6 most common ENT issues in children

ENT is a widely known term and is abbreviated as the ears, nose, and throat. Pediatric otolaryngologists at a children’s hospitals are ENT specialists specifically trained in dealing with children. A significantly large percentage of the population, which also include children, suffer from common ENT problems like hearing loss, speech and swallowing, sleep problems, and cancer (head and neck). Some ENT problems are quite common in children, caused due to allergies or under-development of the region.

Let’s look at six such common problems.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are extremely common in children. Considering the number of patients visiting doctors at children’s hospitals, one could claim that at least five out of six children may suffer from an ear infection by the age of three. Most ear infections in children are middle ear infections. Allergies and upper respiratory infections are the two major reasons behind ear infections in children.

Glue ear

Glue ear is a very common condition found in children, where the middle ear gets filled with fluid, rather than air. This can lead to hearing loss, either in one or both ears, which can sound like what one hears when covering their ears with their hands. Glue ear usually heals by itself, and the fluid drains out. If your child has symptoms lasting over three months, treatment may be necessary, generally in the form of a minor surgical procedure.

Sore Throats

The two common throat problems in children are pharyngitis and tonsillitis. The difference between the two is that pharyngitis specifically affects the throat while tonsillitis affects the tonsils. Both conditions can lead to inflammation and infections in the throat. Both can often be treated with anti-inflammatory medications. Sometimes, however, sore throats may simply be caused by allergies. Visit your doctor at the children’s hospital if you find something unusual in your child about this condition.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is caused due to infection of the maxillary sinus in children. This condition is usually temporary. However, children may also be affected by chronic sinusitis, usually caused due to allergies. An ENT specialist may prescribe antibiotics for treating sinusitis.

Sleep apnea

Children can often stop breathing at night, and fortunately, it’s nothing to worry about. Most children and adults will usually experience this. Sleep apneas are temporary pauses of breathing during sleep. It happens to adults too, but the causes in children are different. In adults, sleep apnea is influenced by age and weight. In children, sleep apnea is usually caused by a relaxation in the throat while sleeping, letting the tonsils or adenoids obstruct it. Children who have sleep apnea may snore, breathe through their mouth, and experience pauses in breathing while sleeping. They may also feel tired or sleepy during the day, encounter problems concentrating at school, and also display behavioral issues.

Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is commonly referred to as hay fever and is a common ENT problem in children. This condition can be seasonal or year-round. Typically it can cause nasal congestion, sleep problems, nasal discharge, fatigue, and skin rashes. This chronic problem can be caused by many allergens, both outdoors and indoors, and also from certain foods.

Although the conditions are common and easily treatable, if they happen over a long period, you should consult an ENT specialist at a children’s hospital without any delay.