6 Signs that You Need to Visit an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist
The world is changing rapidly and with that, our lifestyles and health are getting affected too. The illnesses that all human health are getting more and more complex with time and the best way to deal with these is to seek medical help at the initial stage itself.
Who are ENT specialists and what do they do?
ENT, better known as Ear, Nose, and Throat or otolaryngology, is a branch of medicine that deals with issues of the ear, nose, and throat, as well as a few other structures within the body that are related to these organs, such as the neck and head. Doctors specializing in this field of medicine are known as ENT doctors, ENT specialists, or ENT surgeons, the official medical term is an otolaryngologist.
The ear, nose, and throat are among those structures in the human body that not only lie close to each other but also work in unison with one another to function properly. For instance, the role of the sinus cavities is not just to filter and warm air before it reaches the lungs, but also to act as resonance chambers for sounds, and to lighten the skull.
So, when one of these organs is affected, others suffer because of it as well, like when the passage between the nose and throat gets congested due to mucus accumulation, the ears might hurt.
ENT specialists work to treat problems in these areas, including the deformities as well.
Signs that you need to see an ENT specialist
ENT problems, although not especially fatal, can still be very boggling. ENT doctors and surgeons treat a varied number of issues and to help you figure out as to which health problems are the ones you should be seeing ENT specialists for, mentioned below are some common tell-tale signs of ENT issues –
A sore throat
A sore throat is a common symptom that often occurs with a cold or a cough. However, if you are suffering from a sore throat that just does not seem to get better, it is time for you to visit an ENT hospital. A bad throat not only makes it difficult for you to communicate with ease but also to swallow.
Sinus pain
Sinus pain affects various areas, which may differ from patient to patient. It usually shows up in the form of pain in your ear, upper teeth, face, etc. You may also suffer from a few other problems when you have sinusitis, including nasal congestion. These symptoms are commonly caused due to allergies and can grow worse or lead to serious problems too.
Hearing loss
A conductive hearing loss may happen in case of an issue with the ear canal, eardrum, or the three bones connected to the eardrum. Certain hearing losses may result from a build-up of earwax or ear fluid, and cleaning the same may cure the issue. Another corrective measure which is for sensorineural hearing loss includes the use of a hearing aid. This sort of problem happens due to nerve damage from exposure to loud noise and also aging.
A headache
Headaches are also quite commonplace when it comes to symptoms and there can be various reasons for their occurrence. A strong and persistent headache that doesn’t seem to go away is often misunderstood by patients. It could be happening because of chronic sinusitis, anatomic abnormalities, or upper respiratory infections as well.
Visiting one of the ENT hospitals, you will get to meet the right professionals to help you out in this situation. As an expert, they will carry out the required diagnosis and suggest suitable solutions to your problem.
Blockage of airway
A difficulty in breathing through one’s nose could also have varying causes. Deviated septum, development of polyps, or viral infection, to mention a few, could be among those reasons that lead to this issue. Seeing an ENT doctor could help you in figuring out what the problem is exactly and to get a solution for it.
Congestion
Congestions can be painful and discomfiting due to a feeling of pressure in the head, causing dizziness and headache. A number of reasons, right from seasonal allergies to viral infections and acute bacterial infections can result in congestion. A prevalent congestion could be happening due to a deviated septum as well. An ENT surgeon or specialist could rightly identify the problem and treat it.
Any issue of the ear, nose, or throat that persists for over a week, means that you need to visit an ENT hospital. The above-mentioned ENT problems can become disturbing in later stages. According to ENT specialists from some of the best ENT hospitals in India, visiting an ENT doctor sooner could help you get relief from your problem early on, and keep the problem from developing further.
