When Is It Time for an Adenoidectomy?

It’s no fun having a child who doesn’t feel well, no matter what the cause or symptoms are. And while having adenoids or tonsils removed has been de rigueur for American kids for generations, how do you know when it’s time for your child to undergo this procedure?

Pediatric ENT Associates (PENTA) at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham is the state’s authority on pediatric adenoidectomy, and we know that any type of surgery, regardless of how simple or short, can be worrisome.

Yet, we know that if your daughter or son is enduring a sore throat, having issues breathing or sleeping, suffering from repeated ear infections and more, you’ll do what is necessary to alleviate their discomfort.

With that in mind, we want to share some symptoms that may indicate your child would be a candidate for an adenoidectomy.

Symptoms of Enlarged Adenoids

Part of the immune system, adenoids are located at top of the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth. These glands sometimes swell due to protecting the body from bacteria or viruses, which can cause soreness or pain and interfere with breathing and disrupt sleep.

If the issue is not addressed, a blockage of the Eustachian tube can occur, causing fluid to build up and eventually leading to repeated ear infections and temporary loss of hearing.

In addition, here are other symptoms that could signify enlarged adenoids:

• Frequent breathing through the mouth
• Noisy breathing
• Nasally voice
• Stuffy or runny nose despite no evidence of cold or other illness
• Dry mouth
• Cracked lips
• Frequent, persistent ear infections
• Snoring

Removing the adenoids may be beneficial if one or more of the following problems are occurring as a result of the above symptoms:

• sleep apnea due to enlarged adenoids
• recurring ear and adenoid infections that do not respond to antibiotics
• a chronic buildup of fluid and pain in the ear
• difficulty sleeping

Treatment for Enlarged Adenoids

At Pediatric ENT Associates, we assess your child as well his or her medical history and current overall health to determine the best course of action. Usually, medications are the first line of treatment, but if symptoms persist, an adenoidectomy is often required.

What is an Adenoidectomy?

An adenoidectomy is the removal of the adenoids, which can almost immediately make your child feel much better and breathe more easily, meaning they can sleep better, focus better, and be back to their fun, energetic selves!

Removal of both adenoids and tonsils

In many cases, a doctor may remove the tonsils along with the adenoids. The tonsils are also glands that help protect against germs. However, they sit in the back of the throat rather than behind the nose.

Sometimes, both the tonsils and adenoids become swollen and infected at the same time and require treatment. The removal of both glands at the same time is known as a tonsilloadenoidectomy.

Not everyone who needs an adenoidectomy will require tonsil removal and vice versa. Doctors base the decision to remove either or both of these glands on the child’s specific symptoms and medical history. Children who tend to have swelling of both the tonsils and adenoids may be good candidates for a tonsilloadenoidectomy.

For More Information, Schedule an Adenoid (and/or Tonsil) Consultation Today

If you suspect your child is having problems with their adenoids (or tonsils), schedule an appointment with an expert ENT pediatrician at Pediatric ENT Associates in Birmingham by completing our online contact form or calling (205) 831-0101 today.

Next Read, Is it Clumsiness or a Sign of Hearing Loss?

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Is it Clumsiness or a Sign of Hearing Loss?

Are there any moments more precious than watching your baby take her first steps? She tries and tries again, succeeding, failing, falling.

Of course, it takes time for your baby to learn how to coordinate her muscles, movements and balance so that she can begin to walk properly. But what if she continues to fall, even after the normal learning period has passed?

Or if your toddler suddenly starts losing her balance at odd moments, or begins walking into tables or walls? Or an older child knocks into things, drops objects or seems unsteady in her gait?

Because a healthy inner ear is essential for maintaining our balance, persistent clumsiness in your child could be a sign of an ear infection or other ear problem, including hearing loss. How can you tell if your baby or child is experiencing a normal amount of clumsiness or if the health of their ears and hearing is in danger?

Possible Symptoms of Hearing Loss in Children

The board-certified ear nose and throat experts at Pediatric ENT Associates, part of Children’s of Alabama, share the following signs and symptoms to watch out for:

1. Does Your Child’s Ear Hurt?

Babies and toddlers are susceptible to inflammation in their middle ear, a condition known as otitis media. Young children have short and straight Eustachian tubes — the little tunnels that connect the ear to the throat. In older children and adults, fluid that collects in the ear while swimming or because of an infection drains into the throat via the Eustachian tubes. Younger children’s tubes don’t drain as well, which leads to fluid build-up.

