A doctor for head and neck diseases: Who is an otolaryngologist?

Have you ever had a problem with your ear, nose, or throat and wondered who to see? Maybe your family doctor referred you to a specialist. Today, we're going to talk about a specialist who can help us at times like these. That's the otolaryngologist . Although the name may sound a bit long, these people treat many diseases related to our head and neck.

Who is this 'Otolaryngologist'? Simply put...

An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions related to your head and neck. They can perform nonsurgical treatments, as well as surgical treatments if necessary. This means that these doctors can help with conditions that can be treated with medication, as well as conditions that require surgery.

This name sounds a bit strange, doesn't it? It's pronounced 'Oto-laryn-go-lo-gist'. But because it's hard to remember, many people call these doctors by another short name.

Is this the same as an 'ENT' doctor?

Yes, you are right! You have probably heard of an 'ENT' doctor many times. 'ENT' is an acronym for 'Ear, Nose, and Throat' . It means a doctor who specializes in the ears, nose, and throat . So, an ' Otolaryngologist ' is also called an 'ENT' doctor.

Now you might be wondering, why use the long name 'otolaryngologist' for this, when it's easier to just say 'ENT'? Actually, 'ENT' is the most commonly used term, because it's easier to remember. However, the medically correct term is 'otolaryngologist'.

Many 'otolaryngologists' prefer to be called by that name, because they treat not only the ear, nose, and throat, but also a wider range of head and neck diseases. Therefore, they say that the term 'ENT' does not fully describe their services.

How do you become an Otolaryngologist?

Becoming a specialist like this is not easy. It requires a lot of dedication and education.

First, you need to pass the Ordinary Level and Advanced Level exams and obtain a medical degree (MBBS) from the university. Then, to become an 'otolaryngologist', that is, to acquire specialized knowledge related to the head and neck, you need to undergo another five years of special residency training .

Imagine how long that would take to learn! Some doctors go even further and learn about other subspecialties within the same field. For example, there are things like pediatric otolaryngology ( specializing in ear, nose, and throat diseases in young children) and reconstructive surgery ( surgery that repairs parts of the face or neck that have been damaged, such as in an accident).

What are the main diseases that an 'otolaryngologist' treats?

As we mentioned before, these doctors and nurses treat a wide range of conditions that affect the head and neck. These can be as minor as a simple cough or a runny nose , or as serious as head and neck cancer.

Because of this, they are trained in both non-surgical and surgical treatments. Let's take a look at the main categories of diseases they treat.

Ear conditions

If you have any problems with your ears, this is the doctor you should see.

• Ear infections: Infections that occur in the outer ear, middle ear, or inner ear.
• Tinnitus : The sensation of a ringing or noise in the ears. For some people, this can be a nuisance even when they are sleeping at night.
• Dizziness: A feeling of being off balance. This can often be caused by problems in the inner ear.
• Vertigo: This is a little different from dizziness. In vertigo, you feel like things around you are spinning, or you feel like you are spinning.
• Ruptured eardrum: A hole in the eardrum, or tympanic membrane .
• Eustachian tube dysfunction: Blockage of the tube that connects the middle ear to the upper throat. This can cause a feeling of stuffiness in the ear.
• Otosclerosis: An abnormal growth of the bones in the middle ear.
• Ménière's disease: A rare disease of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance.
• Hearing loss: This can range from mild to complete deafness.

Nose conditions

These doctors also treat various problems that arise in the nose.

• Sinusitis: Inflammation or infection of the air sacs (sinuses) around the nose. This can cause a headache and nasal congestion.
• Allergies: Allergies caused by things like pollen, pet dander, and dust.
• Rhinitis: Inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose.
• Nosebleeds: Nosebleeds can occur for a variety of reasons, including infections, allergies, and injuries.
• Postnasal drip: Excess mucus flows down the back of the throat. This can cause a constant feeling of clearing your throat.
• Deviated septum: Deviation of the cartilage between the nostrils (septum): Deviation of the cartilage separating the two nasal cavities (septum) to one side.
• Nasal polyps: Non-cancerous growths that commonly occur in people with frequent allergies, asthma, or sinus infections.
• Nasal and paranasal tumors: Tumors that develop inside the nose can be cancerous or noncancerous.

Throat conditions

These specialists also treat things like sore throats and difficulty swallowing.

• Sore throat: Can be caused by infections, allergies, or exposure to certain irritants.
• Tonsillitis: Infection of the tonsils.
• Laryngitis: Inflammation of the voice box. This causes the voice to become hoarse.
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia): Difficulty swallowing food or drink. This can be caused by a problem in the mouth, throat, or esophagus.
• Vocal cord conditions: Conditions such as vocal nodules, vocal cord dysfunction, or vocal cord paralysis.

Sleep disorders

You might be surprised, but these doctors also treat some sleep-related problems.

• Snoring: Snoring can occur when the soft tissues of the upper airway become too loose during sleep. This noise is produced when air passes through this narrowed tissue.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: This is a condition in which the airway becomes narrowed or completely blocked due to relaxation of the airway tissue. This causes temporary cessation of breathing during sleep (apneic episodes).

Tumors of your head and neck

These doctors can surgically remove tumors (cancerous and non-cancerous) from the head and neck. Some examples are:

• Hemangiomas: These are non-cancerous growths containing large amounts of blood vessels. They are common in newborn babies.
• Salivary gland tumors: These can be cancerous or non-cancerous.
• Oral cancer: The most common type of head and neck cancer. It can affect the lips, inside the cheeks, tongue, and the upper and lower parts of the mouth.
• Oropharyngeal cancer: A cancer that affects the middle part of the throat. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma.
• Laryngeal cancer: A cancer that affects the vocal cords (larynx).
• Nasopharyngeal cancer: A cancer that affects the upper part of the throat (nasopharynx), which connects the nose to the rest of the respiratory system.
• Thyroid cancer: A cancer that affects the hormone-producing thyroid gland, which is shaped like a butterfly in the neck.

When should we see an otolaryngologist?

Most often, your family doctor (Primary Care Physician - PCP) will refer you to this type of specialist. If you have the following symptoms, it's a good idea to see an otolaryngologist:

• A persistent sore throat.
• Persistent vaginal discharge (at least two weeks or less)
• A prolonged cough.
• Frequent sinus congestion or nasal congestion.
• Dizziness.
• Vertigo ( a feeling of spinning around you)
• Severe allergies.
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
• Hearing impairment.
• A persistent hoarse voice or a hiss.
• Frequent ear infections.
• Frequent tonsillitis (chronic tonsillitis).
• A new lump on the face or neck.
• Severe snoring.
• Sleep apnea.

Important: Having one or more of these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have a serious illness. However, it's wise to see a doctor to find out exactly what's wrong.

What is a 'Board-certified Otolaryngologist'?

This is also worth knowing. Being 'board-certified' means that the doctor, in addition to their specialist training, has voluntarily taken and passed special tests to verify their skills and professional dedication . This includes written, oral, and even practical exams.

Simply put, this is like another high-quality certification of their knowledge and skills. Sri Lanka also has boards that recognize such specialist doctors.

Finally, things to remember

So, an 'Otolaryngologist', or as we all know an 'ENT' doctor, is a very important specialist who treats diseases related to our head and neck. If you have a persistent problem with your ear, nose, or throat, or if you have any of the symptoms we discussed earlier, do not hesitate to consult your family doctor and, if necessary, see an 'Otolaryngologist'.

Early detection and treatment can often lead to faster recovery and prevention of serious conditions. So, take care of your health.

` Otolaryngologist, ENT, ear, nose, throat, head and neck diseases, hearing problems