Otolaryngology is the study of the ENT (or ear, nose, and throat) region. Home of 3 of the 5 major senses, the ENT area of our body is responsible for giving us many of the tools we use to navigate our environment. When something goes wrong with any part of this region, we usually notice it fairly quickly. Otolaryngology is a medical field that most would go to a doctor for.
But when is it the right time to go to an ear, nose, and throat specialist and when would it be appropriate to go to a primary care doctor instead? From sore throats to clogged noses, there are many ways in which the two overlap. It may be confusing to know when your situation calls for an ENT specialist.
Primary care physicians vs. ENT specialists
For those not in the know, a primary care physician is your first point of contact for a health concern that is undiagnosed. They practice general and family medicine, which means that most of the cases they are familiar with are much milder. An ENT doctor may be more appropriate if you suffer from chronic conditions affecting that area, or if the degree of your condition is more serious.
For example, in the case of sore throats, you may need to see an ENT doctor in Singapore if your sore throat has persisted for many weeks to months, or if it creates difficulty when swallowing or drinking. ENT specialists may also be more well-versed in areas where general medicine may not be as effective, such as treating sleep disorders.
What exactly does an ENT doctor do?
Let’s set aside the differences between a primary care physician and an ENT doctor and focus more on what ENT specialists can do. Now that we know that they are more specialised in treating, diagnosing, and preventing issues with your ear, nose, and throat region, what kind of doctors are they?
Otolaryngologists are doctors who have undergone rigorous specialized training and are board-certified in otolaryngology. They have also undergone extra medical classes, workshops, and other training to know more about the ENT area. They are trained in both the medical treatment and even surgical management of diseases in the head and neck area.
An ear, nose, and throat specialist in Singapore would not only be able to provide you with medicines to help you with your condition, but also recommend general practices, provide special implements, or helm surgeries and other procedures.
What kind of medical conditions do ENT doctors treat?
The head and neck region might look like just a small part of the human body, but it is an extremely important one. You’ll be surprised to learn about just how many conditions can affect this area of your body. It’s a complex network of sensory organs, nerves, and blood cells. It is also constantly exposed to the outside world, making it especially vulnerable to diseases, infections, and much more
Here are a few conditions that an ENT doctor in Singapore might treat.
Sleeping disorders
It might surprise some people, but many sleep-related issues can have their roots in the ENT area of your body. Exhaustion can be a result of not getting restful sleep due to breathing problems. If you have conditions like snoring or sleep apnea in Singapore, other side effects might show. If you frequently wake up at night, it could also be a result of sleeping disorders that ENT doctors could treat.
Allergies
Do you frequently go places with a clogged or stuffy nose? Does your skin get itchy after contact with anything? Then you may have reason to suspect that you have allergies. There are many different types of allergies, ranging from food and consumable items to dust, pollen, and pet dander. Allergies are something an ENT doctor is concerned with because they can have long-term effects on your ears, nose, and throat.
Hearing loss
Your hearing is a valuable way to enjoy your life, and you’ve only got your two ears to enjoy them. If you suffer from hearing loss, the person who can best assist you is an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Since there are many causes of hearing loss, such as old age, exposure to large noises, and ear infections, you’ll need their expertise to know how to address your condition. They may also be able to provide implements to help you hear better, such as hearing aids.
Sinus infections
Millions of people around the world are affected by sinus infections every year. And it’s not just stuffy or clogged noses that you can experience. Many infections can give you other symptoms such as fever, sweating, nausea, coughs, sore throats, and more. Normally, they can be treated with medication and proper treatment, but if symptoms of the sinus infection persist, some may resort to surgical treatment to clear up their sinuses and provide relief.
Speech disorders
If you have a hard time speaking or forming the sounds necessary for speech, it might be time to go to an ENT doctor in Singapore. Problems with your speech can have a multitude of causes, but most, if not all of them, will be related to your ear, nose, and throat region. Your voice box and other parts of this system may have issues, and an ENT doctor might be able to help out. Common ways to treat speech issues are speech therapy exercises or physical exercises focused on strengthening muscles for speech. Your ENT doctor may also work with health professionals in other fields to resolve your speech issues.
If you’re looking for an ENT doctor in the Mount Elizabeth area, reach out to ENT Surgeons for more information. Learn about them through their site.