What do otolaryngologists treat?

Otolaryngologists, and therefore otolaryngology, specialize in the treatment of the following parts of the body.

The ear

Otorhinolaryngology first studied the diseases that affect the ear. They are prepared, even surgically, in the treatment of disorders such as hearing loss, ear infections, balance problems, tinnitus and some problems related to nerves of the head. Furthermore, otolaryngologists can also treat ear problems arising from birth.

The nose

Another main field of otolaryngology is the study of problems related to nostrils and sinuses. Problems related to this area include allergies, olfactory problems, polyps and nasal obstruction derived from the presence of a deviation to the nasal septum.

The throat 

Otolaryngologists also take care of the throat with particular reference to diseases that affect the throat, larynx, esophagus and structural problems in speaking or swallowing.

Head and neck

In the area of ​​the head and neck, the otorhinolaryngology studies infections, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic formations, facial traumas and deformities. In this field the component related to plastic and reconstructive surgery is very active.

Areas of specialization 

There are seven main areas of specialization for an otolaryngologist.

Allergies 

An otolaryngologist can specialize in the treatment of allergies that affect and affect the ear, nose and throat. An otolaryngologist specializing in the treatment of allergies will take care of:

• Hay fever (mucous reaction of the nose, eyes and respiratory tract).
• Allergic rhinitis (inflammatory and recurrent pathology of the nasal mucosa).
• Chronic sinusitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses).
• Laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx).
• Pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat).
• Otitis (inflammation of the ear).
• Vertigo (distortion of the sensory perception of the individual).

Facial plastic and surgical reconstruction 

It deals with the surgical reconstruction of deformities affecting the face, the neck and the ear. Dealing with:

• Deviated septum (occurs when the septum imperfectly divides the nose).
• Rhinoplasty (plastic nose surgery).
• Lifting
• Palatoschisis (malformation of the palate).
• Drooping eyelids.
• Hair loss.

Head and neck

The specialist in this area of ​​the body mainly deals with cancerous and non-cancerous neoplasms in the head and neck (therefore of the nose and nasal septa, mouth, throat and esophagus), including the thyroid. It deals, among other things, with:

• Thyroid nodules (bumps or spherical growths in the thyroid).
• Laryngeal cancer.

Laryngology

The specialist in laryngology deals with diseases related to the throat and problems related to voice and swallowing. Therefore it treats pathologies like laryngitis, hoarseness (alteration of the normal voice), problems in swallowing, gastroesophageal reflux and infections and tumors related to this part of the body.

Otology

The doctor who specializes in otology treats ear-related diseases, including traumas, infections, benign tumors and neural problems related to hearing and balance. Among the pathologies, we find:

• Ear infection (infectious state in the ear).
• Swimmer’s ear (external otitis).
• Localized pain in the ear, face or neck area.
• Tinnitus.

Pediatric otorhinolaryngology

Treats otolaryngology problems in children, focusing primarily on congenital defects in the area. Among the various, it can deal with:

• Otitis (ear inflammation).
• Tonsil infection.
• Asthma.
• Neck tumors.

Rhinology

Rhinology deals with problems relating to the nose and nasal sinuses, including:

• Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses).
• Nose bleeding.
• Loss of smell.
• Polyps.
• Tumors.

Why we visit an otolaryngologist?

As specialists of the problems concerning the face, ears, nose, sinuses, mouth, salivary glands, thyroid gland, neck, larynx, pharynx, bronchial tubes and esophagus, the otolaryngologists must be contacted when a medical problem arises in any of these areas. Being specialized both in a purely clinical and a surgical approach, otolaryngologists will be able to prescribe the best possible treatment in the areas relevant to them and, on occasion, to intervene surgically in solving the problem.