Ear, Nose, Throat problems
Otolaryngologists, or ear, nose, and throat specialists, diagnose and treat some of the most common children’s disorders such as,
Sleep apnea: Children with sleep apnea literally stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, often for a minute or longer, usually ten to 60 times during a single night. Sleep apnea can be caused by either complete obstruction of the airway (obstructive apnea) or partial obstruction (obstructive hypopnea—hypopnea is slow, shallow breathing). Otolaryngologists have pioneered the treatment for sleep apnea; research shows that one to three percent of children have this disorder, often between the age of two-to-five years old.Enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which block the airway, are usually the key factor leading to this condition. The American Academy of Pediatrics has identified obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) as a “common condition in childhood that results in severe complications if left untreated.” Among the potential consequences of untreated pediatric sleep apnea are growth failure; learning, attention, and behavior problems; and cardio-vascular complications. Because sleep apnea is rarely diagnosed, pediatricians now recommend that all children be regularly screened for snoring.
Middle ear infections:
Acute otitis media (AOM) and chronic ear infections account for majority of infections for which a child sees a doctor. Some studies have found that when a child is rubbing or massaging the infected ear to overcome the irritation or pain, the parent often responds by offering the child food or snacks for comfort. When a child does have an ear infection the first line of treatment is often a regimen of antibiotics. When antibiotics are not effective, the ENT specialist might recommend a myringotomy with pressure equalizing tube placement (BMT), a minor surgical procedure. This surgery involves the placement of small tubes in the eardrum of both ears. The benefit is to drain the fluid buildup behind the eardrum and to keep the pressure in the ear the same as it is in the exterior of the ear. This will reduce the chances of new infections and may correct any hearing loss caused by the fluid buildup.
Tonsillectomies:
Research found that Morbid obesity was a contributing factor for requiring an extra overnight hospital admission for a child undergoing removal of enlarged tonsils and adenoids. On average they have longer hospital stays, a greater need for intensive care, and a higher incidence of the need for apnea treatment of continuous positive airway pressure upon discharge from the hospital. The study found that although the morbidly obese group had a greater degree of sleep apnea, they did benefit from the procedure in regards to snoring, breath holding spells, and daytime somnolence.
What you can do
If your child has a weight problem, contract your pediatrician or family physician to discuss the weight’s effect on your child’s health, especially prior to treatment decisions. Second, ask your physician about lifestyle and diet changes that will reduce your child’s weight to a healthy standard.
