Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist

What is the role of an ear, nose, and throat physician?

Ear, nose, and throat (ENT), or otolaryngology, is a medical specialty that focuses on conditions related to the head and neck. An ENT provides medical and surgical care for conditions as innocuous as allergies and ear infections to more serious health concerns, like pituitary gland tumors. Physicians at Physicians Medical Group of San Jose work with patients of all ages, including pediatric ENT patients.

What does an ear, nose, and throat specialist treat?

An ENT diagnoses and treats a broad range of conditions, including:

Nasal and sinus disorders

Most nasal and sinus disorders occur from allergies, the common cold, or nasal membrane or sinus inflammation. An ENT can examine your nasal and sinus passages to determine whether your nasal or sinus disorder stems from something as simple as allergies or a more complex condition, such as a deviated septum.

Voice problems

The muscles that control your voice can become weakened or fatigued for several reasons. In addition to listening to your voice, reviewing your medical history, and discussing your lifestyle habits, an ENT may use an indirect laryngoscopy or laryngeal endoscopy to determine the cause of your voice/larynx disorder. Some of the most common causes include vocal cord nodules, cysts, or polyps, age, and even cancer.

Chronic snoring/sleep apnea

While snoring can be uncomfortable for you and a nuisance for your partner, it may also be a danger to your health. Many cases of chronic snoring develop due to sleep apnea — a potentially dangerous condition in which you repeatedly stop and start breathing throughout the night.

Head and neck cancers

An ENT treats most types of cancer that affect the head and neck, including in the salivary glands, mouth, throat, and sinuses.

Facial trauma

Schedule an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Physicians Medical Group of San Jose if you suffer injuries to your face and jaw. 

Hearing problems

While audiologists typically treat conditions like age-related hearing loss, an ENT specifically treats infections, inner-ear conditions, tumors, and injuries to the eardrum.

When should I see an ear, nose, and throat specialist?

Talk to your primary care doctor about referring you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist if you experience one or more of the following symptoms.

• Persistent sore throat
• Ear pain
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Tonsil infections
• Chronic ear infections
• Very dark circles underneath the eyes
• Balance problems
• Sinus pain or pressure
• Runny nose
• Neck lesions
• Difficulty breathing
• Mouth breathing
• Hearing loss

If you’re ready to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist, call your Physicians Medical Group of San Jose physician today.