If your child has been dealing with sinus issues or varied symptoms, it is important to schedule a visit to your local otolaryngologist. As a parent, you care deeply about your child's health. In the early stages of a child's life, it is often difficult to know what health issues are affecting them. That is why ENT clinics are so beneficial.
If you are unsure of the source of your child's discomfort, it is important to have an ear, nose, and throat specialist examine them instead of making an educated guess. Sinus issues can create a plethora of problems immediately or down the road. With that in mind, to learn more about common pediatric sinus ailments, read on.
Here are 5 of the most common pediatric sinus ailments:
Sinusitis
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Frequent Nosebleeds
Pharyngitis & Tonsillitis
Deviated Septum
Rhinitis & Allergies
Sinusitis
In general, sinusitis is considered an infection of the sinuses. As a result of blocked nasal discharge, bacteria can grow in the sinuses. The result is often a sinus infection or sinusitis. While acute sinusitis may get better on its own, it is always recommended to take your child to a pediatric sinus specialist if symptoms persist. Make sure your child uses saline sprays or washes to keep the nose moist. You may also choose to use a humidifier in dry inside areas as well to aid in a healthy sinus system.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
A child with obstructive sleep apnea will likely experience shortness of breath or briefly stop breathing while sleeping. Airway obstruction typically causes such a sinus issue. The primary cause of upper respiratory infections is large tonsils and adenoids.
Noisy breathing or loud snoring during sleep are common symptoms. If you notice these symptoms in your child or notice that your child is also irritable, sleepy or hyperactive during the day, a sleep study can be a good way to diagnose the condition. It may be helpful to have the tonsils and adenoids surgically removed if your child continues to suffer from these issues.
Contact Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee for your pediatric nasal and sinus issue needs.
Frequent Nosebleeds
A nosebleed results from a ruptured blood vessel in the nasal mucus membranes. Unless they become more frequent, nosebleeds are usually not a major concern (unless severe). There is an increased likelihood of nosebleeds in children, especially those living in dry climates and during the colder winter months.
Nasal bleeding can be caused by a variety of factors. This can include anything from dry air, nose picking to allergies. In many cases, there is no specific cause. Nonetheless, a cool mist humidifier can aid in alleviating or preventing frequent nosebleeds in the nighttime. In the same vein, teach your child not to blow or pick their nose too hard. You can apply petroleum jelly several times a day inside your child's nostrils if irritation has occurred.
Pharyngitis & Tonsillitis
Pharyngitis occurs when the throat is inflamed, whereas tonsillitis occurs due to inflammation of the tonsils. Viruses are the most common cause for these sinus issues. While antibiotics are not required for treatment, if your child is experiencing extreme sinus issues or health symptoms, you’ll want to ensure the best steps to take with a pediatric sinus specialist. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your child is experiencing severe symptoms, such as trouble swallowing or breathing, drooling, stiff neck or swelling in the neck.
Deviated Septum
Composed of cartilage, the nasal septum divides the nose into two separate sections. Deviated septums result from an abnormal configuration of the cartilage dividing the nasal cavity and causing breathing or nasal discharge issues. When a septum is severely deviated from its midline, we call it a deviated septum.
In most cases, nasal breathing is difficult with a deviated septum. In most cases, the symptoms are worse on one side, and in other cases, the sinuses are unable to drain properly, resulting in repeated infection. Birth defects, injuries, or previous medical treatments may result in a deviated septum. These issues can be fixed with non-invasive surgical procedures.
Pediatric Otolaryngology with OAT
At OAT, we treat each and every child as if they were our own. We provide cutting-edge routine and specialty care for ear, nose, and throat disorders and diseases in children. Our practice has generations of experience treating the children of Middle Tennessee.
Whether your child suffers from tongue tie, chronic ear infections, tonsillitis, allergies, or hearing loss, we can help. OAT offers a wide range of in-office diagnostic tools and procedures and our board-certified specialists compassionately work with you and your child to find the right course of treatment.
