By the time your first allergy symptoms start to arise, you can figure out that you’ll have to go see a doctor. If it is a recurring symptom, you may know exactly what you need to do to alleviate the problem, but happens when it becomes more like a chore? Then you need to seek medical attention. Sneezing, coughing and itching are not comfortable symptoms and they also irritate the people around you. ENT clinics are specialized for balance, hearing, language, smell and taste, speech and voice disorders, and laryngeal cancers.
Here are some symptoms that should raise a red flag for head and neck tumors:
- Persistent pain in your throat
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- Persistent hoarseness
- Change in your voice
- Pain in your ear
- Bleeding in your mouth or throat.
These are pretty scary symptoms and you should directly visit an ENT clinic if you happen to be experiencing them. At times visiting an emergency room (ER) may be your only option because it may the middle of the night, but the ER may have an ENT specialist on call to take care of you. In these situations, inform the ER physician or nurse of your previous diagnosis of any ENT related disorder so no time is wasted in your treatment.
Head neck tumors may arise from a variety of reasons including smoking, smokeless tobacco, second-hand smoke, excessive alcohol intake, asbestos exposure, excessive alcohol intake, and even HPV infection. However, there are some smaller causes as well, including the Epstein-Barr virus, poor oral hygiene and some preservatives. Fortunately in today’s high-tech medical society, there are a number of treatment options available. Usually chemotherapy and radiation are the standard procedures for for cancers, but some tumors are able to be treated with laser therapies as well. Moreover, for some childhood disorders, your ENT specialist may apply the “wait and see” treatment option to avoid unnecessary procedures and/or medication.
ENT clinics can also help you learn the difference between a normal cold and the flu. This is something that can save you a trip to the doctor and a lot of fear. Here are some clues:
- Cold symptoms: initial symptoms may be a sore throat for a day or two with a runny nose, congestion, coughing.
- Flu symptoms: symptoms become apparent rather quickly, an “all of a sudden” feeling with sore throat, fever, headache, muscle pain, congestion, fatigue, and coughing.
- So, the difference: temperature over 101 degrees Fahrenheit indicates having the flu.
An ENT clinic will help you with your ears, nose, throat, head and neck services. This is actually a very broad area even though it seems only a certain, small part of your body. Just as one can imagine, these disorders can be a day to day challenge. Some services the ENT clinic will provide are:
- Videostroboscopy
- Computerized analysis of your voice
- Triple endoscopy
- Comprehensive hearing tests
- Hearing aid evaluations
- Oropharyngeal motility testing
- Comprehensive allergy testing
- Testing for snoring disorders
- Comprehensive evaluation of speech and language.
Do not be overwhelmed by this list, it is just to give you an idea of what the doctor may do in order to figure out how to help you best. For parents with children with special needs, i.e. hearing aids or facial reconstruction surgery, it can be emotionally difficult. In these cases the ENT specialist should provide the parents a place in the clinic to speak privately and answer any questions. However, adults should not fear to do the same. If you reside in Arlington, Dallas or Fort Worth, Texas, contact Central Park ENT & Surgery center. The ENT specialists at Central Park are there for you to answer all your questions and provide you with whatever else you may need. Make an appointment today!