper back, ears, lips, arms, legs, and hands. Squamous cell carcinoma is a fairly slow-growing skin cancer, but can travel (metastasize) to the nearby lymph nodes.

Symptoms:

Firm red bump or ulceration of the skin that does not heal
Scaly red patches
Elevated growths with a central depression
Sore may crust or bleed

Possible treatments:

Surgery/excision
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy

More information:

American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Nasopharyngeal Cancer

What it is:

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the nasopharynx, located at the base of your skull above the roof of your mouth. Nasopharyngeal cancers are located at the back of the nasal passage from above the soft palate to the upper part of the throat. Nasopharyngeal cancer is also called nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Symptoms:

Lumps in the neck
Swollen face
Swollen lymph nodes
Discharge of pus and blood from the nose
Sensation of fullness or pain in the ears
Hearing loss

Possible treatments:

Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Surgery

More information:

Merck