Common Reasons to Visit an Ear Nose and Throat Doctor

Did you know that ear wax production can increase whenever someone experiences stress or fear? While excessive ear wax can sometimes warrant a visit to an ear, nose and throat specialist, there are also a plethora of other reasons to schedule an ENT doctor’s appointment.

Handling ear, nose and throat issues can be a tricky feat without the proper specialty health services. When you visit a certified ENT doctor, you can ensure you get the right diagnosis and the right treatment solutions. With so many reasons to visit an ENT specialist, it can be hard to tell if your symptoms require an actual doctors visit. However, there’s no need to worry as we’ll provide you with all the information you could need.

Here are some of the most common reasons people seek treatment from an ear, nose and throat doctor:

  • Persistent Tonsillitis

  • Chronic Sinusitis

  • Regular Ear Infections

  • Pesky Allergies

  • Various Stages of Hearing Loss

  • Swollen Neck Lymph Nodes

Persistent Tonsillitis

While tonsillitis can affect both children and adults, if you find yourself repeatedly suffering from sore throats or tonsillitis, it could mean it’s time to visit an ENT doctor. You may not be required to have your tonsils removed, however the procedure generally has a quick downtime and you’ll get to enjoy lots of yummy ice cream and cold treats for a few days.

Tonsillitis can present itself in a variety of ways such as difficulty breathing, excessive swallowing of saliva, severe throat pain and a high temperature. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to see an ENT for a diagnosis and to learn more about your potential treatment options.

Chronic Sinusitis

Another common reason to visit an ENT doctor is sinusitis. Sinusitis is a common condition related to the cavities around nasal passages. With this illness, your sinuses will become inflamed and swollen for at least 12 weeks, despite treatment attempts. If you or a loved one has been suffering from chronic sinusitis, you should likely make an appointment with your local ENT specialist to find the right treatment options for you.

While a primary care doctor cannot provide specialized healthcare services in this area, they can refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Your local ENT doctor will be able to help determine the best sinusitis treatment plan for you.

Regular Ear Infections

One of the most common sinus issues found in children, are regular ear infections. While there are different types of ear infections that can affect a variety of age ranges, constant ear pain or ear infections in adults can often be a sign of a tumor growth in the throat. With this in mind, regular ear infections or ear pain should alert you that you need to schedule a visit with your local ENT doctor. The right ear, nose and throat doctor can mitigate your ear infection pain and make sure you don’t have any tumor growth within your sinuses.

Contact Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee for your nasal and sinus issues.

Pesky Allergies

If you’re someone who suffers from various seasonal or generic allergies, seeking regular treatment from an ENT specialist could help your daily routines. An allergic reaction can happen anywhere in the body including the skin, eyes, lining of the stomach, nose, sinuses, throat, and lungs. These allergic reactions can also completely disrupt your body, schedule and sometimes even be fatal.

While your immune system should send the right cells to fight off allergen germs that are breathed in, swallowed, or come in contact with the skin, an ENT specialist can ensure you understand your allergies and stay on top of them so your body doesn’t have to. With the right allergy treatment options, you can begin to live a more easy, safe life.

Various Stages of Hearing Loss

While a normal sign of aging, hearing loss is another common reason for an ENT specialist visit. When hearing loss comes on suddenly, it can often be due to a more serious illness. The right ear, nose and throat doctor can help detect causes for sudden hearing loss and offer the right treatment options for you.

Sudden hearing loss can be related to various issues such as regular ear infections, circulatory inner ear problems, and other neurological problems. An ENT can perform hearing tests to help find a cause and a solution.

Swollen Neck Lymph Nodes

For some, as you age you may begin to find various swollen lymph nodes on your body. While most of the time, these will be benign, a lump in the neck that lasts more than two weeks should be seen by an ENT specialist. Persistent swollen lymph nodes in the neck can sometimes be related to different types of cancer. Visit an ENT doctor to ensure that any issues that begin in the head or neck do not spread elsewhere.

Each procedure for ENT issues comes with minimal risk factors or long-term side-effects. But, depending on the solutions that are right for you, you will still want to be in the best hands. Working with Board Certified ENT specialists like OAT is one of the most effective ways of ensuring your procedure goes smoothly and achieves the best results.

If you suspect issues with your sinuses, contact OAT today to schedule an appointment.