Working with ENT Physicians to Get Surgical Intervention Nasal Procedures
ENT physicians are unique specialists whose credentials include training as surgeons. Otolaryngologists, as they are called, are thus quite different from doctors who are specialists in other fields. Those doctors usually refer you to other specialists. So when you have ENT problems and you are seen by an otolaryngologist, this physician will be your surgeon should your condition require surgical intervention.
Common ENT Conditions
ENT conditions may cause you to receive treatment for conditions such as allergies, sinusitis, asthma, and hearing problems. Sometimes ENT conditions require that you undergo surgical intervention in order to address the internal problems. Your otolaryngologist utilizes surgical skills in performing surgery as a corrective measure for septum bending.
Septum Bending
Your septum forms a vertical wall in your nose that divides into two nasal passages. Unfortunately, as you grow older, or by virtue of an injury, the septum begins to bend from one side of the structure to the other side.
Problems with your septum may begin to develop for one reason or the other. It's really a comforting factor when your ENT doctor, whom you've known for many years, notes that the problem with your septum may require surgery and can address the issue.
Symptoms Of Deviating Septum
Depending upon the severity of your deviating septum, you may begin to experience poor sleep because airflow is obstructed from your nose. That condition gives way to loud snoring and perhaps sleep apnea too. What happens in this interaction is that the airflow problem deprives your brain and body of necessary oxygen amounts that are vital for your body's ability to repair itself.
You might also develop a decrease in your sense of smell and taste. ENT physicians note that this happens because small molecules that generally float in your airflow do not reach the organ within your nose that promotes smelling and tasting abilities. If your condition worsens, your ENT physician/surgeon will perform a septoplasty to correct the now deviated septum. Septoplasty will improve comfortable breathing through both nostrils. Septoplasty is also used to treat or remove nasal polyps.
Removing the Polyps
Polyps appear as growths in the lining of your nose and are generally found near the sinuses. Swelling and irritation experienced with sinusitis breed the formation of polyps. They don't create a problem if they're small but do so when they get larger and become obstructive. Otolaryngologists may choose to remove polyps during a sinusitis-related procedure. Your surgeon will discuss the most up-to-date procedures to use when and if new and innovative polyp removal procedures are found for this type of problem in the future.
Learn more about the process by contacting an ENT surgeon.