Chronic ENT Problems Doctor Dubai

Some ear, nose and throat problems do not go away after one course of medicine. The ear keeps leaking. The nose is blocked most mornings. The throat feels rough for months. If this sounds like you, a chronic ENT problems doctor in Dubai can help you move from quick fixes to a clear long-term plan.

Dr. Muhammad Jabbr is a Consultant ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon at Medcare Hospital Al Safa, with more than 20 years in ENT. He treats adults and children. Many people whose symptoms have dragged on for months see him as one of the best ENT doctors in Dubai for steady, long-term care.

What counts as a chronic ENT problem?

There is no single cut-off. As a rough guide, a problem is often called chronic when it lasts more than about three months. A leaking ear needs a check sooner. The word can also mean a problem that clears up and keeps coming back.

A lasting problem usually has something keeping it going. Good care finds that cause and treats it where possible. When it cannot be removed, the aim is good control.

Which long-term ENT problems does Dr. Muhammad Jabbr treat?

Here are the lasting problems he sees most often.

Ear discharge that keeps coming back

An ear that leaks on and off may have a hole in the eardrum or a long-standing middle ear infection. Less often, a skin growth called cholesteatoma is the cause. A long-term outer ear infection, sometimes fungal, can also keep an ear wet. Drops may settle the discharge, but it can return weeks later. Cleaning the ear under a microscope, and sometimes surgery, may be needed. Our ear specialist (otology) service explains more.

Ringing in the ears that does not fade

Long-lasting tinnitus can be tiring, especially at night. It is often linked to hearing loss, noise or wax, and stress can make it feel louder. Care starts with a hearing test and a search for a treatable cause. Sound therapy, or hearing aids if hearing has dropped, can make the sound less bothersome. Ringing in one ear only, or a sound that pulses with your heartbeat, needs a closer look.

Hoarse voice and constant throat clearing

Silent reflux is when stomach contents reach the throat, often without heartburn. It can cause hoarseness, a lump feeling and throat clearing. Hoarseness has other causes too, so the voice box is usually checked with a small camera first. If reflux is to blame, it often takes a few months of diet changes and, sometimes, medicine. See our laryngology (throat and voice) service.

A blocked nose most days

A nose that stays blocked for weeks may be due to a bent septum, swollen turbinates or nasal polyps. In children, large adenoids are a common cause. Decongestant sprays used daily beyond a few days can make the blockage worse (rebound congestion). Steroid sprays may ease swelling, but no spray can straighten a septum. Read more about nasal blockage treatment.

Allergies all year round

Dust mites, mould and pets can cause sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes in every season. Allergy tests can show your triggers. With the right sprays, fewer triggers at home and regular review, many people keep symptoms well controlled. See our page on allergic rhinitis treatment.

Long-term sinus inflammation has its own guide on chronic sinusitis treatment in Dubai.

Why do ENT problems keep coming back?

Often the first treatment worked for a while, but the cause was still there. Common reasons include:

A structural cause. Medicine cannot straighten a bent septum or close a hole in the eardrum.
Stop-start treatment. Steroid nasal sprays and reflux treatment can take weeks to work. Stopping early often lets symptoms return.
Daily triggers. Long hours in air conditioning, dust, dry indoor air, smoking and late meals can keep the nose and throat irritated.
More than one cause. For example, allergy plus a bent septum, or reflux plus mucus dripping down the back of the nose.

How does a chronic ENT problems doctor in Dubai plan your care?

Dr. Muhammad Jabbr uses a clear, step-by-step approach.

Your full story. How long it has lasted and what you have tried.
A careful examination. This may include an ear check under a microscope, a nasal endoscopy (a thin camera in the nose) or a laryngoscopy to see the voice box.
Tests only if needed. A hearing test, allergy tests, or a CT or MRI scan may be advised, depending on the problem.
A clear plan. You should know which treatment to use, how, for how long, and what to change at home.
Planned follow-up. A review after a set time shows what is working, and the plan is adjusted.
A decision point. If the problem is still not controlled, a procedure or surgery may be discussed openly with you.

