ENT Disorders - Ear Nose and Throat Problems and Treatments

Because these three organs are inter-connected, picking up a problem in one of the three can cause a host of different problems in the other two; this is where the ENT specialist steps in as he is well versed in the treatments of any ENT disorders and the related illnesses that these problems can cause.

Symptoms

There are far too many disorders to list; this article is focused on a few of the common ENT ailments that most of us have had before:

1) Sinusitis - probably the most common, this is the congestion of the nasal passages, accompanied by headaches, sneezing, postnasal drip and a runny nose. Quite unpleasant but easy enough to solve [if there is no underlying serious medical condition].

2) Swimmers ear - if the earlobe is tugged the patient experiences extreme pain and the patient may have pain while chewing accompanied by swollen lymph nodes. Can be solved with over the counter medication.

3) Inner ear infection - there may be a feeling of increased pressure in the ear with a fair amount of pain, this is probably caused by a fungal infection in the inner canal and will need immediate attention.

4) Ear infection - dull pain accompanied by loss of balance, hearing and a fluid discharge are all signs of a problem can be solved by over the counter medication but if no improvement is noted after a day or two, the patient will need to see a doctor.

5) Strep throat - fever, fatigue, difficulty in swallowing, sore throat and enlarged lymph nodes, patient needs medication for this problem and will need to see a doctor for an anti-biotic and a throat analgesic.

6) Tonsillitis - really sore throat, fever, chills, and difficulty in swallowing, this condition definitely needs medical care as it is recurring and may need surgery.

There are other throat, ear and nose infections out there but the ones above are generally the most diagnosed.

Causes

ENT Disorders - Ear Nose and Throat Problems and Treatments

* environmental - generally due to dampness [swimmers ear] an infection could occur if no care is taken in keeping the ear canal dry and clean

* viral - affect more than one part of the body and cannot be cured with a anti-biotic

* bacterial - these infections are generally localized [affect only one side of the throat] and occur when the area is bruised or damaged in some way

* fungal - the monster of the bunch, immediate attention is needed as any delay could compound the problem due to the exponential growth of fungi

Home remedies

1) Garlic oil - has antimicrobial properties and can be used to treat an ear infection2) Ginger tea - has the same properties as garlic and can be used to soothe a sore throat3) Eucalyptus oil - used in conjunction with steam can relieve congestion and soothe inflammation in throat or nasal infections4) Gargle - salt is a mild antiseptic and can be gargled with water to treat a throat infection

Please remember that infants and toddlers need to see the doctor if any of these problems occur, they have a underdeveloped immune system and so need assistance with the curing/healing of any of these problems.