Common Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Procedures you should know

Health is wealth, so goes the saying. Many-a-times one falls ill. But sometimes unexpectedly you need to undergo minor surgeries so that your health will be restored back to normal.

The first thing you ought to know is that with the advent of science and technology, surgical procedures have been simplified and is less risky now. Furthermore, surgeons prefer surgical methods after various medications have failed. And surgery is recommended only if and when necessary. 

The Ear, Nose, and Throat form an important category of the surgical procedures. The common ailments included in this are sinusitis, tonsillitis, vertigo and sleep disorders. There are some common procedures performed to treat various problems of the ear, nose, and throat:   

1.    Common surgeries of the throat:

Removal of tonsils or adenoids – Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy are performed to remove tonsils and adenoids respectively. These surgeries are recommended when the patient has persistent and repeated infection and inflammation. Additionally, sometimes tonsils and adenoids enlarge thereby giving rise to breathing and swallowing problems. They disturb the sleeping patterns too. 

Problems in swallowing or speech- For people who have vocal cord issues due to tumors, surgery is advisable. Tracheotomy is performing a cut in the windpipe so that the air reaches the lungs. Tracheotomy is performed when you need to remove secretions from the air passage or when a person in under ventilation for a long time.  

Surgery of the head and neck region – This is usually performed to remove tumors in the larynx, head or bone.

2.    Common surgeries of the nose:

Sinusitis – Also termed as Rhinosinusitis, this is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the sinuses.  The air passage gets congested, and its most common symptom is the recurring headaches. Sinus surgery is performed to treat sinus problem.

Nose surgeries for nasal obstruction – Septoplasty is undertaken for the correction of the septum to ease nasal congestion. This procedure is done when the septum consisting of thin bone and cartilage deviates and blocks the air flow passage. 

3.    Common surgeries of the ears:

Rectifying ruptured ear drum – Tympanoplasty is the method of reconstructing the ruptured ear drum.

Cochlear implants – Here implants are inserted into the inner portion of the ear to stimulate nerve endings. This ensures that hearing is restored. This procedure which is still in its nascent stages is carried out on sensorineural hearing loss patients who have severe hearing loss.

Removal of tiny bones in the middle ear – Stapedectomy is performed to remove part of the stapes bone which blocks sound from entering the middle ear.

Insertion of tubes to drain fluids from infected ear- Tympanostomy or Myringotomy is a common procedure for the ear tube insertion to drain pus and fluids out from the infected ear. This balances the pressure and thus reduces the ear pain.  

Never panic when your doctor suggests a procedure. Always get a second opinion from the local reputed ENT specialist in Bangalore and act accordingly. 

And when you are under the supervision of expert ENT surgeons, there is no cause for worry.

When to visit an ENT specialist

Is it just a normal ache or something more serious? An ENT specialist can tell if the malady is a serious one or not.

The human body is a wondrous mechanism that heals itself whenever there is a slight disorder or illness. Adequate rest, taking the right medication and eating nutritious food can treat most health problems and body aches and pains. But some seemingly minor maladies have the potential to develop into bigger problems – and they may not be treated in time because one believes that they are not serious enough to warrant medical attention.

The cold weather brings with it cold, flu, headaches, migraines, body pain, joint stiffness and many other problems. Cold, cough and flu are particularly virulent in this season, and they give rise to such symptoms as clogged nose, scratchy or painful throat, fever and headaches. These are minor enough, but if there are symptoms such as dizzy spells, painful ears, mucus in the ear cavity, a lump in the throat that makes swallowing difficult and dizzying headaches, it is time to see a doctor. These are signs of an infection.

The doctor treating these (and more) problems is known as an ENT specialist. The best ENT specialists in Bangalore treat the problems and infections of the ear, nose, throat, neck and head. Consider the following reasons to visit an ENT specialist in Bangalore:

Ear problems: If you or a family member suffer from perennially blocked or painful ears, reduced hearing, flashes of pain in the ears, ringing or buzzing sound, a sudden feeling that the room is spinning (even if you are lying down or sitting), clear fluid oozing from the ears, etc.

Nose problems: See the ENT specialist for a nose blocked for over a week, no sense of smell despite the cold or cough healing completely, pain in the nose or sinus, sudden breathlessness despite not having a blocked nose, no sensation of taste when eating food, sudden onset of cold without runny nose accompanied by thick, clotty mucus.

Throat issues: If you or a family member suffer from a painful throat for over a week, have difficulty making sounds or framing words, have difficulty swallowing, inability to speak in a higher tone, chronic dry cough or incidence of phlegmy cough despite no allergies or change in weather.

Head and neck pains: These are reasons to see an ENT specialist at once: sudden onset of painful headaches that last for hours, dizzying headaches that impair the vision, heavy or swollen feeling in the head, headaches followed by vomiting, lumps that can be felt with the fingers, difficulty to make facial gestures as before, a ‘collapsed’ facial structure leading to partial facial paralysis, etc.

When to visit an ENT specialist

People are often confused about whether to let their painful ears heal themselves or to visit a doctor. We list the times you must visit an ENT specialist without delay.

Winter has now set in across the country, and the change in weather has brought the common cold and cough with it. Many people suffer from the cold and cough at this time of year. While the cold can resolve itself in a week’s time by causing symptoms such as a runny nose or sore throat, in some cases it can cause bigger problems.

Some people report more painful symptoms related to the common cold and cough. They may experience severe headaches, mild to moderate vertigo, painfully clogged ears and even the sensation of a lump in the throat every time they swallow. These are not normal symptoms of a common cold, but are indicative of an infection. If left untreated, it can progress into a more severe disorder.

If these or other symptoms do not go away in a couple of days, or if they are isolated issues not caused by cold, cough or the flu, it is time to visit an ENT specialist. The ENT doctor (or Otolaryngologist) treats the problems occurring in the ear, nose and throat, as well as the neck and the head. If you or a family member face these problems, it is time to visit the best ENT specialist in Bangalore:

Ear: Improper or low hearing, blocked ears, clogged ears (with mucus), pain in the ears, a tiny ringing or buzzing sound in the ears, a feeling of imbalance or ‘spinning’ of the room when walking or sitting.

Nose: Nose clogged for over a week, no sense of smell after the cold has healed, pain in the nasal cavity leading to the throat, painful sinuses, heavy breathing/wheezing, no sense of taste even when eating pungent or spicy food, etc. 

Throat: Painful or sore throat for over a week, difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in framing sounds or words, difficulty to eat despite having an appetite, inability to raise the voice, chronic cough even without change in weather.

Head and neck: Sudden painful headaches, headaches accompanied by vomiting, lumps or tumours, feeling of heaviness or swelling in the head, different facial movements than before, visible deformities, etc. 

The best ENT specialists in Bangalore can diagnose these ailments listed above and prescribe the course of future medical action. Look for an experienced ENT specialist in Bangalore who will run tests and take down a detailed case history before starting treatment. It is preferable to go to the same specialist in case of recurring ailments because the doctor will be familiar with your history.