At some point in every person’s life, he or she will experience some sort of ear, nose and/or throat problem. Even though most issues go away with minimal help, there are some issues that people must pay close attention to. Have a sore throat that won’t go away? Ringing in your ears irritating? Are there Sinus Symptoms in Bethlehem PA you should be worried about? If the answer to any of these is “yes,” it is important to see an ENT immediately.
How does the first consultation go? The appointment begins with an in-depth examination of the person’s disorders, symptoms, and discomfort. The specialist will ask each patient when the symptoms started, where they began and if there are similar family cases. This is followed by an examination of the affected area(s). The ears and nose are examined using a speculum, the throat with a small spatula. It is only at the end of this consultation that the specialist can make an initial diagnosis, decide on the treatment to be followed and possibly order additional examinations.
There are certain terms everyone should be concerned with when they visit an ENT. For instance, tinnitus represents a noise (hissing or ringing) in one or both ears as a result of an obstructive lesion of the external, middle or internal ear. Several million people a year suffer from this severe auditory issue. Rhinitis is characterized by inflammation of the lining of the nasal cavity to the back of the nose, behind the soft palate. There are many forms of rhinitis: allergic rhinitis (traditionally called hay fever), caused by the inhalation of plant particles (pollen) or animals (mites, cat fur and feathers of birds); viral rhinitis, which is an infectious disease (brought on by the presence of microbes) or by tobacco use or other irritants. In some cases, Sinus Symptoms in Bethlehem PA may even become chronic and require appropriate treatment.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the facial cavities. It originates from the spread of infection in the nasal cavity (or more rarely from the root of a superior tooth). It can be acute or chronic; that is to say, it lasts more than 3 months. It results in permanent nasal discharge and a feeling of nasal obstruction and coughing at night. For more details, visit today.
