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Otolaryngology Career Paper

Decent Essays

The medical profession is often times lumped into the thought that “a doctor is a doctor”. Many people fail to explore more into the specialized fields of medicine. There are 25 plus specialized fields and within those fields there are many subspecialties (“Specialties and Subspecialties”). All of these positions make up what what is far too often generalized as the “medical field”. This paper is going to focus in on one specialty in particular; otolaryngology, often referred to as “ear, nose, and throat” or ENT for short. Throughout this paper it’ll explore what being an ENT is and what the job entails, what it takes to become an ENT, and the different subspecialties that fall into the otolaryngology category. Being the oldest medical specialty in the United States, otolaryngology is an important part of today’s medical system. …show more content…

The American Academy of Otolaryngology, roughly 35 million people develop chronic sinusitis (inflammation of the nasal sinusitis) each year (“What Is An Otolaryngologist?”, 2011). Treating sinusitis is a common occurrence in an ENT’s career, becoming a primary skill of an ENT. Other specific problems involving the nasal cavities that ENT’s treat are: allergies, smell disorders, polyps (growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses), deviated septum, and even change the appearance of the nose itself (“Department of Otolaryngology” 2013).
Another expertise that ENT’s possess is the treatment of diseases of the throat. Given that communication and food consumption are both dependent on this area it’s essential that it’s done properly. The portion is composed of the throat, larynx (voice box), and esophagus. It includes voice and swallowing disorders as well. Some common medical issues ENT’s treat regarding the throat are: dysphagia, laryngitis, sleep apnea, snoring, tonsillitis, and vocal disorders (“Department of Otolaryngology”

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