Things You Should Know About Ear, Nose, and Throat Health

Most people have experienced ear infections, sore throats, and sinus problems. But many people aren’t aware that there is a specific kind of doctor that specializes in treating these, and more, major problems associated with the ears, nose, and throat.

Head and neck cancer:  Sinus cancer, throat and mouth cancer, and even some skin cancers found on the head and neck are treated by an ENT.

Hearing disorders: ENT’s deal specifically with hearing disorders caused by ear infections, eardrum trauma, tumors, and inner ear problems.

A different kind of doctor called an audiologist deals with other hearing-related problems such as ringing in the ears or hearing loss due to age.

Nasal and Sinus disorders: Common causes of sinus problems are

An ENT will be able to diagnose your sinus problems and direct you about the best course of treatment.

Thyroid disorders: The thyroid is a gland that helps control metabolism.

Many health conditions are related to the thyroid, so ENT’s treat thyroid diseases such as hyperthyroidism, which is an overactive thyroid or hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid.

Snoring and sleep apnea:  Although snoring is extremely common and most people don’t give it a second thought, others find that snoring keeps them from getting a good night’s sleep. An ENT will be able to help you determine the cause of the snoring. Often it’s simply related to allergies or a minor sinus issue and can be resolved easily.

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to stop breathing momentarily while they sleep. This can eventually cause heart and lung problems if it is left untreated.

Trachea and Esophagus Related Conditions: The trachea and Esophagus are the two parts of the throat.Some people experience disorders that can affect their swallowing. An ENT is able to treat these conditions and offer relief.

An ENT is specialized in treating numerous more conditions than just those listed above. It is a good idea to see an ENT for minor, everyday problems like environmental allergies, to more major conditions related to the head and neck.