An inflamed or infected middle ear can affect balance. If your clumsy child seems cranky, rubs her ear, had a recent ear infection or is susceptible to swimmer’s ear, contact your pediatric ENT for an evaluation and treatment.

2. Is Your Child Unresponsive?

Clumsiness and dizziness aren’t the only signs of potential hearing loss. If your baby doesn’t respond to your voice or to loud noises, her hearing may be impaired. Toddlers and older children who don’t understand what you’re saying, ask you to repeat yourself and have speech problems may also be struggling with their hearing.

Contact your pediatric ENT immediately if you notice the following in your son or daughter:

• Reacts inconsistently to noises or sounds or doesn’t react at all (after age 6 months)
• Reacts to your presence, but not your voice
• Has delayed or unclear speech
• Doesn’t follow directions
• Turns up the volume on TVs, radios and other devices

Schedule an Appointment for a Pediatric Ear Screening

The best way to prevent hearing loss and middle-ear problems in babies and children is regular screening at Pediatric ENT Associates. Babies who aren’t screened at birth should have their first hearing test by 1 month old and no later than 3 months. Older children should be screened again before starting school and then annually as part of their wellness exams.

At Pediatric ENT Associates, our skilled doctors have the experience and training to diagnose and treat a broad range of ear abnormalities and hearing problems using the most advanced treatment options available. To set up a screening or consultation, contact the pediatricians at Pediatric ENT Associates. You can reach us by calling our offices in Birmingham, Alabama or via this online form.

Next, read My Toddler Snores at Night. Should I Be Concerned?

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My Toddler Snores at Night. Should I Be Concerned?

Almost all children snore sometimes, especially when they’re in deep sleep. But about one in 10 kids snores regularly. Does that mean she or he has sleep apnea — a disorder that shuts off breathing and can lead to daytime fatigue and trouble in school?

Not necessarily. Snoring in kids can have lots of different causes and sleep apnea only affects about 1 to 3 percent of snorers. As ear, nose and throat experts, we at Pediatric ENT Associates, part of Children’s of Alabama, know how important a good night’s sleep is for all kids and for parents, too.

Typical Reasons for Children Snoring

The following are some common causes of snoring and suggested remedies so you and your child can both get a good night’s rest:

Allergies

If your child tends to have allergies, swollen nasal passages may be obstructing their airflow when they sleep. Wash their bedding in hot water at least once a week. Remove stuffed animals and pillows from the bed at night. If the snoring persists, visit Pediatric ENT Associates for a snoring evaluation.

Colds and Sinus Infections

Mucus from a common cold can block a child’s nose, forcing her to breathe through her mouth. At night, this may result in snoring. Over-the-counter decongestants may give your child relief.

When a stuffed nose persists, it could be a sign of a sinus infection. Your pediatric ENT may treat a sinus infection with antihistamines to relieve sneezing and congestion, or antibiotics to kill bacteria.

Asthma

Children who have asthma may also snore at night. Research has shown that adults with asthma have a higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea. If your child with asthma snores, she should be evaluated for possible sleep apnea at Pediatric ENT Associates.

Physical Obstructions

Anything that impedes the constant and easy flow of air through your child’s airways at night may cause snoring and may also cause a type of sleep apnea called obstructive sleep apnea. Your child may have obstructive sleep apnea if she is overweight or has one or more of the following anatomic variations that can impede breathing:

• Large neck that shuts down throat during sleep
• Large adenoids or tonsils that block airflow
• Deviated nasal septum that blocks air in one nostril
• Recessed chin that prevents proper air flow

If your child has any of these physical variations or tends to sleep with her mouth open or chin extended, contact the specialists at Pediatric ENT Associates for a sleep apnea evaluation.

Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The specialists at Pediatric ENT Associates are experts at helping your child get the restful sleep she needs. Leaving sleep apnea untreated can put your child at risk for daytime drowsiness and difficulties with concentration and memory that could affect her school performance, too.

Depending on the cause, your specialist at Pediatric ENT Associates in Birmingham may treat obstructive sleep apnea by surgically removing your child’s overly large tonsils or adenoids. In rare cases, your child may need to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to facilitate night breathing. Your doctor may also recommend weight loss and other treatments, especially if your child has complicating factors such as Down syndrome.

