Common ENT Problems and When to See a Specialist

Otorhinolaryngology is the medical specialty that focuses on consultation, diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat and neck disorders. Most patients refer to otorhinolaryngologists as ear, nose and throat, or ENT providers, surgeon or specialist.

ENT problems - those that impact the ear, nose and throat - can affect anyone at any age. There are many different ways that this part of the body can be affected and some are easier to cope with than others. If you’re struggling with ENT symptoms then the first step is always going to be to identify the issue and, if necessary, to get some help with it - these are the most common ENT problems to look out for.

There are many reasons a person would benefit from an appointment with an ENT specialist.

Ear infections

Ear infections may occur if bacteria or viruses in the area multiply, causing inflammation and leading to symptoms.

Ear infections typically occur in the outer ear, called swimmer’s ear or the middle ear but can also occur in the inner ear.

Symptoms of various ear infections can include:

• Ear pain, especially while lying down
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty hearing or muffled hearing
• Feeling fullness in the ear
• Dizziness
• Spinning sensation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Issues with balance
• Drainage from the ear
• Warmth and redness of the ear skin
• Ringing in the ear

Hearing loss

• If you find yourself turning up the volume on your devices or feel like voices are too soft or mumbling, it may be time to talk with an ENT specialist about your hearing. ENT specialists work together with audiologists to discover the cause of your hearing loss, ranging from ear infection and a build-up of earwax to ruptured eardrum or damage to your inner ear.
• Also, if you notice rapid hearing loss all at once or over a few days, you should be evaluated by an ENT doctor within a few days to a week after noticing the hearing loss. This may be related to what is called "sudden sensorineural hearing loss."
• Working with an ENT specialist can give you access to tools such as hearing aids or a COCHLEAR IMPLANT

 Dizziness or vertigo

• Many body systems, including your inner ear, must work together to maintain balance. It could be a short-term concern, such as occurring after standing up too quickly, when taking a medication or during a migraine.
• The most common cause of vertigo is when calcium crystals in your inner ear become dislodged from their normal position. This is called "benign paroxysmal positional vertigo." People often experience symptoms with changes in head position, such as bending over, looking up or rolling over in bed. 

 Ringing in the ears

• Tinnitus is commonly referred to as ringing in the ears. For some people, tinnitus can be extremely bothersome and negatively affect the quality of their lives. While there is no cure for tinnitus, an ENT specialist can help with many management strategies to decrease your perception of the ringing sound.

Chronic stuffy nose/ Sinusitis/ DNS

Sinusitis symptoms can include:

• Headache
• Nasal discharge
• Nasal congestion
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Post-nasal drip
• Cough
• Pain in the teeth, generally the molars

Common causes of chronic sinusitis include nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, repeated respiratory infections, allergies or complications of other conditions

Chronic sore throat or tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat. Symptoms include swollen tonsils, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and tender lymph nodes on the sides of the neck.

Because appropriate treatment for tonsillitis depends on the cause, it's important to get a prompt and accurate diagnosis. Surgery to remove tonsils, once a common procedure to treat tonsillitis, is usually performed only when tonsillitis occurs frequently, doesn't respond to other treatments or causes serious complications.

Lumps in the neck/enlarged lymph nodes, salivary gland

Thyroid and parathyroid gland swellings

• Your lymph nodes, salivary glands and thyroid and parathyroid glands in neck may appear abnormally enlarged in few conditions and can cause pain and visible lumps in neck. They can become swollen or feel tender, usually due to an infection from bacteria or virus or any tumour or stone in gland.
• you should talk with an ENT specialist, if the lumps get bigger; are present for more than two weeks; feel hard or rubbery; appear for no apparent reason; are associated with chronic sore throat or voice changes; or you are experiencing a fever, night sweats or unexplained weight loss.

 Sleep apnea/ snoring

• This happens when only a limited amount of air can get to your lungs at night. It can stop you breathing in your sleep which is both dangerous and very debilitating as we all need sleep to recover and recharge. Other symptoms of sleep apnoea include choking sounds, morning headaches, memory loss, snoring and pauses in breathing.
• An ENT doctor may request that you complete a sleep study to measure how well you sleep and how your body responds to sleep problems. This test can help your health care team find out if you have a sleep disorder, how severe it is and the best treatment option for you.

Acid reflux

This occurs when stomach acid rises up into the oesophagus. It can be very uncomfortable as it causes heartburn. Treatment is often simple and may involve medication and/or changes to diet.

Cancer. 

Some ENT problems may be caused by cancer, such as tumours in the ear canal, nose, mouth, larynx or pharynx. Cancers in the mouth are often associated with smoking.

Allergies

Allergy symptoms may include:

• Red, itchy eyes
• Coughing
• Post-nasal drip
• Watery eyes
• Dark circles around the eyes
• Itchy nose
• Sneezing
• Congestion

Allergies can cause long-term problems with the ear, nose and throat and need to be dealt with by an ENT allergist.

Vocal Cord Disorders

• Vocal cord nodules or polyps can affect voice quality.
• An ear doctor may recommend voice therapy and, in severe cases, surgical interventions.

Throat Cancer

• Early detection through regular screenings is crucial for successful treatment.
• Persistent hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained weight loss may be indicative of throat cancer.

Swallowing Issues

• An ear doctor may collaborate with gastroenterologists for a comprehensive assessment.
• Swallowing difficulties may be linked to oesophageal disorders.