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Southeast Lab Services, previously located at 62 Doctors’ Park, is now open at 60 Doctors’ Park, upper level. Office hours are Monday – Friday from 8am – 4:30 pm.

Ear, Nose and Throat (Otolaryngology)

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Ear, Nose & Throat

Southeast Ear, Nose and Throat

1723 Broadway
Suite 205
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
573.519.4646

At Southeast Ear, Nose & Throat, our experts are the ones to see for all sorts of problems involving the ear, nose and throat, whether that's sinus pain, a hoarse voice or a child with a painful ear. We can help you find relief and improve your quality of life.

Our patients receive care from a board certified otolaryngologist. That's an ear, nose and throat doctor, or ENT. Our ENTs have many years of experience, as does the rest of our clinic team.

Extensive Treatments for Many Conditions

How much do you know about sinus infections?

Reviewed 2/8/2023

Sinusitis: Myth or fact?

The sinuses are cavities in the skull. They're located around the eyes and behind the nose, and they help warm and filter the air we breathe. When they become blocked or too much mucus builds up, it can cause an infection called sinusitis, which affects about 1 in 8 adults each year. How much do you know about it?

Myth or fact: Sinusitis can have many causes.

Fact. Sinusitis can be caused by viruses or bacteria. Fungi and allergens can also cause symptoms that mimic sinusitis. Other risk factors are having conditions like asthma or cystic fibrosis, as well as trauma or previous surgeries that have caused scar tissue to form in the sinus passages.

Myth or fact: Colored or cloudy drainage is a sign of sinusitis.

Fact. You may have sinusitis if you've had cloudy or colored—not clear—mucus for up to four weeks. Other signs include a stuffy nose or pain and pressure in the head and face. Decreased sense of smell, fever, sore throat and fatigue are other possible symptoms.

Myth or fact: Surgery is the best option for treating recurring sinusitis.

Myth. It's best to try medicines—or other noninvasive methods to control sinusitis—before considering surgery. Even after surgery, most patients will continue to take medication to keep symptoms from returning. However, surgery is a good option if your symptoms don't get better with medicine and become chronic.

Myth or fact: A sinus infection always require antibiotics.

Myth. Most sinus infections are viral and will not get better with antibiotics. If you've been sick for less than 10 days and your symptoms don't get worse, it's likely a viral infection. Bacterial sinusitis lasts longer and may require an antibiotic to treat it.

Myth or fact: Using a saline rinse can help relieve sinus problems without using medication.

Fact. A sinus rinse can help remove and thin out excess mucus. For those with allergies, the rinse can bring relief by removing allergens from the nose and sinuses. You can buy a rinse at the drugstore or make your own at home.

If you've had the symptoms of a sinus infection for more than 10 days, or have a fever, it's time to see your doctor to determine if you have sinusitis and what you need to do to treat it.

Learn more in the nose topic center

Sources: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery; American Rhinologic Society; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

At our clinic, we treat a variety of common ear, nose and throat conditions, including:

  • Chronic ear infections in children
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Ear pain
  • Hoarseness
  • Nasal allergies
  • Swallowing problems
  • Thyroid disorders, including goiters and masses

We also help with conditions you might not think an ENT would treat, such as skin cancers and facial injuries.

Treatments vary according to the condition, but may include medications; minor in-clinic procedures, such as inserting ear tubes; or surgery, such as cleaning out blocked sinuses.

Help with Hearing Loss and Other Hearing Disorders Too

Our highly skilled audiology team sees patients for hearing evaluations in the same clinic with our ENTs. If you need to see both our hearing specialists and an ENT, we can make that process easy for you.

Learn about the audiology services at SoutheastHEALTH.

Comprehensive ENT Care

We work closely with other specialties at SoutheastHEALTH, such as pulmonology and sleep medicine. So if you have an issue that could be helped by one of these other specialties, we can get you connected. That's part of how we make sure that you receive the right type of care for your specific ENT issue.

Make an Appointment with an Otolaryngologist

ENT appointments are by a medical referral.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment with an ENT, please call 573.519.4646.