ENT specialists diagnose and treat conditions of the ear, nose and throat. They are also referred to as otolaryngologists. Let’s take a look at a few signs that you may be dealing with an ENT issue that requires further treatment.
Ear Pain
Ear pain can occur in children and adults and come on suddenly or gradually build. The pain may feel dull or sharp and stabbing. Most conditions causing ear pain usually only affect one ear, but you may also experience pain in both ears.
One of the most common causes of ear pain is an ear infection. A middle ear infection is what we usually think of when we talk about ear infections. They come with the classic symptoms of ear pain, fullness in the ear, drainage from the ear and, in children, often can cause a fever.
You can also get an infection in your outer ear. Outer ear infections are also referred to as swimmer’s ear. They are frequently caused by water remaining in the ear after swimming. However, it can also be caused by viral illnesses and minor injuries to the ear. About 1 out of 10 people will have an outer ear infection at some point in their life. If you have an outer ear infection, you may experience redness, itchiness and pain in that area.
Most ear infections require antibiotics to clear up. ENTs can help with this as well as help discuss treatment options like ear tubes if you or your child suffers from chronic ear infections.
Frequent Heartburn
Pretty much everyone has experienced heartburn at one point or another, especially after a particularly heavy meal. However, if you find yourself reaching for the antacids multiple times a week, you be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where stomach acid chronically flows back up into the esophagus.
Not only can GERD make dining and sleeping unpleasant experiences, but it can also increase your risk of more severe esophageal issues as well. If you have chronic heartburn, regurgitation, hoarseness, regular sore throats or other signs of GERD, an ENT specialist can recommend lifestyle modifications and prescribe any necessary medications, as well as assess if further damage has occurred.
Chronic Nasal Congestion
While chronic nasal congestion may not sound like a big deal, constantly dealing with a stuffy nose can make it difficult to concentrate at work, get a good night’s sleep or feel like you’re breathing properly when out for a walk at Penn Township Park or other outdoor areas in Pennsylvania.
Persistent nasal congestion can be a sign of many issues, including sinus infection, nasal polyps, deviated septum and allergies. An ENT can assess your symptoms and run tests to accurately diagnose what’s causing your congestion and help you find ways to relieve your symptoms.
If you are experiencing these or other ENT-related issues, call Pinnacle ENT today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.