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Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) diseases in children are among the most common reasons for visits to the doctor. Children ENT Singapore problems are more common because their bodies and immune systems are still developing. Many structures in the ENT region aren’t fully matured, making them more susceptible to malfunction. Colds and flu, allergies, and earaches are all common ENT problems in children, but some ENT illnesses require immediate attention.
Many pediatric ENT doctors must see a lot of ear tubes and ear infections, as everyone can guess. Did you know, though, that they deal with a lot more than just those issues? Take a look at these three issues that pediatric ENTs deal with:
Snoring
When children are weary, they may snore here and there. If your child is snoring on a regular or daily basis, however, it may be time to contact an ENT doctor. Snoring is a warning indication that something is wrong with your child’s airway, and it can be a serious problem. Sleep apnea in children is on the rise, and a child’s snoring is not normal.
What exactly is snoring?
The rattling or snorting sounds created by a person while sleeping is known as snoring.
What’s the big deal about snoring?
Social
A snorer can keep his or her bed partner or roommates awake at night. Due to poor or irregular sleep, this might cause exhaustion and frustration in the bed partner or housemates. A loud snorer may be mocked by his or her friends and family, which might have psychological implications.
Medically
Snoring could be a sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), a medical disorder that, if left untreated, can have serious implications.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and how does it affect you?
OSA is a medical condition in which a person’s upper airway collapses during sleep, causing them to stop breathing. The person stops breathing entirely for more than 10 seconds during each episode of apnoea. As a result, less oxygen reaches the heart and brain via the bloodstream.
Soft tissues in the pharynx are floppy, and the tongue’s muscle tone is low.
During sleep, persons with these diseases’ tongues may fall backwards into the airway, and their side throat tissues may be sucked in. This causes a partially blocked airway, tissue vibration, and snoring. Do consult a professional and experienced throat specialist for pharynx issues.
Jaw that is little or retreating (micro – or retrognathia)
Due to a decreased airway area below their tongue, those with a tiny or retreating jaw bone are more likely to snore.
Snoring is the most prevalent symptom of OSA. OSA patients frequently snore loudly, have choking episodes during sleep, are restless at night, and are exhausted throughout the day. Morning headaches, frequent urination at night, depression, and diminished sex drive are some of the other symptoms.
How is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosed
It is advisable to speak with your doctor about how you might be assessed for OSA. It usually starts with an appointment with your ENT Specialist Singapore, who will obtain a detailed clinical history and perform a physical examination. In the clinic, a flexible nasoendoscopy (the introduction of a small lighted tube with a camera into the nose and throat) will most likely be performed to assess the various sources of upper airway narrowing.
To diagnose OSA, a sleep study, commonly known as polysomnography (PSG), is required. A sleep study can be done at home or at a sleep laboratory. It keeps track of the body’s activity while sleeping, including brain waves, blood oxygen levels, heart rate and respiration, as well as eye and leg movements. The use of a WatchPAT sleep study is a reliable and less complicated alternative to a comprehensive sleep study. It does not collect as much data as a comprehensive sleep study, but it has been proved to be a reliable option for patients who have symptoms that are suggestive of OSA or who are unable to sleep effectively with many wires and sensors attached to them. A WatchPAT sleep study has the advantage of being simple, and patients generally sleep better as a result of it.
During sleep, the sleep study counts the number of apnoeas (when airflow to the lungs drops by more than 90% for more than 10 seconds) and hypopneas (when airflow drops by more than 30% for more than 10 seconds and oxygen saturation drops by more than 3% or alertness).
Balance
Kids fall down all the time, but if your child is having trouble keeping his or her balance, it could be an inner ear problem. ENT doctors can help children regain their balance by treating inner ear balance disorders. Learning how to balance correctly is one of the numerous physical stages that a young child must pass. A child’s life could be severely hampered if they have a balance problem.
Overview
The human ear is much more than a sensory organ. It’s also a balancing organ. The ear contains a complicated system that sends messages to the brain, allowing us to keep our head and body in balance while moving our heads in different directions. Through the Eustachian tube, it is also related to the nose and throat. Because of its close link with the nose and throat, ear symptoms can also be caused by disorders in the nose, throat, or neck. To find out more about your ear issues or problems that you are having, do consult an ear specialist at the soonest!
Surgery of the Head and Neck
ENT doctors are experts in their profession, and if your child requires head or neck surgery, they will be adequately cared for. Pediatric ENTs are well-known for their abilities to work with children while also providing them with great care that will enable them to live a happy and healthy life. ENT specialists are qualified to treat any diseases relating to this area of the body, and surgery may be required for a variety of reasons.
As a parent, taking your child to a specialist can be stressful. However, knowing what pediatric ENT doctors can give is critical in selecting the best care for your child.