Ear, nose and throat conditions are among the most common reasons that parents bring their children in to see a doctor. In some cases, children are referred to otolaryngologists, also known as ENT physicians. Below we review some of the reasons you should bring your child to an expert ENT.
Snoring
While it’s common for children to snore if they are experiencing allergies or a cold, if your child snores all the time, it could be the sign of a common sleep disorder called sleep apnea.
There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, caused by the tissues in the mouth and throat collapsing into the airway; central sleep apnea, caused by the brain failing to send the correct signals to the breathing muscles; and complex sleep apnea, which is a combination of the two.
Loud snoring is the most common symptom of sleep apnea, as well as pauses in breathing during sleep, gasping or choking sounds in the night, daytime fatigue and mood problems.
Sleep apnea is diagnosed using a sleep study and is often treated with a combination of lifestyle modifications and the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
Recurrent Ear Infections
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “Five out of six children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday.”
Middle ear infections are the result of inflammation of the Eustachian tubes, usually caused by a cold or allergies, so that fluid can no longer drain from the middle ear. As a result, it builds up and can grow bacteria.
ENT physicians can diagnose a middle ear infection after reviewing symptoms and looking in the ear with an otoscope. In many cases, they will take a wait-and-see approach, though sometimes antibiotics are necessary. If the ear infections are recurrent, ear tubes may be placed to keep the Eustachian tubes open.
Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds, known medically as epistaxis, can strike at any time, including when your child is playing on Sassafras All Children’s Playground in Laurel Hills Park.
A nosebleed may be anterior, beginning in the nostrils, or posterior, beginning further back in the nose.
An ENT physician can diagnose the source of the nosebleed and recommend appropriate management options.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Blue Ridge ENT today.