subject: Visit An Ent Atlanta Specialist For Your Good Health [print this page] What does ENT actually mean? It is an acronym standing for ear, nose and throat doctor. The official study designation is otolaryngology. These are physicians who make a lifelong dedication to treating problems affecting those vital regions of the body. Each phase of our lives has its own common ENT issues, and some doctors specialize in treating certain age groups. If you decide to visit an ENT Atlanta specialist, you will be seeing a highly qualified doctor who may have studied at least five years as a resident, with an additional lengthy training in a a sub-speciality, sometimes taking up to fifteen years to complete.
In the U. S. A doctor must initially pass the American Board of Otolaryngology examination to become certified. Some will then continue training via a one or two-year sub-specialty study in order to pursue a career in one of seven recognized areas of ENT practice. These areas include the general treatment of all ear problems, pediatric otolaryngology for infants, neck and head tumors, nasal conditions or rhinology, facial reconstructive surgery to repair accident injuries or birth defects, throat problems or laryngology, and the treatment of allergies.
How do you know when a visit to this kind of doctor is appropriate? Nearly half of all regular doctor appointments are made because of ENT problems. Often we know what hurts, but not the precise cause. A visit to the family doctor is the correct first step, and may result in a referral to an otolaryngologist for more help. This is especially true for infants and young children.
A young child or infant can't yet verbally express what is causing pain. When a baby spikes a fever exceeding 101 degrees, doesn't respond normally to sound and constantly pulls at his ear, this may mean the ear is infected. Your regular doctor may want to refer chronic earache problems to a pediatric ENT for a more precise diagnosis, and to provide the most up-to-date treatments.
Other common ailments affect the growing child. Having tonsils or adenoids removed used to be so prevalent that parents would promise to give their children ice cream after the operation as an incentive. Today here are more effective and non-invasive treatment methods for these commonplace infections. In addition to tonsillitis, many young people suffer from allergies. While the specific causes of some allergies can be disputed, the treatments developed over the past several years are effective.
When the adolescent reaches maturity there are adult ENT issues to deal with. As much as ten percent of the population suffers loss of hearing in their adult lives, and need testing and the correct individual treatment, which may include hearing aids. Many adults are not even aware of this impairment until it reaches the stage where others begin to notice. There is a test from the American Academy of Otolaryngology to measure this loss, and your ENT doctor will be able to recommend the right course of action.
One of the most prevalent ENT health issues for adults is chronic sinus trouble. Millions of people suffer, and this infection can lead to other problems, such as losing the sense of smell. Even non-injury related nosebleeds and certain snoring issues are routinely helped by these specialists. One of the unfortunate consequences of aging is increased susceptibility to head and neck tumors of various kinds. Diagnosis and treatment, possibly including surgery, are part of the ENT oncologist's routine.
Check with your regular doctor before making an appointment if necessary. He or she may want to see you first, or may provide a direct referral. This branch of medicine is one of the most widely practiced in the world, and there is usually no difficulty if finding a qualified specialist. Choosing an ENT Atlanta specialist may be one of the best health decisions you will make.
