ENT stands for “Ear, Nose, and Throat.” These doctors either diagnose or treat a number of conditions that affect these specific body parts. Some of the most common conditions treated by an ENT doctor include:
- Sinusitis
- Swimmer’s Ear
- Tonsillitis
- A deviated septum
- Hearing loss
- Snoring or sleep apnea
- Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus)
- Vertigo (Dizziness).
- Chronic sinusitis
- Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
Surgeries
Besides these common conditions, an ENT doctor can perform surgeries that deal with the ear, nose, and throat. These surgeries include:
- Septoplasty
- Turbinoplasty
- Endoscopic sinus surgery
- Endoscopic Ear Surgery
- Adenoidectomy
- Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)
Surgeries ENT doctors perform include ablations, biopsies, removal of polyps, reconstruction of the nose after cancer treatments, and throat surgery. One common condition requiring surgery is chronic ear infections (otitis media), which involve fluid behind the eardrum that does not drain properly. The most common surgeries are the insertion of ear tubes (tympanostomy).
ENT doctors can also perform other surgeries depending on the situation, such as face and neck surgery, thyroid surgery, breathing tube insertion into the airway for resuscitation or intubation, ear tubes to prevent recurrent ear infections in children by draining fluid from the middle ear, removing obstructions in the nasal passages or sinuses that are causing breathing difficulty or blockage of vision, and closing a hole in the roof of the mouth.
Other Illnesses
Additionally, an ENT can diagnose illnesses such as pneumonia, thyroid cancer, acid reflux disease (GERD), asthma, bronchitis, vertigo/dizziness, sinus infections, throat cancer, and hearing loss. An ENT can also detect signs of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, or other cardiovascular problems.
ENT doctors can typically treat conditions like bad breath (halitosis), abnormal taste, drainage from the ears or nose, hoarseness (laryngitis), and sores in the mouth and throat. Some of these conditions require surgery.
ENT for Adults & Children
Many conditions treated by ENT doctors are age-related. For example, in children, they might treat tonsils and adenoids that are enlarged, vocal cord paralysis, or cysts on the vocal cords. These can interfere with breathing or speech if not treated appropriately. Another condition that occurs when the ear canals are not properly formed is swimmer’s ear. When it is difficult for the eardrum to vibrate normally, the child has hearing loss or speech issues.
Surgical procedures can correct some serious defects in children, such as cleft palate (a split in the roof of the mouth) and harelip (when one side of the upper lip is split). In adults, some surgeries might be more appropriate than in children.
For example, if the ear canal is blocked due to excessive build-up of cerumen (ear wax), a doctor might remove all or part of the eardrum and then sew it back together. If problems with the nose are causing sleep apnea (when breathing temporarily stops while you sleep), a doctor might refer the patient to another specialist for treatment.
Common Issues
Apart from performing surgeries and diagnosing problems, ENT doctors may work on some common afflictions that affect the ears. For example, they work on cases of conductive hearing loss, which is hearing difficulty caused by sound not being conducted properly through the outer ear canal and middle ear. They also work on cases of sensorineural hearing loss, which is hearing loss that results from damage to sensory cells in the inner ear or nerves connected to them (such as when loud noises permanently damage the cochlea, leading to deafness).
Other common conditions worked on by ENT doctors concern swallowing and balance disorders, sleep problems, and vocal cord issues. Some doctors may also work on skin conditions that affect the nose, throat, or face as well as thyroid glands.
Although an ENT doctor’s primary concerns are with the ears and related parts of the head and neck area, they often deal with general medical issues, too. For example, a doctor specializing in the treatment of allergies may refer a patient with persistent trouble breathing to an ENT specialist.
Education
Ear, nose, and throat doctors will typically have graduated from medical school after four years. Afterward, they must complete a five-year residency program in otolaryngology involving surgeries on patients.
Conclusion
Our ear, nose, and throat health are important when it comes to our overall health. The quality of life when even one of these three is afflicted is affected. Even when there is no pain or discomfort, many things about our appearance are changed for the worse when having any of these conditions. Ear, nose, and throat doctors are trained to deal with whatever the problems might be.
Many diseases and conditions can affect the ears, nose, and throat. If you think that you or somebody you know might be suffering from one of these, it is always best to consult with an ENT doctor as soon as possible.
Hopefully, this article was helpful to you. Thanks for reading!
