Another bout of the sniffles may not mean anything serious, but then again, could it? How do you know when to see a specialist and when to cuddle up on the couch with some chicken soup?
The answer isn’t always obvious, but if you happen to notice any of these symptoms, you’ll want to head to our ENT clinic in Amherst at your earliest convenience.
When to Go to an ENT Clinic in Amherst
Ear Pain & Hearing Loss:
If you experience any pain in your ears, you should visit your local ENT clinic in Amherst right away. Ear pain is usually the result of an ear infection. It may also be associated with nausea, dizziness, vomiting, fever, and hearing loss.
In most cases, a simple antibiotic will alleviate symptoms within a week or so. However, if left untreated, infections can spread to the surrounding bone and either rupture the eardrum or cause permanent damage.
Congestion & Sinus Pressure:
If you find that you’re constantly reaching for the box of tissues, then you probably don’t have a cold. Colds last no more than 2-3 weeks maximum, and as an adult, if you live a healthy lifestyle, you shouldn’t experience more than 4 or so per year.
Constant congestion is a reason for concern. If the symptoms really do not subside, you may be suffering from a deviated septum, allergies, nasal polyps, etc. If antibiotics are not effective, we often perform a balloon sinuplasty at our ENT clinic in Amherst. A balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that helps to open up a patient’s airways and improve drainage.
Excessive Snoring:
If you’re constantly snoring at night even when you’re perfectly healthy, air may not be moving evenly through the upper airways. Sometimes these passageways partially collapse causing oxygen levels to drop and forcing you awake. This is known as obstructive sleep apnea.
If you’re breathing with your mouth open, you might also experience dry mouth and a sore throat in the morning. Many also complain of headaches due to the lower levels of oxygen and higher levels of carbon dioxide.
If you’ve been falling asleep during the day and struggling to relax at night, consider scheduling a meeting at our ENT clinic in Amherst to see how we may be able to help you with obstructive sleep apnea.
Final Thoughts:
You know yourself best, and if you notice anything out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to drop by our ENT clinic in Amherst for a consultation. Lastly, though these are some of the most common symptoms patients come in with, this is by no means an exhaustive list.