Have you ever experienced hearing loss, difficulty breathing, or a persistent sore throat? Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) disorders are often considered trivial, yet they can significantly impact your quality of life. Imagine how uncomfortable it would be if you had difficulty communicating, tasting your favorite foods, or even breathing freely.
ENT health is a crucial pillar of our overall well-being. Unfortunately, many of us only realize it when symptoms are already severe. EMC Grha Kedoya Hospital understands the importance of prevention. Therefore, let's take a look at 7 effective tips for maintaining your ENT health to avoid regrets later!
1. Keep your ears clean wisely
The ear is a very sensitive hearing organ. Excessive ear cleaning with cotton swabs or other sharp objects can actually push earwax (cerumen) deeper and even damage the eardrum.
Tip: Simply clean the outer ear with a soft cloth. If you suspect a blockage or hearing loss due to earwax, don't hesitate to consult an ENT specialist. Doctors have specialized equipment to clean ears safely and effectively.
2. Protect Your Ears from Excessive Noise
Intense and prolonged exposure to loud noise is a common cause of hearing loss. Loud concerts, noisy work environments, or using headphones at high volume can damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear.
Tips: Use ear protection (earplugs or earplugs ) if you are in a noisy environment. Limit the time and volume when using headphones or earphones . Remember the "60-60" rule: no more than 60 minutes at 60% of maximum volume in one day.
3. Pay attention to nasal hygiene and avoid allergens.
The nose is the main gateway to your respiratory system. Keep it clean to prevent infections and allergies.
Tips: Wash your hands regularly, especially before touching your nose or face. If you have allergies, identify your triggers and avoid them as much as possible. Rinsing your nose with a saline solution can help clear mucus and allergens, especially when your nose is congested.
4. Avoid Exposure to Cigarette Smoke and Air Pollution
Cigarette smoke, whether active or passive, is extremely harmful to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) health. Smoke can irritate the respiratory tract, cause chronic inflammation of the throat, and increase the risk of ear infections. Air pollution has a similar effect.
Tips: Quit smoking if you are a smoker. Avoid smoky and highly polluted environments as much as possible. Wear a mask when outdoors in poor air quality or in locations with a high risk of exposure to the virus.
5. Maintain Fluid Intake and a Healthy Diet
A well-hydrated body helps keep the mucous membranes in the throat and nose moist, which is essential for immune function. A healthy and nutritious diet also supports the overall immune system.
Tips: Drink enough water every day. Eat fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals. Avoid spicy and excessively oily foods if you frequently experience throat problems.
6. Relieves Flu and Cough Symptoms Quickly
Untreated flu and cough can spread and cause complications in the ear and throat, such as middle ear infections (otitis media) or tonsillitis.
Tips: Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and consult a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen. Avoid over-the-counter antibiotics, as they are ineffective against viral infections.
7. Don't Delay Consulting an ENT Specialist
This is the most important key! Often, we tend to ignore minor symptoms that are actually early signs of a serious problem.
When to Act?
- Ears: Sudden hearing loss, severe ear pain, ear discharge, persistent ringing in the ears.
- Nose: Severe and prolonged nasal congestion, recurrent nosebleeds, drastically reduced sense of smell, pain in the facial area.
- Throat: Sore throat that does not improve after a few days, persistent hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, lump in neck, shortness of breath.
EMC Grha Kedoya Hospital has a team of experienced ENT specialists and modern medical equipment to help diagnose and treat a variety of ENT problems. Don't let ENT problems interfere with your quality of life. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms.
Prioritize your ENT health now! Don't wait until you regret it later. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or contact EMC Grha Kedoya Hospital.
This article was written by Dr. Bintari Nareswari, Sp. ENT-BKL (Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist at EMC Grha Kedoya Hospital).