Midwest Medical Specialists

Patients with ear, nose, and throat complaints can come to Midwest Medical Specialists directly, or they may be referred to our practice by another physician. During the initial visit, we conduct a symptom-focused examination, listen to complaints, confirm a possible diagnosis and/or perform further testing; then and consult with the patient on the best plan of action for treatment and/or cure.

A thorough exam is the first step in diagnosing reasons behind hearing loss and other complaints involving the ear, nose and throat.
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The most common diseases seen by Midwest Medical Specialists physicians include: chronic sinusitis and nasal obstruction (which often leads to recurrent sinus disease), hearing loss, sleep disordered breathing (snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness are typically the complaints), vertigo, head and neck masses (enlarged lymph nodes in the neck) and thyroid and parotid tumors.

Sinus Disorders

Sinusitis affects approximately 31 million Americans annually, and is one of the most common health care complaints in the United States.

Sinusitis suffers often feel pain or pressure in the forehead or around the eyes and cheek(s), tender skin and tender bones over and under the eyes.
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Therapy for acute bacterial sinusitis includes an appropriate antibiotic, which is often selected based on culture obtained in our office. Surgery should be considered only if aggressive medical treatment has failed, or if certain anatomic abnormalities require correction. The ENT physicians at MMS are all highly skilled in the medical and surgical management of sinus disease.

Office-based procedures have recently been developed which can improve quality of life in many patients suffering with nasal obstruction. The procedures are performed during an office visit under local anesthesia with minimal post-operative discomfort and no downtime from work.

Ear, Hearing, & Balance Issues

Ear infections (otitis media) affect nearly 100% of children by the age of 5, as well as many adults as a result of allergies, viral respiratory infections, or sinusitis. Treatment of otitis media includes either antibiotics or, if chronic, insertion of pressure equalizing tubes. Tube insertion requires a brief general anesthetic in children, but can be performed during an office visit with a topical anesthetic in adults.

Otitis media occurs in the area between the ear drum (the end of the outer ear) and the inner ear, including a duct known as the Eustachian tube.
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Hearing loss affects nearly 10% of Americans, often the result of long-standing noise exposure or generalized aging of the hearing mechanism. The ENT practice at Midwest Medical Specialists also includes two full-time doctors of audiology who utilize full-service, state-of-the-art audiology equipment to analyze and treat patients with hearing loss. We also offer a full line of hearing aids, making our department a true on-stop resource for the needs of our hearing disorder patients.

Dizziness and vertigo (the sensation of spinning) are common and treatable conditions with a wide range of causes. Our practice incorporates technologically advanced equipment to aid in the proper diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of vestibular (inner ear) disorders.

Snoring & Sleep Disorders

Snoring is a pervasive disorder, and seen in all ages, affecting both sexes. As we age, this problem can become more significant. Snoring, in the absence of obstructive breathing, does not affect the sleep of the snorer, and is a problem primarily for the bed partner. The comprehensive sleep disorder department at Midwest Medical Specialists can assess your sleep issues and successfully treat your sleep inhibiting problems.

Sleep apnea patient being tested using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine which helps maintain regular breathing.
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Sleep disordered breathing, on the other hand, includes snoring loud enough to disrupt the nighttime sleep of the snorer, but is not associated with nighttime airway obstruction. This disorder also includes cessation of breathing at nighttime, termed obstructive sleep apnea.

Snoring has no ill effects on the health of the snorer. Obstructive sleep apnea can be associated with significant adverse health risks. If obstructive sleep apnea is suspected by the sleep history, then a sleep study is indicated. Snoring can be effectively treated with non-surgical as well as office-based surgical techniques. Obstructive sleep apnea can be effectively treated as well, either with a device called nasal CPAP, an oral appliance, or with surgery under anesthesia.

Reflux Management

A common symptom complex of hoarseness, a "lump in the throat", frequent throat-clearing, chronic cough, and a sensation of drainage can often be related to reflux, better known in our practice as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

LPR (what patients often call heartburn) is characterized by a burning sensation that radiates up from the stomach to the chest and throat. Nearly three-quarters of patients with frequent symptoms experience them at night.
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LPR is caused by a weakness of the upper esophageal sphincter which allows acidic stomach contents to invade and damage the delicate tissues of the larynx and upper throat. This condition can be easily diagnosed in our office by using a thin fiberoptic camera using topical anesthesia to thoroughly evaluate the voice box and upper throat.

Most patients with LPR respond favorably to a combination of lifestyle changes and anti-reflux medication, which can be prescribed by Midwest Medical Specialists' physicians. Occasionally, referral to a gastroenterologist, and rarely, surgery, is recommended for this condition.

