Well you must be wondering by now what does that very complicated word Otolaryngologist mean? But we got you covered like always. Whenever you face problems with your nose,ears and throat you need to go see one of these doctors. Finding the best otolaryngologist can be a bit difficult at times but at icareheal we have all our experts waiting to give you the best of treatments for trivial matters like a common cold to serious problems like hearing impairment.

     An otolaryngologist is a doctor who is an expert in treating conditions that affect the ears, nose, and throat, as well as head and neck surgery. Specialists in otolaryngology (sometimes also called otorhinolaryngology) have been out there since 1896. In addition to being a medical doctor, an otolaryngologist is also a surgeon. That means that they can perform operations to help treat conditions affecting the delicate tissues of the ears, nose, and throat.

Otolaryngologists can treat a wide variety of conditions. Some instances include chronic or fungal sinusitis, hearing loss, oropharyngeal cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea. Keep reading to learn more about this diverse medical specialty.You might wonder that otolaryngologists sound pretty much like ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors. That’s because they’re the same! Sometimes otolaryngologists are referred to as ENTs for convenience.

Why see the best otolaryngologist?

A primary care doctor or general physician can often help with conditions that affect your ears, nose, and throat. This is typically the case if you’re experiencing an acute (short-term) condition like a sinus infection, ear infection, or sore throat.

However, sometimes it’s a good idea to see an otolaryngologist instead. Examples include:

• frequent instances of runny nose, nasal congestion, or sinus pressure
• recurring infections, including sinus infections, ear infections, or strep throat
• repeated episodes of dizziness or vertigo
• changes in hearing
• hoarseness or wheezing that doesn’t go away
• difficulty swallowing
• a noticeable lump or bump that develops in your face or neck and doesn’t go away or gets larger
• conditions that affect your ability to sleep, such as snoring or sleep apnea

What does an otolaryngologist do?

Ears

Our ears are important not only for hearing, but also for maintaining our balance. Ear conditions that otolaryngologists can treat include:

• chronic ear infections
• ear pain
• impacted earwax
• dizziness or vertigo
• tinnitus
• hearing loss
• ruptured eardrum
• inner ear conditions, such as Meniere’s disease
• ear tumors
• eustachian tube dysfunction
• middle ear fluid
• otosclerosis
• temporal bone fractures

Nose

We use our noses for breathing as well as to take in different smells from our surroundings. Nasal conditions that an otolaryngologist treats include:

• allergies
• rhinitis
• sinusitis
• postnasal drip
• nosebleeds
• nasal polyps
• deviated septum
• smell disorders
• nasally obstructed breathing

Throat

The tissues of our throats help us to breathe, speak, and swallow. Throat conditions that an otolaryngologist treats include:

• hoarseness
• sore throat
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• swallowing disorders
• vocal cord disorders
• laryngitis
• conditions affecting the tonsils and adenoids
• throat tumors
• snoring
• sleep apnea
• airway issues like subglottic stenosis

Head and neck

In addition to treating conditions of the ears, nose, and throat, otolaryngologists can also help with conditions impacting the head and neck. These can include:

• infections of the head or neck
• tumors in the head or neck
• facial injuries or deformities, including reconstructive or plastic surgery
• thyroid conditions
• congenital neck masses
• free flap reconstruction

Areas of expertise in otolaryngology:

• Allergy – treatment by medication, immunotherapy, or controlling of trigger factors.
• Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery – on face, neck, or ear for medical, cosmetic, functional or reconstructive reasons.
• Head and Neck – diseases, tumors, trauma, infectious diseases and deformities of the head, neck, and face. ENT specialists perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in these areas. They manage problems with the nerves in the head and neck that control sight, smelling, hearing, and facial movements.
• Laryngology – disorders of the throat and voice box, including speech, singing, eating, swallowing, and digestion.
• Otology/neurotology – disorders of the ear, including nerve disorders, hearing and balance.
• Pediatric otolaryngology – ENT diseases in children, including birth defects and developmental issues.
• Rhinology – disorders of the nose and sinuses.
• Sleep medicine is a sub-specialty in which some otolaryngologists have received certification.

Otolaryngology is a wide-ranging medical specialty focusing on health problems in the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck.

An otolaryngologist must spend 4 years at college, a further 4 years at medical school, and then 5 years after that on a residency program specialising in this area. They will then treat a variety of medical problems, including airway difficulties, cancers of the head and neck, and chronic sinusitis. An otolaryngologist also helps with vertigo and dizziness, structural problems in the nose, and hearing loss, among many other medical issues.

Their training is extensive and covers a range of surgeries, including blepharoplasty, endoscopic sinus surgery, and tumour removal. They will also be able to perform plastic surgery of the face, myringotomy, and thyroid surgery, as well as removal of the adenoids and pancreas.

If it get really difficult to find the best otolaryngologists around your town you can always get in touch with our expert team of doctors at icareheal and log on to our app for doctors to get treated by the best in the business at an affordable price bracket.