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Who are otolaryngologists?

The ear, nose, throat, head, and neck study is known as otolaryngology. An otolaryngologist specializes in otolaryngology and is one of the oldest medical specialties practiced in the USA.

Depending upon a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20 million visits to otolaryngologists or ENT specialists were made in 2010.

Otolaryngologists go through rigorous training for almost a decade before they start practicing. They begin with four years of medical school and then proceed to 5 years of specialty training. Once they complete their training, they must get certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. Apart from this, ENT specialists can also get training for sub-specialties like:

Allergy: These doctors specialize in environmental allergies like pollen or food and the treatment through immunology.

Facial and reconstructive surgery: These doctors specialize in cosmetic surgeries like facelifts or nose reconstruction. They also perform surgeries for people who have suffered significant alterations in their facial structure due to an accident or have been born with deformities.

Laryngology: These doctors specialize in treating vocal cords and voice box conditions. They can treat infections, swelling, etc.

Pediatric ENT: These doctors specialize in treating ENT conditions in kids. Kids require special attention as they often cannot talk about their problems.

Otology and neurotology: These doctors specialize in treating conditions related to the ears, such as infection, hearing loss, tinnitus, etc.

You should immediately see an ear, nose, and throat doctor near you if you suffer from the following symptoms:

• An ear infection.
• Prolonged dizziness or ringing inside the ear.
• Throat-related issues like tonsilitis or problems with voice.
• Sleep troubles like sleep apnea or loud snoring, etc.
• Hearing loss.
• Tumors in the neck or head.
• Allergies.

ENT specialists diagnose and treat diseases and can also perform surgeries such as sinus surgery, sleep disorder surgery, and tonsil removal surgery. 

Standard procedures performed by an ENT doctor

An otolaryngologist, or ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor, may perform various procedures to address medical conditions affecting these areas. Some common methods include:

1. Blepharoplasty: Surgery that removes extra skin from the upper eyelids to improve vision or appearance.
2. Endoscopic sinus surgery: A minimally invasive procedure using small tubes to restore sinus function and alleviate chronic sinus issues.
3. Excision and biopsy: This procedure involves the removal of wholly or partially tumors for further analysis or treatment.
4. Facial plastic surgery: Medical or cosmetic procedures such as rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), facelifts, or chin augmentation, often performed for aesthetic or functional purposes.
5. Myringotomy with pressure equalization tube placement: A procedure commonly done in children with frequent ear infections, helping to prevent fluid buildup in the ears.
6. Neck dissection: A surgical method to remove lymph nodes in the neck to restrict the spread of mouth or throat cancer.
7. Septoplasty: A method to correct a deviated septum by adjusting the bones and cartilage between the nostrils.
8. Surgery for snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): Removal of soft tissue in the throat to help patients breathe better during sleep.
9. Thyroid surgery: Often performed to treat thyroid cancer, this procedure entails the removal of the thyroid gland.
10. Tracheostomy: A procedure where a tube is placed through the trachea to facilitate breathing.
11. Tonsillectomy: The removal of the tonsils to treat recurrent infections or breathing difficulties.
12. Tympanoplasty: Repair of a ruptured eardrum to restore hearing and prevent infections.

Common diseases treated by ENT specialist

Vertigo

Some common symptoms of vertigo include dizziness, imbalance, vomiting, headache, and the constant feeling of the world spinning around you. Some common causes of vertigo are:

1. BPPV: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV is caused by tiny calcium particles that are dislodged and accumulate in the inner ear. BBPV usually happens due to old age.
2. Meniere's disease: It's an inner ear disorder caused due to changes in the pressure inside the ear due to fluid buildup. It causes ringing inside the ear and hearing loss.
3. Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis: This condition is usually caused by inner ear infections. The infections cause swelling around the nerves in the inner ear, which are responsible for keeping the balance in the human body. Some other less common causes of vertigo are head or neck injury, migraine headaches, tumors, or a brain stroke.

Allergic rhinitis

A reaction to allergens such as pollen, food, pet dander, etc, causes allergic rhinitis. Some common symptoms of allergic rhinitis are sneezing, runny nose, coughing, sore throat, watery eyes, headaches, and excessive fatigue.

When your body comes in contact with an allergen, it starts releasing histamines as a natural response to the allergen. Some common allergens include pollen, dust mites, molds, and cat saliva. 

