Committed to your whole-body health, Benesque Wellness provides a comprehensive array of specialized services, including ear nose and throat (ENT) services. Here are common reasons you may need to visit an ENT specialist.
Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis
Head and neck cancers include cancers of the larynx (voice box), nasal cavity, sinuses, tongue, mouth and throat. Because head and neck cancers begin in the oral cavity, an ENT specialist is most qualified to diagnose them. Most (85 percent) of head and neck cancers occur in tobacco users, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Thyroid Surgery
The thyroid is a gland in your neck that creates hormones that regulate your metabolism. If you develop thyroid nodules (growths) that could be cancerous, have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, or have nodules or goiters that are unsightly or are causing you pain or problems with swallowing, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland.
Thyroid surgery may also be necessary to treat an underactive or overactive thyroid. Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. It is associated with fatigue, weight gain and depression. Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) occurs when the body produces too much thyroid hormone. It is associated with agitation, tremors, excess sweating and weight loss.
Neck Masses
If you develop a mass in your neck, you should be evaluated by an ENT specialist to make sure it is not cancerous. The ENT doctor will evaluate the mass, take a medical history and conduct a test to evaluate the mass. Common tools used to evaluate neck masses include a fine-needle biopsy, CT scan, MRI and open (more comprehensive) biopsy.
Mouth Lesions
Mouth lesions (or sores) are common and usually easy to treat. Still, if you’re not sure why you’ve developed a mouth lesion or have one that is painful or long-lasting, you should have it checked out by an ENT doctor. Common mouth lesions include canker sores (sores that are not contagious) and fever blisters (sores caused by a herpes simplex virus that are contagious and can easily spread without treatment). Other mouth lesions include leukoplakia (thick, white patches in the mouth) and candidiasis (a fungal infection caused by yeast.) An ENT doctor is trained to identify and treat mouth lesions.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Valerie Roth, contact our office today at (724) 342-5890.