An ENT doctor or an Otolaryngologist is responsible for treating disorders related to ear, nose, and throat and also specialises in the surgical treatment of the head and neck.

If you have a sore throat, congestion, hearing loss, or suffer from a headache, visiting an ENT specialist can help determine the root cause and treatment.

Sometimes, the signs/symptoms may not be the condition in itself, but maybe pointing to a bigger problem.

Since these symptoms aren’t too severe in their early stages, we tend to ignore them until they become critical and more expensive to treat.

Here are five signs you shouldn’t ignore. See an ENT doctor as soon as you notice any of them.

1. Chronic Sore Throat

Having a sore throat is common, especially when you catch a cold. It is usually accompanied by stuffy or running nose, cough, and sneezing.

However, you should take persistent symptoms or a sore throat that lasts up to a week or more, seriously.

If the symptoms are severe and you can’t seem to shake a sore throat after a few days, you visit an ENT doctor immediately. There may be underlying symptoms contributing to the prolonged sign.

Sometimes, a severe sore throat can be pointing to tonsillitis. When your ENT doctor finds the root cause, he will discuss the available treatment options and, hopefully, reduce or stop the problem from recurring.

The doctor is examining the patient's oral cavity

 

2. Recurrent Sinusitis

Sinuses are usually seen as common cold symptoms. However, they can develop and become more advanced if not treated. Sinusitis can be either acute or chronic, causing distressing symptoms like:

  • Headaches
  • Blurred or hampered vision
  • Yellow and green drainage from the nose
  • Difficulty smelling
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Dental pain

The ENT specialist will treat you based on the cause of the sinusitis. The cause could be viral, fungal, or bacterial.

 

3. Hearing Loss

Apart from creating temporary hearing problems, excess buildup of wax or fluid in the ear can cause severe pain.

However, conductive hearing loss happens when there is a problem within the eardrum, ear canal, or the three bones connected to the ear.

If you start to notice a decline in your hearing, there might be some underlying issues with your ear, and it’s best to tackle such at the earliest point.

 

4. Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the ringing in the ears. If you are experiencing tinnitus, you’ll be able to hear small sounds and noises, even when there is no external source.

Most people usually experience tinnitus temporarily when they have been to a club or concert (with all that loud music).

For some people, tinnitus is temporary, but for others, tinnitus is a severe condition that affects their day-to-day life.

If you start to experience tinnitus for an unusually extended period, you should see an ENT doctor immediately because this condition often leads to hearing loss. There are various treatments and therapies available to fix this issue.

Young woman have headache migraine

5. Nasal Congestion

If you always wake up with a blocked nose or have difficulty in breathing because your nasal passage feels clogged, you need to see an ENT doctor.

Constant nasal congestion isn’t normal and is usually a sign of an underlying or an impending issue.

 

Ignoring the earliest sign and not taking immediate actions when issues arise can lead to an adverse effect on your hearing health.

Moreover, it’s best to take these five signs seriously. Ensure that you visit our nearest branches in Shah Alam, Johor Bahru and Melaka and talk to our ENT specialists when the first sign arises.

The faster you react to these signs, the quicker you get treated and prevent further problems. To make an appointment or for further enquiries about our services, feel free to get in touch with us.

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