Not everyone will visit an ENT in their lifetime, they never might have been affected or they are blissfully unaware of the depleting quality of life issues. Most otolaryngological issues are non life threatening they severely impact the quality of life very few of them lead towards mortality.
There is no exact consensus as to the percentage of the general population that is affected by ENT disorders, reason being the vastness of the field in general and the plethora of conditions the specialists are experts in treating. To give a broad idea as to what ENT illnesses are we will characterise them to ear nose and throat along with head and neck conditions, we will also focus on the illnesses in relation to the age group of the patients.
Children
The formative years in a child is very important as that is where 80 percent of the learning is accomplished. Children’s brains are like sponges constantly absorbing information from all sources around them.
- Neonates born prematurely have to do a hearing test to rule out hearing impairments
- Toddlers exhibiting delayed speech and behavioural problems have to undergo a thorough examination.
- Recurrent bouts of cough and cold have to be evaluated to treat the underlying cause.
- Ear discharge in children has to be evaluated.
- Recurrent nasal bleeding in children is alarming.
- Stammering, stuttering or any kind of language or speech disorders are best managed at a young age.
- Children coming from allergic and asthmatic families have to undergo allergy evaluation and be started on immunotherapy from an early age.
Adults
Adulthood is where we set the tempo for our old age, this age group is notorious for pushing back on doctor visits. Healthy body is a true gift which is seldom given. The rest of us have to work for it. Quality of life we live now will have a major impact on our life span, things that can be treated when dragged out will result in devastating results.
- Recurrent infections of the throat and the nose have to be thoroughly evaluated and treated promptly to avoid further complications.
- Tinnitus is rising in the urban population and there are various treatment options available.
- Giddiness is something which is always misdiagnosed and overmedicated, simple evolution of the labyrinthine system will yield miraculous results.
- Speech and voice disorders are very easily treatable and often avoided or ignored.
- Any lumps or bumps over the face, neck or chin have to be paid attention to.
- Salivary gland issues which will result in dry mouth or halitosis.
- Allergy is not to be taken lightly and will severely impact the quality of life.
- Snoring is not a hereditary or genetic condition, it shouldn’t be normalised.
- Hearing disturbances have to be identified quickly.
Seniors
The best and the most precious time in our lives is when our bodies start to deteriorate. Ageing is a part of life and with it comes various challenges and not willing to face them in not going to make it easy. Nerve degeneration can cause a lot of day to day issues which can be managed very efficiently.
- Everyone over the age of 55 should undergo a yearly hearing evaluation.
- Swallowing or speech disorders early identification and intervention is the key.
- Nasal bleeds in seniors are a common occurrence and have to be handled promptly.
Like in every other situation early identification and management can save a lot of unwanted grief, otolaryngology also deals with a lot of skull base and head and neck disorders which are very rare. There is no mandatory visit to an ENT Clinic which is recommended by any guidelines but the current awareness in the general urban population is rising which is yielding to better treatment outcomes and lesser significant complications of otherwise harmless diseases.
