Kristin Hayes, RN

ENT is a medical abbreviation for ears, nose and throat. A doctor who specializes in treating these disorders is called an "ENT," or less commonly an otolaryngologist. Here are some examples of ENT disorders:

ENT anatomy and function

The ears, nose and throat are important parts of your body that are used on a daily basis. The ears are sensory organs that are not only related to hearing, but also function to provide you with a sense of balance.

The nose is also a sensory organ that not only provides your sense of smell, but also partially provides for your sense of taste. The nose also plays an important function in humidifying air as well as defensive mechanisms to preventing germs from entering the body. The throat provides the rout for both air to reach the lungs, as well as the route for food and water to enter your digestive tract.

Dysfunction to the ears, nose or throat can dramatically affect your quality of life and in some cases may constitute a medical emergency. If you have chronic ear, nose, or throat problems, it is advisable to not only see a primary care physician, but to also include an otolaryngologist in the management of your disorder.

Tonsillitis

When the tonsils become inflamed for long periods of time, they may have to be surgically removed; this procedure is called a "tonsillectomy." Though tonsillitis used to be treated with tonsillectomy frequently, it is no longer the practice and is now only done in specific instances.

When inflammation is severe enough, it can interfere with swallowing and breathing. Tonsil removal is indicated in cases of extreme obstruction of the airways or swallowing. Often tonsils are enlarged, swollen and painful during tonsillitis. Less absolute indications for tonsillectomy include: recurrent strep throat, chronic tonsillitis that does not improve with antibiotics, obstruction leading to bad breath or changes in voice.

Ear infections

Ear infections occur when germs enter the ear and become trapped there. Symptoms of ear infections include:

pain

hearing loss

balance problems

recent upper respiratory infections

drainage from the ear (perforation of the tympanic membrane)

Small children are more likely to have ear infections. Signs of an ear infection in your child may include:

irritability that escalates at bedtime

balance problems

fever

Some children may pull or tug at their ears. If the infection goes untreated for long periods of time, it can cause delays in their development, such as hearing and speech delays. If your child has chronic ear infections, your doctor may choose to surgically put small tubes inside your child's ear; these are called "myringotomy tubes."

Sinus  infections

Sinuses are cavities in the skull that surround the eyes and nose and are responsible for vocal resonance. Sinusitis occurs when these cavities become infected by a bacteria or virus. Symptoms of sinusitis include:

difficulty breathing

headache

runny nose

sneezing and coughing

bad breath

pain around the eyes or across the bridge of the nose

toothaches

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a brief cessation of breathing while asleep.

It can occur in both adults and children. Common causes of sleep apnea include:

being overweight

enlarged tonsils or other structures in the nose and throat

having a naturally shorter airway than usual

Symptoms of sleep apnea include:

snoring

witnessed episodes of snoring and gasping during sleep

waking up feeling unrested

headaches

fatigue

depression

waking up with a very dry or sore throat

waking up several times during the night

If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause heart failure, depression, mood changes and other diseases. Treatment recommendations often include lifestyle and diet changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or in the case of airway abnormalities, ENT surgery.

It should be noted that while some ENT doctors are comfortable treating any disease involving the ear, nose and throat, others are more specialized. Be prepared to discuss your symptoms when you visit with your specialist. Other ENT disorders include hearing loss, vertigo, acid reflux, cancers of the ear, nose and throat and many more.

How to prevent ENT disorders

There are many ways to prevent ENT disorders, though it is not always possible, as in the case of congenital conditions. However, multiple ENT disorders can be prevented. Here are some things you can do to prevent ENT disorders. Frequent hand washing is the single most important thing you can do to prevent infection. Avoid exposure to illness, and practice good hygiene, such as covering your mouth when you cough and staying at home when you are sick.

Since it is difficult to teach good hygiene to small children, toddlers who attend daycare or preschool are at a higher risk of developing chronic ENT disorders.

Preventing ear infections

Ear infections are a common ENT disorder. They occur when germs enter the ear and become trapped there. Due to their infectious nature, there are many things you can do to prevent ear infections. Certain inherited traits, though, make some people, especially children, more prone to ear infections. Here are a list of ways to prevent ear infections:

Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.

Identify and treat allergies.

Keep your child’s immunizations up to date.

Do not remove earwax unless your physician tells you to.

Preventing sinus infections

Sinus infections occur when germs enter one of the hollow cavities in the skull surrounding the eyes and nose. A sinus infection may feel like a very bad cold that doesn't go away after the usual 2 to 3 weeks.

Here are some ways you can protect yourself.

If you have a cold, use a saline nasal spray (available over the counter) to keep your nasal passages from becoming blocked.

Do not fly if you have a cold. If you must fly, consider use of a decongestant and nasal spray 30 minutes before take-off.

Identify and treat allergies; long-term sinusitis is usually caused by allergies, while acute sinusitis is usually caused by bacteria.

Try using saline nasal spray daily for chronic sinusitis.

Preventing sore throat

There are many causes of sore throat, including infections, acid reflux, sleep apnea or more severe and rare disorders, such as cancer. A very common cause of sore throat is a bacterial or viral infection, so practicing good hygiene, such as frequent hand washing, is a good way to prevent sore throat. Here are some other suggestions:

Get plenty of rest and exercise to bolster your immune system.

Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.

Do not spend long periods of time outside when the air quality in your area is poor.

Treat esophageal reflux.

Preventing sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops breathing for brief periods of time while asleep. It is very common in the United States and can be harmful if left untreated. Fortunately, there are many treatments available, and sleep apnea can often be cured. Here are some good ideas to prevent or keep sleep apnea at bay.

Maintain a healthy body weight.

Avoid alcohol or sedatives at bedtime.

Identify and treat tonsillitis, nasal polyps or other disorders that can cause airway obstruction.

Quit smoking.

Not all ENT disorders can be prevented. Many depend on inherited traits; however, following these suggestions may serve to keep you healthier in the future.

Hand washing remains at the forefront of disease prevention, along with other isolation practices, including coughing in to your sleeve and staying at home while you are sick. These guidelines can also help strengthen your immune system, decreasing the likelihood of catching an illness and limiting the amount of time you spend sick.