Ear, Nose And Throat
Common Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) conditions include sleep apnea, sinus infections, and hearing issues.
Otolaryngologists (commonly referred to as ENT surgeons) deal with the diagnosis, evaluation and management of diseases of head and neck and principally the ears, nose and throat.
One of the key areas of concern for ENT surgeons are helping patients cope with or recover from diseases that impair the senses of hearing and balance. They will also be concerned with the functional aspects of breathing, eating and speech. ENT surgeons also deal with cancers in this region of the body. Many will undertake plastic and reconstructive work on the face.
There’s more information on the Royal College of Surgeons’ website.
Ears
Bell’s Palsy is an idiopathic lower motor neurone palsy. Its onset is usually over a few hours or overnight. It’s incidence is 25-35;100000. Bell's palsy is temporary weakness or lack of movement affecting one side of the face. Most people get better within nine months. Because it's probably caused by an infection, Bell's palsy can't be prevented. It may be linked to the herpes virus. There’s more information on the NHS website. Referral information for GPs is here.
Paroxysms of rotational vertigo lasting for seconds to minutes, often associated with change in position without hearing loss or headache. Caused by otoliths in the vestibular apparatus. There’s more information about vertigo on the NHS website. Referral information for GPs is here.
Ear wax normally just falls out on its own. When it's blocking your ears, a pharmacist can help. There’s more information on the NHS website. There’s clinical information for GPs, here.
Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. It often comes on gradually as you get older, but it can sometimes happen suddenly. There’s more information about hearing loss and deafness on the NHS website. Referral information for GPs is here.
Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. It often comes on gradually as you get older, but it can sometimes happen suddenly. There’s more information about hearing loss and deafness on the NHS website. Referral information for GPs is here.
Otitis externa is a condition that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) of the external ear canal, which is the tube between the outer ear and eardrum. Otitis externa is often referred to as "swimmer's ear" because repeated exposure to water can make the ear canal more vulnerable to inflammation. There’s further information, here. Referral information for GPs is here.
Glue ear is where the empty middle part of the ear canal fills up with fluid. This can cause temporary hearing loss. It usually clears up within three months. There’s more information on the NHS website. Referral information for GPs is here.
Tinnitus is the name for hearing noises that aren't caused by an outside source. It's not usually a sign of any serious conditions and generally improves over time. There are treatments that can help. There’s more information on the NHS website. Referral information for GPs is here.
Vertigo is a symptom, rather than a condition in itself. It's the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning. There’s more information on the NHS website. Referral information for GPs is here.
Nose
Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the inside of the nose caused by an allergen, such as pollen, dust, mould, or flakes of skin from certain animals. It's a very common condition, estimated to affect around one in every five people in the UK. Non-allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the inside of the nose that isn't caused by an allergy. Referral information for GPs is here.
Throat
https://www.nhs.uk/video/Pages/Coughs.aspx
Most coughs go away on their own within three weeks. There's usually no need to see a GP. However, a chronic cough should be investigated. Clinical information for GPs is here.
Dysphagia is the medical term for swallowing difficulties. Some people with dysphagia have problems swallowing certain foods or liquids, while others can't swallow at all. Other signs of dysphagia include:
- coughing or choking when eating or drinking
- bringing food back up, sometimes through the nose
- a sensation that food is stuck in your throat or chest
- persistent drooling of saliva
- being unable to chew food properly
- a 'gurgly' wet sounding voice when eating or drinking
Over time, dysphagia can also cause symptoms such as weight loss and repeated chest infections. You can read more on the NHS website. Referral information for GPs is here.
People with dysphonia may present with hoarseness and a sore or dry throat. A singer may notice that he or she is no longer able to sing in the upper range. There may be other associated symptoms such as a continuous drip at the back of the throat (nasal catarrh) and heartburn. Any person who has been hoarse for four weeks or more should seek medical attention from their family doctor. There’s more information, here. Referral information for GPs is here.
Tonsillitis is a common childhood illness but teenagers and adults can get it too. It usually goes away on its own after a few days. There’s more information on the NHS website. Referral information for GPs is here.
If you have persistent throat pain, your body could be trying to tell you that something is wrong, and it's a good idea to see your doctor for a diagnosis, though the cause is more likely to be a minor viral or bacterial infection. Referral information for GPs is here.
Your salivary glands produce saliva, which keeps your mouth moist, helps protect your teeth from rapid decay, and helps you to digest your food. The salivary glands are relatively small, and they’re around the inner linings of your mouth, lips, and cheeks. A number of diseases can affect your salivary glands. These range from cancerous tumors to Sjögren’s syndrome. While some conditions go away with time or antibiotics, others require more serious treatments, including surgery. Referral information for GPs is here.
Snoring is caused by things such as your tongue, mouth, throat or airways in your nose vibrating as you breathe. It happens because these parts of your body relax and narrow when you're asleep. You're more likely to snore if you:
- are overweight
- smoke
- drink too much alcohol
- sleep on your back
There’s more information on the NHS website, here. Referral information for GPs is here.
A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils. Tonsils are two small glands located in the back of your throat. Tonsils house white blood cells to help you fight infection, but sometimes the tonsils themselves become infected. Referral information for GPs is here.
People with dysphonia may present with hoarseness and a sore or dry throat. A singer may notice that he or she is no longer able to sing in the upper range. There may be other associated symptoms such as a continuous drip at the back of the throat (nasal catarrh) and heartburn. Any person who has been hoarse for four weeks or more should seek medical attention from their family doctor. There’s more information, here. Referral information for GPs is here.