ENT diseases are quite common. Periodically, they can bother almost everyone. The treatment of pathology of the pharynx, larynx, ear and nose is performed by an otorhinolaryngologist. Some help with diseases of this localization can also be provided by a general practitioner and general practitioner.
What ENT diseases exist?
To date, a large number of diseases of the otorhinolaryngological profile are known. By localization, they are divided into the following groups:
- sore throat;
- ear diseases;
- diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses.
The localization of the pathology will determine the set of diagnostic studies prescribed by the ENT specialist and the further tactics of patient management.
Sore throat
The list of ENT diseases in this area is quite extensive. The main ones are the following:
- angina;
- pharyngitis;
- laryngitis;
- tonsillitis;
- abscess;
- tumor pathologies;
- thermal and chemical burns;
- foreign bodies.
All of these ENT diseases of the throat require a visit to a specialist doctor to prescribe a rational course of treatment.
Angina
Angina is a disease of the tonsils. Most often, it is caused by a staph infection. With this disease, a plaque is found on the 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 tonsillitis is based on the detection of plaque on the tonsils during a general examination, as well as the results of a study of biological material taken with a smear from the affected area.
Treatment of angina is based on the use of antibiotics, antipyretic, 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, the conditionally pathogenic 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 soreness in the affected area, fever. Diagnosis of the disease includes a general examination, as well as the delivery of general blood and urine tests.
The treatment of this pathology is based on the use of antihistamines, antipyretic drugs, as well as local anesthetics in the form of a spray. In the case of a prolonged course of this disease, antibiotics are prescribed to the patient. In addition, doctors recommend drinking a large amount of warm liquid and gargling with saline-soda solution.
Tonsillitis
This pathology is an inflammation of the tonsils. Most often, it develops after hypothermia or after contact with an already ill person.
The clinical picture of tonsillitis is characterized by swelling and redness of the tonsils, sore throat, which intensifies when swallowing, as well as an increase in body temperature. This disease may be accompanied by difficulty in eating.
Treatment of tonsillitis includes the use of antibacterial drugs, antihistamines, antipyretic drugs and local anesthetics in the form of a spray. In the chronic course of this disease, accompanied by a significant increase in the tonsils, the patient is recommended to undergo surgical treatment in order to remove them. This will save a person from tonsillitis and tonsillitis, however, it will also remove one of the immune barriers to pathogenic microorganisms.
Abscess
This disease is quite dangerous. An abscess is suppuration limited by connective tissue. If the abscess is opened not in the throat cavity, but in other tissues, the patient may develop severe complications that can lead to death. That is why it is important not to try to treat an abscess on your own, but to contact an otorhinolaryngologist immediately.
This pathological process is most often accompanied by severe sore throat, which can radiate throughout the neck, swelling and swelling in the affected area, an increase in body temperature to 40 ° C or more.
Treatment of an abscess begins with antibacterial, antihistamines, as well as antipyretic drugs. If their use did not bring the expected results, a surgical operation is performed to open and drain the abscess. Intervention can be performed in a hospital or in the treatment room of an otorhinolaryngologist at an outpatient health care institution. After the operation, treatment with tablet preparations continues until the patient recovers completely.
Ear diseases
Among this pathology, the most common diseases are the following:
- otitis;
- 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 and even hearing loss.
Otitis
Otitis media is an inflammatory disease of the ear. With the course, an acute and chronic form of pathology is distinguished. By the nature of the damage, otitis media is defined as catarrhal and purulent. By localization, it can be external, secondary or internal.
The clinical course of otitis media is accompanied by pain in the affected area and an increase in body temperature. In addition, with the purulent nature of the disease, the level of hearing can decrease. This disease requires immediate treatment, especially when it comes to otitis media or internal otitis media. If you quickly do not rid a person of such otitis media, this will lead to impairment or complete loss of hearing. The treatment of ENT diseases of this type 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.
Sensorineural hearing loss
This disease is characterized by hearing loss. The reasons for its development may be as follows:
- Continuous noise exposure on the auditory analyzer.
- Heredity (approximately 12.5% of people have a gene mutation that contributes to the development of sensorineural hearing loss).
- Damage to the auditory nerve.
- Acute infectious diseases (primarily influenza).
This chronic ENT disease most often gradually progresses, especially if the cause of its initial development is not eliminated. Therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating the action of a provoking factor. Such patients are often offered ear prostheses for use.
Diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses
There are many different ENT diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses. The most common among them are:
- rhinitis;
- curvature of the nasal septum;
- nose bleed;
- 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, and 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 consists in eliminating the factor provoking rhinitis, as well as the use of nasal drops, to a greater extent on a salt basis.
Curvature of the nasal septum is a problem if this ENT disease leads to a violation of the normal breathing pattern. Treatment in this case can only be surgical.
Epistaxis can have a number of causes. Most often this happens in cases where there is a blood vessel in the nasal mucosa located too superficially. Also, nosebleeds often develop against a background of high blood pressure. Treatment consists in cauterizing a bleeding vessel. This procedure should be performed only 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 right answer. This is due to the fact that during its long course, destruction of the bony 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 immediately after the onset of the first symptoms.
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 carrying out general blood and urine tests, as well as radiography of the paranasal sinuses. Treatment will include the use of antibiotics, antihistamines, vasoconstrictor nasal drops, as well as antipyretic drugs. In the case of a chronic course of pathology, a surgical operation can be performed to improve the outflow of purulent masses formed in the sinuses.