Otolaryngology is the medical specialty concerned with disorders and conditions of the ear, nose and throat (ENT) region of the body. If you have a problem related to these body areas, your regular primary care doctor may refer you to an ENT specialist.
What is an ENT?
An ear, nose and throat specialist, also known as an otolaryngologist, is a doctor who possesses a set of specialized skills. Those who work within this field diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions related to the ears, nose and throat. ENTs may treat acute conditions, or they may work in primary care, providing services to both adults and children.
When a condition is severe, the ENT doctor determines the cause and then finds the right method of treatment for the individual. Otolaryngology specialists also provide checkups, perform surgeries and test for many diseases associated with the head and neck
What conditions do ENTs treat?
There are numerous ear and throat conditions that are treated by ENT doctors. When working with the ears, these doctors identify, evaluate and correct many clinical problems. They use different therapies or surgery to treat conditions such as hearing loss, tinnitus, ear infections, nerve damage, malformations, balance disorders and even birth disorders that affect both the inner or outer ear.
Problems involving the nose are also treated by ENTs, such as deviated septum, malformation, nerve disorders, chronic sinusitis and smell and sensory issues. They can also treat allergies and breathing problems that are the result of a problem with the nasal cavity.
Treatment of the throat area involves cancer, speech problems and vocal issues, as well as swallowing disabilities and speaking limitations. ENTs also treat infections of the throat that are acute or chronic, and perform surgery as necessary.
What services do ENTs offer?
ENTs use different tools and therapies in order to detect problems occurring within the ear, nose and throat. Through diagnostic measures, the doctor can find the root of the problem and determine the best method of treatment. These specialists treat various health conditions through the use of medication, medical devices and in some cases, corrective surgery. ENTs often find it necessary to operate because of an internal issue, chronic infections or to provide reconstructive surgery on congenital birth defects.
What to expect from an ENT appointment?
At the first appointment, you can discuss any problems present with you or your child with the doctor, and the specialist will perform a variety of tests in order diagnose the problem. These tests may include physical exams of the ear, nose and throat, hearing tests, tympanometry, laryngoscopy and imaging studies such as an MRI or CT scan. After testing is complete, the ENT doctor will discuss the results with you and set up a treatment plan.
Common reasons to visit an ENT:
When problems occur within these areas, it affects the senses and overall quality of life. In children, hearing loss can lead to both developmental and educational delays. You may also visit an ENT for the following reasons:
- A lump in the neck
- Change in voice
- A growth in the mouth
- Spitting up blood
- Difficulty swallowing
- Persistent earache
- Recurrent sinusitis
- Persistent allergies
- Deviated septum
- Loss of smell
- Hearing problems
- Pain in ear, nose or throat
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Chronic sore throat
- Injury to ear, nose or throat
- Tinnitus
Throat
ENT Specialists providers treat many common throat conditions. Your throat, also known as the pharynx, is located at the back of your mouth and extends down to the top of the respiratory track. It carries food to your esophagus and air to your windpipe and larynx. It is a vital area of the body allowing you to communicate, eat, and breathe. Many experience the nuisance of throat conditions throughout their lifetime. These conditions can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, allergies, tumors, or acid reflux disease.
Nose
The main function of your nose is to bring in warm, humidified, clean air into the lungs. You can also think of it as the front line of our immunologic defense system. By filtering out particles from the air and using mucous membranes with immunoglobulins, your nose helps stop infectious material from entering your body any further. By presenting molecules to the olfactory nerve, your nose also gives you the ability to smell.
Ear
The ear not only allows you to hear but helps with balance. Divided in to three parts, your ear is a very complex organ of the body. At ENT Specialists, we help diagnose and treat hearing and balance disorders as well as other conditions affecting the ear.