An ENT specialist treats conditions related to the ear, nose, throat, sinuses, voice box (larynx), and related structures of the head and neck.
You should consult an ENT doctor if you experience chronic sinus infections, hearing loss, sore throat, dizziness, snoring, sleep apnea, or voice/swallowing problems.
Most insurance plans require a referral from your primary care physician, but some ENT clinics accept direct appointments. Check with your insurance provider and clinic.
ENT surgeons perform procedures like tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, septoplasty, sinus surgery, ear tube insertion, and more.
Preparation depends on the procedure, but generally includes a pre-operative consultation, lab tests, and fasting instructions. Follow your surgeon’s guidelines.
Recovery time varies by procedure. Minor surgeries may take a few days, while complex procedures can require a few weeks.
Children often visit ENT specialists for ear infections, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, sleep apnea, allergies, and speech delays caused by hearing issues.
Symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils, difficulty swallowing, and white patches in the throat. Recurring episodes may need ENT evaluation.
It’s a minimally invasive procedure to clear blocked sinuses, remove polyps, and improve sinus drainage using a small camera and instruments.
Yes, especially if they have enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Symptoms include snoring, restless sleep, and daytime fatigue.
Sudden hearing loss can result from viral infections, trauma, blood circulation issues, or underlying medical conditions. Immediate evaluation by an ENT is essential.
Ear wax is safely removed using irrigation, suction, or manual extraction in a clinical setting. Avoid using cotton swabs, which may push wax deeper.
Ear infections are treated with antibiotics, ear drops, and sometimes minor surgical procedures like ear tube placement in recurrent cases.
Symptoms include nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, nasal discharge, and loss of smell lasting more than 12 weeks.
A deviated septum may be treated with medications, but severe cases often require a surgical procedure called septoplasty.
Yes, ENT specialists diagnose and manage environmental allergies and may offer treatments like allergy testing, immunotherapy, and medication.
Oral ulcers are often caused by stress, injury, vitamin deficiencies, hormonal changes, or underlying conditions like celiac disease or autoimmune disorders.
Mouth ulcers are usually harmless and heal within 2 weeks. Persistent sores, lumps, or growths that don’t heal within two weeks must be examined because they could be a sign of oral cancer, which is fully treatable in its early stages.
Hoarseness can be caused by vocal strain, laryngitis, GERD, polyps, or vocal cord paralysis. Persistent symptoms require ENT evaluation.
ENTs may recommend a sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea. Treatments include lifestyle changes, CPAP therapy, oral appliances, or surgery.
Persistent sore throat may result from infections, allergies, acid reflux, or more serious conditions like throat cancer, and should be assessed by an ENT.