Ear Nose & Throat

ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat)

We put our patients first. Please visit us to coordinate your child's care with one of our Ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. Our ear, nose and throat specialist can also assist adults.

What is otitis media?

Otitis media is an ear infection. It is the most common bacterial infection during childhood and the most common reason that a pediatrician would write a prescription for an antibiotic. Ear infections that keep returning and do not respond to antibiotics may need to be treated with ear tubes.

What causes ear infections?

Ear infections can occur if the Eustachian tubes do not work properly. Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the back of the nose. They help to drain fluid from the middle ear. Eustachian tubes in infants and young children do not work as well as they do in adults. This is because the tubes are smaller and more level, which makes it harder for fluid to drain from the ear.

Viral upper respiratory infections (common colds) can prevent the Eustachian tubes from working properly because they cause fluid to build up in the ear. The fluid in the middle ear then gets infected by the bacteria that live in the tissues in our nasopharynx, the area in the back of the nose near the opening of the Eustachian tubes.

Ear infections are very common in young children ages 6 months to 5 years, but they can affect an individual at any age.

What is tonsillitis?

Tonsils are lymphoid tissue located in the back of the throat. Tonsillitis is an infection that involves only the tonsils, but often the infection also involves the throat and is called pharyngitis.

Tonsillitis and pharyngitis may be caused by a virus. Over 90% of pharyngitis cases are caused by viral infections. Tonsillitis and pharyngitis can also be caused by a bacterial infection. Strep bacteria cause the bacterial infection commonly known as strep throat.

Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is defined as pauses in breathing that frequently occur with snoring or gasping. The condition is diagnosed by an overnight sleep study.

Although it is normal for everyone to experience occasional pauses in breathing, OSA can be a problem when breathing stops frequently or for prolonged periods of time. OSA can cause a child’s oxygen levels to drop because of disrupted breathing.

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a term that is used to describe all types of breathing problems that cause decreased airflow. This decreased airflow disrupts sleep quality or sleep time by causing lots of “arousals” or awakenings from sleep.

What causes sleep apnea?

The most common associations of OSA in children are large tonsils and adenoids. These structures become a problem when a child’s throat relaxes during sleep. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can block air flow. Some kids with large tonsils and adenoids don’t have OSA, so the tonsils don’t “cause” OSA, but contribute to it.

Does your child have?

  • REPEATED EAR OR THROAT INFECTION
  • HEARING LOSS
  • SNORING
  • NOSE BLEED
  • SINUS PROBLEM & MORE

If so, please come to Walk-in Pediatrics Clinic and let one of our pediatricians have a look at your child.

Referrals may be required

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