As you probably already know, there are pediatric specialists who specialize in all sorts of types of medical care that children need. For example, just as there are ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors out there who provide care for adults, there are also pediatric ENT doctors who focus on treating matters related to the ears, nose, and throat in young patients. You might have never taken your child to a pediatric ENT doctor before, but this doesn't mean that this isn't treatment that your child needs. These are a few signs that it might be a good idea to schedule an appointment for your child with a pediatric ENT doctor.
Your Child Gets Nose Bleeds
Of course, an occasional nose bleed is not necessarily a big deal. However, if your child has severe nose bleeds, or if they get them regularly, it could be a sign of a serious issue. For example, your child might have a nose injury that you don't know about, which can happen when children pick their nose or put items up their nose that they shouldn't. In some cases, frequent or severe nose bleeds can be a sign of a blockage of your child's nasal passage. Children who suffer from deviated septums also often get nose bleeds. Document the frequency and severity of your child's nose bleeds — as well as any potential contributing factors and other symptoms — and bring this documentation along with you to your child's appointment to give the doctor as much information as possible.
Your Child Gets a Lot of Ear Infections
Ear infections are an unfortunate part of childhood for many children. Fortunately, in many cases, a standard pediatrician can prescribe antibiotics and care. However, if your child has an ear infection that doesn't seem to be responding well to treatment, or if they get ear infections on a regular basis, it might be time to seek the assistance of a pediatric ENT doctor.
Your Child Is Showing Signs of Hearing Loss
Realizing that your child is showing potential signs of hearing loss can be very frightening for the entire family. It certainly is not a situation that you should ignore. Instead, you should contact an ENT doctor. They can perform a hearing test on your child and can look for signs of hearing loss. In some cases, they can help by doing something as simple as cleaning out ear wax. In other cases, they might recommend a hearing aid or surgery.
Your Child Gets a Lot of Colds
Getting colds is not uncommon, and it's particularly common among young children. After all, kids who go to daycare, preschool, or school are often exposed to a lot of other children and can be at an increased risk. However, if your child seems to get colds more frequently than most kids or if they have very severe symptoms, a trip to an ENT doctor might be in order.
Contact a pediatric ENT doctor for more information.
ENT specialists, otherwise known as ear, nose, and throat doctors, deal with a wide range of ailments. This is a good type of doctor to see if you are a loud snorer, since snoring is often due to trouble with the throat or nasal passages. You should also see an ENT if you are waking up tired in the mornings, since that is a common sign of sleep apnea. They treat sinus infections, ear infections, swimmers ear, and more. Read the articles provided here for a better understanding of this field of medicine and of when you should seek care.