Otolaryngology is one of the oldest medical treatment specialtiesand is pronounced as oh-toe-lair-in-goll-oh-jee. Otolaryngologists are basically trained physicians in surgical and medical management dealing with the treatment of disorders related to ear, nose, throat, as well as neck and head structures. They are referred commonly as ENT specialists.
Otolaryngologist diagnose any diseases related to nose, sinuses, ears, mouth, throat, larynx, and the neck, face or head structure and help treat those. There are many ENT specialists in Mumbai whom you can consult and get help with such disorders, as they will prescribe you internal and external medication, where at times even a surgery might be required.
The ears
Disorder with ears include hearing loss, infections, ear drainage, ear wax, auricular hematoma, otitis media, tinnitus (ear noise), cranial nerve disorders, and balance disorders. Specialists are trained to treat ears related condition and otolaryngologist also helps manage birth or congenital related disorders of inner and outer ear.
The nose
One common condition related to nose is sinusitis and requires proper medical attention if it becomes chronic. Care of sinuses and nasal cavity are primary skills in which otolaryngologists are trained in. Problems related to nasal area are nasal obstruction, smell disorders, polyps, and allergies.
The throat
Eating meal and communicating such as speaking and singing all require this area. Thyroid nodules, infections, LPR, GERD, oesophagus, swallowing disorder, reflux, larynx, neck cancer, adenoids, and tonsils are common conditions which can be corrected or improved with the help or care of ENT specialist.
Head and Neck
This part of body consists of important functions such as face appearance, smell, hearing, and sight. Otolaryngologists trained, in this area of head and neck, are trained for treating face deformities, facial trauma, malignant tumour, benign tumour, and infections. They are required to perform reconstructive surgery and cosmetic plastic surgery.
ENT specialists differ from other physicians who are trained in surgery and medicine. Otolaryngologists need adequate medical education, training, board certification or licenses, practice in the specialty areas as well as the subspecialties, and insurance coverage.They are trained after practicing for 15 years of training, and being qualified with proper certification from the board, as well a fellowship. The subspecialty areas include allergy, sleep disorders, rhinology (nose), paediatric otolaryngology, otology or neurotology, laryngology, reconstructive surgery, etc. Some of the otolaryngologists limit practice to either one of the eight areas.
There are several medicinal and surgical treatments available to treat the conditions related to ear, nose, and throat, head and neck. One can use over-the-counter medicines as well to treat the minor ailments like oral thrush, sore throat, and blocked nose or nasal congestion. But before taking any medicine take advice or prescription from pharmacist or specialist. Some of the common treatments consists of miconazole gel is used to treat oral thrush, flurbiprofen lozenges is used to treat sore throat, and beclometasone spray is used to treat nasal congestion. Such medication and treatment could help take care of minor conditions but if this doesn’t help then a surgery would be needed.
