Questions my patients ask
Answers from an ENT surgeon to common questions about rhinoplasty, breathing and facial aesthetics.
Mouth taping at night: a shortcut to nasal breathing?
Taping your mouth shut at night has become popular. But if you cannot breathe comfortably through your nose, the first step is to find out why. What does the evidence say, and who may be at risk?
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Which water should you use for nasal rinsing?
Water that is safe to drink is not always safe to put into your nose. Which water should you use for a nasal rinse, when is tap water acceptable, and how should a rinse be done?
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Sudden hearing loss: if your ear feels blocked with cotton, don't wait
If you wake up one morning with one ear feeling as if it were plugged with cotton, don't always assume it is earwax. What is sudden hearing loss, how is it recognised and why does time matter so much?
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Why does one side of my nose get blocked, then the other? The nasal cycle
One nostril being more blocked for a few hours is not always a disease. What is the nasal cycle, why does it happen and when should another cause be suspected?
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The AI-generated "ideal face": a goal or a surgical plan?
Patients now come to consultations with AI-edited photos of their own faces. What are these images useful for, what can they not know, and how should they be used in a consultation?
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The "natural nose" era: natural for whom?
Expectations in rhinoplasty are shifting away from the smallest, most upturned nose possible towards a natural result in harmony with the face. What does a "natural nose" mean, and how is the nose assessed together with the rest of the face?
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At what age should you start Botox? About "preventative Botox"
There is no set age to start Botox. What is the logic behind "preventative Botox", for whom might it make sense, and for whom is it unnecessary?
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Face taping, gua sha, face yoga: is the change in the mirror permanent?
Social media has built up a wide repertoire for shaping the face. What can face taping, gua sha and face yoga do, what can they not do, and what does a lasting change require?
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How a punishment gave birth to modern rhinoplasty: a 3,000-year story
From ancient Egypt and Sushruta to Tagliacozzi’s patients with their arms stitched to their noses, the surprising history of nose surgery, and the principles that still guide it today.
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Nasal spray addiction: “Doctor, I can’t stop using it”
Decongestant sprays that open the nose quickly can make it more blocked when used for too long. What is rhinitis medicamentosa, which sprays are not the problem, and what is the real question to ask?
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I have a deviated septum: do I need surgery?
A deviated septum does not always need an operation. What matters is whether it really affects your breathing. Here is what an ENT surgeon looks at during the examination.
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Botox myths: is it a filler, and do zinc or magnesium matter?
Botox is not a filler and does not add volume. Does zinc make it last longer, and does magnesium make it wear off faster? Short, clear answers to the questions my patients ask most.
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Does cold weather make you sick? How your nose defends you
You need to meet a virus to catch a cold or the flu. But cold weather is not completely innocent: it can weaken the natural defences inside your nose.
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Should you clean your earwax? What to know about cotton swabs
Earwax is not dirt but a protective secretion. Cotton swabs often push it deeper instead of removing it. When does earwax actually need to be removed?
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Planning rhinoplasty in Türkiye: a step-by-step guide
From the first message to the flight home: how to plan rhinoplasty in Türkiye, how long to stay, what to ask, and how the process works with an ENT surgeon near the Bulgarian border.
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Septoplasty or rhinoplasty? Understanding the difference
One improves breathing, the other changes the shape of the nose, and sometimes both are needed. An ENT surgeon explains how septoplasty and rhinoplasty differ.
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Rhinoplasty recovery timeline: what to expect, week by week
From the first night to the final result: a realistic, week-by-week guide to rhinoplasty recovery, and what it means if you are travelling to Türkiye for surgery.
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