By Quick answer
Who is a good ENT doctor in Dubai, and when should you see one?
Dr. Muhammad Jabbr is a Consultant ENT (ear, nose and throat) and Head and Neck Surgeon. He treats ear, nose, throat and neck problems in adults and children. He sees patients at Medcare Hospital Al Safa, Dubai. See him if your nose stays blocked for weeks or a neck lump does not go away. Also see him for a hoarse voice lasting over three weeks. If you struggle to breathe or cannot swallow your saliva, go to the nearest emergency department at once.
Your ears, nose and throat are linked. A blocked nose can affect your ears. A throat problem can change your voice or your sleep. When one of these areas keeps bothering you, an ENT doctor in Dubai can check all three together and look for the cause, not just treat one symptom.
This guide explains what an ENT doctor treats, which signs mean it is time to book a visit, and when you should get help the same day. It also introduces Dr. Muhammad Jabbr, Consultant ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon at Medcare Hospital Al Safa, and shows you how to book.
You do not need to know the name of your problem before you come. Knowing your symptoms is enough to start.
What does an ENT doctor treat?
ENT stands for ear, nose and throat. The medical name is otolaryngology. An ENT doctor also cares for the head and neck, which includes the voice box, the salivary glands, the thyroid area and the lymph nodes in the neck. Here is a simple map of the main areas.
Ears, hearing and balance
Your ears do two jobs: hearing and balance. Common problems include ear infections, ear wax that keeps building up, fluid behind the eardrum, a hole in the eardrum, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss and dizziness or spinning (vertigo). Some of these are simple to fix. Others need a closer look with hearing tests. You can read more on our ear and hearing care page.
Nose and sinuses
Nose problems are common in Dubai. Dust, sand, dry air-conditioned rooms and allergies can all play a part. Typical problems are a blocked nose, sinus infections that keep coming back, a bent wall between the nostrils (deviated septum), nasal polyps, nosebleeds and a reduced sense of smell. Some people put up with a blocked nose for years before they ask for help. See our nose and sinus care page for more detail.
Throat, voice and swallowing
Your throat carries air, food and your voice. An ENT doctor can look into repeated sore throats and tonsil problems, a hoarse or weak voice, a feeling of a lump in the throat, acid reflux that reaches the throat, trouble swallowing and loud snoring. Voice problems are worth checking early, especially if you use your voice for work. Our voice and throat care page explains this area further.
Head and neck
The neck holds many small structures. An ENT and head and neck surgeon looks after lumps and swellings in the neck, salivary gland problems, thyroid swellings and growths in the mouth, throat or voice box. Many neck lumps are harmless, such as glands that swell during an infection. A lump that stays, though, needs tests to find the cause. Learn more on the head and neck surgery page.
ENT care for children
Children have their own common ENT problems. These include ear infections, glue ear, large tonsils or adenoids, snoring and mouth breathing. Parents can find more on our children's ENT page.
Signs it is time to see an ENT doctor
Many ENT symptoms settle on their own within a week or two. A cold, a mild sore throat or a blocked ear after a flight often clears up. But some signs suggest you should book a visit. Think about seeing an ENT doctor if you have:
- A blocked or runny nose that lasts for weeks, or keeps coming back despite treatment.
- Sinus infections that come back several times a year.
- Ear pain, discharge or a blocked feeling that keeps returning.
- Hearing that seems weaker, or ringing in one or both ears.
- Dizziness or a spinning feeling that keeps coming back.
- A hoarse voice that lasts more than three weeks.
- Sore throats or tonsillitis many times a year.
- Heavy snoring, or a partner noticing that you stop breathing in your sleep.
- Frequent nosebleeds.
- Food sticking when you swallow, or a constant feeling of something in your throat.
- A lump in the neck that does not go away.
If a symptom is affecting your sleep, your work or your mood, that alone is a good reason to get it checked. You do not have to wait until it becomes severe.
Which ENT problems are an emergency?
A clinic booking is fine for most ear, nose and throat complaints. A few signs are different. Head to the nearest emergency department, or call an ambulance, if you notice:
- Difficulty getting air in, noisy breathing or a feeling that your throat is closing.
