Yale Medicine Otolaryngology (ENT)

10/09/2025

Have you heard of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder ( ), also called Devic disease? This rare disease can damage the and optic nerve, causing pain, vision loss, vertigo, or – for young patients – seizures.

There is currently no cure for NMOSD, but the symptoms can be managed with effective treatment.

Learn more about NMOSD here: https://bit.ly/3Kzik2T

10/08/2025

If your depression doesn't respond to traditional antidepressants and therapy, nasal sprays could offer some hope for relief.

Ketamine works to improve neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt to changes and protect itself. In some cases, the drug can improve depression symptoms in less than 24 hours.

Watch here for more on how doctors are using ketamine to fight resistant depression: https://bit.ly/48ml3XA

10/07/2025

A young woman in a bar waits for her Tinder date and asks for a beer to help calm her nerves—or soften a possible letdown. Longtime girlfriends gather for a getaway, raising their cocktail glasses high for an Instagram selfie. A mom finally gets a quiet moment at home, sinking into the couch with a glass of wine, which she jokingly calls her “mom juice.”

These moments may look carefree and fun. But beneath the surface, alcohol carries more risks than many women realize. A growing body of evidence shows that even moderate alcohol use—one drink or less per day for a woman—can be a significant health risk, raising the risk of chronic disease and even death.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3KAzvkO

10/06/2025

to Benjamin L. Judson, MD, Charles W. Ohse Professor of (Otolaryngology)!

to Benjamin L. Judson, MD, Charles W. Ohse Professor of (Otolaryngology), who has accepted the position of Chair of the Department of Surgery, surgeon-in-chief for Yale New Haven Health and chief of surgery for Yale New Haven Hospital.

Judson has served in these roles on an interim basis for the past six months.

10/06/2025

It’s Medical Vocabulary Monday!

Bloodless breast surgery is a collection of techniques and tools to minimize blood loss during procedures on the breasts.

From augmentation to lumpectomies, bloodless breast surgery uses careful planning, advanced surgical instruments, and specialized cauterization techniques to realize better outcomes, including:

-Reduced risk of complications
-Faster recovery times
-Less post-operative swelling and bruising

If you're considering breast surgery, talk to your doctor about whether this technique is an option for you!

Find a specialist here: https://bit.ly/4mQZtxM

What medical term are you curious about? Drop it in the comments, and we may feature it in a future post!

10/03/2025

: Schedule Your Mammogram on Time to Stay Up to Date on Screenings

October is National Awareness Month. Have you scheduled your mammogram?

According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, women at average risk for breast cancer should schedule a mammogram every two years, starting at age 40 and continuing until age 74.

Women at higher risk may be directed by their doctors to start screening earlier.

Stay on top of scheduling to avoid delays in your screenings.

-Know the soonest you can call to schedule your next appointment.
-Check other nearby screening locations if your first choice is not available.
-Don’t delay - even if your risk is low, follow your doctor’s advice for screening.

Read here for the latest guidance on breast cancer screening: https://bit.ly/4pOXzk9

10/02/2025

Nikhil Sikand, MD, Yale Medicine cardiologist and assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine, warned that "abdominal pain, nausea and overall fatigue are potential heart attack warning signs." But that doesn’t go for everyone. “Some patients may have mild or no symptoms at all,” he noted in an interview with HuffPost.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3KQIONq

10/01/2025

Patients living with need personalized medicine, not one-size-fits-all care.

This Awareness Month, Yale Medicine clinicians discuss some of the options doctors and patients consider when designing a personal plan.

Watch the full video here: https://bit.ly/4mLZBhY

09/30/2025

Eye floaters are small, shadowy shapes that drift across a person’s field of vision. They may appear as spots, threads, squiggly lines, cobwebs, or bubbles, and move when the eyes move. Also called vitreous opacities, floaters are most noticeable when looking at bright, plain backgrounds, such as a blue sky or a white wall.

Most floaters are harmless and do not require treatment. However, if they become bothersome or are linked to another eye condition, treatment options are available.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3KMoIDX

09/29/2025

It’s Medical Vocabulary Monday!

This week’s term is enterovirus.

Enteroviruses are a group of viruses that commonly infect the gastrointestinal tract but can spread to other parts of the body. While many infections cause only mild, cold-like symptoms, these viruses can sometimes lead to more serious conditions, especially in young children and people with weakened immune systems.

Enterovirus infections can cause:

-Hand, foot, and mouth disease (fever, sore throat, and a rash with blisters)
-Viral meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord)
-Respiratory illnesses with cough, runny nose, and body aches

Most cases resolve on their own, but severe complications—though rare—require medical attention.

Fun fact: “Entero-” comes from the Greek word for “intestine,” since these viruses often start in the gut before spreading.

What medical term are you curious about? Drop it in the comments, and we may feature it in a future post!

09/26/2025

Health Tip: Know the Differences Between NSAIDs vs. Acetaminophen

Even for over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief, it’s important to consider the and benefits of different before you use them.

Most OTC pain relievers fall into one of two categories: non-steroidal ani-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen.

NSAIDS reduce pain and fever as well as treating inflammation. Non-aspirin NSAIDS may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, and pregnant women should not take NSAIDs after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless directed by their doctor, due to the risk of fetal harm. They can also cause upset stomach.

Acetaminophen can ease mild to moderate pain and bring down a fever, but it doesn’t treat inflammation. Acetaminophen causes less stomach problems than NSAIDs do, and is available for children. The American College of Ostetricians and Gynecologists says pregnant women can use acetaminophen in moderation after consultation with their doctors.

Read here for more information on common over-the-counter pain relievers: https://bit.ly/42fWgQV

09/25/2025

The lifetime risk of diabetic retinopathy is striking: about 50-60% for people with type 2 diabetes, and more than 90% for those with type 1 diabetes.

The good news, says Yale Medicine ophthalmologist Kristen Nwanyanwu, MD, MBA, is that blindness from diabetic retinopathy is largely preventable.

“The first treatments for diabetic retinopathy were identified more than 40 years ago and they’ve only gotten better,” Dr. Nwanyanwu says. “We now have options ranging from laser treatments to medications injected into the eye. The challenge is that the disease can progress quietly, so it’s crucial that people see their medical provider at the right time.”

Read more about diabetic retinopathy and screening here: https://bit.ly/4mA9zmC