Common symptoms leading to Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) disorders that you may not be aware of

Under prevailing high-temperature weather conditions, the prolonged use of air conditioning and electric fans, alongside the frequent consumption of chilled beverages and alcohol, markedly increases susceptibility to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) disorders.

Without definitive treatment, the condition can easily become chronic and serve as a trigger for numerous other dangerous pathologies. Because the ear, nose, and throat are closely interconnected, unresolved rhinitis in many cases can cause otitis. In more severe instances, it may lead to meningitis, brain abscess, lateral sinus thrombophlebitis, facial paralysis...

Alternatively, incompletely treated sinusitis can easily become chronic, potentially leading to orbital infection complications that threaten vision and even the patient's life.

Furthermore, bacterial pathogens originating from the tonsils can disseminate to the joints, myocardium, and kidneys, presenting severe systemic sequelae such as acute glomerulonephritis, rheumatic arthritis, rheumatic carditis, and endocarditis.

Therefore, when experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is necessary to see a doctor immediately:

1. Nasal congestion and obstruction

Prevalent causes in pediatric patients include adenoiditis, rhinosinusitis, and intranasal foreign bodies. In adult populations, common factors include sinusitis, nasal polyposis, deviated nasal septum, and sinonasal or nasopharyngeal neoplasms. Should nasal obstruction persist or present alongside constitutional symptoms such as fatigue, pharyngitis, or pyrexia, prompt medical assessment is imperative.

2. Rhinorrhea

Sinonasal conditions may manifest with serous rhinorrhea (associated with acute rhinitis, allergic rhinosinusitis, or the common cold), mucopurulent discharge (indicative of acute or chronic sinusitis), or epistaxis (frequently attributable to sinonasal neoplasms or maxillofacial trauma).

Therefore, if runny nose does not resolve completely with medical treatment or persists for a prolonged period, patients need to visit a healthcare facility for an immediate examination.

3. Pain and aching around the nasal area

Aching pain around the nose is a sign of sinus inflammation. This condition is increasingly common in Vietnam due to persistent high levels of environmental pollution. Although not life-threatening, sinusitis significantly affects patients' daily lives.

Mild sinusitis is often difficult to detect because it presents with virtually no obvious manifestations, frequently being mistaken for allergic rhinitis or a viral infection. However, in more advanced cases, it can cause symptoms such as facial pain, nasal congestion, purulent discharge, and anosmia (loss of smell).

4. Otalgia (Ear Pain)

Ear pain is a significant clinical concern and represents the most prevalent symptom across otologic conditions. In acute otitis media during the hyperemic or suppurative stages, pain tends to intensify progressively. This discomfort is often throbbing in nature, radiating retroauricularly toward the temple and jaw, frequently disrupting sleep. Consequently, the onset of ear pain warrants prompt evaluation and targeted medical care.

5. Otorrhea and Middle Ear Effusion

Purulent otorrhea or persistent fluid sensation within the ear canal is a critical indicator, most frequently associated with chronic otitis media or acute otitis media following tympanic membrane perforation. The discharge may be viscous or serous, presenting as yellow or gray, and occasionally blood-tinged. Immediate consultation with an otolaryngologist is essential to ensure timely and effective clinical intervention.

6. Tinnitus

Tinnitus may arise from diverse etiologies. External ear pathologies include cerumen impaction, otitis externa, furunculosis, and foreign bodies. Middle ear causes encompass acute and chronic otitis media, Eustachian tube dysfunction, and tympanic disorders such as tympanosclerosis. Tinnitus impairs focus and substantially compromises daily routines, academic focus, and professional productivity. Persistent or recurrent episodes necessitate a thorough clinical assessment.

7. Dysphagia and Globus Sensation

A globus sensation or difficulty swallowing can be an early clinical presentation of serious pharyngolaryngeal conditions, including pharyngolaryngitis, tonsillitis, and most critically, nasopharyngeal or laryngeal carcinoma. Given these possibilities, this symptom should not be dismissed, and specialized consultation is strongly recommended.

8. Throat Pruritus (Itchy Throat)

Throat pruritus is frequently encountered in patients with chronic pharyngitis, allergic rhinopharyngitis, or mucosal irritation induced by dietary factors and environmental particulates. Patients often clear their throat or cough repeatedly to relieve this persistent sensation. As pharyngeal itching may indicate underlying systemic or local conditions, persistent or recurrent symptoms call for professional medical evaluation.

9. Sore Throat (Pharyngalgia)

Pharyngeal burning, erythema, and uvular edema typically signify an infectious process, commonly presenting in cases of pharyngitis, tonsillitis, retropharyngeal abscess, or pharyngeal foreign bodies. Should severe throat pain interfere with daily activities or persist despite therapy, immediate clinical re-evaluation is advised.

10. Sneezing with Concomitant Sore Throat

A sudden onset of paroxysmal sneezing, with or without nasal congestion, typically suggests the common cold. Rhinorrhea often becomes copious, occasionally transitioning to a purulent yellow or green discharge in advanced cases. While the common cold does not usually induce the pronounced myalgia associated with influenza, persistent sneezing, nasal drainage, and an occasional sore throat can cause notable physical discomfort.

If sneezing is accompanied by a persistent sore throat, professional consultation at a medical center is recommended.

11. Acute High-Grade Fever with Severe Pharyngeal Burning

When experiencing a sudden onset of high fever, a burning sensation in the throat, dysphagia or a foreign body sensation upon swallowing, accompanied by fatigue, lethargy, headache, etc., it is highly probable that you have tonsillitis.

In cases of tonsillitis, the tonsillar region presents with edema, erythema, and occasionally purulent exudates. Concurrently, patients typically experience pharyngeal pain, irritation, and dysphagia.

This condition is caused by tonsillar enlargement during inflammation, which creates a sensation of throat obstruction and interferes with eating. In addition, swallowing and coughing provoke a burning throat pain that occasionally radiates to the ears. During tonsillitis, the respiratory tract is also affected, presenting with dyspnea and loud nocturnal snoring. More critically, a sudden high fever may signify a severe underlying condition; therefore, if a high fever is accompanied by other abnormal manifestations, prompt medical evaluation and treatment are required.

12. Dry cough, occasionally with phlegm

Symptoms such as a dry cough, sore, and scratchy throat are often overlooked, yet they indicate that you may be suffering from acute pharyngitis. Without early intervention, prolonged throat pain and coughing can progress to chronic pharyngitis.

In addition to throat pruritus, burning, and a dry cough, the presence of purulent green sputum indicates chronic pharyngitis with secondary bacterial infection, whereas white or mucoid sputum generally suggests viral pharyngitis—both requiring appropriate medical evaluation. Given that many early respiratory conditions manifest with a non-productive cough, persistent or recurrent dry coughing warrants detailed diagnostic consultation.

In summary: The presence of these symptoms indicates an underlying otorhinolaryngological condition, warranting an early clinical evaluation to ensure accurate diagnosis, prompt management, and the prevention of advanced complications. Selecting an accredited, specialized medical facility for your care is essential.

Please contact Sante Hospital promptly for consultation and examination by experienced ENT specialists. Sante Hospital accepts nationwide health insurance and direct billing insurance to provide optimal benefits for clients.

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