What is an ENT doctor?
He is a physician trained in the medical and surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck.
The Ears
Hearing loss affects one in ten persons. The unique domain of Otolaryngologists
is the treatment of ear disorders. They are trained in both the medical and
surgical treatment of hearing, ear infections, balance disorders, ear noise
(tinnitus), nerve pain, and facial and cranial nerve disorders. Otolaryngologists
also manage congenital (birth) disorders of the outer and inner ear.
The Nose
Chronic sinusitis is one of the most common health reasons for visiting an ENT
doctor. Care of the nasal cavity and sinuses is one of the primary skills of
Otolaryngologists. Management of the nasal area includes allergies and sense
of smell. Breathing through, and the appearance of, the nose are also part of
Otolaryngologists' expertise.
The Throat
Communicating (speech and singing) and eating a meal all involve this vital
area. Also specific to Otolaryngologists is expertise in managing diseases of
the larynx (voice box) and the upper aero-digestive tract or esophagus, including
voice and swallowing disorders.
The head and the neck
This center of the body includes the important nerves that control sight, smell,
hearing, and the face. In the head and neck area, Otolaryngologists are trained
to treat infectious diseases, both benign and malignant (cancerous) tumors,
facial trauma, and deformities of the face. They perform surgery to treat and
diagnose head and neck tumors.
Diagnosis and treatment
Deafness
is a frequent pathology. Deafness is the loss of ability to hear normally. There
are two types of deafness. Sensory-neural deafness is due to damage of the inner
ear. The commonest cause of sensory-neural deafness is presbyacusis, or deafness
due to the ageing process. A hearing aid is recommended for this type of deafness.
Conductive deafness is due to a problem of the external or medial ear. The most
frequent treatment for this deafness is surgical intervention. An audiogram
or hearing test is done in a soundproof room enabling the ENT specialist to
evaluate the hearing impairment.
Tinnitus or ringing in the ears are noises not heard from the environment but
within the head. The symptoms may come and go or be of a permanent nature. 30%
of the adult population suffers from this problem. Treatment of tinnitus is
often difficult. Certain drugs can reduce the intensity of the ringing. Tranquillizers
may be prescribed for insomnia due to tinnitus. Preventing tinnitus is very
important. Workers exposed to excessive noise levels should wear hearing protection.
The patient and the ENT specialist working together can find the best possible
treatment for this disease.
The inner ear is reponsible for equilibrium and balance. When the inner ear
is damaged it can lead to vertigo, a symptom which is like being on a roller
coaster. Other symptoms could be nausea and vomiting. Vertigo can also result
from other vestibular (balance center) disorders. Benign Paroxysmal Positional
Vertigo (BPPV) is thought to be caused by tiny loose particles floating freely
in the fluid of the inner ear. Treatment of BPPV is usually performed in the
doctor’s office by a series of rapid movements called the Semont maneuver.
In other cases drugs can be subscribed to allieviate this problem.
Cold and sinusitis are essentially bacterial infections. Medical treatment consists
of unblocking the nose and sinuses. Generally one is given antibiotics and decongestants.
Chronic colds and acute sinusitis need more treatment or even surgery, if there
are certain anatomical abnormalities in the nose. Endoscopes can be used both
for diagnosis and for surgical treatment of sinusitis.
Angina starts with some itching at the bottom of the throat, the pain increases.
The throat becomes infected. There are white surfaces on the tonsils. If the
angina is accompanied by the flu or a viral infection, the recommended treatment
is rest and drugs for fever. On the other hand if the angina is microbial it
has to be treated with antibiotics. If there are recurrent cases of angina,
surgical intervention may be necessary.