Rhinology in Darlington

With rapid diagnosis and fast access to treatment, Woodlands is the right choice for the rhinology needs of patients based in Darlington, County Durham or North Yorkshire. Having a nasal disorder can be particularly puzzling, as symptoms can easily be confused with those symptoms of a common cold. More often than not, you’ll want peace of mind that nothing sinister is going on, and our ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) specialists at Woodlands can offer reassurance, ruling out more serious conditions. If your diagnosis shows signs of a more concerning issue, our consultants have the expertise to find you the best treatment options to bring you relief.

Symptoms of a nasal disorder can include:

• Blocked nose
• Runny nose
• Lack of smell
• Sneezing
• Facial pain
• Frequent nasal infections

Possible causes of your nasal disorder could include:

• Polyps (swollen, fluid-filled mucous membrane) in the nasal cavity
• Deviated nasal septum (Deviation of the partition in the nasal cavity)
• Sinusitis (infection of the sinuses, causing swelling)
• Nasal cancer

With rapid diagnosis and fast access to treatment, Woodlands is the right choice for the rhinology needs of patients based in Darlington, County Durham or North Yorkshire.

 

Treatment for these conditions will depend on the severity of your symptoms.

Steroid nasal sprays can be offered as a treatment to help alleviate inflammation of your nasal and sinus mucous membrane. Nasal douching involves cleaning your nasal cavity with normal saline. Advice is given for patients to carry out this procedure themselves.

Treatment for nasal polyps is often based on the size of the polyps. Some small polyps can be treated with steroids (such as an oral/nasal spray) which helps to shrink them. If this hasn’t been effective, surgical removal may be considered, and this is done as a day case procedure.

Some conditions, such as a deviated nasal septum, can cause breathing issues. A deviated septum occurs in patients either from birth, or as a result of an accident/trauma/impact to the nose. You may find that your symptoms don’t bother you that much, in which case it is best left alone. However, if difficulties have arisen for you, surgery to straighten the partition of the nose and reposition it in the middle may be a good option.

Breathing difficulties caused by trauma to the nose can be addressed with a functional rhinoplasty. By reshaping certain aspects of your nose, any blockage of your nasal airway can be corrected. Rhinoplasty is commonly seen as a cosmetic surgery, but this functional variation aims to leave the cosmetic appearance intact, instead focusing on alleviating your symptoms and the function of your airway.

When you come in to Woodlands for an initial consultation, your consultant will ask for a detailed medical history, including a description of your symptoms. They will want to know:

• What symptoms have you been experiencing?
• How long have you had these symptoms? Are you in pain?
• Can you describe the pain – is it a constant pain or intermittent?
• Do your symptoms get worse at night when lying down?
• Have you previously had any treatment for this?

This will be followed by a clinical examination, where your consultant will inspect your nasal cavity, and may look at the back of your throat as well.

Diagnostic scans may also be required, such as an x-ray, CT scan or MRI scan, in order to confirm various conditions. Some patients may already have had these scans, but if not, these can be provided on-site.

For many conditions of the nose and throat, a flexible nasal endoscopy will be used to make an accurate diagnosis – roughly 80-90% of patients with nasal symptoms will have this procedure as part of their initial consultation. This involves passing a small thin tube with a light and camera attached to it up your nose to help your consultant view the inside of your nose, down the back, and around the back of your throat. It allows your consultant to look for the cause of any swelling, such as polyps, pus, or nasal cancers.

With diagnostic results in hand, your consultant can form a treatment plan, presenting you with various options based on your condition. These may range from non-invasive measures to surgical options, and you can then make an informed decision on how best to proceed. Your consultant can outline the expected outcomes from each treatment, and advise which options may be more suited to your goals for recovery.

Choosing to have your rhinology treatment done at Woodlands comes with a host of benefits, such as:

• Assessments ASAP – Certain ear, nose and throat conditions are best treated at the earliest possible stage. If you’ve been experiencing any of the associated symptoms, our consultants can see you for an assessment without delay, getting you an accurate diagnosis and the necessary treatment before your symptoms progress any further.
• Patient Satisfaction – 98.2% of other patients in 2019 said they would happily recommend Woodlands Hospital to friends and family in an independent report, and we’re confident that you’ll agree. 98.3% also said that the quality of care here at Woodlands Hospital was either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, and these results highlight our continued efforts to ensure this is achieved.
• Same Day Surgery – Most ENT procedures are performed as a day case surgery, meaning you will be discharged on the same day as the operation.
• Personalised care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ needs and whatever may be best for you. This is regularly reviewed, ensuring you get the necessary treatment at every stage of your patient journey.
• A Multidisciplinary Approach – Our teams at Woodlands work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Working closely with a dedicated team of radiographers, anaesthetists, and nurses, as well as links with Plastics and Oncology, you have support from medical professionals every step of the way during your treatment. Convenient Appointments – With appointments available between 10am and 8.30pm Monday-Saturday, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.
• Park with ease – We know that parking should be the least of your worries when attending hospital, so our car park has ample space to accommodate your needs. Alternatively, we are very close to Darlington Railway Station, should you wish to visit us by train.

If you have been having regular nasal symptoms, why not book a consultation with one of our ENT specialists today? Our consultants can outline all treatment options for you promptly, arranging any necessary diagnostic scans, treatment and surgery if required. For peace of mind and expert care, please contact Woodlands to book an appointment now.