Stuart Selkin, MD, JD, FACS

These throat symptoms merit medical attention:

•    a voice loss, whether partial or complete
•    hoarseness
•    pain when you speak or sing
•    pain when you swallow
•    difficulty swallowing
•    cough, especially if you bring up discolored stuff
•    a tickle in your throat
•    heartburn
•    acid taste in your mouth
•    a lump in your neck
•    frequent sore throats
•    frequent throat clearing
•    post nasal drip
•    fever accompanying any of the above symptoms

If you make your living with your voice, or, even if you're just a casual vocal performer, click here.

These nose and sinus symptoms merit medical attention:

•    a stuffy, congested, or blocked nose
•    bleeding from your nose
•    discharge from your nose, especially if discolored
•    loss or distortion of smell
•    frequent sneezing
•    pain in your cheeks
•    pain between or above your eyes
•    frequent throat clearing
•    post nasal drip
•    fever accompanying any of the above symptoms

These ear symptoms merit medical attention:

•    hearing loss, especially if it’s recent
•    wax in your ears (this is more likely if you wear a hearing aid)
•    any foreign body that’s stuck in your ear
•    pain in your ears
•    discharge from your ears
•    ringing in your ears
•    fever accompanying any of the above symptoms