Medical Questions & Answers

Q: When I talk to my child from behind and he doesn’t answer me. What does that mean?

A: It could mean that he has Otitis Media with Effusion—or fluid behind his eardrum. He is not being disobedient. He just can’t hear you. Ventilating tubes placed in the eardrum will help the ear drain and he will hear you.

Q: My child has had 3 or 4 ear infections this year. Is there anything besides more antibiotics that can help?

A: The placement of ventilating tubes in the eardrum is a simple procedure. Sometimes it can be done in our office without going to the hospital. The tubes allow the ear to drain without building up pressure and causing pain.

Q: I worry that my child is not getting sufficient rest at night. He is a restless sleeper and snores.

A: Large tonsils and/or adenoids can obstruct the child’s breathing causing him to snore. His restlessness may be related to not getting the proper oxygen he needs.

Q: My child has tonsillitis. Should she have her tonsils removed?

A: Has she had 3-4 cases of tonsillitis this past year? Are her tonsils large and obstruct her breathing? What conservative measures have been tried?

Q: There are dark circles under our son’s eyes, yet he sleeps well at night. What could this mean?

A: This could signal that he is an allergic child. We do allergy testing in our office and can find out today what his allergies are.

Q: My child breathes through her mouth all the time. Is there anything wrong with that?

A: The function of the nose is to humidify, warm and clean the air. By “mouth-breathing” her nose is not doing its job. This also can lead to an elongated face and teeth protrusion. Why is her nose not being used? What is obstructing her nasal passages? We can identify problems that exist in the nose and throat.

Q: I have a mole that has grown within the last year. Is this something to worry about?

A: A mole that has gotten larger, varied in color, has an irregular border or is asymmetrical should be checked. These are all danger signs. Dr. Huffaker has been professionally trained to recognize skin cancers, and any skin lesion you question should be checked.

Q: My husband snores so loudly that I have to use ear plugs at night.

A: There are several procedures to choose from that will help you both. Dr. Huffaker will evaluate your case and talk with you about each option.

Q: My husband snores and even stops breathing at night. Is this something to be concerned about?

A: Sleep Apnea is a dangerous condition. Many heart attacks occur at night when the organs are deprived of necessary oxygen. We can send your husband home with a simple nocturnal oxometry unit for preliminary evaluation and later, if needed, send him to a sleep lab for further tests. There are several ways to address this problem. We can show you your choices and help you choose the best solution.

Q: I have yellow drainage down my throat and my face hurts. Is this sinusitis?

A: Yes. Chronic sinusitis needs skilled and immediate attention. Sinusitis has been known to cause blindness and even death. Sometimes even with repeated antibiotics the physical drainage points inside your sinuses may not be working properly. Dr. Huffaker does “minimally invasive sinus surgery” which means that the normal drainage pathways are repaired with minimal damage to the surrounding natural tissue. This creates less trauma and faster healing.