Most Common Ear, Nose & Throat Problems

There are various Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) disorders and different characteristic symptoms. Here is the list of most common ENT disorders:

• Ear infections
  It’s one of the most prevalent ENT disorders and occurs when germs become trapped inside the middle ear. If the eustachian tube, the tiny canal that originates in the ear and drains into the back of the throat, becomes swollen shut by swelling or clogged, bacteria and microbes can enter the ear and cause an infection. Ear infections are more common in children than adults. It’s the most common type of infection in infants and toddlers.
  
  Some of the signs and symptoms of ear infection are:
  • Fever
  • Pain and pressure
  • Loss of balance
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Difficulty hearing
  • Fluid discharge
• Strep throat
  Strep is an abbreviation of the family of bacteria called Streptococci. Strep throat occurs when the throat and surrounding structures are infected with this bacteria.
  
  Symptoms of strep throat are usually abrupt in onset including:
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Sore throat
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Enlarged tonsils
  • Fever
  • White patches on the tonsils or back of the throat
  • Fatigue
  • Body aches
• Sinusitis
  Sinusitis occurs when a germ multiplies in the hollow recesses of the skull that surrounds your eyes and nose. The infection can become trapped, causing inflammation, pressure and pain. Chronic sinusitis in which symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks may occur as a result of an untreated allergy or a chronic condition such as bronchial asthma.
  
  Symptoms of sinusitis include:
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Congestion
  • Nasal discharge
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Toothache
• Sleep apnea
  Sleep apnea is a medical condition where it can cause the patient to stop breathing for brief periods while sleeping.
  
  Some of the symptoms include:
  • Feeling unrefreshed upon awakening
  • Waking up frequently in the middle of the night
  • Mood swings
  • Daytime drowsiness
  • Waking up with a dry, sore throat
  • Depression
  • Morning headaches

Seek your healthcare provider’s advice if you are showing one or more symptoms from the above. Find out how you can improve your condition with our Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT), Head & Neck Surgery medical experts at Regency Specialist Hospital.