An appointment with the ENT specialist is a rarity. It is believed that the problems related to the ear, nose, and throat do not pose any serious health risk and only affect the quality of your life. But you should not stall your ENT visit, assuming that your issue would disappear on its own without any specialist’s intervention.
ENT specialists are trained to help patients with all ear, nose, and throat problems. Certain conditions warrant an immediate consult before things take a turn for the worse.
Let’s take a look at them.
Hoarseness (for more than two weeks)
It is usual for the voice to turn hoarse during a bad cold or when talking for extended hours without rest. But if it lasts for more than two weeks, schedule a visit to the ENT doctor as it could be a cause for concern. Prolonged hoarseness might be a symptom of cancer in the larynx. By consulting the specialist, you can be diagnosed on time and begin with the treatment.
Difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia)
Sometimes, patients take more time and effort to move food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. The possible causes could be digestive disorders, certain types of cancers, or a stroke. Early detection by an Ent is the key to reversing the disease.
Snoring
Snoring is not only a cause of disturbance to your bed partner but can also pose a host of issues that affect your daily routine and productivity. The prognosis could be high blood pressure, heart conditions, and even a stroke. The symptoms of snoring with or without sleep apnea are morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, trouble concentrating, depression, etc. Consult an ENT at once to get assessed the cause of your condition and nip the problem in the bud.
Balance problems
Dizziness and balance problems are relatively common among the elderly, primarily arising from inner-ear issues. Though the condition perse is not dangerous, it can cause frequent tripping and falls and is further life-threatening when driving cars or operating machinery. The intervention of an ENT doctor would avert any future mishap.
Hearing loss
Hearing loss may be partial, sudden, gradual, or full. Sudden hearing loss is an emergency and requires immediate treatment. The causes can vary from meningitis to ear infections. The ENT doctor would identify the root cause and chart a recovery treatment.
Pain swelling on the neck (lasting more than two weeks)
A swelling or a lump on the neck could be due to benign reasons or severe conditions like cancer. A proper investigation and diagnosis by the ENT doctor might prove to be lifesaving.
Breathing difficulty
The breathing difficulty might be a symptom of a serious underlying disease or anxiety. Often, a deviated septum or allergic inflammation of the tissues in the nose is the cause. Sometimes, severe conditions like cancer of the sinuses, infection in the chest, tuberculosis, or lung cancer are responsible, and ENT doctors will help you find the cause and alleviate your suffering.
