Frequently Asked Questions About Otolaryngology

• What is an otolaryngologist?
• What types of medical problems do otolaryngologists treat?
• What kind of training does an ear, nose, and throat specialist undergo?
• How is an otolaryngologist different from other physicians?
• What are the special areas of expertise of an ear, nose, and throat specialist?

What is an otolaryngologist?

Otolaryngologists are physicians trained in the medical and surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases of the head and neck. They are often referred to as ENT physicians, but are actually regional specialists of all head and neck structures as well as the ear, nose and throat. Their special skills include diagnosing and managing diseases of the sinuses, larynx, oral cavity, and upper pharynx, as well as structures of the neck and face. Most otolaryngologists, including Dr. Wadhwa, diagnose and treat both children and adults

What types of medical problems do otolaryngologists treat?

ENT physicians diagnose and treat diseases of:

• The Ears - Ear, nose, and throat specialsists are trained in both the medical and surgical treatment of hearing, ear infections, balance disorders, tinnitus, nerve pain, and facial and cranial nerve disorders.
• The Nose - Care of the nasal cavity and sinuses is one of the primary skills of otolaryngologists. Management of the nasal area includes allergies, sinus problems and sense of smell. The function and appearance of the nose are also part of an ear, nose, and throat specialist's expertise.
• The Throat - Otolaryngologists treat diseases of the larynx (voice box) and the upper aero-digestive tract or esophagus, including voice and swallowing disorders.
• The Head and Neck - In the head and neck area, otolaryngologists treat infectious diseases, both benign and malignant tumors, facial trauma, and deformities of the face. Ear, nose, and throat specialists also perform both cosmetic plastic and reconstructive surgery.

What kind of training does an ear, nose, and throat specialist undergo?

To qualify for certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology, the ENT specialist must first complete college, medical school, and at least five years of specialty training. Next, the ear, nose, and throat physician must pass the American Board of Otolaryngology examination which certifies expertise in:

• Pediatric otolaryngology (children)
• Otology / neurotology (ears, balance and tinnitus)
• Allergy
• Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Head and neck
• Laryngology (throat)
• Rhinology (nose)
• General Otolaryngology

How is an otolaryngologist different from other physicians?

As regional specialists of the head and neck, ear, nose, and throat specialists are trained in both medicine and surgery. Otolaryngologists do not need to refer patients to other physicians when ear, nose, throat, or head/neck surgery is needed. An ENT specialist can offer the most comprehensive and appropriate care for each individual patient.

What are the special areas of expertise of an ear, nose, and throat specialist?

Otology/Neurotology: diseases of the ear, including trauma, cancer, and nerve pathway disorders that affect hearing and balance.

Ear infection

Swimmer's ear

Hearing loss

Ear, face, or neck pain

Dizziness

Vertigo

Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

Pediatric Otolaryngology: diseases in children with special ENT problems including birth defects in the head and neck and developmental delays.

Ear infection (Otitis Media)

Tonsil and adenoid infection

Airway problems

Down’s Syndrome

Asthma and allergy / sinus disease

Head and Neck: cancerous and non-cancerous tumors in the head and neck, thyroid, parathyroid and parotid tumors.

Lump in the neck or thyroid

Cancer of the airway or digestive tract

Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: cosmetic, functional, and reconstructive surgical treatment of abnormalities of the face and neck.

Deviated septum

Rhinoplasty (nose job)

Face lift

Cleft palate

Drooping eyelids

Hair loss

Facial trauma

Rhinology: disorders of the nose and sinuses.

Sinus disorder

Nose bleed

Stuffy nose

Loss of Smell

Nasal fractures

Laryngology: disorders of the throat, including voice and swallowing problems.

Sore throat

Hoarseness

Swallowing disorder

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (Gerd)

Allergy: treatment by medication, immunotherapy (allergy shots), and avoidance of pollen, dust, mold, food, and other sensitivities that affect the ear, nose, and throat.

Hay fever

Seasonal and perennial rhinitis

Chronic sinusitis

Laryngitis

Sore throat

Otitis media

Dizziness

FAQs  about ENT Ailments and Procedures

Ears

What causes an ear infection (otitis media)?

What causes swimmer’s ear?

What are “tubes?”

Why do I have ear wax?

How do I remove ear wax?

What’s wrong with Q-tips?

What is tinnitus?

What might cause tinnitus?

What is dizziness?

What is vertigo?

What is Meniere’s disease?

What causes an ear infection (otitis media)?

An ear infection is caused by improper drainage of fluid that collects behind the ear drum during a cold, allergy, or upper respiratory infection and the presence of bacteria or viruses.

What causes swimmer’s ear?

Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is typically a bacterial infection of the ear canal usually caused by exposure to water.

What are “tubes?”

Although most of the time, otitis media clears up with proper medication, persistent infections may require a means to drain fluid and pressure from behind the ear drum.

Why do I have ear wax?

Ear wax (cerumen) is normal in healthy ears. The purpose of cerumen is to moisturize and protect the skin of the ear canal and to trap dust and particles before they reach the ear drum.

How do I remove ear wax?

In most cases, swabbing the opening of the ear canal with the corner of a twisted damp washcloth will remove excess ear wax.

What’s wrong with Q-tips?

The problem with Q-tips is that if they are used improperly, they pack the ear wax from the outer ear canal deep into the ear canal until it jams against the ear drum.

What is tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ears)?

Tinnitus is very common and can be annoying and distracting. It might be soft or loud, low pitched (roaring), or high-pitched (ringing) kind of sound.

What might cause tinnitus?

There are various causes including a plug of wax, allergy, ear infection, circulatory problems, certain medications, and prolonged exposure to loud noise.

