The ENT surgeons of Westside Head & Neck are experts in dealing with matters of the throat, and we offer surgery along with other treatment options for those who may experience difficulty talking or swallowing.
One of these treatment options is a tracheostomy. A tracheostomy is a medical procedure that can be either temporary or permanent. It creates a hole in the neck where a tube can be placed, bypassing the need for their throat, mouth, and tongue to function. A tracheostomy can be done as an emergency procedure out of a doctor’s office, and they can also be done in a doctor’s office if that’s what your ENT doctor in Los Angeles thinks is best for your health.
A tracheotomy can be done for those who need help breathing and eating.
If someone’s throat has been damaged, they may need medical intervention by a throat specialist in Los Angeles to help them breathe. Whether you breathe through your nose or mouth, an open throat is essential, so someone’s life may be threatened if their throat is too tight. Putting a hole in someone’s throat will help bypass their damaged airways to allow them to breathe.
The classic example of an emergency tracheostomy is when someone’s airways are swollen shut due to an allergic reaction. Once the Los Angeles tracheostomy is done, they can breathe through the hole in their throat.
This is often done in cases where someone’s throat is damaged from smoking. Smoking can cause numerous cancers that damage the throat, mouth, larynx, and lungs, affecting the ability to breathe. Chronic smoking, or even chronic exposure to second-hand smoke, can lead to people needing tracheostomies.
What starts as chronic laryngitis also leads to serious respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Both of these diseases will also lead to shortness of breath and coughing. When a patient cannot stop coughing, it may be time for a permanent tracheostomy treatment in Los Angeles.
Those who have issues with eating and swallowing may have to be fitted with a temporary or permanent tracheostomy. By having a tube at the bottom of their throat, they can eat without as much interference by their body.
A tracheostomy is often used in cases where patients are hospitalized due to an eating disorder pushing them into emaciated territory.
If you suffer from dysphagia and cannot get the necessary nutrients, you may also be recommended a tracheostomy procedure in LA. People who suffer from dysphagia often experience acid reflux, coughing, or vomiting when they try to eat.
Those who have congested lungs also will benefit from being fed through a tube.
A tracheotomy or a tracheostomy is a surgery done by a Los Angeles ENT doctor. This procedure is done under general anesthesia. During your tracheostomy, the surgeon will create a hole through the neck into the trachea to allow direct access to the breathing tube.
Having an opening closer to your esophageal sphincter helps the removal of fluid and secretions from the lung. It also helps feed the patient without any movements from the throat.
Breathing will be done through the tracheostomy tube instead of buying using the nose and mouth. The term “tracheotomy” refers to the incision into the trachea (windpipe) that forms a temporary or permanent opening, which is called a “tracheostomy,” however; the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
The board-certified ENT doctors of Westside Head & Neck treat all general conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. Every doctor under Westside Head & Neck has extensive training in the treatment of:
Even more serious conditions such as neck, mouth, and throat cancer can also be diagnosed and operated on by ENTs. We accept most PPO insurance plans, Medicare, and select HMO’s to keep hearing, swallowing, and breathing relief open to more Los Angelenos. Our two offices are located in Santa Monica and Culver City. To set up an appointment to discuss your ENT issues with any of our physicians at either location, please call (310) 361-5128 or email appointments@westsidehn.com.
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