What is Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology is a medical and surgical discipline, commonly known as “ear, nose and throat” (ENT), but which also treats related conditions in the head and neck.
These are some of the most complex and closely inter-related organs and structures in the body and can give rise to a wide variety of diseases and disorders.
Some of the commonest problems requiring the intervention of an ENT specialist are –
Ear and Hearing Conditions (Otology/Neurotology)
Disorders of the ear range from simple infections to more serious tumors and damage to the ear drum, bones or nerves.
Apart from hearing loss, ear problems may also cause chronic conditions such as phantom noise in the ears (tinnitus) and difficulties with balance including vertigo, vestibular disorder and Meniere’s disease.
Throat Conditions (Laryngology)
Almost any condition affecting the voice, breathing or swallowing may be treated by an otolaryngologist.
These conditions include minor infections, problems with tonsils or adenoids and sore throats, as well as life threatening cancers of the larynx or oesophagus.
Problems with swallowing such as gastroesophageal reflux (GER) or laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) are also treated.
Nose and Mouth Conditions (Rhinology)
Nasal problems include common sinusitis and seasonal allergy problems (allergic rhinitis) which may cause an excessively runny or blocked nose and headaches.
Chronic sinusitis is a more serious condition which can lead to breathing problems and is often caused by an infection or a deviated septum.
Cleft lip and cleft palate are developmental problems of the mouth which may cause difficulty in speaking, breathing and swallowing and also need to be treated by an otolaryngologist.
Other Conditions
Head and Neck
ENT specialists treat both benign and malignant tumors of the head, neck and face and may also carry out cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures.
Sleep Apnea
Snoring is very common and often gives no cause for concern, but abnormally heavy snoring may be a sign of a potentially serious condition known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSN).
Sleepers who suffer from OSN may stop breathing for periods of ten seconds or more, and do so many times a night. These episodes place great strain on the heart and deprive the sufferer of sufficient restful sleep; they may therefore have serious implications for long-term health.
OSN is often associated with obesity but there are a wide variety of possible contributory factors which an otolaryngologist can assess and treat. For this purpose, a state of the art sleep clinic is just one of the many diagnostic tools available to our Crystal Run Healthcare specialists at ENT West Nyack NY.
Contact
If you think you may need the care of an expert otolaryngologist, talk to Crystal Run Healthcare at ENT West Nyack right away. We now have 24 convenient locations offering extended hours, urgent care, walk-ins and same day appointments.
We can also help you choose a Primary Care Provider (PCP) if you need one.
You can call us on 845.703.6999 or send us a message online here.
