What is an Otolaryngologist?

Otolaryngology comprises three Greek words oto, rhino, and larynx, i.e., ear, nose, and throat, respectively. An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in problems related to the ear, nose, throat, sinuses, head, and neck.

Except for the brain and the eyes, ENT doctors treat most of the eye, nose, and throat-related conditions. The field of otolaryngology has evolved over the past 50 years, which is nearly five decades of medical improvement.

What is an Otolaryngologist?
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During 2010, almost 20 million people in America visited non-federally working otolaryngologists. The patients were adults among the age group of 45 to 64 years in the otolaryngologist clinics. Similarly, teenagers and young people also accounted for nearly 20 percent of the visits.

Common reasons to visit an otolaryngologist/ ENT doctor include earaches, ear infections, sinuses infections, hearing impairment, and other related issues. Normally, treatments begin with physical examinations but may require a hands-on approach by an ENT doctor according to your health condition.

Training and Education

ENT doctors or otolaryngologist complete their under-graduation degrees in their choice of subjects, such as biology and chemistry. Following that, they enroll in medical schools for primary classroom instructions for two years.

Eventually, they start practicing and learning by attempting various rotations over the long-range of medical specialties for another two years. After practicing and completing the 4-year medical school, they opt for their choice of specialty and begin a residency program.

They complete the residency programs under the guidance and expertise of professionally experienced doctors. After completing the five-year training under specialized doctors, they clear an examination from the American Board of Otolaryngology and receive certification.

Usually, ENT doctors/ otolaryngologists practice further subspecialties of otolaryngology for one or two years. These include:

Allergies

It includes the treatment of environmental allergies through a series of different medicines, such as allergy shots and nasal sprays. Often, they help their patients identify if they have any allergies or confirm any old/underlying conditions that trigger allergies.

Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgeries

Cosmetic surgeries are a specialty that some ENT doctors/ otolaryngologists have. You may need reconstructive or cosmetic surgeries to correct birth deformities or physical abnormalities due to accidents.

Head and Neck

Head and neck specialists help manage and treat tumors in the areas such as the mouth, throat, sinuses, esophagus, and nose. An otolaryngologist with such a specialty helps control the progression of tumors in these affected areas.

Laryngology

Laryngologist is a common subspecialty of otolaryngology that pertains to the detection and diagnosis of problems related to vocal cords and voice box (i.e., larynx). Further, they help in treating swallowing problems, injuries, and diseases.

Otology/ Neurotology

Ear infections, diseases, conditions, etc., are the specialty of otolaryngologists with expertise in neurotology. Their treatment scope includes dizziness, ringing in the ear(s), hearing impairment, and infections.

Pediatric ENT

Pediatric ENTs have extensive training that enables them to diagnose and treat ENT problems in children. A child may not know how to describe their pain or symptoms they are experiencing.

Therefore, pediatric ENTs go under careful training and use suitable tools, and conduct exams in order to determine the health problems of children.

When to See an Otolaryngologist?

Otolaryngologists and ENT doctors are specialists, and for that reason, your primary doctor or health care provider usually recommends seeing them for serious ENT issues. Your primary health care provider will refer you to an otolaryngologist if they are unable to treat the problem or do not have the expertise and knowledge.

What is an Otolaryngologist? | Head neck ear nose throat problems
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Other than that, here are some of the common health reasons that may require you to see an ENT doctor after consultation with your general doctor.

Sudden hearing impairments
Hoarseness (persistent over long periods of time)
Lump(s) on the neck
Tonsils infections (or tumors)
Chronic sore throats
Chronic coughs

What Services Does An Otolaryngologist Offer?

Otolaryngologists offer treatments to help their patients with tumors, cancers, and other chronic health conditions related to the ear, nose, throat, sinuses, head, and neck. Also, they are capable of working on adenoid problems and chronic acid refluxes that result in chronic sore throats in patients.

In addition, they focus on tinnitus, ear infections, cosmetic/reconstructive surgeries, sinuses infections, and several different services and surgeries pertinent to the head and neck as well.