What Does an ENT Doctor Do?

what does an ent doctor do

Many health issues cause patients to visit their doctor’s office. Some of the most prevalent ones are linked to conditions related to the ears, nose, and throat. As a result, an ENT doctor or Otolarynologist is often the best option for treatment.

What is an ENT?

ENT stands for Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. ENT is a qualified medical doctor who has undergone special training in the field of medicine and surgery related to the head, neck, nose, ear, and throat. Their special training makes them suitable to handle various health issues that affect these areas.

Some of the various health issues that may be dealt with by an ENT are:

Sinuses and sinusitis

If you are suffering from sinusitis, you may feel pain and experience headaches and pressure between and behind your eyes. Patients sometimes describe experiencing sharp, dull, and throbbing pains as their primary symptoms.

Ear wax removal

An ear wax remover is designed specifically to help to eliminate any plugs of wax that form in your ear. Ear wax removers come in all shapes, sizes, and forms to soften and then remove the hardened wax that causes bothersome side effects. However, many over the counter or home remedy options can end up doing more harm than good. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of wax build up in your ear canal, you should see an experienced ENT for professional and safe treatment.

Nasal obstructions

Nasal obstruction is one of the primary reasons men and women choose to have rhinoplasty or nose surgery. Most cases of nasal blockage are normal, temporary conditions; however, others can be persistent, frustrating, and even cause problems with breathing. Nasal obstruction can cause swelling of the nasal linings and other side effects that interfere with the way you breathe.

Broken noses

Broken noses occur when the nose cartilage breaks. This condition normally happens because of accidents or trauma. This is a very common injury for people who often participate in sports.

The following are the main symptoms of broken noses:

*The nose might appear bent with some crookedness
*Pain in the nose
*Bruises below the eyes and on the nose
*Excessive nose bleeding
*Breathing difficulty via nasal passage

 

Snoring

What is snoring?

Snoring is the sound generated by vibration of the respiratory structures including your soft palate, uvula, and others because of obstruction of the air while sleeping.

What are common causes of snoring?

• Differences in structure. Because men are born with narrower airways, they are more prone to snoring than women.
• Age. As is true with other parts of your body, the older you get, the more wear and tear your throat experiences. Because of this, your throat narrows and loses strength.
• Sinus issues and nasal congestion. Possibly, the most common cause of snoring is a blocked nasal passage. When your airways are obstructed or congested, you struggle to breathe because of the mucus buildup which then creates the snoring sound.
• Being obese or overweight. Having too much fat and weak muscle tone can largely contribute to a person snoring.
• Drinking, smoking, and taking certain medications. Ingesting alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and taking certain medications can result in snoring due to the muscles of your throat relaxing more than usual.
• Posture while sleeping. When you sleep flat on your back facing up, the muscles of the throat tend to relax and obstruct your airway.

Deviated septum

The septum is the tissue that separates the nostrils. A deviated septum is a septum that is not straight but crooked. This deviation can be the cause of sleep disorder issues that can lead to snoring or even sleep apnea. The condition can cause nasal congestion causing a person to breathe through the mouth instead of the nose while sleeping. Mouth breathing can cause the air coming in to go more directly over the uvula and soft palate in the oral cavity. If you have restricted airflow as you breathe, it is more likely these parts will vibrate, causing the snoring sound.

Dr. Dedo was fortunate to have trained under the top ENT doctor in the 1970s. He is triple board certified in ear, nose and throat and facial/cosmetic surgery. Dr. Dedo has been fully accredited by the AAAHC for 37 years. This accreditation affords patients the assurance of safety and credibility. If you are experiencing any troubles with your ears, nose, or throat, contact us today for a thorough evaluation.