ArthroCare ENT: Breathing and Your Health

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Breathing and Your Health

ENT Health Basics

Along with our eyes, our ears, nose, mouth and throat are our primary connections to the world. They give of the senses of hearing, smell and taste. They are critical to our ability to speak, swallow, breathe, and maintain balance. Even more, they are connected to each other through a system of canals. And that’s important, because a medical problem, such as an infection, in one of these organs can affect the others, which in turn, can affect your ability to sleep, eat, walk, and enjoy the world around you.

Medical care of the ears, nose, and throat is specialization of physicians called otolaryngologists, also known as ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists. Otolaryngologists treat a wide variety of disorders of the ears, nose and throat, including breathing and sinus disorders, allergies, hearing problems, dizziness, swallowing difficulties, voice disturbances, tumors in the head and neck. They also perform cosmetic and facial plastic surgery.

At one time or another, everyone has a problem with their ears, nose or throat. Many of these problems are minor and go away with time and home treatment. Others can have serious health consequences. For that reason, it is important to pay close attention to any persistent or unusual conditions that you may notice in your ears, nose, or throat when they arise and seek the advice of a physician before the problem becomes serious.

Here are some ENT health basics:

EARS

The ear is the organ of hearing and balance. It is composed of a myriad of tiny bones and fluid-filled structures. Most of us are familiar with ear problems from having childhood earaches. Earaches are common in children and are often the result of infection. Ear problems can also result from injury due to a blow or insertion of a foreign or sharp object into the ear. Left untreated, ear problems may result in severe hearing loss, vertigo and dizziness.

NOSE

It’s easy to take the nose for granted. It filters the air we breathe, detects smells, and helps us taste food and drink—all without any special effort on our part. But the nose is also prone to injury and insult, including allergies, the common cold, painful boils and sores, broken nose and nose bleeds. When nasal passages are injured or inflamed, it is difficult to breathe, sleep, and taste. In some cases, problems with the nasal passages can lead to snoring, chronic stuffy nose, and serious breathing difficulties.

THROAT

The throat is the direct route to the stomach and lungs. It is the primary passageway for air, fluid, and food. It also directs secretions from the ears, nose and eyes into the digestive tract. And, if that’s not enough, it is directly involved in the creation of speech.

From a medical standpoint, the throat is a sentinel for illness. A sore throat is the first sign of a common cold, influenza, laryngitis, measles, chickpox, mumps and other problems. It is also the home of our tonsils and adenoids. Persistent inflammation or abnormal swelling in the tonsils can be an early warning sign of other medical problems.

Take good care of your ears, nose and throat

Our ears, nose and throat are essential to our health and enjoyment of life. Take good care of these remarkable organs, and be sure to let your doctor know immediately if you experience any problems or notice anything unusual with them.