ENT is a medical abbreviation for ears, nose and throat. Thus, a doctor who specializes and holds expertise in treating ears, nose and throat conditions is commonly known as an ENT Specialist, however, the official term used for such   is an otolaryngologist.

Following are some common otolaryngology conditions mentioned below with their symptoms:

Tonsillitis

Inflammation or an infection in the tonsils is known as tonsillitis. This condition can be caused by cold, mono, or strep throat. It is one of the most common conditions and may result in severe throat pain. If the inflammation increases it may result in discomfort during swallowing and breathing. Tonsil removal is may need to be carried out in extreme cases of obstruction in the airways or swallowing.

Other indications for tonsillectomy (tonsil removal) include: recurring strep throat, prolonged tonsillitis that cannot be treated through antibiotics, airway obstruction leading to bad breath or change in voice.

Ear Infections

An ear infection can be caused by bacterial or viral infection affection in the ear. Such infections can be painful as they cause inflammation and fluid buildup in the middle ear. If it goes untreated it may even cause delay in their hearing development of children and may even hinder hearing in an adult.  .

Some of the common symptoms of ear infections observed by an adult include:

• pain
• hearing loss
• drainage from the ear (from a ruptured tympanic membrane)
• Small children are prone to ear infections and some symptoms that they may experience include:
• irritability that intensifies at bedtime
• fever

Sinus Infections

Sinuses are referred to the cavities in the skull surrounding the eyes and nose.  These cavities are responsible for vocal resonance. A condition called sinusitis occurs when these cavities are infected by bacteria or virus or are inflamed due to certain allergies.

Some common symptoms of sinusitis may include:

• difficulty in breathing
• runny nose
• sneezing and coughing
• headache
• bad breath
• toothache

These are some of the most common ENT conditions and their symptoms. It is advised to opt for the best ENT hospitals if you or your child is experiencing such symptoms.