ENT

An ENT is a doctor who diagnoses and treats diseases of the throat, nose and ears, as well as pathologies of the vestibular apparatus that cause movement coordination disorders. This specialist is also called an otolaryngologist or otorhinolaryngologist. An otolaryngologist must have the skills of a therapist and a surgeon, since ENT diseases are closely related to the specifics of the doctor’s activities.

The ENT conducts an appointment in every clinic, medical center or other medical institution. Regular scheduled examinations by this specialist are mandatory for patients of all ages, including children of the first year of life.

The specifics of the activity of an ENT doctor

The throat, ears and nose are closely related. Failures in the functioning of one organ can affect the work of others. In addition, otolaryngological diseases also affect neighboring organs and systems, in particular, the brain and central nervous system. Even the most common cold in the absence of proper therapy can cause very unpleasant health consequences.

ENT conducts qualified consultative and diagnostic work with patients. The appointment begins with a conversation, fixing health complaints in the field of otolaryngology. This is followed by a comprehensive review. The combination of these measures allows you to establish an accurate diagnosis and develop the right method of therapy.

Ear pain or hearing loss, runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, headaches – with these symptoms, patients turn to the ENT. After the initial examination, a comprehensive examination is prescribed, which may include a number of tests.

What diseases does ENT treat?

The list of ailments that fall within the competence of otolaryngologists is extremely long. The entire list of diseases can be divided into three groups – depending on the organ that was affected by the pathology:

• nasal diseases (for example, sinusitis, rhinitis, frontal sinusitis, sinusitis and much more);
• throat diseases (for example, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis and other diseases of the larynx);
• ear diseases (for example, hearing loss, otitis media of various nature, sulfur plugs, etc.).

Most of the ailments are provoked by a cold and are accompanied by complex inflammatory processes. Only a highly qualified specialist who thoroughly knows the structure, structure and principles of the normal functioning of each organ can establish an accurate diagnosis. For example, Meniere’s disease in its symptoms is similar to otitis media, but it is provoked not by an inflammatory process, but by trauma to the skull, leading to disruption of the functioning of blood vessels.

Any self-treatment of ailments of the ear, throat or nose carries the risk of developing complications that affect the brain and central nervous system.

What symptoms require an otolaryngologist?

A scheduled examination at the ENT is shown once a year. This recommendation should be followed in the absence of symptoms of the development of a disease of the nose, throat or ear. But there are symptoms, the appearance of which is a signal for an immediate appeal to an otolaryngologist.

These signs include:

• complete or partial hearing loss;
• purulent discharge from the ear;
• swelling or redness of the ear;
• earache, sore throat;
• enlarged tonsils, prolonged runny nose;
• dizziness;
• nosebleeds that are prolonged or recurring frequently;
• nausea, change in pulse, “flies” before the eyes;
• nasal congestion, pain in the maxillary sinuses.

An increase in body temperature against the background of the manifestation of one or more of the above symptoms indicates the presence of an extensive inflammatory process.

Since many otolaryngological diseases have similar symptoms, it is almost impossible to determine the cause of discomfort on your own. A qualified otolaryngologist can establish the diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Diagnostic features

When a patient contacts with complaints, the ENT interrogates him, finds out the existing complaints. This is followed by an initial examination, which includes an assessment of the mucous membrane of the larynx, an examination of the condition of the tonsils, palpation of the lymph nodes and other manipulations. Based on the results of the initial examination and fixing complaints, the doctor can establish a primary diagnosis. To confirm it, additional tests and examinations are required.

The next stage of the examination is instrumental diagnostics. Otoscopy and rhinoscopy – a thorough examination of the nasal passages and ear passages using special funnels and dilators.

If the listed diagnostic methods do not make it possible to establish a diagnosis, additional examinations are prescribed. These measures include X-ray, biopsy, audiometry, ultrasound, CT, MRI, microscopic examination and more. In addition, a specialist can conduct a number of tests to assess the condition and functionality of the vestibular apparatus.

To conduct a full-fledged diagnosis, the ENT must have full-fledged equipment in its examination room. Lack of equipment makes diagnosis difficult and can lead to misdiagnosis. The list of necessary equipment includes a Siegl funnel, examination kits, manipulation kits (for removing foreign objects), a magnifying glass, an illuminator, a rhinoscope, an otoscope, a tone audiometer, and examination kits. In addition, each office must have a set for the tracheotomy procedure.

In addition to the examination, the doctor can give the patient directions for tests. Swabs from the mucous membranes of the nose and larynx are taken directly in the ENT room.

Additionally, a detailed blood test and a general urinalysis will be required. If the cause of the disease is the development of an infection, a visit to the infectious disease specialist will be required.

Therapies

An otolaryngologist not only examines and establishes a diagnosis, but also develops an effective treatment method. Many therapeutic procedures are performed by a specialist right in the office or in a specially equipped treatment room.

Outpatient procedures include washing the nose, removing sulfuric plugs, removing foreign objects from the nasal or ear passages, piercing the maxillary sinuses, and more.

If the ENT room is equipped with all the necessary equipment, some fairly complex surgical operations can be performed in it. For example, plastic and restoration of the tympanic septum, rhinoplasty, hearing-improving manipulations, cryotherapy, removal of the tonsils and adenoids.

In addition to surgical methods, the otorhinolaryngologist may prescribe medication or physiotherapy.

Medicines can be both local and general action. Physiotherapy includes heating, laser treatment, liquid nitrogen therapy, and more.

Depending on the patient’s condition and the severity of the disease, treatment can take place at home or in a hospital. Usually, hospitalization is indicated for patients with purulent tonsillitis, purulent otitis media, sinusitis, and oncological lesions of the ENT organs.

Advice from a specialist

Otolaryngologists, working with patients, give them valuable advice to help maintain the health of the nose, ears and throat. These recommendations are general and suitable for all categories of people.

Ears must be cleaned at least once every three days, it is advisable to use a soft cotton turunda for cleaning – it is almost impossible to injure the ear with it. Untimely cleaning of the ear canal from sulfur leads to the formation of traffic jams. It is possible to prevent the development of otitis media if, in the first two hours from the onset of pain, a turunda soaked in boric acid is inserted into the ear.

With a runny nose, you should carefully blow your nose, completely clearing the nasal passages of mucus. Otherwise, mucus can accumulate in the maxillary sinuses. If sinusitis still develops, you can rinse your nose with a solution of ordinary table salt (1%), drawing the liquid into the nasal passages alternately.

If polyps are found, it is necessary to remove them as soon as possible – they can provoke the development of oncology.

With a sore throat, you should not give up medicines in the form of lozenges – such drugs act locally, and their active components accumulate in saliva, which prolongs the therapeutic effect. Angina is always treated with antibiotics. Neglecting the advice of a doctor can cause the development of cardiac pathologies.

Parents should monitor the breathing of their children – night snoring or the habit of breathing through the mouth is most often explained by enlarged adenoids.