Common ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) Diseases

You may experience certain ear, nose or throat disorders in your lifetime. These can show in many forms, including something as simple as not being able to hear the TV clearly or a constant need to increase the volume, to hear better and much more. It is crucial that we don’t ignore such conditions and consult with experts at the earliest.
There is a wide variety of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) disorders and each of them exhibits different characteristics. Moreover, the set of symptoms for each disease can be different for each individual. ENT disorders range from Snoring issues to speech & hearing issues. Hence, it is hard to self-identify these conditions. Only an ENT specialist can make the correct diagnosis and provide the proper and appropriate treatment. Read this article to know more about the most common ear, nose and throat problems.

Acid Reflux

A common problem usually associated with heartburn which causes burning in the chest leading to chest pain. One of the main factors behind acid reflux is the choice of diet. Under this condition, stomach acid comes up into the esophagus and impacts the throat.

Allergies

A very common condition and most people experience this once in their lifetime at least. Allergies are of different types and due to various sources. People usually develop allergies from medication, food, mold, pollen, dust, pets and insects. The symptoms can be multiple depending on the triggering factor and can be dangerous or life-threatening as well, at times.
Few common symptoms of allergies, may include:

• Itching
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Coughing or Sneezing
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Fever

Certain allergies can cause long-term problems in the ears, nose, or throat while some vanishes after some time on their own. Only an ENT specialist can diagnose the specific type of allergy by performing accurate tests. In case of an allergy diagnosis, the patients are recommended to take anti-allergic medicines.

Cancer

There are several types of ENT or Head & Neck cancers that exist and only an ENT oncologist can help with the treatment & care for the same, to ensure the right diagnosis & treatment.

• Ear cancer is not very common in India but ear tumors are usually found in the ear canal, middle, and inner ear. The cause behind ear cancer is still unknown.
• Prolonged exposure to chemicals or dust could lead to nose cancer. Types of nose cancer include squamous cell carcinoma, sarcoma, melanoma, inverting papilloma, and midline granulomas.
• Throat cancers are usually found in the larynx or pharynx of the throat. There are also certain types of cancer that affect the esophagus or mouth. One of the major reasons for throat cancer is smoking.

Ear Infections

It’s very common for inflammations to occur in the ear. Also, cold and flu viruses often cause ear pain & infection. Some of the common symptoms of an ear infection include:

• Pain in the ear
• Fever
• Irritation
• Sleeping issues

Ear pain can be caused by allergies or infections. Hence, a correct diagnosis is very important in the case of ear infection. Only an ENT specialist has the ability to identify these symptoms and treat them accordingly. In severe cases, ear tube placement is done to treat the infection.

Hearing Loss

Taking care of the ears is extremely necessary to avoid the chances of hearing loss. Loud noises and age are the typical causes behind hearing loss. Also, many children are born with less hearing power. With the help of an ENT specialist, hearing loss can be treated. For infants born with minimal hearing, their parents are often recommended a Cochlear Implant Surgery, through which a child can actually regain their quality of life and hear normally. In older people or young adults, doctors recommend necessary tools, such as hearing aids, to treat the hearing loss issue.

Sinus Infections

It’s a common problem that many people have. A large number of children and young adults suffer from this problem in India. The condition is very similar to colds and has similar symptoms, but the root cause of sinus infections is bacteria. Treatment usually involves antibiotics that kill the germs.

Common symptoms of sinus infection include:

• Postnasal drip
• Discolored nasal discharge
• Headaches
• Teeth pain
• Coughing
• Congestion
• Fever
• Stuffiness
• Bad breath

ENT specialists often recommend rhinoplasty to combat this condition. Rhinoplasty is a complex nose bone structure revision operation. Doctors may recommend comprehensive management options for nasal congestion such as nasal valve reconstruction, septoplasty, functional endoscopic, turbinate reduction, and balloon sinuplasty.

Sleep Apnea

Getting a healthy amount of sleep is very important for our health. Quality of sleep is also very important.  It occurs when your lungs receive a limited amount of air. This sleep disorder can turn dangerous if proper treatment is not given at the right time. It can turn into a life-threatening condition because airway blockage can lead to your breathing getting completely stopped, while you sleep. Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Snoring
• Choking sounds
• Pauses in breathing
• Headaches in the morning
• Insomnia – lack of sleep at night
• Memory loss
• Overweight

Tonsillitis

This condition causes inflammation in the throat. Tonsils are two oval-shaped organs that are located in the back of the throat. Usually, the bacterial infection causes tonsillitis, which is a common illness children suffer from.

Some symptoms of tonsillitis include:

• Sore throat
• Swollen tonsils
• Fever
• White or yellow coating on the tonsils
• Issues while swallowing
• Swollen neck glands
• Bad breath

In the case of severe tonsillitis, an ENT specialist may recommend tonsils removal surgery called a Tonsillectomy. This is only recommended if the patient frequently suffers from bacterial infections, sore throats, or other tonsillitis symptoms. Not undergoing surgery can lead to more severe issues.

Vertigo

Under this condition, your body feels like the entire environment is moving or spinning. It actually stems from inner ear illnesses like acute labyrinthitis, Ménière’s disease or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Vertigo patients may also experience a ringing in the ears, nausea, or vomiting.
If you are experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms or feel that you or your loves ones might be suffering from any of these conditions, consult with an ENT specialist at the earliest. Sarvodaya Hospital & Research Centre, Sec-8, Faridabad, has the best ENT & Cochlear Implant Surgery Department supported by some of the most renowned best ENT & Cochlear Implant specialists in Northern India. Here you can find the best audiometry lab, speech therapy, and many more diagnostics & rehabilitation facilities under one roof, for the best treatment of your ENT conditions.