Otolaryngology sounds are hard to say. But, the fundamentals are easy to understand. An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in ear, nose, and throat issues.
ENT Specialists
Otolaryngologists pronounced: oh/toe/lair/in/goll/oh/jists, is a person who focuses on ear, nose, and throat ailments. Neck and head cancer, skin disorders, sleep problems, throat issues, and pesky allergies that effect sinuses are all health issues an ENT doctor can diagnose.
Primary care physicians often treat ear, nose, and throat illnesses because their patients do not always realize when a specialist is the best choice. But, ENT doctors focus on disorders from small to acute when it comes to conditions from the neck, up.
An ENT doctor does treat not only sinus issues and allergies but also perform surgeries including removing cancer from the neck, head, and throat. Specializing in any specific medical field is no easy feat. Otolaryngologists attend an additional five to eight years of post-graduate work outside of medical school as a focus.
ENT’s Specialize, Too
The range of years in post-graduate studies relates to ENT’s narrowing their focus even further from general otolaryngology.
Subspecialty areas include:
Nose — (rhinology) A nose is more than something people use to sniff a flower. Allergens and harmful agents diminish the quality of life from chronic headaches to blockages in the airway.
Throat — (laryngology) Speaking and swallowing are both things people take for granted. A specialist in this area can narrow the causes of difficulty down to improve quality of life for even people with vocal cord damage.
Ears — (neurotology, otology) From listening to music to balancing when we walk, ears are an essential aspect of life. Ear specialists track down chronic ear infections and inner ear problems.
Sleep — The ability to get sound sleep is a critical part of functioning in day-to-day life. Sleep disorders are more than only snoring. Sleep apnea, for instance, is a dangerous disorder. An ENT doctor knows every aspect of rest and how to improve it.
Thyroid — General practitioners conduct blood tests for issues with thyroids during check-ups. However, an ENT doctor who specializes in the neck and head are the best at treating enlarged glands. Removal of cancer also tops the list of what they are trained to handle.
Children — (pediatrics) Congenital disabilities are not something anyone plans for or foresees for their children. However, it is part of life. ENT’s who specialize in pediatrics know how to treat life diminishing conditions. Developmental delays, for instance, is an issue ENT’s track down and often means a child cannot see or hear well.
Specializing even at the general otolaryngology level requires more training than a primary care physician. Narrowing down the field of all conditions takes that much more dedication. Quality of life is important. Knowing where to get help is even more so.