- High fever with a painful, swollen neck, or trouble opening your mouth.
- Drooling, or being unable to swallow your own saliva.
- Bleeding from the nose that goes on for more than 20 minutes even though you pinch the nose firmly.
- Swelling or redness around the eye, a stiff neck or a severe headache during a sinus infection.
- Sudden drooping of one side of the face, or dizziness with slurred speech or a weak arm or leg.
Losing hearing suddenly in one ear needs fast attention too. Try to see an ENT doctor the same day or the next, because any treatment is more likely to help when it is given early. Blood in your saliva, or a lump in an adult's neck that has lasted longer than three weeks, should be checked within days.
Meet Dr. Muhammad Jabbr, ENT doctor in Dubai
Your visit will be with Dr. Muhammad Jabbr, Consultant ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) and Head & Neck Surgeon. His clinic is in the ENT Department at Medcare Hospital, Al Safa (Hadiqa Street, Al Safa 1). If you are looking for one of the best ENT specialists in Dubai, it helps that one doctor can look after ear, nose, throat and neck problems in the same place.
His qualifications are:
- MD and MS
- DOHNS (England)
- European Board in ORL-HNS (Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery)
- Arab Board in ORL-HNS
His experience spans more than 20 years, and he has performed more than 3,000 ENT procedures. Because his patients include children as well as adults, parents and grandparents can often be looked after by the same doctor.
For many ENT problems, medicines and simple measures come first. Surgery is considered when they are not enough or when the cause calls for it. His Google rating is 4.9 from 406 reviews. His background and training are set out on the about us page.
How do you pick an ENT doctor you can trust?
Choosing a doctor is a personal decision. Asking yourself a few simple questions can help:
- Training: Is the doctor a fully trained ENT specialist with recognised board qualifications?
- Range: Can they manage ear, nose, throat and neck problems, so you are not passed between clinics?
- Medical and surgical skill: Can they offer medicines and simple treatments first, and surgery only if it is truly needed?
- Clear talk: Do they explain things in words you understand and answer your questions?
- Care for the family: Do they see children as well as adults, if your family needs it?
A good ENT doctor will not promise a cure or a fixed result, because every person is different. Expect an honest view of your options and a plan that suits you.
Book an appointment
Appointments with Dr. Muhammad Jabbr at Medcare Hospital Al Safa can be made online or over the phone.
If you have had scans or hearing tests before, bring the reports with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an ENT doctor and an otolaryngologist?
There is no difference. Otolaryngologist is the medical name, and ENT doctor is the everyday name. Both mean a specialist in ear, nose, throat, head and neck problems.
Can I see an ENT doctor in Dubai without a referral?
Often, yes. Many patients book a specialist visit directly. Depending on your insurance policy, your insurer may want a GP letter first, so check your cover before the appointment.
Does an ENT doctor treat allergies?
Yes, the nose and sinus side of them, such as a blocked or runny nose and sneezing. The doctor can also check whether something else, like polyps or a bent septum, is adding to your symptoms.
Can an ENT doctor help with dizziness?
Often, yes. The inner ear helps control balance, so problems there can cause spinning or unsteadiness. An ENT doctor can examine your ears and arrange hearing and balance tests. Dizziness can also come from the heart, blood pressure or the brain, so you may be referred on if the ear is not the cause.
Does Dr. Muhammad Jabbr see children?
Yes. He treats children as well as adults. Common reasons parents bring a child include ear infections, glue ear, snoring and enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
Do most ENT problems need an operation?
Usually not. Many ENT problems improve with medicines, nasal sprays, ear care or simple changes at home. Surgery may be offered when these have not helped, or when the cause is a physical blockage that medicine cannot shrink, such as a badly bent septum.
Your next step with an ENT problem
Ear, nose and throat problems are common, and most can be managed well once the cause is clear. If a symptom keeps coming back, lasts for weeks or simply worries you, an ENT check is a sensible move. A careful examination can usually explain what is going on and what your options are. When you are ready, Dr. Muhammad Jabbr can see you at Medcare Hospital Al Safa.
