Otolaryngologist
The otolaryngologist is a doctor who treats ENT diseases. The doctor's work is connected with the organs of hearing and smell, as well as head, neck and throat. Let's look at the peculiarities of the otolaryngologist's work, what diseases the doctor treats and when to treat it.
The otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases that are associated with ENT organs, that is ears, throat, head, nose, neck. The health of ENT organs is of particular importance, since the ears, nose and throat create a crossroads of the respiratory and digestive tracts. It is these organs that react first to the action of various kinds of foreign agents, allergens, bacteria and pathogenic viruses.
Inflammatory processes, which are most often the cause of diseases of the ENT organs, can be both in children and in adults. As a rule, frequent diseases of the ENT organs testify to problems with the immune system. Weak immunity misses viruses, which first hit the ears, throat, nose. In the absence of proper treatment, the virus spreads throughout the body and in some cases has irreversible consequences.
Who is an otolaryngologist?
Who is an otolaryngologist is a doctor who studies and treats diseases that affect the nose, throat, ears, pharynx, larynx, trachea and nearby anatomical areas. Also, the otolaryngologist is engaged in diagnostics and prevention of diseases of the ENT organs, pathologies and defects.
Inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs significantly weaken the immune system and negatively affect the work of the whole organism. If you do not treat the ENT diseases, then they will develop into chronic diseases. Incorrect treatment can also cause pathologies and chronic diseases, both the above-mentioned organs, and the whole organism.
When should I go to an otolaryngologist?
When it is necessary to address to the otolaryngologist - a question which interests people with problems of an ENT of bodies. If you have at least one of the following symptoms, then you need to seek qualified medical help.
- Diseases of the ears - if you feel a slight tingling in one ear, hear badly or you are disturbed by sulfur discharge from the ear, immediately consult an otolaryngologist. Remember, the longer you delay the trip to the doctor, the more serious the consequences of even the most frivolous disease can be.
- Inflammatory throat diseases - as a rule, this is the main reason for contacting an otolaryngologist. If you often have tonsillitis, have purulent tonsillitis, have problems with the larynx or thyroid, seek advice and complete treatment for lor.
- You suffer from difficult nasal breathing, you have frequent dizziness, sleep disorders, severe snoring, irregular growth in the facial skeleton, or low-grade fever, then you need the help of an otolaryngologist.
What tests should I take when I go to an otolaryngologist?
You are going to an appointment with Laura, then let's consider what tests you need to take when you contact an otolaryngologist. We present you a standard set of tests:
- Crops and swabs - from the nasopharynx, nose and throat to meningococci, staphylococci, streptococci on the microflora.
- Taking material from the maxillary sinuses, tonsils, discharge from the ear.
For a complete diagnosis of the disease, the otolaryngologist can prescribe a number of other tests that will help to identify the causes of the disease and effective methods of treatment.
What diagnostic methods does the otolaryngologist use?
To determine the disease and prescribe the right treatment, each doctor conducts a series of diagnostic methods. Let's look at the diagnostic methods used by the otolaryngologist.
- Computer tomography is an X-ray method, which makes it possible to obtain a layered image of organs and tissues.
- Ultrasound is used to diagnose tissues due to ultrasonic waves. The advantage of this method is that it does not have a negative effect and cure on the body.
- Audiometry and Rhinoscopy.
- Endoscopic methods are the most accurate diagnostic methods that can accurately determine a disease. To carry out the diagnosis using this method, take a tissue for biopsy.
- Magnetic resonance imaging is another reliable diagnostic method that acts on the body with the help of electromagnetic waves based on a powerful magnetic field.
What does the otolaryngologist do?
If you have an earache, nose or throat problems, then you need to go to an appointment with Laura. Let's look at what the otolaryngologist or ENT doctor is doing.
- Conducts diagnostics of diseases and prescribes treatment of ENT organs.
- Performs surgical operations. The competence of the doctor includes surgical intervention with abscesses and hematomas in the nose or ear. The otolaryngologist performs punctures of the maxillary sinus, rinsing, opening of tumors, removal of polyps, hematomas.
- The otolaryngologist conducts operations on a throat, that is is engaged in an adenotomy, a tonsillectomy.
- The doctor can perform surgical operations on the ears and correct the position of the nasal septum. The otolaryngologist performs auditory-improving operations, operates the middle ear.
What diseases are treated by an otolaryngologist?
You are going to an appointment with an otolaryngologist, then you need to know what diseases the otolaryngologist treats. So, in the competence of a doctor, treatment of diseases of the ear, larynx, nose, maxillary sinus, pharynx. Diseases that are treated by an otolaryngologist:
- Problems with the nasopharynx - rhinitis (chronic, allergenic, acute), sinusitis.
- Throat diseases are tonsillitis, tonsillitis, inflammation of glands, including purulent.
- Diseases of the ears - otitis, removal of sulfur plugs, serous otitis and other diseases.
Advice from an otolaryngologist
The advice of an otolaryngologist is a topical recommendation for preserving the ideal health of ENT organs. We present you the most effective recommendations and advice of an otolaryngologist.
- Maintain humidity in rooms - to preserve the protective functions of the body, the humidity level in the room should not be less than 45%. Otherwise, the protective coatings dry up and open access to pathogens and bacteria.
- Zakalivaniya - this method of prevention and maintenance of health allows you to easily meet the cold and fight microbes. Regular physical activity and exercise are a guarantee of well-being and mood.
- If you catch a cold, then this is the body's signal about inflammatory processes. Most often, the common cold is the precursor of a number of other more complex diseases. To protect the body from the common cold, it supports the immune system, drink vitamins and lead a healthy lifestyle.
- With the arrival of cold weather, it is necessary to protect the ears and throat from the cold. Wear a hat, and this will protect you from otitis. Heat dress, and inflammation of the glands or purulent sore throat will not make itself felt.
The otolaryngologist is a qualified specialist who helps in the treatment of diseases of the ENT organs. Also, the otolaryngologist performs surgical operations to improve the health of the nose, throat, ears. Regular examinations in the otolaryngologist provide an opportunity to monitor the health of the ENT organs and maintain it at a high level.
Medical expert editor
Portnov Alexey Alexandrovich
Education: Kiev National Medical University. A.A. Bogomolets, Specialty - "General Medicine"