When you have some discomfort in your throat it is common not to pay much attention to the situation and hope that it may be just a passing allergy or a simple cold, however, there are times when it is necessary to go to a specialist, and more so today when the coronavirus continues to affect much of the world's population. That is why we will give a tour of some of the pathologies and diseases that can be treated by an otolaryngologist.
What is the work of an ENT specialist?
Otolaryngologists determine, evaluate, and care for a wide range of diseases of the head and neck, including the ear, nose, and throat regions, in addition to being able to care for people of all ages from newborns to seniors.
What are the specialties of an ENT specialist?
Otolaryngology has several specialties depending on the area of study:
- - Rhinology: Studies nasal and paranasal cavity conditions and nose surgery for functional and/or aesthetic purposes.
- - Laryngology: Studies conditions and alterations of the larynx that affect voice quality.
- - Audiology: It deals with hearing disorders, especially deafness and hearing loss (perceptive and receptive).
- - Otoneurology: Studies the pathologies associated with vertiginous processes and other pathologies related to balance, as well as chronic ear infections.
- - Pediatric Otolaryngology: Focuses on diseases developed in children.
- - Otorhinolaryngology oncology: Covers neoplastic diseases or cancer, affecting the larynx, nose and ears.
Early consultation with a specialist will always bring benefits to your health. Most insurance companies cover this type of consultation without as part of the routine visits.
Among the different diseases that can be treated by ear specialists, including problems with smell, taste, or balance and hearing disorders, as well as problems with the airway, sinuses, voice and speech, are found:
Nasal Conditions
- Sinusitis and rhinosinusitis, including in children (sinus infection)
- Nosebleeds
- Nasal septum deviations
- Nasal injuries
- Disorders of the sense of smell
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Chronic rhinorrhea or runny nose
- Nasal obstruction
- Nasal polyps
- Tumors of the nose
Ear Conditions
- Wax caps
- Hearing loss
- Otosclerosis (condition of the middle ear that causes hearing loss)
- Ear infections
- Otitis media with effusion (a common childhood condition in which the middle ear becomes blocked with fluid)
- Cholesteatoma (skin cyst in the middle ear)
- Age-related hearing loss
- Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
- Microtia and outer ear deformities
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Eardrum perforations
- Ears that stick out
Throat Conditions
- Sleep Apnea (when breathing stops during sleep)
- Adenoid problems (surgical removal of these small glands in the throat is sometimes necessary)
- Tonsillitis and recurrent pharyngitis
- Dysphonia and voice disorders
- Laryngitis
- Vocal cord dysfunction
- Swallowing problems
- Vocal cord injuries
- Vocal cord paralysis
- Breathing problems
- Drooling
- Snoring
- Ankyloglossia (anchored language)
- Foreign body in the throat
- Stridor or noisy breathing
- Recurrent respiratory papilloma
Head and Neck Conditions
- Facial Paralysis
- Rhinoplasty (nose surgery)
- Osteoplasty (ear surgery)
- Cancer that affects the oral cavity, throat (pharynx), mouth, larynx, salivary glands, base of the skull or nose, and sinuses
- Facial reconstruction after trauma or cancer
- Neck and head masses
- Hemangiomas and other vascular malformations
- Enlarged or damaged lymph nodes in the neck
- Facial skin lesions, including skin cancer
- Salivary gland masses
- Blepharoplasty (removal of excess skin and fat pads around the upper and lower eyelids)
Conditions in Babies
- thrush (a very common fungal infection in babies)
- Nodes in the neck
- Swimmer's ear or otitis externa
- Recurrent infections or trauma to the ears
- Ankyloglossia, short lingual frenulum
- Problems in the tympanic membrane, in the chain of ossicles (hammer, anvil and stirrup) and in the mastoid (cavity of the temporal bone)
It is important to note that the entire content of this article is for informational purposes only. And only a specialist is capable of addressing and dealing with the subject in an accurate manner.
