The ears, nose, and throat are among the body’s sensory organs. They help a person sense and respond to the surrounding environment and perform several other critical functions. For instance, they help the body balance and prevent germ-related infections, which are essential for good health. However, sometimes, these organs malfunction or get affected by diseases.

Otitis media
Also known as “middle ear infection,” otitis media occurs when the eustachian tube malfunctions. This tube manages the pressure between the middle and outer ear. Otitis media prevents fluid drainage from the middle ear area, causing its build-up and leading to virus and bacteria growth. The condition is often caused due to congenital malformation in the eustachian tube. But it could also result from the common cold or an allergy-related swelling in the lining of the ear, nose, and throat. Those affected by otitis media experience ear pain when lying down, trouble hearing, loss of appetite, and irritability. It is treated using oral treatments and options for reducing pain.

Tonsillitis
Tonsils are a form of soft tissue at the back of the throat. They are a part of the immune system and help safeguard the body from getting infected through the nose or mouth. Tonsillitis is a common ear, nose, and throat disorder that affects the tonsils, causing inflammation in them. It can affect both children and adults due to bacterial or viral infections or compromised immunity, but children are at a higher risk. The common symptoms include throat pain, fever, headache, ear pain, problem swallowing, and muffled voice. Patients need immediate attention to recover from the illness. While tonsillitis is treated with oral options, warm water gargles are also routinely advised.

Sleep apnea
According to estimates, nearly one billion people worldwide are affected by sleep apnea. It is a severe ear, nose, and throat disorder that causes a person’s breathing to stop repeatedly while asleep. The signs to look out for are snoring, disturbed sleep, daytime fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, and chronic headache. Sleep apnea can lead to dangerous consequences like stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and even heart failure if not treated in time. While the condition could result from several factors, it mainly occurs due to airway blockages, central nervous system dysfunctions, and diseases of the kidneys and lungs. Specific lifestyle changes like exercise and healthy eating help treat sleep apnea. If these techniques do not work, the doctor may advise therapy options like CPAP, BiPAP, or ASV.

Sinusitis
The sinuses are tiny pockets of air between the eyes and behind the cheekbones, nose, and forehead. They are responsible for helping the body absorb heat and reducing the pressure of the skull on the neck and shoulders. When the sinuses and nasal passages get inflamed, it is called sinusitis. This ear, nose, and throat disorder could be caused due to a bone spur or growth in the nasal passage, compromised immune system, chronic cold, respiratory infections, exposure to mold, and even tooth infections. One can know they have sinusitis when they experience symptoms like an impaired sense of smell, headache, stuffy or runny nose, cough, and fatigue. There may also be thick mucus discharge, which may be yellow or green. Thankfully, most sinus infections are not severe and can be treated with home remedies. Doctors may recommend pain treatments in case of severe headaches. If sinusitis does not resolve with these remedies and becomes chronic, one may be advised surgery to clear the sinuses.

Nosebleeds
Also known as epistaxis, nosebleeds occur when the blood vessels in the lining of a person’s nose rupture and bleed. As per estimates, one in every 200 ED visits in our country is for nosebleeds. This ear, nose, and throat disorder may look scary, but a nosebleed is rarely serious. It could occur due to excessive nose picking, the common cold, nasal infections, injuries to the nasal area, high altitude, or high blood pressure. Patients often notice blood oozing from one or more nostrils or feel a liquid flowing at the back of the throat. Some report a constant urge to swallow. Usually, nosebleeds resolve on their own. If not, one can try breathing through the mouth while pinching the nose for at least five minutes. Doctors may advise nasal packing or cauterization to seal the blood vessels.

These are some of the most common ear, nose, and throat disorders or ENT disorders. It is advisable to seek immediate attention on spotting any of the signs. Proper care and attention help a person find relief and prevent the problem from worsening.