ENT specialists diagnose and treat conditions of the ear, nose and throat. They are also referred to as otolaryngologists. Let’s take a look at a few signs that you may be dealing with an ENT issue that requires further treatment.
You Have Ear Pressure or Pain
Pressure or pain in the ear can have several different causes. One of the most common is a middle ear infection. While these infections are more common in children than adults, anyone is susceptible to developing an ear infection. In addition to pain or pressure, you may experience muffled hearing and fluid draining from the ear.
While ear infections can clear up on their own, if you’ve had symptoms for more than a few days, schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist to see if antibiotics are required to clear the infection.
Earwax buildup is another common cause of earache and can also lead to an infection. If you suspect you have earwax buildup, do not try to remove it on your own with a cotton swab or insert anything else into your ear, as that can make your symptoms worse. Visit a specialist so that they can safely remove earwax.
Your Ear Is Itchy and Painful After Swimming
Middle ear infections aren’t the only kind of ear infections. There are also infections of the outer ear, referred to as swimmer’s ear. As the name suggests, these infections usually occur when water gets trapped in the ear and allows bacteria to grow, commonly after swimming.
Outer ear infections are a common problem in children and adults, with about 1 out of 10 people experiencing one at some point in their life. Symptoms include:
- Itching and redness in the ear
- Discomfort that’s made worse by pulling on your earlobe
- Fluid drainage or fullness in the ear
You Have Chronic Nasal Congestion
While everyone deals with the occasional stuffy nose, if you have chronic nasal congestion that lasts months, make an appointment with a specialist. There may be several conditions that are contributing to your persistent congestion that require additional treatment, including:
- Chronic sinusitis
- Nasal polyps
- Deviated septum
- Allergies
You Have Heartburn Several Times a Week
If you find yourself experiencing heartburn, you may have a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This happens when stomach acid regularly flows back up into the esophagus. In addition to heartburn, symptoms of GERD include:
- Chest pain
- Sour taste in your mouth
- Postnasal drip
- Chronic cough
- Sore throat
An ENT can prescribe medications to reduce your production of stomach acid, as well as offer lifestyle remedies like telling you what foods to choose and those to avoid when shopping at the Arvada Farmers Market.
If you experience these symptoms or any other problems relating to your ears, nose or throat, schedule an appointment with one of our experts at Advantage ENT & Audiology today.