The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention for Ear, Nose, and Throat Issues

There are a number of underlying issues that may cause people to snore. The American Academy of Otolaryngology states that while some individuals may just snore on occasion, others do so habitually. They found that 45% of normal adults do so occasionally, while 25% do so on a regular basis. Snoring may be an indicator of a serious condition, so it is important to seek medical attention to have this evaluated.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea, for example, is a common issue in the United States. It is estimated that 1 out of every 5 adults has an undiagnosed case of this condition. While these individuals in particular may have mild cases of sleep apnea, others may have a more serious case. In addition to interfering with normal sleep patterns, sleep apnea can lead to more serious health conditions.

Apneas, or brief periods where breathing stops, can occur frequently while someone is attempting to sleep. As a result, it’s important to seek sleep apnea treatment in order to address this condition.

Sinusitis

There are a large number of adults that have been diagnosed with sinusitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for example, have reported that there are roughly 29.4 million adults in the United States with this condition.

Sinusitis, particularly when it is acute, can potentially last for a month. Chronic sinusitis, however, may continue for 3 months to several years. Since this condition can be painful and cause breathing and other issues, it’s important to visit an ear, nose, and throat specialist for treatment.

Tonsillisis

While many children may suffer with tonsillitis on occasion, others may have recurrent infections. In these situations, children may need to have their tonsils removed. Currently, an estimated 20% of the pediatric tonsil removals are due to children having recurring infections, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology.

Rhinoplasty and Snoring Treatment

In order to address a variety of issues, rhinoplasty may be performed. In 2016, for example, 223,018 of these procedures were performed for a variety of issues, which includes snoring treatment. During the same year, it was the third most popular cosmetic procedure performed in the United States.

Since snoring can interrupt a person’s sleep cycle in many instances, it’s important to visit an ear, nose, and throat specialist, or an ENT doctor, for an evaluation. Snoring may also be a sign of a serious health concern, such as sleep apnea.