{"id":2881,"date":"2022-12-02T11:29:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-02T16:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blueridge-ent.com\/?p=2881"},"modified":"2022-12-08T12:12:26","modified_gmt":"2022-12-08T17:12:26","slug":"what-parents-should-keep-in-mind-about-their-childrens-ent-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blueridge-ent.com\/what-parents-should-keep-in-mind-about-their-childrens-ent-health\/","title":{"rendered":"What Parents Should Keep in Mind About Their Children\u2019s ENT Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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<\/a>, also known as ENT physicians. Below we review some of the reasons you should bring your child to an expert ENT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Snoring<\/h2>\n\n\n
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While it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recurrent Ear Infections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders<\/a>, \u201cFive out of six children will have at least one ear infection<\/a> by their third birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nosebleeds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nosebleeds<\/a>, known medically as epistaxis, can strike at any time, including when your child is playing on Sassafras All Children\u2019s Playground in Laurel Hills Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A nosebleed may be anterior, beginning in the nostrils, or posterior, beginning further back in the nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An ENT physician can diagnose the source of the nosebleed and recommend appropriate management options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Blue Ridge ENT<\/span> today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n