5 Signs it’s Time to Visit an ENT Specialist
An Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist is a doctor who specializes in otolaryngology. It’s a medical field that deals with issues affecting the ears, nose, and throat.
When to see an ENT
If you experience any of the following, it can be an indicator that it’s time to see an ENT doctor:
• Persistent hearing loss
Temporary hearing loss can happen from time to time. This is especially true if you listen to loud music. However, if this problem persists for more than a week or more, then it’s time to see a specialist. This may be a sign of an ear damage. You would want to have it checked sooner before it gets worse.
• Painful sinus
The sinuses are the air-filled spaces in your skull. They can get inflamed because of an infection, allergies, or nasal polyps.
Aside from sinus pain, an inflamed sinus can also result in nasal congestion, headaches, sore throat, and nasal discharges.
If painful sinus and other symptoms persist even with home remedies, it’s a sign to see an ENT doctor. He/she can determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend a more suitable treatment.
• Ongoing nasal congestion
Constantly waking up with a nasal congestion can be a nuisance. It makes breathing hard and it can affect your day-to-day life.
Nasal congestion can happen due to several reasons. Some of the most common ones include sinusitis, allergies, colds, and flu.
If you’ve been having clogged nose for 10 days or more and especially if it’s accompanied by fever, then it’s time to book an appointment with an ENT.
• Sore throat
Almost all of us have experienced a sore throat at some point of our lives. However, if this problem persists for more than a week or if it’s bad enough that you can barely drink or eat, then it’s time for an ENT visit.
A sore throat can be due to a lot of issues including infections and allergies.
• Ringing in your ears
Also known as tinnitus, the ringing in one or both of your ears is often a result of an underlying condition. Some of the most common causes of it include a hearing loss, ear infection, and head or neck injuries.
Get expert care at Greater Knoxville ENT
You should see an ENT doctor if your tinnitus doesn’t resolve in a week. It’s also important to book an appointment if the ringing occurs after an upper respiratory infection.
Our doctors at Greater Knoxville ENT have years of experience in diagnosing and treating conditions of the ears, nose, and throat. For appointments you can call us at (865) 244-4396.