The ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist — also known as an otorhinolaryngologist — deals with the ear, nose and throat, three interconnected organs that affect such basic functions as hearing, breathing, speaking and even balance. Despite being one of the most consulted specialists, many people are unsure when to book an appointment.
At Clínica Eupnea in Palamós, the ENT team offers comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for all conditions of the ear, nose and larynx, with advanced technology such as in-office fibre-optic endoscopy.
In this article
Key takeaways
- Otitis is one of the most common causes of earache in children and adults
- Sinusitis lasting more than 10 days requires ENT assessment
- Persistent hoarseness (>2 weeks) should always be investigated
- Vertigo often originates in the inner ear and can be treated
- Fibre-optic endoscopy allows painless examination of the nose and larynx in the consulting room
- ENT specialists treat ear, nose, throat, snoring and balance problems
Otitis: types, symptoms and treatment
Otitis is inflammation or infection of the ear — one of the most frequent ENT consultations. There are two main types:
Otitis externa (swimmer's ear)
- What it is: infection of the external ear canal, common in summer due to moisture and swimming in pools or the sea
- Symptoms: intense pain that worsens when touching or pulling the ear, itching, discharge, a feeling of blockage
- Treatment: topical antibiotic drops. Avoid submerging the ear until healed
- Prevention: dry the ears thoroughly after swimming; do not use cotton buds
Otitis media
- What it is: infection of the space behind the eardrum, very common in children aged 6 months to 3 years
- Symptoms: intense ear pain (the child may tug at the ear), fever, irritability, possibly discharge if the eardrum perforates
- Treatment: analgesics, and oral antibiotics in cases of high fever or severe symptoms
- When to be concerned: recurrent otitis (more than 3 in 6 months) requires specialist ENT assessment
Sinusitis: more than just a cold
Sinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. It can be acute (less than 4 weeks) or chronic (more than 12 weeks).
Differences between a cold and sinusitis:
- Common cold: nasal congestion, clear mucus, usually lasts 7–10 days and gradually improves
- Sinusitis: persistent congestion, thick yellow/green mucus, facial pain or pressure (forehead, cheeks, between the eyes), headache, reduced sense of smell, cough that worsens at night
Treatment for acute sinusitis includes nasal saline irrigation, decongestants and, when necessary, antibiotics. Chronic sinusitis requires a full ENT work-up, which may include a sinus CT scan.
Practical tip: nasal irrigation
Nasal irrigation with saline solution is an essential tool for nasal hygiene and the treatment of sinusitis, rhinitis and congestion. Use a sufficient volume (100–150 ml per nostril) with your head tilted forward and slightly turned. Adapted formats are available for small children. It is safe and can be performed several times a day.
Voice problems: dysphonia and hoarseness
Dysphonia (a change or loss of voice quality) is a very common reason for ENT consultation. The most frequent causes are:
- Vocal overuse: common in teachers, singers, salespeople and parents of young children
- Acute laryngitis: inflammation of the larynx from a viral infection, causing temporary hoarseness
- Vocal nodules: callous-like growths on the vocal cords from voice misuse, requiring voice re-education
- Vocal polyps: benign lesions that may require surgery if conservative treatment does not help
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux: stomach acid irritates the larynx, causing hoarseness, cough and a foreign body sensation
If hoarseness persists for more than 2–3 weeks, the vocal cords should be examined by fibre-optic endoscopy — a quick, painless procedure performed at the Clínica Eupnea ENT clinic.
Vertigo and balance disorders
Vertigo — the sensation that everything around you is spinning — is a very unpleasant experience that often originates in the inner ear. The most common causes are:
- BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo): brief episodes of intense vertigo triggered by head movements or getting up. The most frequent cause — treatable with repositioning manoeuvres in the clinic
- Vestibular neuritis: inflammation of the vestibular nerve causing severe vertigo for several days
- Ménière's disease: episodes of vertigo, hearing loss and tinnitus linked to fluid build-up in the inner ear
- Vestibular migraine: vertigo associated with migraines, with or without headache
When to see an ENT specialist
You should book an ENT appointment if you have:
- Ear pain that does not improve within 48 hours or recurs frequently
- Progressive or sudden hearing loss (sudden loss is an emergency)
- Persistent tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Chronic nasal congestion or recurrent sinusitis
- Hoarseness lasting more than 2 weeks
- Recurrent or disabling vertigo
- Snoring with possible sleep apnoea
- Frequent or heavy nosebleeds
- A lump in the neck persisting for more than 2–3 weeks
Frequently asked questions
Otitis externa affects the ear canal (the visible part of the ear up to the eardrum) and is common in summer due to moisture. Otitis media affects the space behind the eardrum, is more common in children and is usually associated with colds. Otitis externa causes pain when the ear is touched; otitis media causes internal pain, often with fever.
You should consult an ENT specialist if nasal congestion and facial pain persist for more than 10 days without improvement, if there is purulent nasal discharge (thick green or yellow), high fever, intense pain around the eyes or forehead, or if sinusitis recurs more than 3–4 times a year.
Hoarseness (dysphonia) can have benign causes such as vocal overuse, colds or reflux. However, if hoarseness persists for more than 2–3 weeks without an obvious cause, you should see an ENT specialist to rule out vocal cord lesions (nodules, polyps) or, rarely, more serious pathology. Examination with fibre-optic endoscopy is quick and painless.
Yes, vertigo often originates in the inner ear (vestibular apparatus). Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause and can be treated with specific manoeuvres in the clinic. Other causes include vestibular neuritis and Ménière's disease. An ENT specialist can diagnose the origin and recommend the appropriate treatment.
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