What is the full form of ENT

ENT: Ear Nose Throat

ENT stands for Ear Nose Throat. It is the branch of medicine and surgery that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat and head and neck disorders. It is also known as Otolaryngology. So, an ENT specialist is a physician who is trained in the treatment of the ear, nose, throat and related body parts. In the UK, Head and Neck Surgery (HNS) is also included in ENT. The ENT specialists are also called ENTs, ENT doctors or otolaryngologists.

Otolaryngologists treat a variety of conditions, some of which are given below:

• Hearing loss and ear disorders such as ear infections, dizziness and tinnitus
• Allergies such as hay fever, seasonal rhinitis
• Infections such as sinusitis and tonsillitis
• Congenital or acquired abnormalities such as cleft palate, deviated septum, drooping eyelids, loss of smell
• Difficulty swallowing
• Speech disorders such as hoarseness and laryngitis
• Tumours of the ear, nose and throat, mouth etc.

Otolaryngology Subspecialties

• Otology/Audiology: Medical and surgical treatment of the ear and the nerve pathways linked with hearing and balance.
• Pediatric Otolaryngology: Medical and surgical treatment of the ear, nose and throat in children.
• Head and Neck Areas: Treatment of cancerous or noncancerous tumours in the head and neck.
• Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Treatment of cosmetic or functional abnormalities of the face.
• Rhinology: Treatment of the nose and sinuses.
• Laryngology: Treatment of the throat, including the voice.
• Allergy: Treatment of inhalant allergies.
• Neurotology: Treatment of the neurological disorders of the ear.

How Are ENT Physicians Trained?

Otolaryngologists attend medical school for four years. They then receive specific instruction for at least five years. Ultimately, students must succeed on a test to get the American Board of Otolaryngology certification.

Moreover, some receive one or two years of specialist training:

Allergy: These physicians use medication or an immunology regimen of injections to treat environmental allergies (such as those brought on by pollen or pet dander). They can also assist you in determining whether you have a food allergy.

Reconstructive and facial surgery: These surgeons do aesthetic procedures, including facelifts and rhinoplasty. They also assist those whose appearances have been altered due to an accident or those who were born with defects that need to be corrected.

This type of expert can assist you if you have a tumour in your nose, sinuses, mouth, throat, voice box, or upper oesophagus.

Laryngology: These medical professionals deal with conditions that affect the larynx and vocal cords. They can also aid in the diagnosis and treatment of swallowing issues.

If you have an ear problem of any type, otologists and neurotologists can offer assistance. Infections, hearing loss, light-headedness, and ringing or buzzing in the ears are among the diseases they address (tinnitus).

Paediatric ENT: It's possible that your youngster won't be able to communicate their discomfort to their doctor. Paediatric ENTs are uniquely educated to treat children, and their exam rooms and equipment are made to make children feel at ease.

Ear infections, tonsillitis, allergies, and asthma are typical issues. Children with head and neck birth abnormalities are also treated by paediatric ENTs. They can also assist in determining whether your kid has a speech or language issue.

These medical professionals specialise in the nose and sinuses. They take care of growths that are uncommon, sinusitis, nasal bleeding, loss of smell, and stuffy nose.

Some ENTs focus on sleep issues that affect your breathing, such as snoring or sleep apnea. To determine whether you occasionally experience breathing problems while you sleep, your doctor could ask for a sleep study.