Some Things Go Away On Their Own, Some Don’t
As a general rule of thumb, if you’re dealing with a head cold that doesn’t go away after two weeks, you should probably see what the doctor has to say. However, especially if you’re dealing with something clogging up your nasal passages, it might be wiser to consult the offices of an ENT over a general practitioner.
ENT stands for Ear Nose and Throat; it’s a lot easier to say than “otolaryngologist”, which is the technical term for such medical professionals. Essentially, such doctors deal specifically with issues impacting the insides of your head—excluding the brain, eyes, and a few other key pieces of cranial real estate, of course. ENTs are not brain surgeons!
At any rate, beyond the general rule of thumb on seeing a doctor for a head cold, there are a few other key instances where your best bet is to visit an ENT. Here we’ll explore a few of the most prominent ones.
1. When You Suspect You Have A Sinus Infection
Sinus infections are painful, drag on, and result in microorganisms setting up residence in your head and replicating as extensively as they can. The thing is, sometimes you’ll get a sinus infection and won’t realize it. Especially in situations of that kind, an ENT is the perfect doctor for sinus infection. They can tell you what you’re dealing with, and how to handle it.
A general practitioner may be able to tell you the same, but these days there’s a high propensity for doctors to commission a bevy of unnecessary tests when collateral means of diagnosis would work just as well. When you go to the specialist first, he can save time and money for everyone. Certainly, what your insurance covers will be a determining factor.
2. Earache Issues Strongly Suggest Securing ENT Help
An ENT doctor in Dallas, Texas can help you determine if your earache is something that needs to be addressed with antibiotics, or if it would be better just to leave it be until your body naturally heals itself. Sometimes you want medicine, sometimes that’s a very bad idea; it will depend on the situation.
For example, sometimes you’ll get so sick pressure will build up in your head. If you sneeze or blow your nose too hard, that pressure—being blocked by phlegm—could damage your eardrums. Perforated eardrums are common, and the fix is…well, sometimes, it’s just to let your ear heal on its own. Others, you may need an operation for which an ENT is best.
3. In The Event Mucous Contains Ample Amounts Of Blood
If you’re bleeding whenever you sneeze, cough, or blow your nose, there’s probably something wrong that may not have anything to do with illness. You could have some sort of internal cranial injury that needs to be diagnosed and treated before some complication sets in. If you’re bleeding and it’s not a conventional nosebleed, you want to see an ENT.
The Right Doctor For The Right Issue
Bloody mucous unrelated to conventional nosebleeds is a key indicator you should visit an ENT. Also, earaches are best diagnosed by ENTs, as are sinus infections. When in doubt, if you’ve got an illness that lasts longer than two weeks, you should probably have somebody check you out to see what’s going on. You could be in early stages of pneumonia.
ENTs can help you get more direct help in ways that are often more cost-effective than general practitioners owing to specialization. For head issues, see an ENT.
