Otolaryngology, also known as the study of the ears, nose, and throat, affects three of your five senses. Hearing, taste, and smell are vital to appreciate the world around you. Yet some people do not care to take care of their organs at all or might be unfortunate enough to miss the signs of something going wrong. If you suspect that you have a condition influencing your ENT zone, you should visit a doctor right away.

For children, however, the case may be a bit more complicated. Say that ear infection in your children affected them. They could have trouble voicing their opinions about it or informing adults until it is too late. They may only cry and be unable to answer your questions about what is ailing them. Get a paediatric otolaryngologist for medical assistance.

What is a paediatric ENT specialist?

A paediatric otolaryngologist or ENT specialist is a special kind of ENT doctor. They treat children differently than they do adults. Remember that children are not just tiny versions of grownups. They have special needs for fulfilment. They cannot always answer medical questions to the degree of accuracy as adults. Sometimes, they may lose their patience and decide not to cooperate during a check-up. They may refuse to participate in medical exams.

When this happens, a regular otolaryngologist cannot help them. A paediatric ENT doctor can calm down your child faster than other ENT specialists. They do this in many ways– they may arrange and decorate their office for their young patients, such as adding books, toys, and other items to help them pass the time. They also have specialised equipment that people designed for children’s comfort.

Before you bring your child to an ENT specialist, see a paediatrician first about your child’s problems. If your child is suffering from an ear, nose, or throat issue, you might want to see a paediatric otolaryngologist. They are the only specialists who can reliably cure allergic rhinitis and more in Singapore for your child.

When to know your child needs a paediatric ENT

As stated above, your child will not tell you outright that something wrong is happening with them. They may communicate it to you in their way, or they might even ignore the problem until it becomes too painful or obvious to ignore. The first way you can avoid hefty hospital fees for a severely injured child is by establishing an open line of communication with them. This way, your child feels comfortable telling you about their ailments.

You can still send them straight to a paediatric ENT doctor when you spot some worrying signs that their condition is far greater than what a primary care physician can accomplish. Here are a few signs that your child may need one.

1) It sticks around for too long.

There are many examples of this. If their sinuses experience a blockage or runny nose for longer than a few weeks to months, it is time to call an ENT doctor. They may have something called sinusitis, which may need treatment in Singapore. They must go to a doctor immediately if they have a persistent cough or ear issues.

2) It keeps coming back

Simple colds and coughs should go away in a few days or weeks. If it comes back every month, then that is cause for concern. A virus or bacteria results in ear infections that return repeatedly. They need proper treatment to disappear. Some treatments for conditions like nosebleeds may not work, leading to multiple circumstances.

3) It interferes with their feeding habits

If you notice your infant or child slow down eating or stop entirely, then there might be a sign that something has happened to their ENT area. Conditions like difficulty swallowing can affect their eating habits and drastically lower their weight gain. Weight loss is dangerous for young children.

4) It affects their sleeping habits

How often does your child sleep?  If you see a change in their sleeping patterns, it may be a culprit affecting the ENT region. The condition known as sleep apnea is most common in adults but can affect younger individuals too. Observe your child when sleeping and when awake. If they snore during sleep and seem irritable while awake, then you might need to plan a visit to the ENT doctor.

5) They exhibit other symptoms

You can easily classify allergic rhinitis in Singapore as an ENT issue, but you can further test your suspicions by observing other symptoms your child may have. For example, when they have itchy skin and red, watery eyes, it may be a sign of an allergic reaction. An ENT doctor can help your child find relief.

6) It troubles your child’s way of life

Most people do not know that the dizziness associated with vertigo traces back to problems with the fluid in the inner ear. Vertigo can cause nausea and vomiting, while other ENT problems such as sleep disruption and allergies cause children significant difficulty in navigating their world.

What are some problems that a paediatric ENT can treat?

Now that you know the ’whys’ of a paediatric otolaryngologist, now you need to know what problems an ENT doctor treats. They treat a bigger range of problems than you think. Sure, they can give you the obvious sinusitis treatment in Singapore,  but they can also treat you for balance and sleep problems like sleep apnea. The same goes for children.

Take your child to the doctor before it is too late. Hearing loss and sinus problems are common in the first years of life when doctors are not sought after.

Dr Jenica Yong can treat many ENT conditions in children. For more information on services such as ear wax removal in Singapore, please visit her website.