What is dizziness?

Some people describe their balance problem by saying that they feel dizzy, unsteady or giddy. This feeling of imbalance without the sensation of turning or spinning is called disequilibrium and is sometimes due to an inner ear problem.

What is vertigo?

The word vertigo comes from the Latin verb “to turn.” Individuals with vertigo often say that they or their surroundings are turning or spinning. Vertigo is often due to an inner ear problem.

What is Meniere’s disease?

Meniere’s disease is a disorder that produces a group of symptoms: sudden attacks of whirling dizziness, tinnitus or head noise, a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear, and a fluctuating hearing loss. It is believed to result from a fluctuation in the pressure of fluid that fills the inner ear.

Nose

What causes a nosebleed?

What can be done to stop a simple nosebleed?

What causes a nosebleed?

The nose can bleed for a variety of reasons:

• Allergies, infections, or dryness that lead to picking of the nose
• Vigorous nose blowing
• Clotting disorders
• Fractures of the nose or the base of the skull
• Tumors.

What can be done to stop a simple nosebleed?

First, help the person stay calm. Then, pinch all the soft parts of the nose together between your thumb and the side of your index finger or soak a cotton ball with Afrin, Neo-Synephrine, or Dura-Vent spray and place this in the nostril. Press firmly but gently with your thumb and the side of your index finger toward the face, compressing the pinched parts of the nose against the bones of the face. Hold that position for a five minutes while keeping the head higher than the level of the heart. Sit up or lie back a little with the head elevated. Apply crushed ice in a plastic bag or washcloth to nose and cheeks.

Sinus

What are sinuses?

What do the sinuses do?

What is sinusitis?

What does sinus surgery accomplish?

What are sinuses?

Sinuses are openings in the bones around your nose. Four pairs of sinuses are connected to the nose by small openings. These sinuses are located behind the cheekbones, alongside your nose, and above your eyebrows.

What do the sinuses do?

Humans produce one liter of fluid per day that cleanse the passageways and provide necessary moisture to the lining of each sinus.

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinus cavities located on either side of your nose, and between and above your eyes. Inflammation occurs when there is an undrained collection of pus or mucus in one or more of the sinuses.

What does sinus surgery accomplish?

The surgery enlarges the natural opening to the sinuses.

Throat

What causes laryngitis?

What can you do to prevent and treat mild hoarseness?

Are there specific risk factors for head and neck cancer?

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

What are the symptoms of enlarged adenoids?

When is the removal of tonsils and/or adenoids recommended?

What causes laryngitis?

Swelling of the vocal cords prevents them from coming together properly, which causes a change in the voice.

What can you do to prevent and treat mild hoarseness?

• If you smoke, quit.
• Avoid substances that dehydrate the body, such as alcohol and caffeine. Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Humidify your home.
• Watch your diet – avoid spicy foods.
• Try not to use your voice too long or too loudly.
• Seek professional voice training.
• Avoid speaking or singing when your voice is injured or hoarse.

Are there specific risk factors for head and neck cancer?

Ninety percent of head and neck cancers arise after prolonged exposure to specific factors:

• Tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff)
• Alcohol
• Prolonged exposure to sunlight

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

• Swelling of the tonsils
• Redder than normal tonsils
• A white or yellow coating on the tonsils
• A slight voice change due to swelling
• Sore throat
• Uncomfortable or painful swallowing
• Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
• Fever
• Bad breath

What are the symptoms of enlarged adenoids?

• Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose most of the time
• Nose sounds “blocked” when the person speaks
• Noisy breathing during the day
• Recurrent ear infections
• Snoring at night
• Breathing stops for a few seconds at night during snoring or loud breathing (sleep apnea)

When is the removal of tonsils and/or adenoids recommended?

The two primary reasons for removal of tonsils and/or adenoids are recurrent infection despite antibiotic therapy and difficulty breathing due to enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids. Removal of adenoids is also a beneficial treatment for some children with fluid in the middle ear.

Allergy

When does an allergy begin?

What is hay fever?

What substances from pets cause allergic symptoms?

Should an otolaryngologist (ear, nose & throat specialist) treat my allergies?

When does an allergy begin?

Allergies occur after a person with allergic tendencies is exposed repeatedly to the substance in the environment or his/her diet.

What causes a person to develop an allergy?

There is no standard way for an allergy to begin; the onset may be sudden or gradual. Often symptoms develop after an unusual stress to the immune system.

What is hay fever?

Most nasal allergies are called hay fever and occur most frequently during the spring, summer, or fall when trees, grasses and weeds produce pollen.

What substances from pets cause allergic symptoms?

Animals produce proteins in the urine, saliva, or dander.

Should an otolaryngologist treat my allergies?

An otolaryngologist is a doctor specializing in the treatment of ear, nose and throat diseases. Half of the problems ENT physicians encounter are probably due, either directly or indirectly to allergy. The ear, nose, and throat specialist is able to follow the patient’s progress with specialized examinations and nose and throat medical and surgical treatment.

Snoring

What causes snoring?

What can you do to help light snoring?

What causes snoring?

Snoring occurs when floppy tissue in the airway relaxes during sleep and vibrates.

What can you do to help light snoring?

Adults who suffer from mild or occasional snoring should try the following self-help remedies:

• Adopt a healthy and athletic lifestyle to develop good muscle tone and lose weight.
• Avoid tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antihistamines before bedtime.
• Avoid alcohol for at least four hours and heavy meals or snacks for three hours before bedtime.
• Establish regular sleep patterns
• Sleep on your side rather than your back
• Tilt the head of your bed upwards four inches.