ENT in Pakistan

In Pakistan it has been observed that most of the patients that go to see a doctor mostly suffer from some sort of ENT disease. Almost everyone has had clogged ears, stuffy nose or a sore throat at some point in their life. However, this is not all that ENT specialists do, they treat a diverse range of disorders and other conditions of:

• Ears
• Nose
• Throat
• Head
• Neck

The severity of the condition may differ from simple to severe. Therefore, it is said that ENT specialists not only treat sinus headaches, swimmers’ ears or sleep apnea, there is much more to that job.

Rather ENT specialists in Pakistan are doctors that deal with delicate procedures of:

• Restoring hearing in the middle ear
• Opening up blocked airways
• Removing cancers of head, neck, throat etc.
• Rebuild essential structures

Organized ENT practice in Pakistan started back in the year 2001 and since then there have been high standards set for it, making it a well establish branch of medical science in Pakistan, and with the recent development in technology, common folks have started getting aware of the ENT diseases, their symptoms and cautions.

Awareness of ENT in Pakistan

Pakistan is a country with diverse communities and different service development levels. Where some areas are highly developed while others not so much, therefore there is no uniform level of awareness of ENT in Pakistan.

In such a large country that is still relatively new and developing it is quite difficult to spread awareness over such massive scales with so little resources, and healthcare is often limited in the rural areas.

However, with the recent developments in the technological and medical fields people of all areas have started getting more and more aware of the common diseases their cautions and effects.

Sings & Symptoms of Ear, Nose. Throat, Head & Neck Problems

Now that we know that people are getting aware of ENT diseases, let us have a look at some common reasons, to why you should go see an ENT specialist if experienced.

Long-term Chronic Throat, Ear or Sinus Problems

Ears infections are the most common of all ENT categories, and are the most widely observed by doctors. An initial approach adopted by ENTs to treat ear diseases is the use of antibiotics, however depending on the severity of the issue or infection, a surgery may be recommended.

A common infection of tonsils is called tonsillitis, which is mostly treated with antibiotics, but if not affected, doctors prefer to perform surgery, to stop the spread of the infection.

A sinus issue that lasts longer than four months turns into a ‘chronic sinus’, with consultation from an ENT specialist you can get it treated from its core, giving you permanent relief.

Loss of Hearing

Hearing loss is common among old people, as it is a natural process that occurs with age, however sudden hearing loss can be a problem and a sign of something much more severe. In either of the cases, consulting an otolaryngologist could be the best approach that you can take, to minimize the damage and get it treated in time.

There is an important thing to know, that people often confuse an ENT specialist with an audiologist, however that is most definitely not the case. As audiologist is someone that helps with hearing aids and other medical tools designed for hearing, whereas an ENT treats the problem medically.

A Lump in Neck

Another significant sign of mouth, throat, thyroid or even blood cancer is a lump in the neck that lasts for more than days. It is important to get them checked is time as cancers that start in these particular areas often spread out to the lymph nodes in the throat.

A lump is different from a swollen lymph node. Which can also be a sign of some sever illness, but due to common diseases like strep throat or some sort of ear infection.

Heavy Snoring

Although snoring in common among adults of all ages, however in children, it could be something much more severe. However, it is recommended to first see a pediatrician and see if they recommend an ENT or not. It is important to get it looked at as it could be a sign of sleep apnea, which may lead to bone problems in the face.

Some Common Symptoms of ENT Diseases

Since we are talking about ENT awareness in Pakistan, therefore it is crucial that you also know some of the most common symptoms, for if you experience any of them, you might be able to see a specialist in time.

Below are some of the most common signs and symptoms that are experienced by patients of ENT in Pakistan:

• Runny Nose
• Sore Throat
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Pain in Ear
• Loss of Hearing
• Heavy Snoring
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Airway Issues
• Difficulty Breathing with Mouth
• Balance Problems
• Pressure on Sinus
• Tonsil or Adenoid Inflammation or Infection
• Skin Conditions
• Ear Noise (Tinnitus)
• Skin Cancers/Lesions
• Nose Bleeds
• Thyroid Mass
• Nasal Congestion/Nasal Itching and Rubbing
• Dark Circles Under the Eyes
• Hoarseness/Frequent Throat Clearing
• Loss of Sense of Smell and/or taste

What Conditions do ENT Specialists Treat?

Since we are on the topic of ENT awareness in Pakistan, therefore it is also important to know what are the conditions that are treated by ENT doctors.

Generally, otolaryngologists do not limit themselves to a certain part of ENT or head are, and they can treat several type of different ENT conditions. However, some ENT doctors pursue a certain area and make it their specialty, through additional studies and extended training. These specialization areas could be any of the following:

• Ears 

Hearing and balancing are crucial in our daily lives as they affect how we conduct our daily life affairs. There are ENT doctors that specialize in treating conditions of ears, such as:

• Ear Infection
• Hearing Loss
• Frequent Dizziness
• Ringing in Ears
• Pain in Ears, Face or Neck

• Nose 

Nose plays an important role in keeping harmful dirt, allergies and other different types of bacteria, out when we breathe, therefore, it is important for the nose to be able to function properly. Therefore, there are doctors of ENT who specifically treat nose diseases and issues, such as:

• Allergies
• Deviated Septum
• Rhinitis
• Sinusitis
• Sinus Headaches
• Migraines
• Nasal Obstruction
• Nasal Surgeries
• Skull-bases Tumors

• Throat 

Throat disorders are the ones that affect our ability to speak and swallow properly, which can have severe impact on daily lives and how we live. ENT doctors that specializes in treating throat conditions, often come across the following throat diseases:

• Sore Throat
• Hoarseness
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Throat Infections
• Tumors is Throat
• Airway Disorders
• Vocal Cord Disorders

Now this was all on the ENT and its awareness in Pakistan. We are sure that this will help you in better understanding these diseases and what are the conditions that if experienced, could be a sign of some sort of ENT issue, which can help you get timely treatment .