ENT Insights and Blogs

Adenotonsillectomy is one of the most commonly performed paediatric ENT operations and is carried out entirely through the mouth under general anaesthesia, with no external cuts or scarring It is the most effective first-line surgical treatment for paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids — many parents notice dramatic improvements in sleep, breathing, behaviour, and energy levels within weeks of recovery Recovery takes around ten to fourtee

Persistent snoring in children is not normal — it can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea, which affects growth, behaviour, concentration, and cardiovascular health if left unaddressed Adenotonsillectomy is the most effective first-line treatment for most children with OSA caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids, resolving or significantly improving sleep-disordered breathing in the majority of cases Other treatment options — including palatal expansion, myofunctional thera

House dust mite is the dominant allergen in Singapore, causing year-round symptoms in a large proportion of patients with allergic rhinitis Allergy blood tests (IgE/RAST) have important limitations — some patients with florid allergy test negative, while others with high results have minimal symptoms; clinical assessment matters more than a number on a report When nasal blockage is severe enough to prevent medication reaching the nasal lining, surgery to reduce the turbinates

By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore Voice deepening surgery — Type 3 Thyroplasty — is a permanent procedure that lowers vocal pitch by modifying the thyroid cartilage, and remains largely unknown to the patients who could benefit from it. In this post, Dr Vyas Prasad reflects on what his OneFM radio interview revealed about the scale of unmet need among men in Singapore — and answers the

By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore The maxillary sinuses are the largest of the four sinus pairs and the most commonly affected in sinusitis — causing cheekbone pressure, nasal blockage, and tooth pain that is frequently misattributed to dental problems. Dr Vyas Prasad explains the causes, including the underrecognised dental connection, how maxillary sinusitis is diagnosed, and when sur

By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) — Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) occur when the coordinated muscle and nerve action required for swallowing breaks down. In Singapore, common causes include laryngopharyngeal reflux, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, Zenker's diverticulum, neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or stroke, and head and neck cancer. Treatment depends on the caus

By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) — Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore Head and neck cancer covers the throat, voice box, mouth, nose, salivary glands, and neck lymph nodes Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is particularly prevalent in Singapore, especially in men of Chinese ethnicity Key warning signs include a persistent neck lump, hoarseness over 3 weeks, a mouth ulcer that won't heal, and unexplained weight loss Early diag

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss — a rapid drop in hearing within 72 hours — is a medical emergency It originates in the inner ear, not from earwax or congestion High-dose corticosteroids within 24–48 hours of onset give the best chance of recovery Same-day specialist assessment is essential — delays reduce the likelihood of recovery Sudden hearing loss in one ear is a medical emergency. Unlike earwax or congestion, sensorineural hearing loss originates in the inner ear and

Bell's palsy causes sudden one-sided weakness affecting the eye, mouth, and cheek It is caused by inflammation of the facial nerve and affects around 20–30 per 100,000 people each year Steroids started within 72 hours significantly improve the chance of full recovery Most patients recover well with prompt treatment Bell's palsy causes sudden one-sided facial weakness — affecting the eye, mouth, and cheek on the affected side. Early treatment with steroids within 72 hours sign

Globus is the sensation of a lump or tightness in the throat with no actual obstruction Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a common cause — and many patients have no heartburn at all This post explains why throat symptoms can occur without classic reflux signs Diagnosis and management options are outlined Laryngopharyngeal reflux causes inflammation of the throat and voice box, producing the characteristic sensation of a lump or tightness — even in patients who have no heartbu

Cholesteatoma is an abnormal collection of skin cells growing within the middle ear that, without treatment, progressively erodes surrounding structures including the hearing bones, facial nerve canal, and in rare cases the bone separating the ear from the brain. It is not cancerous but it is serious — surgery is the only treatment, and the earlier it is performed the less complex and more successful the outcome. Cholesteatoma is an abnormal growth of skin cells in the middle

By Dr Vyas M.N. Prasad, FRCS (ORL-HNS) Consultant Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore Loss of smell after COVID-19 occurs because the virus damages the supporting cells of the olfactory epithelium rather than simply blocking the nose — which is why it can persist long after the infection resolves. Smell training started early gives the best chance of recovery, and for persistent cases beyond six months, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose, equalising pressure and draining fluid When it fails to open, the result is blocked, muffled, or pressured ears — especially noticeable during flights or after a cold This is one of the most common ENT complaints Treatment options range from nasal sprays to balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose, equalising pressure and draining fluid. When

A deviated nasal septum — where the cartilage dividing the nose is off-centre — is extremely common and in most people causes no symptoms. When it causes persistent nasal obstruction affecting breathing, sleep, or exercise, surgical correction (septoplasty) performed entirely through the nostrils can provide lasting improvement and is generally claimable under Medisave in Singapore. A deviated septum is extremely common and causes no symptoms in most people When it narrows th

The most common cause of sudden spinning vertigo — particularly when triggered by rolling over in bed or looking up — is BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), a highly treatable condition caused by displaced crystals in the inner ear. In most cases a single clinic visit and the Epley repositioning manoeuvre performed by an ENT specialist is sufficient to resolve it completely. BPPV is the most common cause of sudden spinning vertigo, particularly triggered by rolling o

Glue ear — fluid behind the eardrum causing muffled hearing — is the most common cause of hearing loss in children and often goes undetected because it is painless and children rarely complain about it. Most cases resolve on their own within three months, but persistent glue ear affecting speech, learning, or behaviour warrants specialist assessment and may require grommet insertion. Glue ear — thick fluid behind the eardrum — is the most common cause of hearing loss in child

Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears) is a symptom rather than a diagnosis In many cases a treatable underlying cause can be identified by an ENT specialist Where no cause is found, sound therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy can significantly reduce its impact Assessment aims to rule out important underlying conditions before managing the symptom Tinnitus is the perception of sound — ringing, buzzing, or hissing — generated within the auditory system itself

Tonsillitis is usually viral and self-limiting, but recurrent bacterial episodes significantly affecting quality of life — typically 7 or more per year — is an indication for surgery Enlarged tonsils causing obstructive sleep apnoea in children are an equally important surgical indication Tonsillectomy resolves sleep-disordered breathing in the majority of paediatric cases This post explains the criteria for surgery and what the procedure involves The tonsils sit at the back

Salivary gland stones most commonly affect the submandibular gland, causing painful swelling at mealtimes Most stones can now be removed through the natural duct using sialendoscopy — a minimally invasive technique requiring no external incision Open surgery is no longer necessary in the majority of cases This post explains the different glands affected, symptoms, and what treatment involves The parotid gland sits in front of and below the ear, while the submandibular gland s

Earwax only requires removal when it is causing symptoms such as blocked hearing, tinnitus, earache, or dizziness. Microsuction — performed under direct visualisation using a microscope or endoscope — is the safest method of earwax removal and is significantly safer than ear syringing, particularly for patients with a history of ear surgery or perforated eardrum. Earwax only requires removal when causing symptoms such as blocked hearing, tinnitus, earache, or dizziness Micros