ENT- Otolaryngology | by CMRI | Published on 20/08/2020
ENT – Ear, Nose and Throat specialist is a doctor with expertise in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting any of the three organs. Ear, nose and throat of the human body are connected through various tubes and passages that make a very complex network. Since these organs are interconnected and often a problem in one affects the other, they are treated by the same medical professional known as an ENT specialist or an otolaryngologist.
An ENT specialist diagnosis and treats diseases, injuries, infections and various other medical issues related to the ear, nose and throat. Some of the common problems treated by an ENT specialist include:
An ENT specialist or an otolaryngologist obtains specialised training in the branch of medical science called otolaryngology. Otolaryngology involves diagnosing and treating issues related to the below organs:
That said, some ENT specialists also obtain specialised expertise in treating specific issues related to the face, head and neck. Some problems that come under the purview of an ENT specialist include infections, trauma, injury, deformities and tumour. That said, for many of these issues, a multi-speciality approach may be needed.
Common procedures performed by an ENT specialist
Some of the common procedures performed by an ENT specialist to cure issues concerning the ear, nose and throat include:
Blepharoplasty: An ENT specialist conducts this surgical procedure to repair dropping eyelids. In this procedure, the ENT doctor removes the excess skin, muscle or tissue surrounding the eyelid. It helps to improve vision and aesthetic appeal.
Endoscope Sinus Surgery: An ENT doctor also treats infectious and inflammatory sinus problems by using a flexible instrument known as an endoscope. The endoscope is inserted inside the nose to see the sinus. The doctor then uses various surgical instruments, such as laser, to remove the blockage from the nose.
Biopsy: An ENT specialist also performs a biopsy where he/she collects a piece of tissue from the concerned organ to check for the presence of cancer, tumour or any other abnormal growth.
Plastic Surgery: An ENT specialist also performs plastic surgery to improve the aesthetic appearance of any of the three organs such as ears, nose and throat. The surgery can be done for reconstructive or cosmetic purposes. But most ENT specialists require specialised training for this. These surgeries are performed in cases of cleft palates, congenital deformities, accident scars, etc.
Myringotomy and pressure equalization (PE): ENT doctors use this method to treat patients that experience an ear infection very frequently or cannot hear due to build-up of excessive fluid in the ear canal. The ENT doctor passes a tube through the eardrum to release the pressure, enabling the patient to hear properly.
Septoplasty: This is a surgery performed by an ENT specialist to correct a deviated septum or to provide more access to the nose to remove polyps. In a septoplasty, the ENT doctor separates the nasal passage from the nearby cartilage and the corrects the diverged septum.
Surgery for sleep-related issues: Sleep-related problems such as snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, and others are also treated by an ENT doctor. These are treated first with medications and then with surgery. For snoring, the ENT specialist removes the excess soft palate tissue, permitting smooth functioning of the airway. In other cases, the ENT specialist can also inject the palate or place rods to make the tissue stiffer and reduce the vibration.
Thyroid Surgery: An ENT specialist is also trained to cure thyroid issues by removing a part of the entire thyroid gland, as needed. This method is usually used to treat thyroid cancer, abnormal lumps, obstruction of the esophagus, etc.
Tonsillectomy: In this surgery, the ENT specialist removes the tonsils or the troubling adenoids to cure the resulting infection and breathing problems.
Tracheostomy: This procedure is performed by an ENT specialist by inserting a tube through the neck to access the windpipe to open an airway or remove the lung secretions.
How to find the best ENT specialist in Kolkata?
For someone who is experiencing any ENT related problems, it is best to consult an ENT specialist at the earliest. The following steps can help to find the best ENT specialist:
These steps can help find a good ENT specialist in Kolkata. That said, trusted options such as highly qualified ENT specialists in CMRI (Calcutta Medical Research Institute) can provide expert care for all issues related to the ear, nose and throat. CMRI has experienced and accomplished ENT doctors and offers best-in-class facilities with unparalleled patient experience.