Who is an ENT Surgeon?
ENT surgeons (ای این ٹی سرجن) deal with the problems pertaining to the ear, nose, and throat. Also known as otolaryngologists, these experts are responsible for conservative and surgical treatment of the problems of the region.
When should you see an ENT Surgeon?
You need to visit an ENT specialist in Islamabad if you are facing any breathing, sleeping, balancing problems. They also need to be consulted when reconstructive surgery is needed. ENT surgeons also perform cosmetic surgeries like blepharoplasty.
ENT surgeons (ای این ٹی سرجن) also carry out many different procedures like tonsillectomy, septoplasty, microlaryngoscopy, esophagoscopy, tracheostomy etc. and anyone requiring these then need to visit an ENT specialist then.
A visit to ENT doctor is also due when recommended so by your primary care doctor.
What are an ENT Surgeon’s main areas of concern?
ENT surgeons provide medical aid over problems of the ear. They cater to issues like hearing loss, hearing impairment issues like tinnitus, infections, birth defects of the ears. Ear wax buildup can cause auditory problems and are thus mitigated by the ENT surgeon.
Other diseases that are the concern of an ENT surgeon (ماہر امراض ناک کان گلا) include otosclerosis, otitis media with effusion, vertigo, protruding ears, tinnitus etc.
Moreover, they also address concerns of the nose. Since sinus problems are most common amongst the masses, most of nose specialists treat sinusitis. They perform sinus surgeries like balloon sinuplasty.
They also fix nasal blockage, respond to some allergies, breathing problems, deviated septum etc. ENT surgeons also treat and diagnose problems like nasal injuries, polyps, rhinosinusitis and olfactory disorders.
Moreover, sleep issues like snoring, sleep apnea etc. are also a domain of the ENT specialists. They are qualified to deal with issues of neck and head like any deformities and tumors. Moreover, an ENT doctor can perform facial reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgeries.
Sleeping problems like snoring or sleep apnea are also addressed by throat specialist, as these occur due to breathing problems.
Similarly, ENT surgeons are also concerned with remedying the issues of the throat. These include problems whilst swallowing, singing, eating and certain digestion issues. They also cater to the problem of GERD, commonly known as acid reflux, vocal cord problems, sore throat etc.
Similarly, adenoid problems, laryngitis, tonsilitis are also treated the ENT specialists. Skin cancer, facial skin lesions, thyroid and parathyroid issues also are dealt by the ENT surgeons.
Some ENT surgeons (ای این ٹی سرجن) also perform cosmetic procedures of the ear, nose and the jaw area, since these are focal points of the face, and their beautification is deemed necessary. Moreover, reconstructive surgery of ENT also comes under their domain. So, those wanting to get cosmetic procedures can also visit an ENT specialist in Islamabad.
What are the most common ENT diseases in Pakistan?
The field of ENT faces huge challenges in Pakistan. There is a dearth of resources, and this coupled with the complexity of the disease, paints a rather grim picture.
The wide spectrum of diseases also varies from one community to another. There is also a matter of vanity; when hearing problems are perceived as a disability, people are hesitant to seek help.
According to a research conducted by Muhammad Tariq Rafi et. al., following is the disease distribution at JSMU, Karachi:
|
Anatomical Region with common diseases
|
Percentage of Patients affected
|
|
Region: Oral
Diseases: Oral lesions, cancer, tongue tie, others
|
12.22%
|
|
Region: Ear
Diseases: CSOM, cyst, F.B, others
|
16.71%
|
|
Region: Nose
Diseases: angiofibroma, F.B, nasopharyngeal growth, D.N.S, others
|
29.01%
|
|
Region: Neck, larynx, and pharynx
Diseases: adenoids, tonsillitis, tracheotomy, growth, vocal cord cancer, lobectomy, biopsy,
|
41.15%
|
How to become an ENT Surgeon in Pakistan?
To become the best ENT specialist in Islamabad people have to first complete their M.B.B.S and then house-job. After, they need to clear the specialization program conducted by the CPSP. Once training is done and written exams cleared, people become certified ENT surgeons.
What kinds of ENT Surgeons are there?
The field of ENT surgery is further divided into various categories. These include:
- Facial Plastics: This field pertains to the cosmetic and aesthetic procedures like rhinoplasty, pinnaplasty, reconstructions of facial structures etc.
- Head and neck surgery: This specialist field deals with the treatment of benign and malignant disease of the head and neck.
- Otology: Experts of this field deal with problems of the ears, like infection, damage and other diseases that impair hearing and balance. Specialists perform surgeries like cochlear implant surgery etc.
- Pediatrics: ENT surgeons specializing in this field deal exclusively with issues pertaining to children and adolescents, since congenital defects require treatment from a very young age. Some conditions overseen by these experts include choanal atresia, insertion of cochlear implants etc.
- Rhinology: These experts are concerned with sinus problems, and other problems of the nose. Allergies, infections, tumors, inflammatory conditions are also part of this field. Surgeons also operate on the tumors present at the base of the skull, like the pituitary tumors.
- Skull base surgery or Neurotology: This field is concerned with the treatment of disorders of the skull and acoustic neuromas.
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: Tumors of thyroid are diagnosed and treated by these experts.
What are ENT Surgeons called in Pakistan?
ENT surgeons are also referred to as:
- Ear specialist
- Nose specialist
- Throat specialist
- Naak, kaan, galay ka doctor
- ماہر امراض ناک کان گلا
- ای این ٹی سرجن
