ENT Kids Month - 5 ENT problems children suffer from
When children are young, ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems tend to be common. Kids are constantly mixing with others their own age, playing in a whole range of environments and won’t have the same awareness of their bodies as adults do. As a result, they can regularly pick up infections and other conditions that affect the ears, nose and throat. These are some of the most common ENT problems that can affect children.
Sleep apnoea.
These pauses in breathing can seem worrying but are usually simply the result of swollen tonsils or adenoids in children. Your child may snore, breathe through their mouth and periodically pause breathing. This can cause tiredness and grumpiness during the day. The most common solution for sleep apnoea in children is likely to be removing the tonsils or adenoids.
Rhinitis.
This is a condition where the lining of the nose is inflamed, which can cause a blocked or runny nose and mucus may drip down the back of the throat. Symptoms include a cough, caused by dripping mucus, and problems with smell. Rhinitis may be the result of allergies but it’s essential to get the support of a specialist to identify whether that is actually the case.
Glue ear.
This will affect your child’s hearing and they may experience the world in a muted way, as if they had both hands over their ears. The main symptoms of glue ear will be struggling to hear and/or getting irritated in conversations. Glue ear is a condition that is caused by fluid in the middle ear - once the fluid drains away then the condition will usually clear up within a few days. If your child has had glue ear for more than three months then you’ll need to take them to see an ENT specialist who can do a small surgical procedure to deal with the problem.
Ear infections.
These are incredibly common in children - by the age of three, five out of six children will already have had an ear infection. Ear infections are usually bacterial in children and can cause a child to cry excessively, pull and tug at their ears and they may not respond as usual to speech and sounds. A child with an ear infection may also have a fever and there may be fluid coming from the ear. Most ear infections will clear up on their own but in persistent cases medical help is advised.
Tonsillitis.
Children with tonsillitis may seem like they simply have the flu, as symptoms include a headache, cough and earache. Tonsillitis can be bacterial and viral and if your child has it then they may also have problems swallowing and be experiencing hoarseness. This is a condition that can usually be easily managed with painkillers to bring down a fever and cooling throat sprays or solutions to soothe the throat. If your child is struggling with recurring tonsillitis then it may be worth speaking to an ENT specialist about having their tonsils removed.
These are some of the most common ENT problems that children tend to suffer from.
Harley Street is the UK's foremost private medical centre which is dedicated to providing high-quality care for your ear, nose, throat, head & neck, and balance-related disorders. Find out more information on how Harley Street ENT can help you here.
