Who is an ear, nose & throat doctor?
The ear, nose & throat (ENT) specialty emerged as a brand-new field of medicine around the 19th century. Doctors discovered that a network of tubes and channels intricately connects the throat, nose, and ears. Naturally, people developed unique instruments to look at these areas more closely and provide accurate solutions to multiple issues. Hence, it called for dedicated experts to perform these procedures.
As the name suggests, ear, nose & throat doctors are medical professionals with specialized training in ear, nose, and throat problems. They treat patients of all ages, and you can also count on them for related neck and head issues. They are also called otolaryngologists; people may refer to them as ENT doctors.
ENTs are also qualified to perform surgeries and address various medical conditions. An ENT might be able to help you if you are experiencing the following issues:
- Ear conditions, like an infection, hearing loss, or trouble with balance
- Nose and nasal problems such as allergies, sinusitis, or growths
- Throat issues like tonsillitis, difficulty swallowing, and voice issues
- Sleep-related troubles like snoring or obstructive sleep apnea, where patients experience interrupted breathing during sleeping due to narrowing of, or blockages in, the airways
- Infections or tumors (cancerous or otherwise) in your head or neck
- Hoarseness or wheezing that won't go away
- Repeated episodes of dizziness or vertigo
Otolaryngologists collaborate with a wide range of different health providers, including nurses (both registered nurses and nurse practitioners), physician assistants, social workers, dietitians, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. However, ENTs work the most with two specialties: audiologists and speech-language pathologists. The team approach helps in better patient care.
Educational qualifications of ear, nose & throat doctors
ENT doctors attend medical school for four years and receive special training for at least five years. Ultimately, students must qualify for a test to earn the American Board of Otolaryngology certification.
Moreover, some doctors may choose to specialize in one of the following specialties, which takes around 1-2 years:
- Allergy: These doctors use therapeutic medications or a series of shots known as immunology to treat environmental allergies. Examples include pollen, pet dander, and more. They can also help determine whether you are allergic to any foods.
- Facial and reconstructive surgery: These surgeons perform aesthetic procedures like facelifts and nose jobs. They also help people whose appearances have been altered due to an accident or those born with defects that need correction.
- Head and neck experts can assist you if you have a tumor in the nose, mouth, sinuses, throat, voice box, or upper esophagus.
- Laryngology: These experts treat conditions that affect the voice box, larynx, and vocal cords. They can also assist with the diagnosis and treatment of swallowing issues.
- Otology and neurotology: If you are experiencing any ear-related problems, you must see these experts. They treat ear infections, hearing loss, dizziness, and ringing or buzzing (tinnitus).
- Pediatric ENT: Children often face difficulties communicating issues bothering them since they do not quite understand them. Pediatric ENTs specifically train in treating children and design their exam rooms and equipment in ways that make children feel comfortable. Pediatric ENTs also help children with head and neck birth abnormalities. Also, they may be able to identify any speech or language issues your child may have.
- Rhinology: These medical professionals specialize in nose and sinus issues. They take care of uncommon growths, sinusitis, nose bleeding, loss of smell, and stuffy nose.
- Sleep medicine: These ENTs specialize in sleep medicine and treat breathing-related sleep disorders, including snoring and sleep apnea. If you occasionally experience breathing difficulties while sleeping, your doctor may request a sleep study.
Understanding what knowledge and experience an ENT specialist has about your condition is one of the most important factors to consider while choosing.
Some common ENT treatment procedures
Some of the procedures that an ENT specialist can perform are as follows:
- Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that addresses excess skin on the upper eyelids.
- Endoscopic sinus surgery is a minimally invasive technique that employs small instruments to enhance sinus functionality.
- Excision and biopsy involve the removal of a tumor, either fully or partially.
- Facial plastic surgery encompasses a range of medical and aesthetic procedures, such as rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), rhytidectomy (facelifts), and genioplasty (chin enhancement), often undertaken for cosmetic purposes.
- Septoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to correct a deviated septum by straightening the bone and cartilage that divide the nostrils.
What can you expect from your first ENT consultation?
Before your first visit to an ENT doctor, you may have to fill out a patient registration form sharing your details and insurance/concession information, if applicable.
During the visit, your specialist will discuss your symptoms, general health, and medical history to help understand your condition, followed by examining your ear, nose, and throat. Based on the examination, they may conclude a diagnosis or recommend some tests to get more clarity. Once the test results are in, they will prepare a treatment plan and prescribe medications or suggest lifestyle changes. They may also call you for a follow-up visit to track the progress of the treatment and monitor your condition.