Occasional snoring is normal, but if your child snores consistently and you suspect she may have sleep apnea, contact the board-certified doctors at Pediatric ENT Associates for evaluation and treatment.

Next, read This Summer, Watch Out for Swimmer’s Ear

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Moonlight and Magnolias, Pollen in Your Hair: Top Allergens in Alabama

Our sweet home Alabama is known for its verdant fields and stately trees hung with draperies of kudzu. Achoo!

Yes, those green and glorious beauties produce pollen that can make your child (and you) sneeze, cough and have other allergic symptoms. Trees release millions of grains of pollen each spring because it’s an essential part of their reproductive cycle. The pollen floats through the air on gentle spring breezes where it’s inhaled or falls like dust on your child’s clothes and hair.

During springtime in Alabama, pollen from oak, juniper and sycamore trees abounds. If your child is allergic to tree pollen, check the Alabama pollen count daily on a pollen forecast site for your area. You can also download a pollen counting app for your smartphone and take simple measures to assure your son or daughter stays sneeze-free.

Top 5 Allergens in Alabama

Stay Indoors During High Pollen Days

Normally, you want to encourage outdoor play to ensure your child breathes plenty of fresh air and gets sufficient exercise. But on high pollen days, running and playing sports can trigger an allergy attack. Pollen counts tend to be higher in the morning, so limiting outdoor play to late afternoons and evenings can help ward off symptoms.

Dust Yourself Off

Every family member should brush off pollen from their hair, clothes and shoes before entering your home. Encourage your child to wash his hands frequently, especially after being outdoors. If your child’s allergies are severe, they should take a shower and wash their hair each night, too.

Filter Your Indoor Air

While you can’t do much about the air outdoors, you can minimize the amount of pollen circulating through your home by keeping the doors and windows shut. Run the air conditioner as much as possible and use an indoor air purifier, too. Change the filters on both of those according to manufacturer’s recommendations to keep them functioning optimally.

Be sure to vacuum at least a couple of times a week to pick up pollen grains that may have lodged in your carpets or furniture. Empty the bag or canister regularly.

Mind Your Trees and Cues

If you notice your child sneezes each time she nears a juniper, oak or sycamore tree, that’s a cue to avoid planting such trees when you landscape. You should also nix a new home purchase if the backyard abounds with them. Instead, look for or purchase trees that are less allergenic, such as pine trees or flowering dogwoods, apple and cherry trees.

Make a List of Allergy Triggers

Use your smartphone or a memo pad to keep track of your child’s allergy triggers. If your child’s allergic to pollen, their heightened immune system may be reacting to other triggers as well, including foods.

Get Effective Allergy Relief

Your child doesn’t have to suffer allergy symptoms or lead a completely cloistered life. Your child’s pediatrician can help determine whether nasal decongestants, corticosteroids or antihistamines are the best options to help your child manage their symptoms.

The friendly pediatric ear, nose and throat specialists at Pediatric ENT Associates, part of Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham, specialize in treating head and neck conditions in children and teenagers. Please contact us if your son or daughter is experiencing an ear, nose or throat concern. For allergies, our team will refer you to a skilled pediatrician.

Next, read Warning Signs of an Ear Infection

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Warning Signs of an Ear Infection

Older children are good at telling you when something hurts and where it hurts. But when you have young children who are pre-verbal or have limited vocabularies, deciphering whether they have an illness or are just being cranky can be complicated.

Ear infections afflict children so often that approximately five out of every six kids gets at least one ear infection before their third birthday.

An ear infection in the middle ear — otherwise known as otitis media — is the most common ailment that prompts parents to bring a child to a pediatrician or to pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors.

Children are susceptible to ear infections because the eustachian tubes that are responsible for draining mucus and other fluids out of the ear have not yet finished developing. With no place to go, bacteria-infused fluids get “stuck” in the middle ear, which may lead to discomfort and even infection.

If your child can’t tell you what’s troubling him, how can you tell if she has fluid build-up or an ear infection?

