A dermatologist can help with your acne. If you have stomach issues, you visit a gastroenterologist. But what if you develop problems with your neck, head, ears, sinuses, nose, voice box, throat, esophagus, and thyroid, who do you see?
For such cases, you need to see an ENT or an ear, nose and throat doctor here in Denver.
What is an ENT Specialist?
An ENT doctor, also called an otolaryngologist, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of any condition related to the ears, nose, and throat region, as well as areas related to the head and neck–except for the eyes. ENTs are trained medical doctors.
Aside from completing a four-year medical course, they have also completed a five-year special training, as well as one to two years of a residency program. After passing the written and oral examinations administered by the American Board of Otolaryngology, they can pursue additional training and examinations in a subspecialty area of Otolaryngology.
This includes facial plastic and reconstruction surgery, allergy, neck and head surgery, audiology/otology, laryngology, rhinology, pediatric otolaryngology, neurology and sleep medicine.
What Does an ENT Specialist Do?
ENTs, or otolaryngologists, treat a wide range of neck and head conditions, which includes all related to the following:
- Ears
- Sinuses
- Adenoids and tonsils
- Swallowing
- Voicebox
- Taste and smell disorders
- Tumors or lesions in the mouth and throat
- Cancers in the head and neck
What Conditions Do ENT Specialists Treat?
Some conditions treated by ENTs include:
- Hearing loss
- Ear disorders, such as tinnitus and ear infection
- Infections, such as tonsillitis and sinusitis
- Congenital or acquired abnormalities, such as cleft lip, cleft palate, drooping eyelids, deviated septum, and loss of smell
- Injuries
- Difficulty swallowing
- Speech disorders
- Laryngitis
- Malignant and benign growths and tumors of the mouth, nose, throat, sinuses, larynx, thyroid gland, upper esophagus, and parathyroid.
- Bell’s palsy
- Sleep disorders, such as snoring and sleep apnea
- Eardrum perforation
- cholesteatoma
- Otosclerosis
- Vertigo
- Nasal problems, such as nasal allergies, nasal drainage, post-nasal drainage, nasal congestion, and nasal fractures
- Excess mucus production and discharge
- Recurrent strep throat
- Mouth and throat pain
- Balance disorders
ENT doctors are also skilled surgeons. They are trained to correct issues that may arise from trauma, deformities, or other problems with the nose, throat, and ears. They may perform different types of surgeries, such as the following:
- Tonsillectomies
- Myringotomies
- Sinus surgery
- Tumor removal, particularly those of the thyroid gland, neck, and head
- Nasal polyps removal
Who Can Benefit from Seeing an ENT Specialist?
People with chronic sinus problems and hearing loss will greatly benefit from visiting an ENT. But they are not the only ones an ENT can help. ENTs can also help people with seasonal allergies, as well as those with sleep problems due to sleep apnea or snoring.
Children who have recurring ear infections can also see a pediatric ENT for treatment.
If you experience any problems with your ear, nose, and throat, do not hesitate to consult with an ENT specialist. Your primary care doctor may refer you to one if deemed necessary, or you can check the website of the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery to help you find one in your area.
