Consultation of an otolaryngologist (ENT) in Ternopil

Otolaryngology is a medical field that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the hearing organs and upper respiratory tract (auricles, outer, middle and inner ear, nasal passages and paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx, etc.). This science studies the features of the structure, work and pathological changes of the nose, ear and throat. Therefore, among the people, otolaryngologists are called ‘ear, nose, and throat’ (ENT).

When to see an otolaryngologist?

The ears and mucous membranes of the nasopharynx are barriers to the aggressive effects of environmental factors. Thus, they are primarily susceptible to various inflammations and infections. So that such pathological processes do not have serious complications, it is extremely important to consult an ENT specialist when the first symptoms of the disease appear.

Unfortunately, many still believe that a sore throat or runny nose are mild symptoms that do not require a visit to the doctor. However, ignoring these problems can lead to significant unpleasant consequences. For example, tonsillitis is dangerous with complications in the form of rheumatism, heart and kidney diseases, a runny nose can cause sinusitis or inflammation of the maxillary sinus. Often, ENT organs react with pain or inflammation in diseases of other systems.

So you should make an appointment with an otolaryngologist if the following symptoms appear:

• discomfort, perspiration, sore throat;
• hoarseness or nasal voice;
• severity of swallowing;
• heaviness of breathing;
• nasal congestion;
• suspicious discharge from the nose, throat or ears;
• nasal bleeding;
• cough;
• pain in the ear;
• tinnitus, hearing loss;
• snoring;
• bad breath.

With frequent colds (more than 3-4 times a year), you should also consult with an ENT.

Diagnosis and treatment of ENT diseases

During the consultation, the doctor learns the patient's complaints, takes a detailed history and conducts an examination, usually including otoscopy (examination of the ears), laryngoscopy (examination of the larynx), rhinoscopy (examination of the nasopharynx), pharyngoscopy (examination of the pharynx). These diagnostic methods consist of a visual examination using artificial lighting.

An endoscopic ENT examination can be considered a more modern and informative method. Such an examination visualizes the state of the cavity of the oropharynx and nasopharynx, the processes occurring in them. It is carried out using an endoscope – a thin tube with an eyepiece on one side of it and a camera that transmits an image to a computer monitor on another. Endoscopy should not be performed on people who are allergic to the anaesthetic that is necessarily used during the procedure, as well as on those who suffer from frequent nasal bleedings and have signs of vascular disease.

To deeply check the acuity and sensitivity of hearing audiometry is used. It is a modern diagnostic method that allows to identify not only hearing loss, but also its causes. For the procedure, a special device is used - an audiometer, the result of the examination is a graph, which is called an audiogram.

According to the results of examinations and clinical tests, which are prescribed if necessary, the doctor makes a diagnosis. Otolaryngologists work with such diseases (in particular, with their chronic forms) as:

• tonsillitis, angina and their complications;
• adenoiditis;
• sinusitis (frontitis, antritis);
• rhinitis;
• laryngitis;
• pharyngitis;
• curvature of the nasal septum;
• hearing impairment;
• otitis;
• sulphur plugs;
• nasal bleedings;
• polyps;
• neoplasms in the ENT organs;
• vestibulopathy and others.

Depending on the diagnosis and the characteristics of the course of the disease, conservative treatment of ENT diseases can be prescribed: a set of measures aimed to improve the condition and to prevent the disease.

If the disease does not respond well to conservative treatment or proceeds in a chronic form, cryotherapy may help. This method of treatment, by the way, also contributes to solving the problem of allergic rhinitis, but is more often used in the treatment of chronic tonsillitis. As an ENT diseases prevention, cryotherapy is recommended to be carried out once every 2-3 years.

The essence of the procedure is in the effect of liquid nitrogen on certain ENT organs. The therapeutic effect of the method is about:

• to increase blood microcirculation in tissues;
• to saturate erythrocytes with oxygen;
• to increase the amount of interferon in the tissues (which means an increase in immunity);
• to accelerate the process of tissue regeneration.

Contraindications to cryotherapy are SARS, pregnancy and furunculosis.

The effectiveness of the procedure is quite high: for example, cryotherapy allows you to get rid of exacerbations of chronic tonsillitis for 3-5 years. In addition, it can be regarded as a method of differential diagnosis: if the procedure does not bring results, then the functional reserve of the tonsils is zero and their surgical removal would be the best solution.

Otolaryngologists at the Viasan Medical Centre are a professional solution of ENT problems.

Specialists in Laryngology of the Viasan Medical Centre in Ternopil are real professionals. Therefore, the consultation of our ENTs is a guaranteed high quality and highly qualified medical care. The professionalism of doctors is combined with modern medical equipment and a high level of patient care. Therefore, citizens of Ternopil and the region choose the services of the Viasan Medical Centre.