Nonverbal Clues Alert You to Distress

Looking for behavioral cues help you determine what is going on. Some cues alert you to a feeling of malaise such as when your child:

• Acts clingy or needy
• Is extra cranky or fussy
• Has trouble sleeping
• Loses appetite
• Vomits or has diarrhea

Signs that are more specific to an ear infection include:

• Tugging, pulling or rubbing the ear
• Having a fever
• Fluid, blood or pus draining from the ear
• Difficulty hearing
• Not responding to your voice or commands
• Stumbling, acting dizzy or having balance problems

If your child has the symptoms of an earache or an ear infection, you should schedule an appointment with a pediatric ENT specialist in Birmingham. Some earaches have no signs or symptoms at all.

How Is an Earache Diagnosed?

When you bring your child to your pediatric ENT, your doctor first conducts a physical examination. Your pediatric ENT examines your child’s ear canals with an otoscope to check the color of the eardrum. Healthy eardrums are light pink or gray and transparent. Inflamed eardrums are red and swollen. Your child could also receive a test known as tympanometry, which uses pressure to test whether the middle ear is working properly or not.

How Is Ear Pain Treated?

Earaches are treated differently depending on your child’s age, whether there is an infection, the severity of the infection and whether the cause is viral or bacterial. Most ear infections resolve on their own within hours or a few days. However, your pediatric ENT administers antibiotics to infants with ear infections who are under 6 months old if the infection is caused by bacteria. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics.

Children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years who have severe symptoms will also be given antibiotics. If their symptoms are mild to moderate, your pediatric ENT recommends a wait-and-see approach. The same approach is taken for children over age 2 as long as the symptoms don’t worsen.

If your child is in pain, your pediatric ENT may recommend over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen to manage discomfort. A hot water bottle wrapped in a towel and pressed against the ear may also make your child feel more comfortable.

Treating Chronic Otitis Media

Some children have chronic ear infections, which are defined as three ear infections within six months or four ear infections within a year. Because the ear helps us maintain our balance as well as hear, chronic ear infections can lead to hearing loss and problems walking.

Children with chronic earaches can be treated with a myringotomy tube (ear tube), that allows built-up fluid to drain from the ear. Implanting an ear tube is a simple and quick procedure that is done in the pediatric ENT’s office. Most tubes fall out by themselves after about a year to a year and a half. Learn more about treatment options at WebMD.com.

How Can I Prevent My Child’s Ear Pain?

At the moment, no prevention protocols exist for ear infections because they may have many different causes. To reduce your child’s risk for an pain or infections in the ears:

• Have them wash their hands frequently
• Breastfeed infants to strengthen their immune systems
• Babies should sit upright when being bottle fed with the caretaker holding the bottle
• Wean babies from bottles and pacifiers by age 1
• Keep babies and children away from smoke

Vaccines that prevent ear infections are currently in development.

Call Your Pediatric ENT in Birmingham

If your child has an earache or suffers from chronic ear pain or infections, call the specialists at Pediatric ENT Associates in Birmingham, Alabama. You can also contact us online.

Next, read The ABCs of Helping Your Child Stay Healthy in School

 

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The ABCs of Helping Your Child Stay Healthy in School

As anyone who has or works with kids knows, they are the cutest germ factories on earth. Put a bunch of them together in a school and you have the perfect recipe for mass sniffles, colds, sinus infections and influenza.

Though a couple of colds may be inevitable during the school year, you can help your child stay as healthy as possible and avoid the flu and other more serious illnesses in Birmingham by following:

The ABCs of Healthy Habits

A is for “Antibiotics”

Don’t overuse them! Antibiotics only kill bacteria. They have absolutely no effect on the viruses that cause colds, coughs and the flu. Requesting or accepting antibiotic therapy when it’s not necessary may actually make your child resistant to their effects. Then, when your child does need antibiotics, such as when he or she gets an ear infection, they may not work. If your child has a viral-based illness such as a cold or flu, treat the symptoms, let him or her get plenty of rest and use an antiviral medication prescribed by your pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.

B is for “Bring Your Own”

Sharing may be the first rule of kindergarten, but when it comes to school, sharing personal items such as combs, barrettes, chapsticks and water bottles is a great way to share germs, too. Make sure your child’s personal items are marked so he or she can keep track of them. A water bottle ensures your child doesn’t have to use the public water fountain.