Thyroid Disorders

Diseases and nodules of the thyroid gland are very common, affecting millions of Americans. A vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign; however, malignancies can develop in up to 10% of nodules, requiring surgical management.

The thyroid produces iodine (containing hormones Thyroxine or T4) and Triiodothyronine (or T3) that circulate in the body through the bloodstream which are essential for body metabolism, growth and development, including making the heart beat faster and helping the body to burn calories.
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When a fine needle biopsy (FNA) is necessary to evaluate a nodule and make a diagnosis, MMS patients are sent to a hospital where the procedure can be performed with ultrasound guidance. Tissue samples from the nodule are obtained and sent to a pathologist for analysis.

Thyroid surgery may be required if the FNA is suspicious for cancer or if the trachea or esophagus is compressed because of a large thyroid (goiter).

Our ENT surgeons are well trained in the surgical management of thyroid disorders, having performed thousands of such operations over the course of their practice. They employ state-of-the-art monitoring techniques during thyroid surgery to help minimize the risk to the patient.

Pediatric ENT

Ear infections (acute otitis media) affect nearly 100% of children by the age of five. Treatment includes either antibiotics or, if chronic, insertion of pressure equalizing tubes. Tube insertion requires a brief general anesthetic in children, but can be performed during an office visit with a topical anesthetic in adults.

Otitis media occurs in the area between the ear drum (the end of the outer ear) and the inner ear, including a duct known as the Eustachian tube.
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Tonsils and adenoids are a part of our immune system, acting as the first line of defense against incoming viruses and bacteria. At times, however, our tonsils can become a nuisance, becoming repeatedly or chronically infected, or even triggering airway obstruction due to their large size.

Symptoms of tonsillitis include a severe sore throat (which may be experienced as referred pain to the ears), painful/difficult swallowing, crouch coughing, headache, fever and chills.
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Streptococcus bacteria (strep throat) is the most common bacterial infection of the tonsils, which will usually respond to antibiotic therapy. Occasionally, the infection can become recurrent (> 3 episodes per year), or chronic (carrier state), at which time tonsillectomy may be recommended. The most common reason for recommending tonsillectomy, however, is sleep disordered breathing (SBD) due to enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids. Symptoms of SBD include snoring, gasping, thrashing in bed, or possibly, unexplained bed-wetting. Research has also revealed that SBD can lead to delayed growth, and possibly, ADHD. Adenotonsillectomy is curative in 90% of children diagnosed with SDB.

Runny nose (rhinitis) will affect all children at some point during infancy and childhood. The most common cause of rhinitis in children is viral upper respiratory infection, followed by allergies and adenoid enlargement. Sinusitis can also develop in children, leading to nasal drainage. Risk factors for the development of rhinitis include daycare, second hand smoke exposure, and family history of allergies. Rhinitis will usually respond to medical treatment, allergen avoidance, and environmental control measures. On rare occasions, and depending on the cause of the rhinitis, surgery will be recommended.

Neck Masses

Fortunately, most masses that occur in the neck are benign. A vast majority of neck masses are the result of a viral or bacterial infection in the mouth, throat, ear, or sinus.

Finding a neck mass can be alarming, but most often the condition is benign and is often treatable with antibiotic therapy. Every mass should be checked, however.
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Our ENT physicians can perform a safe, relatively painless procedure called fine needle aspiration (FNA) here in our office to differentiate between benign and malignant neck masses. If a neck mass fails to regress following appropriate antibiotic therapy and FNA is suspicious for malignancy, we will perform an open lymph node biopsy in a hospital setting, under a brief general anesthetic.

Hoarseness/Voice Disorders

Hoarseness is a common and pervasive condition that can be caused by many different disorders, such as infections, gastric reflux, and tumors, both benign and malignant.

A comprehensive evaluation of the larynx (voice box) and airway is accomplished at our office. Depending upon the condition found, either surgery or non-surgical treatment, such as medical therapy or speech therapy, may be offered.

Facial Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery

Our ENT physicians are skilled in a wide variety of plastic and reconstructive techniques that can be applied for both medical and cosmetic purposes.

• Blepharoplasty - correction of sagging, droopy eyes
• Liposuction of the Face and Neck - removal of excess fatty tissues on eyelids, under eyes, cheek area, neck, etc.
• Dermabrasion and Chemical Peel - for skin smoothing, wrinkle-reduction, to even out color, reduce blotchiness, etc.
• FAMI - Fat Transfer and Grafting
• Facial Rejuvenation - to restore more youthful complexion
• Otoplasty - correction of over prominent or excessively large ears
• Rhinoplasty - correction of over prominent or excessively large nose
• Filler and Augmentation of the Face - plumping, wrinkle-reducing, skin tightening procedures
• Reconstructive Surgery of the Head and Neck
• Correction of Congenital Birthmarks