Just like an adult, there is a wide range of ENT problems that can affect small kids. ENT stands for ear, nose & throat, and the problems related to these are most commonly seen in small children lying in the age group of 6 months to two years. Early detection and timely medical intervention can help to manage such problems effectively, but, for this, it is important for all parents to educate themselves about such conditions and their symptoms, so that they know when to seek proper medical intervention. In this blog, we have elaborated on some of the most common conditions that are seen in children, with the help of experts from the best ENT hospital in Gurugram.
Middle ear infection -
Also referred to as Otitis Media, a middle ear infection is very common in children. The infection can either be bacterial or viral and involves the area behind the eardrum, i.e. the middle ear. It is marked by the build-up of pus that can push against the eardrum, giving rise to immense pain and discomfort. In extreme cases, it can cause the eardrum to rupture. You will be surprised to know that nearly 80 per cent of children will develop the infection at least once, by the time they are 3 years old.
Children usually develop middle ear infections after a cold or any other infection involving the respiratory tract. The infection-causing bacteria or virus spread to the middle ear via the eustachian tube, and even cause it to swell up, leading to a blockage. As a result of this, the fluids get trapped in the middle ear, resulting in a middle ear infection.
Common symptoms that may suggest that your little one has a middle ear infection include:
Swimmer's ear -
The condition is also known as otitis externa. It is a type of ear infection that involves the external ear canal. The name comes from the fact that the condition is commonly seen in children who swim and is triggered by the accumulation of water which promotes bacterial and fungal growth in the ear canal. Swimmer’s ear may also be developed by kids who have never entered the pool. This can probably be due to an injury to the ear canal, insertion of a foreign object into the ear canal, excessive wax build-up or underlying skin conditions like eczema.
The top ENT doctors in Gurugram suggest that Swimmer’s ear can be prevented with the use of ear plugs during swimming or bathing. You should also avoid using cotton swabs to clean your little one’s ears.
Common symptoms that may suggest that your little one has swimmer’s ear include:
Sinusitis
Did you know that nearly 6 to 7 per cent of kids that present with respiratory symptoms actually have sinusitis? Surprising, isn’t it? Sinusitis refers to the inflammation of the tissues in the sinus, i.e. the hollow cavities that surround the nasal passage. Sinusitis in children is usually caused by a virus and the symptoms experienced by them are quite different from those seen in adults.
Common symptoms that may suggest that your little one has sinusitis include:
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is marked by an infection in the tonsils that leads to soreness and swelling. This can be bacterial or viral, depending on which the treatment varies. Tonsilitis is broadly classified into three types - Acute tonsillitis, which is abrupt and lasts for around 3 to 4 days, recurrent tonsillitis, which comes again and again even after treatment, and chronic tonsillitis, which develops slowly and leads to a long-lasting infection.
Common symptoms that may suggest that your little one has tonsillitis include:
If you want to know more about ENT problems that affect children, consult the experts from the best hospital in India today.
Dr. Kunal Nigam, Head of the Department & Consultant
ENT, Cochlear Implant & Voice Disorders
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