Quick summary
- Urgent (emergency care): trouble breathing, noisy breathing, being unable to swallow saliva, heavy bleeding that does not stop, swelling of the face or neck, sudden severe dizziness with weakness, or confusion.
- See an ENT doctor soon (within a few days): severe ear pain, ear discharge, sudden hearing loss, a nosebleed that keeps returning, a lump in the neck, one-sided sore throat with trouble opening the mouth.
- Book a visit (symptoms lasting weeks): hoarseness over 4 weeks, a blocked nose over 10 days or over 12 weeks, ringing in the ear, snoring with pauses in breathing, repeated throat or ear infections.
Contents
An ENT doctor (ear, nose and throat specialist, also called an otolaryngologist) treats problems of the ears, nose, sinuses, throat, voice box and the lumps of the head and neck. Many symptoms in this area get better on their own, but some should not be ignored. Here is a simple guide to help you decide how quickly to be seen.
Ears
- Ear pain, especially with fever, discharge or after swimming.
- Blocked or muffled ear that does not clear in a few days.
- Hearing loss, particularly if it comes on suddenly in one ear (needs prompt assessment).
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus), especially in one ear or with dizziness.
- A child who pulls at the ear, does not respond when called, or has delayed speech.
Nose and sinuses
- Nasal blockage lasting more than 10 days without improvement, or more than 12 weeks.
- Thick discharge with facial pain or pressure, or reduced sense of smell.
- Repeated nosebleeds, or bleeding from only one side.
- Constant sneezing and itching that affect sleep or work (allergic rhinitis).
- Snoring with pauses in breathing, or a child who snores every night and breathes through the mouth.
Throat and voice
- Sore throat lasting more than a week, or repeated tonsil infections.
- Severe pain on one side of the throat, trouble opening the mouth, muffled voice (possible abscess).
- Hoarseness or voice change lasting more than 4 weeks.
- Trouble swallowing, food sticking, a lump-in-the-throat feeling that does not go away.
- A fish bone or other object stuck in the throat.
- A cough or throat clearing that lasts, especially with reflux symptoms.
Neck and head
- A lump in the front of the neck, near the ear or under the jaw that lasts more than a few weeks.
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the face.
- Voice change together with swallowing trouble or weight loss.
What to expect at the visit
- The doctor asks about your symptoms, medicines and allergies, then examines the ears, nose and throat.
- If needed, a thin endoscope is used to look at the nose, throat and voice box on a screen. It takes only a few minutes and usually causes mild discomfort.
- The doctor explains what was found and whether you need medicine, tests, observation or surgery. Antibiotics are used only when they are really needed.
Learn more: ENT services in Nha Trang, ENT endoscopy and pediatric ENT.
Practical tips before you go
- Write down when symptoms started, what makes them worse and what you already tried.
- Bring previous results, scans and a list of medicines and drug allergies.
- Call or message the clinic first to confirm the opening hours, because the doctor’s hospital duty schedule can change.
- If you have trouble breathing, cannot swallow saliva or are bleeding heavily, call the local emergency number (115 in Vietnam) instead of waiting for an appointment.
Topics:Nose & throat
This article is for reference only and does not replace an examination and diagnosis by a doctor.
