How Does an ENT Doctor Treat Throat Conditions?

An ENT doctor is able to diagnose and treat a range of conditions relating to the ear, nose and throat. They can work with patients of all ages, with treatments relating to anything head, neck and ear related, including laryngitis and tonsillitis. An ENT doctor has completed medical school and gone through certified training to ensure that they can practice as an ENT. Often, an ENT doctor develops a subspecialty in their field, such as thyroid treatment or laryngology and when you are dealing with an ear, nose or throat issue that goes beyond a regular physician, you will be referred to an ENT doctor for their expertise. They can give you advice on your condition and prescribe medication and – in some cases – surgery to fix the issue.

How does an ENT doctor treat throat conditions?

The way your ENT doctor treats throat conditions will depend on the condition itself. Generally, though, an ENT manages throat conditions with surgery. If your throat issue has become so bad that you need to refer to an ENT doctor, then it stands to reason that surgery will be the option. ENT doctors can treat a range of conditions of the throat, including:

• GERD – Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Throat tumors
• Swallowing issues
• Adenoid problems
• Throat examinations with a laryngoscope
• Tonsillectomies for tonsils that require removal
• And more

Throat surgery may feel extreme, and it is. However, your local ENT doctor will be able to ensure that you are completely aware of the procedure, how it will help you to feel back to your best and how the surgery will play out. The aftercare for throat surgery has to be delicately handled, or you end up with more prolonged pain than necessary. Some throat surgeries require you to fast before surgery, and while many different throat surgeries do not go beyond a day surgery, it's important to know everything before you go through any treatment options for your throat. Not every throat condition is fixed with surgery, but there are a lot of benefits.

Benefits of throat surgery

Your quality of life is so important, and throat surgery can improve that massively. It can also offer you the chance to feel better, have a lower chance of recurrent infection and even give you the chance to clear your airways.

If you are handling sleep apnea, clearing your airways through throat surgery can help you to improve your sleep, too. An ENT doctor can ensure that your throat condition is treated quickly and efficiently with as little recovery time as possible. An ENT doctor uses state of the art equipment and technology to make throat surgery as easy as possible to recover from. They focus on the shortest recovery time with the most up to date techniques, too.

Is surgery always needed?

All surgery options depend on the condition of your throat. Surgery may not always be the required option, and an ENT specialist can spend their day to day work life managing throat conditions without the need for surgery, but that doesn't mean that it won't ever be needed. The best thing that you can do is speak to your ENT doctor and see whether you need their help.