otorhinolaryngolog

Otorhinolaryngology, commonly known as ENT, is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the ear, nose, and throat, as well as related structures of the head and neck. Physicians specializing in this field are called otorhinolaryngologists, or more commonly, ENT doctors.

The scope of otorhinolaryngology is broad, encompassing a wide range of medical and surgical issues. In the ear, it includes hearing loss, ear infections, balance disorders, and tinnitus. For the nose, ENT doctors manage sinusitis, nasal polyps, allergies, and epistaxis (nosebleeds). Conditions of the throat treated by otorhinolaryngologists include tonsillitis, pharyngitis, voice disorders, and swallowing difficulties. Furthermore, the specialty extends to the management of congenital conditions, tumors, trauma, and infections of the head and neck region.

ENT doctors utilize various diagnostic tools such as audiometry, endoscopy, imaging studies like CT scans and MRIs, and laboratory tests. Treatment approaches can range from medical management, including medications and therapies, to surgical interventions. These surgical procedures may involve removing tonsils and adenoids, repairing perforated eardrums, correcting deviated septums, or removing cancerous growths. Otorhinolaryngology plays a crucial role in maintaining vital functions like breathing, hearing, speaking, and swallowing.