ENT specialists treat various medical disorders related to the ears, nose, throat, and related areas in the head and neck, from ear infections and nasal allergies to hearing loss, vertigo, and balance problems. Please keep reading to learn more about the most common ENT conditions and their symptoms.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are one of the most common ENT disorders. The most prevalent type of ear infection is caused by germs stuck inside the middle ear or ear canal.

Symptoms of ear infections include:

●      Pain and Pressure in Your Ears

●      Balance Problems

●      Fever

●      Difficulty Hearing

●      Nausea and Vomiting

●      Fluid Discharge Which is a Sign of Perforation

Middle ear infections are among the most common illnesses in children—second only to the common cold. If you notice your children are increasingly inattentive and do not respond to their names or startle at loud noises, book an appointment with a pediatric ENT specialist immediately.

Sinusitis

Around 31 million people suffer from sinus infections in America. Though the symptoms are very similar to the common cold, sinusitis is caused by bacteria. 

Symptoms of Sinusitis include:

●      Nasal Congestion

●      Runny Nose

●      Headache

●      Cough

●      Fever

●      Fatigue

●      Toothache

●      Stuffiness

●      Bad Breath

If these symptoms persist for longer than 12 weeks, you may be diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, usually resulting from untreated allergies or chronic conditions like bronchial asthma.

Strep Throat

Strep throat occurs when the throat and surrounding areas become infected by Streptococcus pyogenes—the bacteria from which it gets its name.

It often starts with a sore and scratchy throat. If left untreated, it can result in severe complications, such as kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. The symptoms include:

●      Sore Throat

●      Enlarged Tonsils

●      Difficulty Swallowing

●      Swollen Lymph Nodes

●      White Patches on the Tonsils or the Back of Your Throat

●      Fever

●      Fatigue

●      Body Pain

As you’ve noticed, strep throat does not present any cough or runny nose symptoms. It is highly contagious and spreads quickly between individuals. This makes children between the ages of 5 and 15 more susceptible to this infection. Also, you are more likely to get strep throat during winter.

Sleep Apnea

If you find yourself struggling to breathe for brief periods when sleeping, you may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can result in severe complications like hypertension, stroke, coronary artery disease, and heart failure without treatment.

2% of middle-aged women and 4% of middle-aged men have sleep apnea. Symptoms include:

●      Headaches

●      Interrupted Sleep

●      Feeling Exhausted and Unrefreshed in the Morning

●      Drowsiness During the Day

●      Mood Swings

●      Depression

●      Waking up to a Dry, Sore Throat.

Additionally, most people with sleep apnea also snore, choke, or even stop breathing temporarily while sleeping. Risk factors include obesity, swollen tonsils, and taking sedatives before bed.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis refers to an infection in your tonsils. It is a common illness in children. Some symptoms are:

●      Sore Throat

●      Difficulty Swallowing

●      White or Yellow Patches on the Tonsils

●      Enlarged Tonsils

●      Enlarged Neck Glands

●      Fever

●      Bad Breath

If you suffer from tonsillitis frequently, you may need surgery to remove your tonsils to you can avoid further complications.

If you notice any of these symptoms and require an experienced ENT doctor in Louisville, book an appointment with ENT Care Centers. We are committed to providing our patients with the best ENT care and treatment available. Contact us today.