It’s not just your imagination. When something affects your ear, sometimes you find that it also affects your nose and throat, and vice versa.
Because the ear, nose, and throat are so intricately connected, they are able to function as one unit, with all the organs making up and supporting the whole. The downside to this is a disturbance in one can cause a problem in or for the other.
With the cold, flu and allergy season in full force, we will discuss the importance of keeping the ear, nose and throat in good health.
The ears, nose, and throat are located near each other and have separate but related functions.
The Ear,Nose,Throat (ENT) Functions
Ears & Nose
The ears and nose are sensory organs, which are necessary for the senses of hearing, smelling and balance
Throat
The throat mainly functions as a pathway through which food and fluids travel to the esophagus (the hollow tube that leads from the throat to the stomach) and air passes to the lungs.
Primary care doctors often diagnose and treat disorders involving these organs, but doctors called otolaryngologists specialize in them.
Conditions of the Ear, Nose & Throat
Ear Conditions
Conditions of the ear include:
- Ear infections
- hearing impairment
- balance disorders including dizziness, tinnitus
- allergies
- ear wax, or any pain in the ear.
ENT specialists can also treat congenital disorders of the ear (disorders you were born with).
Nasal Conditions
These conditions include those that occur in the nose, sinuses and the naval cavity. They often affect:
- smell
- breathing
- physical appearance and can include a deviated septum
- allergic rhinitis
- chronic sinusitis
- snoring and sleep apnea.
Throat Conditions
Disorders and conditions that affect the throat can affect speech, singing, eating, swallowing, and digestion. Some of the conditions include:
- silent reflux
- chronic sore throat
- strep throat
- tonsillitis
- problems with the adenoids.
Ear, Nose, Throat Overview
This video provides a clear overview of how interconnected the ear, nose and throat system are.
Balanced Bites For Ear, Nose & Throat Health
The ENT system is important to our health and well-being. If you have chronic conditions that constantly cause congestion, breathing or sleeping problems, chronic cough or post-nasal drip, make an appointment with Balanced Healing. We can provide a personalised lifestyle plan to further assist with your Ear, Nose, Throat health.
Contact Sr Bridget Spargo @ 083 653 7470 or Email: b@balancedhealing.co.za to book an appointment.
References:
Website: https://www.msdmanuals.com/introduction-to-biology-of-the-ears-nose-and-throat. David M. Kaylie, MS, MD, Duke University Medical Center
Website: S. Berger, M.D. | Mar 26, 2017 | ENT: Ear, ENT: Nose, ENT: Throat