Otolaryngologist

An otolaryngologist is a doctor who treats ENT diseases. The doctor's work is related to the organs of hearing and smell, as well as the head, neck and throat. Let's consider the features of the otolaryngologist's work, what diseases the doctor treats and when you should contact him.

An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases associated with the ENT organs, that is, the ears, throat, head, nose, and neck. The health of the ENT organs is of particular importance, since the ears, nose, and throat create a crossroad of the respiratory and digestive tracts. These organs are the first to react to the effects of various types of foreign agents, allergens, bacteria, and pathogenic viruses.

Inflammatory processes, which most often cause ENT diseases, can occur in both children and adults. As a rule, frequent ENT diseases indicate problems with the immune system. Weak immunity allows viruses to pass through, which first affect the ears, throat, and nose. In the absence of proper treatment, the virus spreads throughout the body and in some cases has irreversible consequences.

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Who is an otolaryngologist?

Who is an otolaryngologist? This is a doctor who studies and treats diseases that affect the nose, throat, ears, pharynx, larynx, trachea and adjacent anatomical areas. Also, an otolaryngologist is engaged in the diagnosis 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 functioning of the entire body. If ENT diseases are not treated, they will develop into chronic ones. Incorrect treatment can also cause pathologies and chronic diseases of both the above-mentioned organs and the entire body.

When should you see an otolaryngologist?

When to see an otolaryngologist is a question that interests people with ENT problems. If you have at least one of the symptoms listed below, you need to seek qualified medical help.

• Ear diseases – if you feel a slight tingling in one ear, have difficulty hearing, or are bothered by wax discharge from the ear, contact an otolaryngologist immediately. Remember, the longer you put off going to the doctor, the more serious the consequences of even the most minor illness can be.
• Inflammatory diseases of the throat are usually the main reason for visiting an otolaryngologist. If your tonsils often become inflamed, you have purulent tonsillitis, problems with the larynx or thyroid gland, seek advice and full treatment from an ENT specialist.
• If you suffer from difficulty breathing through your nose, frequent dizziness, sleep disorders, loud snoring, facial growth disorders or subfebrile temperature, then you need the help of an otolaryngologist.

What tests should you take when visiting an otolaryngologist?

You are going to see an ENT specialist, then let's look at what tests you need to take when visiting an otolaryngologist. We present you with a standard set of tests:

• Cultures and smears - from the nasopharynx, nose and pharynx for meningococci, staphylococci, streptococci for microflora.
• Taking material from the maxillary sinuses, tonsils, and ear discharge.

For a complete diagnosis of the disease, the otolaryngologist may prescribe a number of other tests that will help identify the causes of the disease and effective treatment methods.

What diagnostic methods does an otolaryngologist use?

To determine the disease and prescribe the correct treatment, each doctor conducts a number of diagnostic methods. Let's consider what diagnostic methods an otolaryngologist uses.

• Computed tomography is an X-ray method that makes it possible to obtain a layered image of organs and tissues.
• Ultrasound examination – used for tissue diagnostics using ultrasound waves. The advantage of this method is that it does not have a negative impact and cure on the body.
• Audiometry and rhinoscopy.
• Endoscopic methods are the most accurate diagnostic methods that allow you to accurately determine the disease. To perform diagnostics using this method, tissue is taken for biopsy.
• Magnetic resonance imaging is another reliable diagnostic method that affects the body using electromagnetic waves based on a powerful magnetic field.

What does an otolaryngologist do?

If you have an earache, a sore nose or throat problem, then you need to see an ENT specialist. Let's look at what an otolaryngologist or ENT doctor does.

• Conducts diagnostics of diseases and prescribes treatment of ENT organs.
• Performs surgical operations. The doctor's competence includes surgical intervention in case of abscesses and hematomas in the nose or ear. The otolaryngologist performs punctures of the maxillary sinus, lavage, opening of tumors, removal of polyps, hematomas.
• An otolaryngologist performs operations on the throat, that is, performs adenotomy and tonsillectomy.
• The doctor can perform surgical operations on the ears and correct the position of the nasal septum. The otolaryngologist performs hearing-improving operations and operates on the middle ear.

What diseases does an otolaryngologist treat?

You are going to see an otolaryngologist, then you need to know what diseases an otolaryngologist treats. So, the doctor's competence includes treatment of diseases of the ear, larynx, nose, maxillary sinus, pharynx. Diseases that an otolaryngologist treats:

• Problems with the nasopharynx – rhinitis (chronic, allergic, acute), sinusitis.
• Throat diseases – tonsillitis, sore throat, inflammation of the glands, including purulent.
• Ear diseases – otitis, removal of earwax, serous otitis and other diseases.

Advice from an otolaryngologist

Advice from an otolaryngologist is a current recommendation for maintaining ideal health of ENT organs. We present you with the most effective recommendations and advice from an otolaryngologist.

• Maintain indoor humidity – to maintain the body’s protective functions, the indoor humidity level should not be less than 45%. Otherwise, the protective membranes dry out and open access to pathogenic microbes and bacteria.
• Hardening – this method of prevention and health maintenance allows you to easily meet the cold and fight off germs. Regular physical activity and exercise are the key to good health and mood.
• If you have caught a cold, it is a signal from the body about inflammatory processes. Most often, a cold is a precursor to a number of other more complex diseases. To protect the body from colds, support the immune system, take vitamins and lead a healthy lifestyle.
• With the arrival of cold weather, it is necessary to protect your ears and throat from the cold. Wear a hat, and this will protect you from otitis. Dress warmly, and inflammation of the tonsils or purulent tonsillitis will not make themselves known.

An otolaryngologist is a qualified specialist who helps in the treatment of ENT diseases. Also, an otolaryngologist performs surgical operations to improve the health of the nose, throat, and ears. Regular examinations by an otolaryngologist make it possible to monitor the health of the ENT organs and maintain it at a high level.

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