This avoids years of medicines with no clear goal, and it avoids rushing into surgery.

When is surgery the right next step?

Surgery is rarely the first step, but it can break the cycle. It may be considered when:

A structural problem, such as a bent septum, swollen turbinates or a hole in the eardrum, is clearly causing the symptoms.
Good medical treatment, used correctly for long enough, has not given enough relief.
In a child, large adenoids or fluid behind the eardrum keep affecting breathing, sleep or hearing.
Ongoing ear disease may harm hearing over time.

Dr. Muhammad Jabbr has performed more than 3,000 ENT procedures, yet he does not see surgery as the answer for everyone. He will talk you through what an operation may achieve, its risks and recovery, and the option of waiting. The choice is made together with you.

What you can do between visits

Keep a short symptom diary. Note bad days, triggers and missed doses.
Use nasal sprays the right way. Aim the nozzle slightly outwards, away from the middle of the nose.
Keep water out of a leaking ear when showering or swimming, and do not put cotton buds inside it.
Leave 2 to 3 hours between your last meal and bedtime if reflux is part of the problem.

Warning signs that should not wait

Long-term problems can still change. Seek care quickly if you notice:

Sudden hearing loss in one ear. This is urgent. Try to be seen the same day.
Severe ear pain with swelling behind the ear, weakness of the face, or dizziness with ear discharge.
Swelling around the eye, severe headache, a stiff neck or high fever with a sinus or nose problem.
A blocked nose on one side only, with bleeding or a bad smell.
Hoarseness lasting more than 3 weeks, especially if you smoke.
Blood in your saliva, swallowing that keeps getting harder, or a neck lump lasting more than 3 weeks.
Any difficulty breathing or noisy breathing. Go to the emergency department.

Why does it help to see one ENT doctor over time?

When one specialist follows your problem from the first visit onward, each review can be compared with the last. Small changes are then easier to spot.

Dr. Muhammad Jabbr holds an MD and MS, the DOHNS (England), and both the European Board and Arab Board in ORL-HNS. Because he manages both medicines and surgery, you are not passed between doctors if your plan changes. Patients have given him a 4.9 Google rating from 406 reviews, and many see him as one of the best ENT specialists in Dubai for ongoing care.

Book an appointment

Dr. Muhammad Jabbr sees patients at the ENT Department, Medcare Hospital, Hadiqa Street, Al Safa 1, Dubai. Bring past scans, hearing tests and a list of the medicines you have tried.

Book your visit online or call +971 52 751 7811.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should a lingering ear, nose or throat problem be checked by an ENT?

If symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep returning, see an ENT specialist. Do not wait if you notice any of the warning signs above.

Can a chronic ENT problem be fully cured?

It depends on the cause. Some problems, like a hole in the eardrum or a bent septum, may be repaired with surgery. Others, like allergy or reflux, are usually controlled rather than cured. With the right plan, many people feel much better.

Is it safe to use nasal steroid sprays for months?

Common nasal steroid sprays are generally considered safe for long-term use at the advised dose, as very little enters the bloodstream. Tell your doctor about nosebleeds or crusting.

Can a nose problem cause ear or throat trouble too?

Yes. A blocked or allergic nose can affect the tube that links the nose to the middle ear. This may cause a full feeling or fluid behind the eardrum. Mucus dripping down the throat can also cause throat clearing and cough.

Is it normal to have flare-ups even when the plan is working?

Yes. A cold, a dusty week or a change in routine can bring symptoms back for a while. This does not mean the plan has failed. Get in touch if a flare lasts longer than usual or a warning sign appears.

Taking control of a long-term ENT problem

You do not have to accept a lasting ear, nose or throat problem as normal. A clear diagnosis, regular follow-up and surgery only when it truly helps can bring many chronic problems under good control. Dr. Muhammad Jabbr and the ENT team at Medcare Hospital Al Safa are here to help.