When To See An ENT

ENT physicians, also called otolaryngologists, treat a multitude of conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat, sinuses, mouth and neck. Below are some specific conditions that ENT physicians specialize in treating.

Sinus Infection

Sinusitis is inflammation and swelling of the tissues that line the sinuses. This interferes with normal mucus drainage, leading to breathing difficulties, pain and pressure. It’s the number one reported chronic condition in the United States, affecting an estimated 37 million Americans.

See an ENT when…

 You experience a combination of a variety of cold-like symptoms such as nasal congestion and discharge, postnasal drip, sore throat, facial pressure and swelling, loss of smell and taste, headache, fever, fatigue and bad breath.

Laryngitis

Laryngitis is swelling and irritation of the larynx (voice box). It causes hoarseness and, in some cases, voice loss. It can be acute (short-lived) or chronic (long-lasting) but is usually the result of a temporary viral infection or vocal strain and clears up quickly.

See an ENT when…

Your voice takes on a raspy or breathy quality, is deeper than usual or breaks/cracks. Some people lose their voice altogether. In addition to hoarseness, you may experience a dry or sore throat, coughing and difficulty swallowing.

Ear infection

Ear infections are the result of fluid becoming trapped behind the eardrum and is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. People of all ages can develop ear infections, but they are far more common in children than older adults.

See an ENT when…

In addition to a painful earache, you suffer from a discharge from the ear, fever, difficulty hearing, irritability, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, vomiting or diarrhea.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils that leads to swelling, sore throat and difficulty swallowing. It is usually the result of a viral or bacterial infection and tends to affect children more frequently than any other age group.

See an ENT when…

In addition to red and swollen tonsils, symptoms include white or yellow patches on the tonsils, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, tender lymph nodes, bad breath, headache and stiff neck.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing is interrupted periodically throughout the night. These pauses, or gaps, in breathing may be accompanied by choking or gasping but rarely awaken the sleeping individual.

See an ENT when…

You experience chronic, loud snoring. Other symptoms include daytime drowsiness, lack of concentration, memory loss, irritability and depression, frequent morning headaches, sore throats and dry mouth.

Hearing loss

Hearing loss is one of the biggest health concerns in the U.S. It is the third most commonly reported physical condition, following arthritis and heart disease. It affects roughly 20 percent of the American population and can strike people of all ages. 

See an ENT when…

You notice yourself frequently asking people to repeat what they have said, feeling like others mumble when they speak, having difficulty following conversations in which background noise is present, turning up the volume on the television or radio and avoiding social gatherings in noisy places. 

Vertigo

Vertigo is a form of dizziness characterized by the feeling that you or your environment is moving or spinning, despite the lack of any actual movement. This sensation is brought on by disturbances in the inner ear or the brain.

See an ENT when…

You experience the sensation that you or the room is moving or spinning. This may be accompanied by additional symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, hearing loss, tinnitus, difficulty focusing or moving the eyes, double vision and a feeling of fullness in the ear.

Swollen lymph nodes

Lymph nodes are bean-shaped glands located in your neck, armpits, groin, chest and abdomen. They are part of your immune system and contain white blood cells that help fight off infections. Lymph nodes can become enlarged because of a viral infection, bacterial infection or an infection located somewhere else in your body.

See an ENT when…

Your lymph nodes are persistently swollen for more than two weeks, feel hard and immobile and are accompanied by fever, night sweats or unexplained weight loss.