Sometimes our voice changes, we have difficulty swallowing, or we feel a little short of breath, right? These things may be due to your ' There may be a problem with the voice box , or in medical terms, the larynx. That's when we need to learn about the medical field called Laryngology.
What is Laryngology?
Simply put, `Laryngology` is a special branch of medicine. It deals with diagnosing and treating diseases related to your larynx, that is, the 'voice box' that we use when we speak, sing, and make sounds. The larynx is located at the front of your neck. This is where your vocal cords are located. Not only does the larynx play a very important role in speaking and making sounds, but it also plays a very important role in swallowing food and breathing. To be precise, it is like the entrance to our windpipe.
Who is a Laryngologist? What does he do?
Okay, so who is a `laryngologist`? He is a doctor who specializes in the larynx. If you have a voice problem, difficulty swallowing, or any other problem related to the larynx, you will need to see a specialist like this.
He/She does:
- Accurately diagnoses diseases of your larynx .
- They prescribe the necessary medications and provide the necessary treatment. Sometimes, surgery is also required.
- We will educate you on how to keep your larynx healthy.
- Sometimes, if the support of other specialists is needed, that is also coordinated .
A laryngologist treats a number of diseases, including:
- Things like non-cancerous (benign) tumors that form on the vocal cords.
- Cancerous or cancerous ( precancerous ( growths) .
- Infectious or inflammatory conditions .
- Autoimmune diseases .
- Neurological conditions .
- Airway problems .
- Vocal cord motion abnormalities .
Laryngologists are also skilled in diagnosing and treating damage to the vocal cords, whether from overuse or misuse of the voice. In addition, the larynx can be damaged by surgery on the neck or throat, for example, thyroid gland surgery, vascular surgery , thoracic surgery, or breathing tube placement. In such cases, you can also seek the help of a laryngologist.
What is the difference between a Laryngologist and an ENT?
You may have heard of `ENT` doctors. `ENT` stands for `Otolaryngologist`. `Laryngology` is another subspecialty of `Otolaryngology`. That means, every laryngologist is an `ENT`. However, not every `ENT` is a laryngologist.
Think of it this way: an ENT doctor treats a wide range of common ear, nose, and throat conditions. However, a laryngologist specializes in problems related to the larynx, especially those related to the voice, airway, and swallowing .
Simply put: every laryngologist is an otolaryngologist, but not every otolaryngologist is a laryngologist.
What conditions does a Laryngologist treat?
Now let's look at some of the conditions that a laryngologist might treat. You may have heard of some of these.
- Dysphagia: This is when you have difficulty swallowing food or drink. This can happen when the larynx does not close properly when we swallow, or when food cannot pass from the throat into the esophagus. This is common in some people after a stroke . It can also occur after neck surgery or radiation treatments for head and neck cancer.
- Laryngeal cancer: This is a serious condition. It is a cancer that starts in the larynx, or voice box. People who smoke are at a higher risk of developing this cancer. People who smoke and drink alcohol excessively (more than one drink a day) are at an even higher risk.
- Laryngeal papillomatosis: This is a chronic infection . It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Wart-like, non-cancerous growths develop inside the larynx. They can spread throughout the respiratory system, from the nose to the lungs.
- Laryngeal stenosis: This is a narrowing of the airway where the larynx is located. This can happen if scar tissue develops in the airway or if both vocal cords cannot move properly. This can be caused by diseases that cause inflammation, diseases that weaken the muscles, and injuries to the larynx.
- Laryngitis: This is inflammation of the voice box. Infection, smoking, chronic acid reflux (GERD), and overexertion of the vocal cords can cause this. This is what causes the throat to become sore and the voice to become hoarse.
- Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR): This is when stomach acid flows back up the esophagus into the throat. This can cause chest pain, coughing, hoarseness, and sore throat.
- Spasmodic dysphonia: This is a rare neurological disorder. When you speak, the muscles in your voice tighten or spasm without your control. This can make your voice sound hoarse or slurred.
- Vocal cord hemorrhage: This occurs when one or more blood vessels in the vocal cords burst, causing blood to fill the soft tissue inside. This can happen when you scream, shout, or generally strain your vocal cords.
- Vocal cord lesions: These include nodules, polyps, and cysts. These are noncancerous growths. They can develop on one or both vocal cords. They are most common in people who use their voices frequently, such as singers, teachers, lawyers, and salespeople.
- Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD): This is when your vocal cords close when you need to breathe. This can be caused by many things, including GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), environmental irritants, exercise, or stress.
- Vocal cord paralysis: This is when one or both vocal cords do not open or close properly. Symptoms include difficulty speaking, swallowing, and difficulty breathing.
- Voice disorders: This includes a variety of conditions and symptoms that affect the larynx or vocal cords. Causes can range from simple illnesses like the common cold to more serious conditions that damage the nerves or muscles of the larynx. However , the most common cause is overuse or misuse of the voice.
What kind of education and training is required to become a Laryngologist?
Becoming a laryngologist is not an easy journey. First, you need to complete the full training required to become an `ENT` specialist (`Otolaryngologist`). Then, you get a `fellowship` in `Laryngology`. Typically, in a country like the United States, this journey goes like this:
- A bachelor's degree (about 4 years).
- Medical degree (about 4 years).
- Specialist training in Otolaryngology (approximately 5 years).
- Board certification (must pass the American Board of Otolaryngology exam).
- Postgraduate fellowship in Laryngology (approximately 2 years).
In Sri Lanka, there is a similar long training process to acquire this specialized knowledge.
When should I see a laryngologist?
Okay, now you're probably thinking, 'When should I see a laryngologist?'
Your family doctor (Primary Care Provider) can usually refer you to a laryngologist, especially if you have breathing or swallowing problems related to the larynx.
Or, if you have symptoms like hoarseness that don't improve within two to four weeks, you may want to see a laryngologist or an ENT specialist. Frequent vocal abuse and misuse can cause changes in the way your vocal cords function. If left untreated, these can cause permanent damage, so be careful.
If your voice has been hoarse for more than two to four weeks for no reason, definitely see an ENT or laryngologist.
In fact, every `ENT` doctor is trained to successfully treat many conditions related to the head and neck. That includes diseases related to the larynx. However, if your condition is a bit more complicated , it is better to see a laryngologist. Because, as mentioned earlier, laryngology is a subspecialty of `ENT` itself. They are the real experts when it comes to matters related to the larynx.
They can accurately diagnose and treat your condition, and they can work with other specialists to ensure you receive comprehensive care.
Especially if your job depends on your voice – for example, as a public speaker, actor/actress, singer/songwriter, teacher, or sales representative – it is valuable to have a laryngologist on your healthcare team.
Finally, things to remember
So, now you probably understand that Laryngology is an important medical field that addresses problems related to our voice, swallowing, and breathing through the larynx.
- If you have a noticeable change in your voice, difficulty swallowing, or a sore throat that lasts for several weeks, don't ignore it. Seek medical advice immediately.
- A laryngologist is an ENT doctor who specializes in problems related to the larynx.
- It is very important for those who work in professions that depend on the voice to seek the help of a laryngologist.
- Don't forget that smoking and excessive alcohol consumption contribute to serious diseases like laryngeal cancer.
Your voice is your most valuable asset. It is your responsibility to protect it. If you have any problems, don't hesitate to seek medical advice as soon as possible. That way, many problems can be resolved before they become serious.
` Laryngology, larynx, voice, ENT specialist, throat diseases, voice disorders, difficulty swallowing
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