A child unable to hear clearly because of repeated ear infections, an adult struggling to breathe through the nose for years, or a tobacco user ignoring a persistent mouth ulcer—ENT specialists say these are among the most common conditions for which patients delay seeking treatment, often allowing simple problems to progress into serious illnesses requiring major surgery.
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) disorders affect people of all ages and range from chronic infections and hearing loss to sinus disease and cancers of the oral cavity and tongue. While many of these conditions are highly treatable, doctors stress that early diagnosis remains the key to preventing long-term disability and improving survival.
According to The Lancet, delays in the diagnosis of head and neck cancers are strongly associated with more advanced disease at presentation and poorer outcomes, reinforcing the importance of early evaluation of persistent symptoms. Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, “Through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY), eligible patients in Punjab are receiving advanced ENT procedures free of cost at government and empanelled private hospitals.
According to State Health Agency data, around 2,030 patients have received ENT surgeries under the scheme, with treatment worth approximately ₹5.25 crore.” Dr Nidhi Gupta, Medical Officer (ENT Specialist), Civil Hospital, Rupnagar (Ropar), said, “People often ignore persistent ear discharge, hearing loss, a blocked nose or mouth ulcers because these conditions are usually painless in the beginning.
Unfortunately, delayed treatment can lead to permanent hearing impairment, chronic sinus disease or advanced oral cancer.” Ear disorders remain the most common ENT problem. Chronic ear infections and hearing loss account for the largest share of ENT surgeries.
Patients commonly present with repeated ear discharge, reduced hearing, ringing in the ears or long-standing infections. Recent data from the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, shows that around 1,050 ear surgeries, worth nearly ₹2.9 crore, were performed in the last 5+ months.
These included 897 different types of tympanoplasties, 88 radical mastoidectomies, along with surgeries for trauma and pinna tumours. Dr Gupta explained, “Most of these procedures repair damaged eardrums or remove chronic infections from the middle ear. Timely surgery restores hearing and prevents complications involving the mastoid bone and nearby structures.”
Breathing problems are often ignored
Persistent nasal blockage is frequently dismissed as a minor issue, despite its impact on sleep, work performance and quality of life. The doctor said that chronic sinus infections, a deviated nasal septum, enlarged turbinates and nasal polyps are the major causes of long-standing breathing difficulty.
As per SHA, Punjab, the state recorded nearly 900 nose and sinus surgeries, worth over ₹2.1 crore, including 395 Functional Septo Rhinoplasties, 354 Septoplasties, 227 Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgeries (FESS), and other corrective procedures under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana.
Dr Gupta said, “Patients often rely on nasal sprays for years without addressing the underlying cause. Endoscopic surgery offers long-term relief, improves breathing and reduces recurrent infections.”
_Oral cancer: fewer cases, but far greater severity_
Although oral and tongue surgeries account for fewer cases, specialists say they are among the most complex ENT procedures, often due to late diagnosis.
Around 80 patients underwent major oral and tongue surgeries, worth nearly ₹25 lakh, including :
* 47 oral cavity, sinus and laryngopharynx tumour excisions
* 13 tongue growth excisions with neck dissection and free flap reconstruction
* 7 composite resections with reconstruction
* Hemiglossectomy and other major procedures
She added that oral cancer often begins as a non-healing ulcer, a white or red patch, tongue pain, or difficulty swallowing. Tobacco, gutka, areca nut and alcohol remain the leading risk factors. Dr Gupta further informed that a mouth ulcer persisting beyond two weeks should never be ignored.
Evidence from international studies, including The Lancet, shows that delayed diagnosis is strongly linked to more advanced disease and worse outcomes. “Early-stage cancers can often be treated with limited surgery, while late cases require extensive reconstruction and additional therapy,” Dr Gupta stated.
Advanced disease may require neck dissection and free flap reconstruction, where tissue from another part of the body is used to rebuild oral structures and restore speech and swallowing.
Awareness can prevent major disease
Doctors say most ENT complications are preventable or treatable if addressed early. Warning signs such as persistent ear discharge, hearing loss, chronic nasal obstruction, recurrent sinus infections, hoarseness, or mouth ulcers lasting more than two weeks should prompt immediate specialist evaluation.
“Early consultation usually means simpler treatment, quicker recovery and better long-term outcomes,” Dr Gupta opined. Lastly, she emphasised that while access to advanced surgery under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is improving care delivery, the greatest impact will come from early diagnosis, awareness and timely intervention, which can prevent disease progression and reduce the need for major surgery.