Table of contents:
- Time Guide You need to check with an ENT doctor
- 1. Hearing loss: deafness or ringing in the ears
- 2. Smell disturbances that keep repeating
- 3. Disorders of breathing, swallowing, and hoarseness
Many health complaints that we often experience are related to the ear, nose and throat area. Even though all three are organs that have important functions in the process of breathing, hearing and ingesting food. Examination by an ENT specialist or otolaryngologist can help you deal with health problems in the ear, nose and throat area.
However, how do you know when to see an ENT doctor? Be aware of some ENT diseases and their symptoms that indicate you need to undergo a medical examination.
Time Guide You need to check with an ENT doctor
The ears, nose and throat are interconnected parts of the body. When there is a disturbance in the nose, this can affect the condition of the ears as well as the throat.
Some of the symptoms you feel can actually be a sign that you should choose to see a doctor directly. The following are ENT disorders that need attention.
1. Hearing loss: deafness or ringing in the ears
Indeed, not all disorders of the ear can reduce hearing ability or even lose the ability to hear or be deaf.
Sometimes, hearing loss is temporary (temporary) and can be cured so that you can return to hearing normally.
What to watch out for is when hearing loss lasts long-term. This could be a sign of ear damage that needs further examination by an ENT doctor.
Chronic hearing loss can be caused by:
- Heard the sound too loud
- A buildup of wax in the ears
- Genetic factors
- Age factor
- Tumor or cancer
In addition, another ear disorder that needs to be watched out for is ringing in the ears or in medical language it is called tinnitus. This condition is common at all ages and is not a sign of seriousness.
However, you need to be vigilant if you experience constant (persistent) ringing because in some cases, tinnitus is an early symptom of a dangerous ear disease. Ringing in the ears can occur because:
- Inner, middle, and outer ear infections by bacteria or viruses
- Injury to the ear
- Balance disorders or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
To find out exactly what causes ear disorders, an ENT doctor will perform an otoscopy, which is an examination to see the inside of the ear with an otoscope.
2. Smell disturbances that keep repeating
Smell disorders such as nasal congestion, mucus buildup, runny nose, and recurring loss of smell indicate a problem with your nose.
Nasal health problems often attack the air cavity around the forehead (sinuses), both sides of the nose bridge, and the nasal area around the eyes.
This condition usually causes some disturbance in other areas around it. Therefore, those of you who continue to have problems with smell disorders usually also feel pain around the face, ears, upper teeth area, and head (dizziness).
When the disturbance of smell and pain around the nose persist, even if it has healed and subsided for some time, you need to immediately have your nose checked by an ENT doctor.
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, diseases that commonly cause chronic olfactory disorders include:
- Sinus infection or sinusitis
- Allergic rhinitis
- Displacement of the nasal septum (part of the wall that divides the nasal cavity in two)
- Olfactory nerve damage
- Nasal polyps
Treatment for nasal disorders will depend on the underlying condition. However, a doctor will usually give a medicine that contains a decongestant such as pesudoephedrine to treat nasal congestion.
3. Disorders of breathing, swallowing, and hoarseness
When ENT disease or certain health problems attack the throat, this condition can cause several symptoms such as sore throat, pain when swallowing, shortness of breath, and hoarseness.
Most of the disorders in the throat are usually harmless and the complaints that you feel can heal quickly. However, when complaints such as sore throat, shortness of breath, or hoarseness persist for longer or more than 2 weeks, you need to be aware of them.
Other symptoms that can arise due to disorders in the throat such as coughing, dry, hot, and lumpy throat also need attention.
There are many diseases and conditions that cause irritation in the throat. However, certain diseases and conditions can lead to dangerous complications if not treated properly.
The following are diseases that can cause serious problems in the throat:
- Inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis)
- Diphtheria is a bacterial infection in the throat
- Inflammation of the vocal cords (laryngitis)
- Nasopharyngeal cancer
- Vocal cord polyps
- Peritonsil abscess (suppurating tonsils)
- Obstructive sleep apnea (sleep disorders)
Therefore, do a throat examination to an ENT specialist to find out the cause. To make a diagnosis, the doctor will perform a laryngoscopy examination or swab tests and sample analysis in the laboratory if a viral and bacterial infection is suspected.
If the inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, you will need to undergo complete antibiotic treatment. The antibiotics given are usually penicillin or amoxicillin.
When experiencing symptoms and complaints due to ear, nose and throat diseases as above, it is recommended that you see an ENT doctor.
After the examination is known the cause, the doctor will provide treatment or perform surgery if necessary.
