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Nose and Mouth
Nasal congestion begins when the membranes of the nasal passages get inflamed from excess mucus or from an irritating element. Loss of Smell/ Anosmia For most people, the loss of smell begins to deteriorate after the age of 60, and the majority of elderly people lose their sense of smell almost completely. However, there can be underlying causes for the loss of smell that need to be treated. Nose Bleeds/ Epistaxis Epistaxis is a fairly common condition. The blood comes from the tissue that lines the inside of the nostril. Nosebleeds are more common in people that live in dry climates, and they occur more often during the winter months. Children ages 2 to 10 and adults ages 50-80 are at the highest risk for having a nose bleed, and these are most likely to happen during the morning hours. Treatment for epistaxis can include nasal packing and cautery. Sleep DisordersSnoring is caused by the vibrating movement of the uvula and the soft palate that is located in the roof of the mouth. The uvula is the small mass of tissue that hangs down from the middle of the soft palate. When a person sleeps, the uvula and the soft palate relax and vibrating movements occur, causing the snoring sound. Tongue TieThe condition is present at birth. A short, tight band of tissue tethers the tongue's tip to the floor of the mouth. It can affect how a child eats and speaks, and can interfere with breastfeeding. Symptoms include difficulty sticking out the tongue past the lower front teeth or lifting it to the upper teeth, though many people have no symptoms.
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