ENT diseases are quite common. From time to time they can disturb almost everyone. The pathology of the pharynx, larynx, ear and nose is treated by an otorhinolaryngologist. A general practitioner and a general practitioner can also provide some assistance in diseases of this localization.
What ENT diseases are there?
Today, a large number of diseases of the otorhinolaryngological profile are known. By localization, they are divided into the following groups:
- throat diseases;
- ear diseases;
- diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses.
The set of diagnostic studies prescribed by the otorhinolaryngologist and further tactics of patient management will depend on the localization of the pathology.
Throat diseases
The list of ENT diseases in this area is quite extensive. Chief among them are the following:
- angina;
- pharyngitis;
- laryngitis;
- tonsillitis;
- abscess;
- tumor pathologies;
- thermal and chemical burns;
- foreign bodies.
All theseENT diseases of the throat require an appointment with a specialist doctor to prescribe a rational course of treatment.
Angina
Angina is a disease of the palatine tonsils. Most often it is caused by a staphylococcal infection. With this disease, plaque is found on the palatine tonsils. It can be whitish or purulent, depending on the form of pathology. This ENT disease is manifested by severe sore throat, aggravated by swallowing, fever and general weakness.
Diagnosis of angina is based on the detection of plaque on the palatine tonsils during a general examination, as well as the results of a study of biological material taken using a smear from the affected area.
Treatment of sore throats is based on the use of antibiotics, antipyretics, antihistamines and painkillers (often in the form of a spray). Also, with this pathology, it is recommended to gargle 5-6 times a day with saline-soda solution.
Pharyngitis
This ENT disease is an inflammation of the back of the throat. It is one of the most common diseases. Most often, pharyngitis occurs after hypothermia, which leads to a decrease in the level of local immunity. As a result, opportunistic microflora begins to multiply and damage the mucous membrane of the throat.
The main symptoms of pharyngitis are redness of the back of the throat, pain and itching in the affected area, fever. Diagnosis of the diseaseincludes a general examination as well as general blood and urine tests.
Treatment of this pathology is based on the use of antihistamines, antipyretics, and local anesthetics in the form of a spray. In the case of a protracted course of this disease, the patient is prescribed antibiotics. In addition, doctors recommend drinking plenty of warm liquids and gargling with saline-soda solution.
Tonsillitis
This pathology is an inflammation of the palatine tonsils. Most often, it develops after hypothermia or after contact with an already sick person.
The clinical picture of tonsillitis is characterized by swelling and redness of the palatine tonsils, sore throat, which is aggravated by swallowing, and fever. This disease may be accompanied by difficulty in eating.
Treatment of tonsillitis includes the use of antibacterial drugs, antihistamines, antipyretics and local anesthetics in the form of a spray. In the chronic course of this disease, accompanied by a significant increase in palatine tonsils, the patient is recommended to undergo surgical treatment in order to remove them. This will save a person from tonsillitis and tonsillitis, but also remove one of the immune barriers to pathogenic microorganisms.
Abscess
This disease is quite dangerous. An abscess is a suppuration limited to connective tissue. If an abscess is opened not into the throat cavity, but into other tissues, the patient may develop severe complications,capable of leading to death. That is why it is important not to try to treat the abscess on your own, but immediately contact an otorhinolaryngologist.
This pathological process is most often accompanied by severe pain in the throat, which can radiate throughout the neck, swelling and swelling in the affected area, fever up to 40 °C or more.
Abscess treatment begins with antibacterial, antihistamine, and antipyretic drugs. If their use has not brought the expected results, a surgical operation is performed to open and drain the abscess. The intervention can be performed in a hospital or in the treatment room of an otorhinolaryngologist at an outpatient he althcare facility. After the operation, treatment with tablets continues until the patient is fully recovered.
Ear diseases
Among this pathology, the most common diseases are the following:
- otitis media;
- sensorineural hearing loss;
- deafness;
- abscess of the external auditory canal;
- damage to the eardrum;
- Foreign body and sulfuric plug in the external auditory canal.
In the presence of this pathology, it is important to promptly seek help from a specialist, since all these ENT diseases of the ears can lead to a decrease andeven hearing loss.
Otitis media
Otitis media is an inflammatory disease of the ear. Along the course, acute and chronic forms of pathology are distinguished. According to the nature of the damage, otitis is defined as catarrhal and purulent. By localization, it can be external, middle or internal.
The clinical course of otitis media is accompanied by pain in the affected area and fever. In addition, with the purulent nature of the disease, the level of hearing may decrease. This disease requires immediate treatment, especially when it comes to otitis media or internal. If a person is not quickly relieved of such otitis media, this will lead to deterioration or complete loss of hearing. Treatment of this type of ENT disease is based on the use of antibiotics in the form of ear drops or intramuscular / intravenous injections, antihistamines, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in order to reduce the temperature and severity of the inflammatory process.
Sensoneural hearing loss
This disease is characterized by hearing loss. The reasons for its development may be as follows:
- Constant exposure to noise on the auditory analyzer.
- Heredity (approximately 12.5% of people have a gene mutation that causes sensorineural hearing loss).
- Acoustic nerve damage.
- Acute infectious diseases (primarily influenza).
This is a chronic ENT disease most oftengradually progresses, especially if the cause of its initial development is not eliminated. Therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating the action of a provoking factor. These patients are often offered ear prostheses for use.
Diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses
There are quite a lot of different ENT diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses. The most common among them are:
- rhinitis;
- deviated septum;
- nosebleed;
- adenoiditis;
- sinusitis.
Rhinitis in its course can be acute and chronic. It occurs under the influence of one or another irritant, which can be pathogenic microorganisms, allergic pollutants, active chemicals. In some cases, the cause of chronic rhinitis is the excessive use of vasoconstrictor nasal drops, which leads to atrophy of the mucous membrane. Treatment is to eliminate the factor that provokes rhinitis, as well as the use of nasal drops, mostly s alt-based.
Deviated septum is a problem if this ENT disease leads to disruption of the normal breathing pattern. Treatment in this case can only be surgical.
Nosebleeds can have a variety of causes. Most often this happens incases where there is a blood vessel in the nasal mucosa that is located too superficially. Also, nosebleeds often develop against the background of an increased level of blood pressure. Treatment consists in cauterization of the bleeding vessel. This procedure should only be performed by an otorhinolaryngologist.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is an inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses. In the question of which ENT disease is the most dangerous, this pathology will be the correct answer. This is due to the fact that with its prolonged course, destruction of the bone wall of the paranasal sinus is possible. If its contents enter the brain, it can cause serious neurological disorders. It is for this reason that sinusitis should be treated as soon as the first symptoms appear.
The clinical picture of sinusitis is characterized by pain in the paranasal region, which changes its character when the head is tilted, fever, runny nose. Diagnosis of this pathology consists in conducting general blood and urine tests, as well as radiography of the paranasal sinuses. Treatment will include antibiotics, antihistamines, vasoconstrictor nasal drops, and antipyretics. In the case of a chronic course of the pathology, a surgical operation can be performed to improve the outflow of purulent masses formed in the sinuses.
