Children are at a vulnerable age where they are constantly exposed to risks of acquiring conditions or ailments that require a specialist’s attention. You need an ENT specialist for illnesses that affect the head, neck, ears, nose, and throat. They are professionally trained to assess and diagnose illnesses, and they are also capable of performing intricate and crucial surgeries for treatments.
According to a study in 2013, the most common ENT illnesses were tonsillitis, rhinitis, and acute otitis media. These ENT diseases and their symptoms are usually common in children. That is why some parents may choose to ignore these signs and not make a huge deal out of them. However, how exactly will parents know when to visit an optometrist or otolaryngologist when these issues become more severe, and why are these check-ups so important?
The Importance of ENT Health
ENT health is crucial since it pertains to the fundamental functions of human beings, especially children. This hinders your child’s capability to live life comfortably and develop skills effectively. ENT covers your child’s hair, ears, nose, and mouth conditions, all of which are essential in everyday life, especially for a child that is still continuously growing and becoming more mature. Most parents may not consider these types of problems as major since these conditions are usually common and overlooked.
Nonetheless, having your child get checked by otolaryngologists can help avoid complications. Some of these complications include hearing disorders, ear infections, nasal passage sinuses, smelling issues, breathing or swallowing problems, dental trauma, snoring, sleep disorders, eye problems, and more. ENT specialists can treat a wide range of complications, no matter the degree, as long as it involves problems from the neck and up. Scheduling regular appointments with your trusted specialists can do wonders for you and your child. This is needed to prevent any major diseases and complications, especially as they mature and evolve into healthy and happy adults.
Signs It’s Time to See a Specialist
Here are some of the most common symptoms that suggest your child has ENT complications and needs to be checked by a specialist.
One of the most common complications parents need to be wary of is problems or infections involving the ears. The first three years of a child may be filled with pediatrician sessions because of ear infections. However, it is best to seek help from a specialist immediately when these complications continue. Some symptoms that also affect the ears are fluid buildup, hearing issues, and frequent tugging of ears.
It is crucial to remember that most of the time, fluid in a child’s ear can build up because of a cold or allergy. It is known that about 90% of children experience fluid buildup in their ears before reaching school age. Keep in touch with your pediatrician for the possible treatments needed, like the use of an ear microsuction procedure or ear ventilation tubes.
Moreover, children with abnormally loud snores may indicate the possibility of a complication. Children will sometimes snore, but snoring several nights a week for over a month indicates a myriad of problems. Snoring may hint towards a problem with a child’s nose or nasal passage. Allergies may be a simple reason why this is happening since most of the time, they may cause congestion.
But this may also be a breathing problem which can interrupt a full nights’ sleep and, over time, affect the growth and development of a child. Or it can be a sign of sleep apnea that can progress to heart problems and other complications. Thus, it is better to check in with your pediatrician.
On top of that, children usually acquire colds, especially when they are around other children at schools or daycares. Colds that appear every three to four weeks are considered normal. However, suppose a child experiences recurring colds that persist for more than a week. In that case, an appointment with a specialist is needed.
Other common symptoms need to be monitored, as well. Your child may experience issues with swallowing solid and liquid foods, repetitive cases of tonsillitis, sinus infections, or sore throats. In general, any recurring infections in, on, and around the ears, nose, and throat should be watched out for. Besides that, frequent and excessive nosebleeds that occur multiple times in a single week with no apparent cause or trauma may also stipulate issues that a specialist needs to address.
In these times of uncertainty and distress, safeguarding your family’s health takes pole position. Of the many health issues to be vigilant of, ENT health is of utmost importance. To maintain your child’s ENT health and provide treatment when ENT health is under attack, there is a need to recognize the vital medical care ENT specialists provide. Finally, you should know when to seek out the care of ENT specialists. With this knowledge, you can better protect your child’s health, as well as the whole family’s health, during these troubled times and well beyond it.