In addition, they will also provide you with some education about healthy living that can prevent future health outbreaks in these body parts.
What are allergies, and how do ENT doctors treat them?
Allergies occur when your body responds excessively to foreign proteins, often harmless ones. If you're allergic to a specific protein, your immune system overreacts when it encounters it in your body.
When you have allergies, the first encounter with a specific allergen prompts your body to create immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These IgE antibodies stick to mast cells in your skin, respiratory tract, i.e., airways, and the mucous membrane throughout your gastrointestinal tract.
The antibodies identify allergens in your body and transport them to mast cells, where they connect to a specific receptor and trigger the release of histamine, which is responsible for your allergy symptoms.
Allergies are common, and over 50 million Americans experience allergic reactions annually. And this makes allergy the country's sixth-leading cause of chronic illness. Moreover, anyone can be affected by allergies. Your likelihood of having allergies increases if your biological parents also have them.
If you suspect allergies, don't delay the treatment and hope your symptoms will disappear. If your symptoms continue for over a week or two or recur seasonally, schedule a visit to an ear, nose, and throat doctor near you or specialists called allergists.
These doctors can diagnose your condition with tests. There are various allergy tests, such as skin pricks, blood tests, etc.
- Skin prick tests determine the allergens responsible for your allergy symptoms. During this test, the doctor uses a fine needle to prick your skin with small amounts of potential allergens, observing for any skin reactions.
- Blood tests, specifically IgE tests, also detect allergies but are less sensitive than skin prick tests. These tests assess IgE antibodies your immune system produces in response to a particular protein.
Once the root cause of allergy is determined, allergy meds, both OTC and prescribed, can help manage your symptoms. However, the most essential step is to avoid allergens.
How to find a qualified ear, nose, and throat doctor near you in Englewood, Colorado?
Zocdoc is the ideal platform to locate the best ENT doctors practicing in your vicinity. With Zocdoc, you can tailor your search based on various factors. The platform asks you about your symptoms or conditions (like recurrent ear pain, a neck lump, or cleft lip), type of physician (like an otologist, laryngologist, or cosmetic surgeon), your location (home or office), and availability. Moreover, Zocdoc enables you to locate ENT specialists who will accept payments from your health insurance. As soon as you choose your current medical insurance policy and plan from the drop-down menu on Zocdoc, the app will display all the in-network ENT providers.
If you can't find your medical insurance plan on Zocdoc, upload a photo of your insurance card. Zocdoc will automatically scan the image and display the plan that is most likely for you. This feature isn't available for dental or vision insurance cards. If you face any issues while uploading the image, don't hesitate to contact Zocdoc's service team for assistance. Additionally, you can check out Zocdoc's patient help center for answers to any further insurance-related queries.
Every ENT doctor on Zocdoc has their respective profile. It contains details on the doctors' background, like years of training, fellowships, certifications, licenses, awards, and professional experience such as accreditation, affiliations, and years of work experience. It also displays the locations, days, and hours when they offer consultations, any patient age ranges, and more. The profiles also mention the doctor's gender, language preferences, and cultural background. Additionally, you can rely on verified patient reviews and ratings to make an informed decision.
With Zocdoc, you can schedule in-person and online appointments days before, 24 hours prior, or on the same day as the appointment, depending on the doctor's availability. Zocdoc makes finding the best ear, nose, and throat doctor near you in Colorado a matter of just a few clicks.
All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!
Statistics for ear, nose & throat-related conditions in Colorado, USA
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders provides statistics on hearing issues in the USA. It notes that among every 1,000 babies born in the country, 2 to 3 of them have a detectable level of hearing loss. It may either be in one or both ears. The institute also states that approximately 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents. Among the 37.5 million adults in America over 18, around 15% report having hearing issues. Adults aged 20 to 69 had the highest rates of hearing loss in the 60 to 69 age group, with age being the most significant predictor of hearing loss among adults. When it comes to people between the ages of 20 and 69, men develop hearing loss twice as likely as women.
Young children experience ear infections very often. Data from the Children's Hospital Colorado suggests that around 90% of children have at least one ear infection. An earache is the predominant sign of ear infections. Younger children act fussy, cry, or have trouble sleeping because of pain, and about 50% of them develop a fever. The complications include small tears in the eardrum, which happens in almost 5% to 10% of children.
Sources
National Cancer Institute
WebMD
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery[1]
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery[2]
Healthline
ENT Specialists Group
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Children's Hospital Colorado
Cleveland Clinic
