Ear nose throat (ENT) has important functions, such as: hear, namedpUS, kiss scent, speak, and swallowing food and drink. When there are disturbances related to these three parts, it is recommended to see a doctor specialist ENT.
An ENT specialist (otolaryngologist) is a doctor who specializes in dealing with ear, nose and throat (ENT) health problems. These organs can experience health problems for example due to infection, allergies, or tumors.
Disorders that occur in one ENT organ can affect other ENT organs, because these three organs are interconnected.
Disturbance Ear What ENT Doctors Usually Handle
The following are examples of ear complaints that are often treated by ENT specialists:
Balance disorders
One of the causes of disturbances in the balance system is labyrinthitis, due to infection or inflammation of the inner ear. This condition causes the sufferer to experience spinning dizziness.
Balance disorders can also be caused by: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), or Ménière's disease with hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and a feeling of fullness in the ears.
To determine the cause of balance disorders, the ENT doctor will perform a physical examination, hearing tests, and supporting examinations, such as blood tests. After the cause is known, the ENT doctor will provide treatment according to the cause.
Ear infection
Ear infections occur when germs enter and infect the ear. This condition can occur in the outer ear, middle ear, or inner ear. Symptoms of an ear infection can include ear pain, hearing loss, fever, or discharge from the ear.
In determining the diagnosis, the ENT doctor will perform a physical examination of the ears, nose, and throat. When assessing the condition of the ear, the doctor will use an instrument called an otoscope.
Generally, mild ear infections go away on their own. But if it doesn't get better, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics or perform ear irrigation and drain the inflamed ear fluid.
Hearing loss or deafness
Hearing loss can be due to conductive (involving the outer or middle ear), sensorineural (involving the inner ear), or a combination of both. The cause can be due to age, exposure to loud noises in the long term, growing tumors that block hearing function, or earwax that has accumulated.
The treatment given depends on the cause of the hearing loss. An ENT doctor can remove earwax, suggest insertion of hearing aids, or perform surgery, such as a cochlear implant.
Nasal Disorders Commonly Treated by ENT Doctors
The following are examples of nasal complaints that are often treated by ENT specialists:
Sinusitis
Sinusitis occurs when the sinus cavities become inflamed or swollen. This condition can be caused by colds, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, and deformities of the nasal septum (septal deviation).
Mild sinusitis can be treated with decongestant drugs, special fluids to wash the nose, and antibiotics. In addition, moist and warm air can also support the healing of sinusitis. To keep the air moist, you can use a vaporizer (vaporizer) or a humidifier.
Allergy
Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to something it perceives as foreign, such as dust, mites, mold, animal dander, certain foods, insect stings, or medications.
One of the symptoms of allergies is sneezing, nasal congestion, itching and watering. Allergies can be overcome by giving anti-allergic drugs (such as antihistamines), immunotherapy, and avoiding substances that cause allergic reactions as a precaution.
Olfactory disorders
Olfactory disorders cause a person to lose the ability to smell scents. There are many conditions that can cause a person to experience impaired smell, including head injuries, nasal polyps, damage to the olfactory nerve, colds, and side effects of medication. Treatment for olfactory disorders depends on the cause.
Disturbance Throat What ENT Doctors Usually Handle
The following are examples of complaints in the throat that are often treated by ENT specialists:
1. Laryngitis
Laryngitis is swelling of the walls of the laryngeal organ (voice box) in the throat. Symptoms are generally hoarseness and pain or discomfort in the front of the neck.
ENT doctors usually recommend sound therapy to reduce laryngeal injury or antibiotics if needed. In order not to get worse, limit talking, avoid exposure to cigarette smoke, dust, alcoholic beverages, and caffeine.
2. Nasopharyngeal cancer
It is a cancer that forms from tissue in the back wall of the nose or throat. Some risk factors for developing nasopharyngeal cancer are family history of nasopharyngeal cancer, Epstein-Barr virus infection, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Symptoms of this disease can be similar to symptoms of other diseases of the nose and throat, such as sore throat, lump in the neck or throat, difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing, and frequent nosebleeds.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will need to perform a physical and supporting examination such as a biopsy, CT-scan or MRI of the nose and throat, as well as blood tests. Treatment can be done with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
3. Diphtheria
Diphtheria is caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms include sore throat, neck swelling, fever, and weakness. In diagnosing, the ENT doctor will observe signs and symptoms, as well as carry out supporting examinations such as blood tests. To treat this condition, antibiotics are needed according to a doctor's prescription.
4. Inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis)
Tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils (lumps of tissue on either side of the back of the throat) become swollen due to a viral or bacterial infection.
Symptoms include sore throat, swollen and red tonsils, difficulty or pain in swallowing, white or yellowish coating on the tonsils, swelling in the neck, fever, and bad breath.
Treatment of tonsillitis depends on the cause. If it is caused by a virus, the ENT doctor will generally recommend self-care at home. But if the cause is bacteria, the doctor will give antibiotics.
Surgery may be needed if the tonsils recur frequently, antibiotic treatment doesn't work, or if the tonsillitis makes swallowing and breathing difficult.
In addition to the diseases mentioned above, ENT doctors can also treat disorders of the cleft palate or cleft lip, as well as sleep disorders, such as snoring and sleep apnea.
If there are complaints or symptoms of disease that attack the ears, nose, and throat, you should check these conditions with an ENT doctor. The doctor will perform a complete examination, and provide treatment based on the diagnosis of the disease and its cause.