February isn’t just about candy hearts and cold weather. It’s Kids Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) month! Championed by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the annual awareness campaign is designed to inform parents and caregivers about the ENT-related illnesses their children may face. Let’s celebrate Kids ENT month by increasing our knowledge so we can keep the kids we love healthier — and happier.
What is Kids ENT, and Why is It Important?
Pediatric Otolaryngology, or kids ENT, is the medical discipline that involves diagnosing and treating ear, nose, and throat-related conditions in patients ranging in age from infant to young adult. This area of medicine is vital because untreated ENT issues can result in difficulty breathing, eating, speaking, and hearing. Ultimately, if left unchecked for too long, your child could experience developmental delays. A healthy and properly functioning throat, nose, and set of ears are critical to your child’s quality of life.
What ENT-related Illnesses Could Your Child Face?
Children often end up at the doctor for ear, nose, and throat issues. In fact, an ear infection, or acute otitis media, is among the most common reasons for an office visit. Here are some other ENT-related illnesses your child may face:
- Swimmer’s ear (an infection caused by trapped moisture)
- Tonsillitis (an infection of the tonsils)
- Sinusitis (a sinus infection)
- Hearing loss (often caused by noise)
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD – also known as acid reflux)
- Sleep-disordered breathing (any issue with breathing during sleep, like sleep apnea)
- Ankyloglossia (tongue doesn’t move as it should)
- Head and neck birth defects (uncommon)
- Thyroid cancer (uncommon)
Signs to Look For
Of course, not every sneeze means it’s time to take your kid to the doctor. But, it’s important to monitor the children under your care for changes in their health and behavior. If you spot any of the following, take note:
- Difficulty hearing
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Delayed or impaired speech
- Loss of smell or taste
- Excessive or colored mucus
- Fever
- Ear, throat, or sinus pain (pulling on their ears is a tell-tale sign from kids who can’t speak)
- Redness in ears or throat
- Excessive sneezing
This isn’t an exhaustive list of possible ENT-related symptoms. If something seems different or not quite right, trust your gut and take action.
What to Do When Your Kid Has Symptoms
If your child shows these or other symptoms, contact their pediatrician right away. It’s important to treat issues as soon as possible to prevent complications later. Your pediatrician may prescribe medication and some rest for your child to get well. Or, they may send you to an ENT doctor for further evaluation and treatment. No matter the issue, the key is to catch it early.
How to Maintain Good Kids ENT Health
In a perfect world, you’d never have to take your child in for a sick visit. Although that likely won’t be the case, there are some things you can do to minimize trips to the doctor for kids ENT issues:
- Make sure that they get their annual physical so problems can be detected in advance
- Keep music and other sounds at a safe level (70 decibels or less) to avoid noise-induced hearing loss
- Teach them to dry their ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing to prevent swimmer’s ear
- Tell them to never insert objects (like cotton swabs) into their ears to avoid injury
- Encourage hand washing and proper hygiene to minimize their risk of getting any infection
- Avoid contact with people you know are sick (if possible) to prevent the spread of germs to your child
Final Thoughts
Kids ENT month is our yearly reminder to brush up on pediatric ear, nose, and throat ailments. When we increase our knowledge, we’re better able to recognize and respond to health issues that impact our children’s quality of life. Thank you for taking a moment to participate in this important annual event. Everyone at Faulkner ENT wishes you and your children a healthy and happy year ahead!
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