How to Know if Your Child is in Need of a Pediatric ENT

Ear infections are one of the most common ENT issues children face annually. In light of this, your child's health is probably something you are deeply concerned about. It is sometimes difficult to determine what health issues a child is experiencing, especially if they are young. ENT specialists come in handy in such situations.

Your child needs the services of a physician who can do more than make educated guesses about what might cause them discomfort. While a general practitioner is usually a good place to start, this can sometimes be a waste of time if they are already going to recommend you visit a pediatric ear, nose & throat specialist in Nashville, TN.

Here’s how to know if your child is in need of a pediatric ENT:

  1. Recurrent Nose Bleeds

  2. Hearing Problems

  3. Difficulty Swallowing

  4. Intense Snoring

  5. Regular Ear Infections

  6. Sinus Problems

Recurrent Nose Bleeds

A frequent nose bleed is not uncommon among young children who like to rough house and get dirty. However, you might want to visit a local ENT if you notice your child getting an abnormal amount of nosebleeds. There is nothing wrong with picking your nose, but bumps on the nose may indicate something more serious.

Be sure to seek the advice of a pediatric ENT specialist if you notice your child experiencing a bloody nose a few times in a single week, or especially if you see it a few times in a single day.

Hearing Problems

Often, our children do not listen to us every time we speak to them, but if your child has a decent temperament, but has a reputation for not listening, you may want to speak with an ENT specialist. It is important to understand that what may seem like a lack of listening skills may not be related to your child's attentiveness span.

Occasionally, children will have difficulty hearing. However, this doesn't mean you should panic. Hearing problems can be caused by something as simple as an accumulation of earwax. If your child seems to be experiencing hearing difficulty, you should take them to the doctor to diagnose and treat the problem.

Contact Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee for your pediatric nasal and sinus issue needs.

Difficulty Swallowing

If a child is having difficulty swallowing liquids, they may be suffering from any number of medical concerns. Take your child to a pediatric ENT as soon as possible if he or she finds swallowing painful.

A regimen of antibiotics can frequently treat a problem with swallowing, even if it isn't necessarily cause for alarm. It is also possible that swallowing-related problems can cause a child to not get enough liquids and to have difficulties eating. Keeping our children comfortable is important, but we also do not want them to go hungry or thirsty.

Intense Snoring

Adults are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, but children can also be affected by this problem.   your child is having troubles at night. Swollen tonsils can obstruct the airways while a child sleeps and should be addressed by an ENT and Allergy Clinic.

Snoring excessively for an extended period of time in a child is not normal.  

Regular Ear Infections

While ear infections are quite common among children throughout their lifetimes, it's not normal for a child to get an ear infection every year. In most cases, these can be cleared up with antibiotics, but more extreme cases occasionally occur and tend to persist.

Seeing a pediatric ENT is important if your child experiences multiple ear infections in a six-month period, or if she has developed a resistance to ear infection antibiotics. Providing your child with ear tubes is the best way to ease the pain in this situation.

Sinus Problems

For many, our sinus troubles can be a constant source of discomfort, including your children. Everything from seasonal allergies, to a frequently runny nose, all the way up to difficulty breathing could benefit from a visit to the pediatric ENT and Allergy Clinic.

These issues in particular can benefit from a pediatric ENT that also specializes in treating allergies such as Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee (OAT) in Nashville, TN. We can help your entire family if any of these symptoms pop up.

Contact OAT in Nashville, TN today!