ENT conditions, which affect the ear, nose, and throat, are a source of inconvenience that often disrupt the daily life of a person. These disorders can be mild or severe but identifying symptoms and knowing their causes is necessary for the right treatment.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinuses caused by infection, allergy, or nasal polyp in the majority of the cases.
Symptoms:
- Facial pain or pressure
- Nasal congestion
- Thick nasal discharge
- Headaches
- Loss of smell
Causes: Sinus infections, seasonal allergies, or anatomical blockages such as a deviated septum are some of the reasons for sinusitis. Acute sinus infections are usually caused by bacteria or viruses, but chronic sinusitis is often associated with long-term inflammation.
Treatment: OTC decongestants, nasal sprays, and antihistamines can help with managing the symptoms. However, in cases of bacterial infection, doctors may prescribe antibiotics. In chronic or severe cases, surgery might be needed to correct structural problems.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is a disease that appears when the tonsils are swollen. This can be due to a viral or a bacterial infection.
Symptoms:
- Sore throat
- Swollen tonsils
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fever
- White patches on the tonsils
Causes: Viral infections like the common cold or bacterial infections such as streptococcus can be the cause of tonsillitis. Tonsillitis is especially prevalent among children, but adults are susceptible to it, too.
Treatment: Treatment is aimed at the cause. If viral, supportive treatments like drinking water, resting, and throat lozenges can help reduce the symptoms. If bacteria are the cause, the doctor will give antibiotics. In case of recurrence, surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be required.
Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection)Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear, frequently seen in infants but also affecting adults.
Symptoms:
- Ear pain
- Fluid drainage from the ear
- Hearing difficulties
- Fever
Causes: Usually, this condition appears after an infection like a respiratory cold that leads to the excess fluid behind the eardrum. Bacteria as well as viruses are the main offenders, especially in young kids that tend to have shorter eustachian tubes.
Treatment: Sometimes, the issue may go away with the aid of the painkillers, but the bacterial ones will need antibiotics to be treated. For long-term ailments, ear tubes may be inserted to avoid fluid build-up and recurrent infections.
Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
Allergic rhinitis that is often referred to as hay fever is caused by an allergic reaction towards some airborne substances like pollen, dust, or pet dander.
Symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
- Post-nasal drip
Causes: Allergens like pollen, dust mites, and dog hair cause the immune system to go into overdrive, as a result, inflammation of the nasal passages.
Treatment: Antihistamines, nasal sprays, and decongestants can provide relief. On the other hand, allergy shots (immunotherapy) might be useful in such cases to desensitize the immune system to allergens over time.
Sleep Apnea
Apnea at night is a severe disorder where the breathing is temporarily interrupted multiple times at the time of sleep, which is usually caused by a blocked airway.
Symptoms:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Daytime fatigue
- Morning headaches
Causes: The most frequent type, obstructive sleep apnea, happens when the throat muscles relax and thus the airway is blocked. It can also be the result of obesity, gaining a bigger size of tonsils, or having serious problems with the nasal cavity.
Treatment: Weight loss and positional therapy may be the possible solutions for mild cases. For those with moderate to severe sleep apnea, CPAP machines are the usual treatment. Surgery could be the last resort for people who have not responded to other therapies.
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