Children are more prone to diseases and illnesses than adults. It is why it is crucial for babies and kids to receive their vaccine shots to prevent them from acquiring diseases. Still, a child ENT specialist in Singapore encounters kids suffering from various throat conditions from time to time.
Crucial organs are found in the throat. First of all, is the tonsils. Tonsils are soft tissue lumps at the back of the throat responsible for preventing objects from slipping immediately to the lungs and filtering bacteria viruses that enter the body.
We also have the larynx or the voice box where the vocal cords are. It produces our voice and coordinates between breathing and swallowing to prevent getting food, drink, and saliva into the tube.
The neck also keeps the lymph nodes that drain fluids from the muscles and tissues and produce immune cells that fight pathogens.
The T stands for the throat in paediatric ENT in Singapore. This article will discuss the common health issues that affect children’s throats.
Paediatric ENT In Singapore: 3 Common Throat Problems In Children
1. Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is the infection of the tonsils, a condition common in children.
Tonsils, the soft tissue masses at the back of the throat, and adenoids, the patch of soft tissue at the back of the nasal passage, high in the throat, are vital components of the lymphatic system as lymphoid tissues.
Their primary job is to filter bacteria and viruses that enter the mouth and throat that could cause infection.
Tonsillitis mostly affects school-aged children and teenagers and becomes rare as the person grows older.
There are two types of tonsillitis: acute and chronic. A paediatric ENT specialist in Singapore can treat tonsilitis.
CAUSES
Because the tonsils and adenoids filter viruses and bacteria, they also become vulnerable to them and become infected. Although any virus and bacteria cause tonsillitis, the most common culprit is the streptococcus pyogenes.
SYMPTOMS
Kids with tonsilitis may experience:
- Fever and chills
- Nausea
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Headache
- Bad breath
- Ear pain
- Trouble in swallowing
- Scratchy voice
- White and yellowish patches in the tonsils
- Red tonsils
If your child has these symptoms, bring them to an ENT specialist in Singapore.
TREATMENT
Typically, doctors prescribe antibiotics to kill the infection. They may also give fever medicine. The doctor may also recommend drinking plenty of fluids.
An ENT specialist in Singapore may recommend tonsillectomy or removing the tonsils for chronic tonsillitis. Tonsillitis that recurs at least seven times a year may indicate chronic tonsillitis.
2. Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes sore throat and tonsils. The sore throat symptom of strep throat is often mistaken as a common cold complication.
CAUSES
Similar to tonsillitis, a bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes causes strep throat. This bacteria is commonly found in the nose and throat.
Kids can spread and contract this bacteria by having direct contact with infected saliva and nose. Respiratory fluids from sneezes and coughs can spread the virus as well.
For more information, consult your paediatric ENT specialist in Singapore.
SYMPTOMS
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Body ache
- Stomach ache
- Swollen and reddish tonsils
- White and yellowish patches in the throat
- Red spots at the mouth’s roof
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Loss of appetite
- Rashes
Remember, if the sore throat is accompanied by cough, runny nose, hoarse voice, and pink eye, it can be a viral infection instead of strep throat.
Bring your child to an ENT specialist in Singapore for an accurate diagnosis.
TREATMENT
A paediatric ENT in Singapore may prescribe antibiotics for infection and fever medicine. Doctors may also conduct tests to ensure the sore throat is caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria instead of any virus.
3. Paediatric obstructive sleep apnea
Sleep apnea typically affects male adults and elderlies, but there are cases where children develop it as well.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder where the person has difficulty breathing while asleep. In adults, the common cause of sleep apnea is the collapse of the upper airway, obstructing breathing. However, the cause of obstructive sleep apnea in adults is much different from paediatric obstructive sleep apnea. Nevertheless, both can be treated by an ENT specialist in Singapore.
CAUSES
In children, the causes of paediatric obstructive sleep apnea are large tonsils and adenoids. The abnormal size of these soft tissues acts as a blockage to the upper airways, causing sleep apnea.
When the child sleeps, the muscles in the head and neck relax, causing the large soft tissues to collapse. The size may even increase when the child has tonsillitis, which swells the tonsil and adenoids.
SYMPTOMS
A child may have paediatric sleep apnea if these symptoms are present:
- Snoring
- Breathing pauses when asleep
- Mouth breathing
- Restless sleep
- Bed-wetting
- Frequent nightmares
- Sleepwalking
- Nighttime sweats
- Irritability in the morning
- Daytime sleepiness or exhaustion
- Hyperactivity in the morning
- Loss of focus
- Changes in behaviour
Visit a paediatric ENT doctor in Singapore if you notice these symptoms.
TREATMENT
Once paediatric sleep apnea is diagnosed, your child’s ENT specialist in Singapore may recommend various treatments:
● Surgery
The surgeon will surgically remove the enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
● Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
CPAP is a machine that delivers a steady supply of air to your child through a mask while they are asleep.
● Rapid maxillary expansion
An orthodontic technique that uses a device to widen the upper jaw and nasal passages to reduce obstruction.
Discuss with your paediatric ENT specialist in Singapore the best and most effective treatment for paediatric obstructive sleep apnea for your child.
Takeaway
Children are more prone to infection than adults, so it is only reasonable to provide them with the best health care. Thankfully, these common throat problems in children are treatable.
Parents must find a reliable and trustworthy paediatric ENT specialist in Singapore.
Dr Jenica Yong
Are you looking for treatments for conditions concerning the ears, nose, and throat? Dr Jenica Yong provides ENT treatments. Visit Dr Jenica Yong, an ENT specialist in Singapore, for you and your child’s ENT issues.
