As you age, various health issues can arise, affecting your everyday lives. One of the major concerns is when the three vital body parts—the ear, nose, and throat (ENT)—are affected. These parts play a crucial role in your daily activities, and having issues with them can make life difficult.

Fortunately, technological advancements have made several treatments available to help resolve ENT issues. These treatments are provided by ENT specialists known as otolaryngologists.

In this article, we will explore the treatments and benefits otolaryngologists can offer you. Read on to learn more.

Common ENT Issues and their Treatments

ENT includes several problems as it covers your three major body parts. Let’s examine some of the common issues and their respective available treatments.

Ears

Age can lead to various ear-related problems. These issues may significantly impact your quality of life. The most common age-related ear problems include:

EAR WAX BUILD-UP:

As you age, the glands inside the ear change, causing the earwax to become drier. This makes it harder for your ears to clean themselves, resulting in earwax build-up.

Most people use a cotton swab to clean their ears, but if not used properly, this can push the wax further into the ear. This can cause infections, hearing loss, or even rupture of the eardrum.

To prevent these issues, it is suggested to consult a top ENT specialist, who examines the ear thoroughly using a microscope before cleaning it. This allows for better visualization of the ear and helps prevent damage. They also offer various treatment methods, such as cleaning by a curette or through suction.

EARDRUM RUPTURE:

As you grow older, your ears become more prone to rupturing eardrums and developing holes. This can be caused by factors such as thinning tissues, reduced elasticity, and underlying health concerns like diabetes.

A chemical treatment is applied to the hole and covered with a small patch to treat the ruptured eardrum. If this doesn't work, the otolaryngologist may perform surgery, taking a skin graft from another area of the ear and placing it over the hole.

CHRONIC EAR INFECTIONS:

Due to the weakened immune system in old age, chronic ear infections can occur. These can last up to three months or even longer and cause constant ear pain, facial weakness, or even hearing loss.

Some of these infections can be treated with medications provided by an otolaryngologist. However, if the infections are severe, he can offer different surgical options, such as myringoplasty, mastoidectomy, and Tympanoplasty.

Nose and Sinus

As your age increases, so does the weakening of the cartilage around your nose. This results in various nose and sinus related issues. Let's take a look at some of these issues:

TURBINATE ENLARGEMENT

The tissues in your nose and sinuses become less elastic and more prone to dryness as you age. This can lead to nasal blockage.

One of the most common issues of nasal blockage is turbinate enlargement. These are bony structures inside the nasal cavity. They can become swollen and inflamed, leading to difficulty breathing through the nose.

The professionals can offer you an array of surgical and in-office turbinate reduction procedures. They will help you improve your breathing and provide long-term relief without requiring nasal sprays and medication.

DEVIATED SEPTUM:

A midline structure separates your left and right nasal cavities called a nasal septum. It is made of both bone and cartilage. But, due to aging and several other reasons, this septum can deviate, leading to breathing problems.

However, the good news is that an otolaryngologist can perform several minimally invasive techniques to straighten the septum. This will help you breathe optimally through both nostrils.

Throat

Your body undergoes several natural changes in your body’s tissues as you age. This can cause several voice issues like:

CHANGE IN VOICE:

Age-related changes in the voice occur as tissues shrink, thin, and stiffen in the larynx and vocal cords. These can cause your voice to change or vibrate.

However, if you observe any difficulty speaking or a change in your voice, ENT specialists can perform a thorough examination.

This is performed using a laryngoscope or, in some cases, a mirror to get a deeper view of your vocal cords. This can help them properly assess and diagnose the difficulty and provide you with the best treatment possible.

DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING:

More than 10% of individuals above the age of 65 are estimated to have difficulties in swallowing. It can be a symptom of an underlying condition known as dysphagia. However, that’s not always the case.

A thorough examination by an otolaryngologist can help you find the reason behind this issue. A customized treatment can then be designed for you based on what is causing this issue for you. This treatment may include swallowing therapy, diet, and food modifications.

It is essential to consult with a doctor promptly if you are facing this issue since it can lead to symptoms like acid reflux, heartburn, and weight loss.

Final Words

In conclusion, otolaryngologists can provide vital support and care for your ENT issues. They will help you with your age-related challenges, which will help promote your well-being and health outcomes.