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Their special skills include diagnosing
and managing diseases of the sinuses, larynx
(voice box), oral cavity, and upper pharynx
(mouth and throat), as well as structures of
the neck and face. Otolaryngologists
diagnose, treat, and manage
specialty-specific disorders as well as many
primary care problems in both children and
adults. 2.)
What Do Otolaryngologists Treat?
The Ears—Hearing loss affects one in ten
North Americans. The unique domain of
otolaryngologists is the treatment of ear
disorders. They are trained in both medical
and surgical treatment of hearing, ear
infections, balance disorders, ear noise (tinnitus),
nerve pain, and facial and cranial nerve
disorders. Otolaryngologists also manage
congential (birth) disorders of the outer
and inner ear.
The Nose—About 35 million people develop
chronic sinusities each year, making it one
of the most common health complaints in
America. Care of the nasal cavity and
sinuses is one of the primary skills of
otolaryngologists. Management of the nasal
area includes allergies and sense of smell.
Breathing through, and the appearance of,
the nose are also part of otolaryngologists'
expertise.
The Throat—Communicating (speech and
singing) and eating a meal all involve this
vital area. Also specific to
otolaryngologists is expertise in managing
diseases of the larynx (voice box) and the
upper aero-digestive tract or esophagus,
including voice and swallowing disorders.
The Head and Neck—This center of the body
includes the important nerves that control
sight, smell, hearing, and the face. In the
head and neck area, otolaryngologists are
trained to treat infectious diseases, both
benign and
malignant (cancerous) tumors, facial
trauma, and deformities of the face. They
perform both cosmetic plastic and
reconstructive surgery
3.) What
makes otolaryngologists the most appropriate
physicians to treat disorders
of the ears, nose, throat and related
structures of the head and neck?
These specialists differ from many
physicians in that they are trained in both
medicine and surgery. Otolaryngologists do
not need to refer patients to other
physicians when ear, nose, throat, or
head/neck surgery is needed and, therefore,
can offer the most appropriate care for each
individual patient.
Training and Patient Care
Otolaryngologists are ready to start
practicing after completing up to 15 years
of college and post-graduate training.
To qualify for certification by the
American Board of Otolaryngology, an
applicant must first complete college,
medical school (usually 4 years), and at
least five years of specialty training.
Next, the physician must pass the
American Board of Otolaryngology
examination.
In addition, some otolaryngologists
pursue a one- or two-year fellowship for
more extensive training in one of seven
subspecialty areas.
These subspecialty areas are pediatric
otolaryngology (children), otology/neurotology
(ear, balance, and tinnitus), allergy,
facial plastic and reconstructive surgery,
head and neck, laryngology (throat), and
rhinology (nose).
Some otolaryngologists limit their
parctices to one of these seven areas
4.) Diagnosis
and Treatment in Seven Areas of Expertise
Otology/Neurology:
diseases of the ear, including trauma
(injury, cancer, and nerve pathway
disorders, which affect hearing and balance.
(Examples: ear infection;
swimmer's ear; hearing loss; ear, face,
or neck pain; dizziness, ringing in the ears
(tinnitus).)
Pediatric Otolaryngology:
diseases in children with special ENT
problems including birth defects in the head
and neck and developmental delays.
(Examples: ear infection (otitis
media),
tonsil and adenoid infection, airway
problems, Down's syndrome, asthma and
allergy/sinus disease.)
Head and Neck:
cancerous and noncancerous tumors in the
head and neck, including
thyroid and parathyroid.
Examples: lump in the neck or thyroid,
cancer of the voice box.)
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery:
cosmetic, functional, and reconstructive
surgical treatment of abnormalities of the
face and neck.
(Examples: deviated septum,
rhinoplasty (nose), face lift, cleft palate,
drooping eyelids, hair loss.)
Rhinology:
disorder of the nose and sinuses.
(Examples: sinus disorder, nose bleed,
stuffy nose, loss of smell.)
Laryngology:
disorders of the throat, icluding voice and
swallowing problems.
(Examples: sore throat,
hoarseness,
swallowing disorder, gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD).)
Allergy:
treatment by medication,
immunotherapy (allergy shots) and/or
avoidance of pollen, dust, mold, food, and
other sensitivities that affect ear, nose,
and throat.
(Examples:
hay fever, seasonal and perennial
rhinitis,
chronic sinusitis,
laryngitis, sore throat,
otitis media, dizziness.) |
