If you’ve ever felt your ears pop while blowing your nose, or had nasal mucus drip down the back of your throat, you’ve experienced the interconnectivity of the ear, nose and throat, commonly referred to as the ENT system. Otolaryngologists specialize in treating these intertwined systems. These doctors continue to unravel how the trio function as independent organs that are also intimately connected—not only to one another, but to the rest of the body.

Ears

If your ears seem to get achy for no reason, you’re not alone. The ear often bears the symptoms of issues within the larger ENT system, says Dr. Linda Brodsky, a pediatric otolaryngologist based in Buffalo, N.Y.

Conditions in the nose and throat may manifest in the ears. Congestion from nasal infections can cause earaches and pressure. More seriously, some throat cancers may result in ear pain, according to the National Cancer Institute.

The ear’s relationship to the throat is critical, Brodsky says. The most common ear infections happen when the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat, gets blocked.

Fluid that drains through the throat accumulates, and can cause pain, pressure, a sore throat and even temporary hearing loss, Brodsky says. Depending on the type of infection and its severity, doctors may prescribe antibiotics, along with warm compresses and decongestants.

Every parents knows children suffer from more ear infections than adults, and Brodsky says it’s because of their smaller bodies.

“It’s about their anatomy. Kids’ Eustachian tubes are shorter, straighter and more conducive for bacteria to travel. And kids tend to be exposed to more viruses and bacteria that they’re not immune to yet,” she says.

A good diet, sleep and isolation from other sick kids will help you keep ear infections out of your house. And banish irritants that increase your chances for an infection.

“Irritants like secondhand smoke can cause inflammation, and that’s a good way to start an ear infection,” she says.

Though some ear infections lead to acute hearing loss, the loss is temporary when you properly treat and manage the infection. But other types of hearing loss are more serious and permanent.

“Exposure to loud noises over time gradually erodes hearing, and hearing loss from noise is a terrible problem today— especially in teens,” Brodsky says.

Our definition of “loud” has gotten louder. Everyday sounds like subway trains and even the highest setting on your cell phone breach the 85-decibel thresh- old,where prolonged exposure can lead to hearing loss.

Ear instructions: Avoid smoke and dust. Stay away from loud sounds, and keep the vol- ume turned down. “If you can hear it outside the headphones, it’s too loud,” Brodsky says. 

Nose

Your nose is part of a body-wide filtration system that reacts to every breath you take, says Dr. David Kennedy, professor of rhinology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

“The nose is the first defense against things we meet in the environment,” Kennedy says.

Dust, particles and toxins we inhale get pushed down the back of the throat to the stomach, where they meet an acidic demise. 

Sinusitis plagues more than 37 million Americans each year. The cold-like symptoms—congestion, runny nose, difficulty breathing—make daily life difficult.

Time is crucial in identifying nasal infections, Kennedy says. If your runny nose and congestion last for a few days, you likely had a virus that cleared up on its own. If symptoms last longer, your blocked nasal passages create a prime environment for bacteria and mold to thrive—leading to acute sinusitis.

“The nose swells, and mucus sits behind it,” Kennedy says. “It gets contaminated with bacteria or mold, and that revs up the immune system.”

Other symptoms of nasal infections include headaches, coughing, ear pain, sore throat and swelling around the eyes. If symptoms last longer than three months, doctors may determine you have chronic sinusitis.

Nasal infections are commonly caused by a deviated septum, nasal polyps (inflamed tissue lining the nose), and a combination of pollutants, allergens and viruses. You might even be genetically pre-disposed to these nasty infections. Doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics—especially if they discover that bacteria caused the infection. But pinpointing the root cause is a challenge, according to Kennedy.

And antibiotics don’t always work, especially in cases of chronic sinusitis. “It’s a multi-factorial problem involving the entire immune system,” Kennedy says. 

Getting rid of nasal inflammation is often the biggest challenge of sinusitis. Saline sprays, nasal irrigation, warm compresses and anti-inflammatory medications all operate differently on the nose.

Nose instructions: Drink plenty of water to keep your nasal system moist. Dust more often, vacuum, avoid pet dander and don’t stop to smell the roses. Don’t wait to treat infections. Use a nasal irrigator at the first sign of infection.

Throat

Our communication is woven into our ENT system, so it’s no surprise that hoarseness is one of the most common throat-related complaints.

“The minute your voice is hoarse, you realize it,” says Dr. Ahmed Soliman, professor of otolaryngology at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Acute laryngitis is an inflammation of the vocal folds. It’s the most common cause of hoarseness. The best treatment to reduce inflammation includes resting your voice, drinking fluids and inhaling steam, he says.

Some people—moms, teachers, salespeople—use their voices all the time, making them more prone to hoarseness. Combat vocal abuse by developing nonverbal tactics—teachers might use a whistle rather than shout, and a salesperson can try sending more emails. Take short breaks every 15 minutes during prolonged talking. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, drinks that irritate the throat.

And just as the throat works within the ENT system, it’s also connected to the other systems in the body. “The throat is closely associated with the gastrointestinal system,” Soliman says. “Acid reflux is one of the most common problems that affects the throat.”

Laryngopharyngeal reflux is a condition similar to gastroesophageal reflux disease. Unlike GERD sufferers, LPR sufferers rarely experience heartburn. Stomach acid moves past the esophagus and into the throat and nasal cavity, causing hoarseness, ear pain, difficulty swallowing, throat clearing and postnasal drip.

Throat instructions: Use nonverbal communication, and avoid voice abuse. Limit your intake of alcohol, caffeine, fatty and fried foods to avoid irritation and acid reflux.