Anyone can develop allergic rhinitis, but people with a history of allergies in their family or people suffering from conditions like asthma or ectopic eczema are more vulnerable. Some triggers that can worsen allergic rhinitis are cigarette smoke, humidity, air pollution, hairsprays, fumes, and wood smoke.

Nasal polyps 

Nasal polyps are non-cancerous growths of lining tissues or mucosa inside the nose, which cause congestion and difficulty in breathing. The nasal polyps commonly grow due to infection or allergy. Nasal polyps are round-like and cause a blockage in the nasal passage. Although nasal polyps can develop in people with no history of nasal problems, some triggers cause nasal polyps, such as recurring sinus infections, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and allergic rhinitis. 

Nasal polyps are generally painless and soft; therefore, you may not be aware of the growth as it lacks sensation. A few common symptoms of nasal polyps are runny nose, congestion inside the nose, reduced sense of smell, feeling of pressure on the forehead or face, sleep apnea, snoring, and postnasal drip.

Doctors diagnose nasal polyps by looking inside the nasal passage with an instrument called a nasoscope. A MRI scan or CT scan may also be necessary to determine the shape, size, and location of the nasal polyp.

What is the difference between an ENT doctor and an audiologist?

If you have hearing loss or other ear-related concerns, you might be considering seeking medical advice. Many are unsure whether to consult with an audiologist or an ENT doctor. While there are similarities in their work, audiologists and ENT doctors specialize in different treatments and areas. It's important to choose which professional is suitable for your situation. So, what sets an audiologist apart from an ENT doctor?

An audiologist is a specialized healthcare expert who identifies, diagnoses, and treats problems related to hearing and balance in the ear. They focus on hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance problems. Audiologists are experts in the technology used to address these conditions. If you require hearing aids to manage your hearing loss, an audiologist can guide you on fitting them.

If you're struggling to follow conversations or need to turn up the TV volume significantly, it's a clear indicator of hearing difficulties. When you schedule an appointment with an audiologist, they conduct tests to determine the cause of your hearing loss. Whether related to aging or prolonged exposure to loud noises, they recommend managing it, including options like hearing aids. Occasionally, they may identify an underlying problem requiring the expertise of an ENT doctor, to whom they will refer you.

Consulting with an ear, nose, throat doctor near you is essential if you're experiencing issues with your ears, nose, or throat due to a medical condition. For instance, an audiologist may recommend seeing an ENT specialist if an ear infection impacts your hearing. While audiologists assist in managing hearing loss, ENT doctors provide comprehensive treatments, including potential surgical interventions, to address various medical issues. 

The ENT doctors also treat bacterial and viral infections such as strep throat or tonsillitis. Additionally, if you observe any unusual lumps or potential tumors in the areas of your ears, nose, or throat, seeking an ENT doctor is crucial. The professionals are trained to address cancer-related concerns in these regions.

If an ENT doctor finds no medical issues causing your symptoms and identifies general hearing loss, they'll direct you to an audiologist. While both professionals address similar problems, ENT doctors handle complex medical issues. Audiologists specialize in diagnosing and managing hearing loss using technology to enhance your quality of life.

Find an ear, nose, and throat doctor near you in West LA, Los Angeles

Diseases like Allergic Rhinitis require immediate attention from doctors as they tend to worsen if left untreated. Zocdoc helps you book appointments in no time and get proper care without much hassle. Zocdoc also provides enough information about top-rated ENT doctors, such as their educational qualifications, certifications, accepted insurance, and the languages the specialist speaks, to help you make the right choice. If you have more than one insurance plan, you can add your medical, dental, and vision plans to your Zocdoc account. However, you can only search for and book an appointment using one insurance plan at a time. When booking, you can include your secondary insurance carrier and plan details in the notes section for the provider during the final step. If your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you also have the option to add your secondary insurance information while completing the online forms. For more insurance-related information, please visit Zocdoc's patient help center.

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Need of ENT doctors in California

In accordance with the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 15% of Americans aged 18 and over report trouble in hearing, and men are twice more likely to have hearing loss than women aged between 20 and 69. According to the Cancer Statistics Center by the American Cancer Society, there are 5,370 cases of pharynx cancer and 820 cases of larynx cancer in California. Among these, 1030 people have died of pharynx cancer annually.

Sources

Healthline [1] 

WebMD 

Healthline [2] 

Healthline [3] 

ENT Specialists, PC

WebMD[2]

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.