Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology can be described as a field of medicine concerned with surgical and medical management of disorders related to head and neck portions. The role of an otolaryngologist are as follows:
The specialized doctors associated with otolaryngology are known as otolaryngologists or ear, nose, and tongue (ENT) surgeons. Patients suffering from ear, head, neck, nose, and throat often seek help from otolaryngologists.
Otolaryngology was discovered in the late 1800s, during which the physicians discovered that the various head and neck regions of the human body were interconnected.
The ENT surgery is quite famous for the surgical management of cancers or tumor-related to head and neck regions. The medical training of otolaryngologists includes completing medical school followed by 5-7 years of post-graduation surgical training.
The residency training of 5 years in various countries is necessary along with the fellowship.
The fellowship may include multiple sub-specialties such as sinus surgery, facial plastic surgery, and laryngology.
The Otolaryngologists undertake various surgical procedures of the head and neck tissues, muscles, and other significant portions. Some of the major subspecialties of otolaryngologists include otology, neurotology, rhinology, laryngology, facial plastic, reconstructive surgery, and more.
Common Conditions Treated by Otolaryngologist
Otolaryngologists provide their services for a diverse range of diseases due to a dense understanding of otolaryngology. It is concerned with the management of head and neck-related conditions. The otolaryngologists treat the following common conditions:
Chronic sinusitis: It can be described as a condition affecting the tissues found in sinuses. In chronic sinusitis, the sinus tissues become inflamed and blocked due to the accumulation of mucus. The sinuses are located inside the nose and the head region.
Deviated nasal septum: It is one of the significant factors contributing to chronic sinusitis and other breathing disorders. The nasal septum can be described as the cartilaginous portion present between the nose’s two nostrils. The deviated septum can be present from birth or develop due to an injury.
Drooping eyelids: In this condition, the eyelids become saggy as an effect of aging. However, other medical conditions such as diabetes, tumor, and more can lead to drooping eyelids.
Tinnitus: It can be described as a condition during which an individual suffers from high-pitched ringing in the ears. This ringing of the ears is caused due to long-time exposure to noise, hearing loss, and more.
Tonsil or adenoid infection: The adenoids represent the soft tissue mass found in the back throat region. They are responsible for filtering microbes out of the human body. However, sometimes they become infected due to the invasion of bacteria. The invasion of bacteria in adenoid tissue causes inflammation and irritation.
Voice disorders: Injury or infection to the vocal cords may lead to different voice disorders such as hoarseness, loss of voice, and vocal fatigue.
Standard Procedures Performed by Otolaryngologist
If a person seeks help from an Otolaryngologist for hearing issues, the diagnosis usually begins with hearings tests and determines the reasons behind hearing loss. Similarly, the specialist goes through some physical examination followed by surgical procedures for throat conditions related to speech and communicative issues. Some surgical procedures performed by otolaryngologist includes:
Endoscopic sinus surgery: The inflammation or blockage of sinuses is treated by a surgical procedure called endoscopic sinus surgery. During endoscopic sinus surgery, the specialist inserts a device called an endoscope into the nose to visualize the sinuses. After checking the condition, a surgical instrument is used to remove the material blocking the sinuses.
Facial plastic surgery: The individual suffering from congenital abnormalities or an injury may undergo facial plastic surgery to reconstruct the face features. Facial surgery can be cosmetic that may help enhance features and wrinkles of the face.
Blepharoplasty: This surgical procedure is majorly used to treat saggy skin, such as droopy eyelids or excess skin affecting a person’s vision.
