A throat doctor, more correctly called an ear, nose, and throat specialist, is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the ears, nose, and throat, which are connected. Because body parts are connected, these body parts often share the same health conditions, and illnesses in one can affect the other two. Here are a few things a qualified ENT can diagnose.

Chronic Ear Infections in Adults

Ear infections often happen in children, but when an ear infection happens in adults, then an ear, nose, and throat doctor can find the underlying reason. Adults aren't normally susceptible to ear infections, so when it happens, it can be an indicator of underlying health issues that need further investigation. If your ears get inflamed every time you brush during the cold-and-flu season, be sure to get them checked out with the knowledge that this is not normal.

Dizziness and Vertigo

Ear, nose, and throat doctors are the first line of defense when people have persistent problems with vertigo and dizziness. These issues are often signs of infections or other biological imbalances in the inner ear, and because of the connection of the inner ear to the throat, the ENT specialist will diagnose dizziness and other problems, which often relate to injury of the inner ear or its infection through the throat.

Tonsillitis

Once upon a time, ENTs routinely recommended tonsillectomy if the tonsils became inflamed, which would regularly happen in some children. However, we've found that the tonsils are important lymph nodes and that although their removal is not a significant handicap to the immune system, it functions better with them in place. In modern medical practice, tonsillectomy is no longer used except in the case of related symptoms that seriously impair function. Your ENT specialist will help you make the right decisions for your body.

Cancer

Throat doctors are often also the first line of defense against certain types of cancer. According to Cancer.net, more than half of laryngeal cancer patients (53%) are diagnosed and treated before the cancer has spread. In those people, the five-year survival rate is 78%. If cancer spreads through surrounding tissues or organs and/or nearby lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 45%. If it's spread further, the survival rate is 34%. The key to fighting cancer is to schedule regular checkups and to inform your doctor of any concerns or changes in your throat.

ENTs are doctors whose work impacts your body's first line of defense against foreign micro-organisms, your ears, nose, and throat. If you're having problems, contact Villa Rica Ear, Nose & Throat today to consult on a treatment plan.