Providing medical care to the ear, nose, and throat systems requires a physician with specialized training in these areas. As all three systems work together, issues involving one zone can impact the other zones quickly. Medical practitioners specializing in the care of these areas are called otolaryngologists, or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors. Keep reading for symptoms that mean you should consider seeing an ENT in Louisville.
Provided by Grason-Stadler
4 Reasons to See an ENT in Louisville
1. Chronic Sore Throat
A sore throat that won’t go away, or keeps returning, is a reason to seek the care of an ENT doctor. Tonsillitis could be the cause of your discomfort, as inflammation of the tonsils can cause trouble swallowing and a painfully tender throat.
Determining the best course of treatment for tonsillitis requires distinguishing what is causing it. An ENT specialist can provide more treatment options than a general care physician, as tonsillitis no longer requires tonsil removal as the only option.
2. Chronic Ear Infections
When an infection develops in the space behind the eardrum, it can cause painful pressure in the ear canal, headache, fever, and potentially hearing loss. Children commonly experience ear infections due to the size and position of their eustachian tubes and inner ear. However, adults with small middle ears and eustachian tubes may be prone to ongoing ear infections.
Ear infections sometimes cause irreversible hearing loss, contributing to speech and developmental delays in children. An ENT doctor can determine whether your child or yourself would benefit from having ear tubes implanted. This procedure places tiny tubes in the eardrum, allowing airflow to the ear and fluid to drain so that an infection doesn’t grow in the space behind the eardrum.
3. Ringing Ears
Regular ringing in the ears is known as tinnitus and can be irritating and negatively affect your day-to-day life. Tinnitus is defined as reoccurring noise in the ears or head without an external source. Occurring more than twice a week and lasting for longer than five minutes at a time, this noise may sound like ringing or even humming.
Unfortunately, there is no outright cure for tinnitus. However, an ENT in Louisville can provide you with various methods to manage the issue and improve your quality of life.
4. Vertigo or Dizziness
Many people will struggle with vertigo or dizziness at some point in their life. Sometimes, the cause is related to changing blood pressure or blood sugar levels, or it is a medication side effect. However, a condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo can be to blame. This condition is caused by calcium crystals in your inner ears migrating from their usual place.
Visiting an ENT doctor to determine the cause of your vertigo and dizziness will ensure you receive the best treatment for your symptoms. For example, if you are suffering from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, they can create a treatment plan to help you improve your balance and relieve your symptoms.
When dealing with uncomfortable symptoms involving your ears, nose, or throat, visiting an ENT specialist is the best course of action. You’ll receive care from a specialist trained in the delicate systems of the ear, nose, and throat and help prevent minor symptoms from becoming significant issues.
