Best Head and Neck Clinic in Los Angeles

Many of the glands, nerves, soft tissue structures, and cavities within the head and neck area work together to facilitate important tasks like breathing clearly through your mouth and nose.

Possible issues with these various parts that could have you searching for the best head and neck clinic in Los Angeles can range from recurring infections to suspicious growths affecting your ability to speak, hear, or swallow.

The doctors you'll meet at a head and neck clinic are prepared to diagnose and treat the multiple problems and conditions, like the ones discussed below, that could affect this area.

Thyroid and Parathyroid Disorders

Affecting millions of Americans in some way, thyroid and parathyroid conditions can create hormone imbalances that may contribute to difficult sleeping, weight loss or gain, increased sensitivity to temperature, and general fatigue. Specialists at the best head and neck clinic in Los Angeles might make an attempt to find a better way to manage symptoms of abnormal gland activity. If thyroid nodules (growths) are discovered, a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test and thyroid scan may be done to check for hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) also needs to be evaluated to determine if it may be cancerous. This is often done with a fine-needle aspiration of cells in the affected area.

Head and Neck Growths

Another common reason for seeking treatment at the best head and neck clinic in Los Angeles is because of unusual lumps or protrusions in the head and neck area. Even if abnormal growths are benign (non-cancerous), they still need to be removed if nearby structures or nerves are affected. Cancers of the mouth, tongue, throat and voice box tend to be caused by lifestyle habits (e.g., cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption). The human papilloma virus (HPV) may play a role in the development of some types of throat cancer. If growths are cancerous, treatment usually involves surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Facial Nerve Issues

It's possible for facial nerves to become damaged from a car accident or a severe facial injury. The most common disorder likely to affect facial nerves is Bell's palsy. If you are noticing symptoms such as facial drooping that suggest a facial nerve problem, a proper diagnosis can be made at the best head and neck clinic in Los Angeles. While some patients may benefit from experimental treatments like electronic nerve stimulation, symptoms are often controlled with a combination of oral steroids.

Jaw Joint Disorders

Head and neck pain that may extend to the ears, cheeks, and neck is sometimes related to problems with the jaw joint. The most common jaw-related disorder is TMJ syndrome, a condition that affects the temporomandibular joints that connect the jawbone to the skull. If pain isn't reduced or eliminated with muscle relaxants, relaxation techniques, ear inserts, and the wearing an occlusal splint, surgery may be recommended.

The process of making an accurate diagnosis at the best head and neck clinic in Los Angeles often involves analyzing tissue and blood samples, reviewing results from image tests, and using specially designed instruments that allow for a detailed view of internal head and neck structures. Unless there is a situation where surgery is the only available option, treatment efforts generally start with conservative approaches before other possibilities are explored. In some cases, advanced, minimally invasive procedures may be performed. Such techniques often reduce patient risks and shorten recovery times.