When must you see an ENT doctor?

Although most people have only quality of life problems with conditions of the Ear, Nose and Throat, it is vital to be aware that some conditions can be serious or life threatening and need urgent intervention by an ENT specialist. It is better to see an ENT specialist early if any symptom persists for more than two weeks or does not respond to initial treatment.

Conditions that need early / emergent intervention- 1) Airway problems can manifest very rapidly and can be fatal if not treated early. Noisy breathing (STRIDOR) is an indication of a severely blocked or narrow airway and is a serious emergency. 2) Sudden loss of hearing with or without dizziness is a condition that needs to be diagnosed early and treatment started within 48 hours 3) Nose Bleed (Epistaxis) if not managed early can be life threatening 4) Any abscess in a Deep Neck space can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated early. 5) Chronic discharging ears or chronic Sinus infections can lead to many life threatening complications in the form of abscesses which can spread to the brain. 6) Trauma to the face and neck (eg ,facial bone fracture, stab injury etc) 7) A button cell (watch battery) as a foreign body in Ear/ Nose or Throat is a serious emergency and needs to be removed immediately. Any other foreign body in the Ear is not an emergency but in the Nose, Airway or Food passage, it needs to be removed immediately 8) Severe Allergic response (Anaphylaxis) can compromise airway very quickly unless treated early

Symptoms that may be indicative of serious underlying conditions- 1) Hoarseness / change in quality of the voice lasting more than 2 weeks 2) Difficulty to breathe 3) Cough lasting more than 3 weeks 4) Neck swelling especially if it is enlarging and / or is painless and lasts more than 2 weeks 5) Tinnitus ( ringing or buzzing in ear) especially if it is sudden onset and affecting one ear only 6) Dizziness or loss of balance especially if it is recurrent 7) Swallowing problems 8) Snoring with or without Sleep Apnoea (stopping breathing for more than 10 seconds in sleep) 9) Altered sense of smell or foul smelling nasal discharge ( especially one sided) 10) Facial Palsy (Paralysis) 11) Facial pain or headache 12) Salivary gland swelling 13) Cancers in the Head and Neck are fairly common and early diagnosis helps in early treatment