Ear nose and throat (ENT) has important functions, such as listening, breathing, smell, speak, and swallow food and drink. When there are disorders related to these three sections, it is recommended to see an ENT specialist.
Otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in ear, nose and throat health problems. These organs can experience health problems such as infections, allergies, or tumors.
Disorders that occur in one ENT organ can affect other ENT organs, because because these three organs are interconnected.
Ear disorders commonly treated by ENT doctors
The following are examples of complaints on the ear that are often handled by ENT specialists:
Balance disorders
One of the causes of disorders of the balance system is labyrinthitis, due to infection or inflammation of the inner ear. This condition causes the sufferer to experience dizzy spinning.
Impaired balance can also be caused by Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), or Ménière's disease accompanied by hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and full ear feel.
To determine the cause of balance disorders, the ENT doctor will conduct 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 external ear, middle ear, and inner ear. Symptoms of ear infection can include ear pain, hearing loss, fever, or oozing from the ear.
In determining the diagnosis, the ENT doctor will perform a physical examination of the ear, nose and throat. When assessing the condition of the ear, the doctor will use a device called an otoscope.
Generally a mild ear infection can heal on its own. However, if it does not improve, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics or perform irrigation of the ear and expulsion of inflamed fluid in the ear.
Hearing loss or deafness
Hearing loss can occur due to conductive abnormalities (involving the outer or middle ear), sensorineural (involving the inner ear), or a combination of both. The reason could be due to age, exposure to loud noise in the long run, growing tumors that block hearing function, or accumulated earwax.
Treatment given depends on the cause of hearing loss. ENT doctors can clean earwax, recommend the installation of hearing aids, or perform operations, such as the installation of cochlear implants.
Nasal Disorders Commonly Treated by ENT Doctors
The following are examples of complaints on the nose that are often handled by ENT specialists:
Sinusitis
Sinusitis occurs when sinus cavity tissue becomes inflamed or swollen. This condition can be caused by colds, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, and nasal bulk deformities (septal deviation).
Mild sinusitis can be treated by administering decongestant drugs, special fluids for nasal washing, and antibiotics. In addition, moist and warm air can also support sinusitis healing. To keep the air moist, you can use a vaporizer (vaporizer) or humidifier.
Allergy
Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to something that is considered foreign, such as dust, mites, mold, animal dander, certain foods, insect stings, or drugs.
One symptom of allergies is sneezing, nasal congestion, itching and runny. Allergies can be overcome by administering hypo-allergenic drugs (such as antihistamines), immunotherapy, and avoiding substances that cause allergic reactions as prevention.
Smell disorder
Smell disorder causes a person to lose the ability to smell. There are many conditions that cause a person to experience olfactory disorders, including head injury, nasal polyps, olfactory nerve damage, flu, and side effects of treatment. Handling of olfactory disorders depends on the cause.
Throat Disorders Commonly Treated by ENT Doctors
The following are examples of complaints in the throat that are often handled by ENT specialists:
1. Laryngitis
Laryngitis is swelling in the walls of the laryngeal organ (voice box) in the throat. Symptoms that arise 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
Cancer is formed from tissue in the back wall of the nose or throat. Some risk factors for developing nasopharyngeal cancer are a family history of nasopharyngeal cancer, Epstein-Barr virus infection, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Symptoms of this disease can be similar to symptoms of diseases of the nose and other throat, such as sore throat, a lump in the neck or throat, difficulty swallowing, talking, or breathing, and frequent nosebleeds.
To confirm the diagnosis, doctors need to do physical and supportive examinations such as biopsy, CT-scan or MRI of the nose and throat, and blood tests. Treatment can be done with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
3. Diphtheria
Diphtheria is caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms include sore throat, swollen neck, fever, and weakness. In diagnosing, the ENT doctor will observe the signs and symptoms, and conduct investigations such as blood tests. To treat this condition antibiotics are required according to the doctor's prescription.
4. Inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis)
Inflammation of the tonsils occurs when the tonsils (lumps of tissue on both sides of the back of the throat) are swollen due to viral or bacterial infections.
Symptoms include sore throat, tonsils swelling and redness, difficulty or pain in swallowing, there is a white or yellowish coating on the tonsils, swelling in the neck, fever, and bad breath.
Treatment of tonsillitis depends on the cause. If caused by a virus, ENT doctors will generally recommend independent treatment at home. But if the cause is bacteria, the doctor will give antibiotics.
Surgery may be needed if the tonsils recur frequently, treatment using antibiotics does not work, or if inflammation of the tonsils makes it difficult to swallow and breathe.
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 the disease that attacks the ear, nose, and throat, you should check the condition to the ENT doctor. The doctor will conduct a complete examination, as well as provide treatment based on the diagnosis of the disease and its causes.
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