How many germs can children get if they forget their water bottle or don’t wash their hands after sports? In one ABC News experiment, a germ count of 300 was considered “germy.” They determined that the public water fountain spigot had a germ count of 2,335. That was higher than pencil sharpeners and desktops. But the germiest thing of all was a basketball, which had a germ count of 13,987!

C is for “Cough in a Tissue”

That goes for sneezes, too. If a tissue isn’t available, your child can cough or sneeze into the inside crook of their arm. Remind him or her to wash their arm as soon as possible, which brings us to …

D is for “Destroy Bacteria!”

That may sound a little more fun to your kid than simply saying, “Wash your hands!” Encourage good personal hygiene by reminding your son or daughter to lather up with soap and hot water:

• Before eating
• After blowing nose, coughing or sneezing
• After using the toilet
• After touching a classmate who has the sniffles or a cold
• After touching anything “germy” — that includes playground equipment, sports equipment such as balls and bats, garbage and even library books.

E is for “Eating Well”

Relying on school lunches or nearby fast food joints means taking a risk that your child isn’t getting a nutritious meal. Send your child to school with a home-packed lunch that includes fresh vegetables and fruits. Good nutrition builds up your child’s immune system, making him or her more resistant to bugs and other baddies.

F is for “Flu Shot” … and Staying Up-to-Date on Vaccinations

Keeping your child healthy means emphasizing prevention first and foremost. School-age children have a higher rate of flu than other populations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ear, nose and throat specialists for children can give your child a flu shot before or during the flu season to help him or her stay healthy and strong.

In addition to a flu shot, your child should also be current on other vaccinations such as those against measles, mumps and rubella. Unvaccinated children not only have a high risk of developing these childhood illnesses, they can pass them on to others, too.

G is for “Go to Your Pediatric ENT for a Preventive Flu Shot”

A visit to the ear, nose and throat doctor for tests and treatment is also essential when your child develops any of these symptoms of flu or another viral or bacterial infection:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

H is for “Home”

If your child has cold or flu symptoms, don’t send him or her to school to infect other children, too. Ask the teacher for the day’s assignments and homework and let your child rest quietly in bed. Be sure to follow your pediatric ENT’s instructions for nutrition and medication.

Schedule an Appointment at Pediatric ENT Associates in Birmingham Today

It’s not too late to protect your child with a flu shot. The caring board-certified pediatricians at Pediatric ENT Associates in Birmingham, Alabama can help keep your child safe and healthy, plus diagnose and treat any illnesses that develop throughout the year. Call now to schedule an appointment or use our convenient email form.

Next, read How to Tell If Your Child Has Hearing Loss

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Home Remedies for Ear Infections

Ear infections are caused by bacteria or viruses in the middle ear. Ear infections occur more often in children than adults. Some causes and contributing factors that lead to ear infections are wax buildup, upper respiratory infections, food allergies, environmental allergies, fetal alcohol syndrome, genetics, nutritional deficiencies and internal injuries. Some common signs that someone is suffering from an ear infection are pain in the ear, tugging at the ear, difficulty sleeping, headache, poor response to sounds, high fever, fluid draining from the ear, vomiting, diarrhea and so on.

The ear is made up of three parts: outer, middle and inner.

Each part has specific functions that help a person hear. You can see in the diagram that the outer ear which shape like a leaf captures the traveling sound waves. In the outer part of our ear, there is a section called as pinna and through this section the sound waves enter into the ear canal. Through the ear canal the sound waves reach the eardrum which is located in the middle part. In addition, the middle section of the ear also has other important ear organs like hammer, anvil, stir up, semicircular, and middle canal. Through the canal, sound waves travel to the inner section of our ear. In the inner part of the ear, there are important ear parts like cochlea, Eustachian tube, and nerves. Sound waves from the canal are sent to the nerves so that the brain can process the sound. After that we are able to recognize the sound and understand it.

An ear infection can occur in any of the three parts. Inner ear infections are the most serious. It is important to treat an ear infection to prevent complications, including damaging or rupturing the ear drum. Untreated ear infections can also lead to chronic recurrence and can even cause deafness! It is important to consult a doctor, but for immediate relief you can try some natural treatments. There are many time-honored, simple and easy home remedies that can help to get rid of the pain and other symptoms of an ear infection.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for an ear infection.

1. Salt

Salt is probably the most readily available home remedy.

1. Heat up one cup of salt on a pan over low heat for a few minutes. You can also heat it in a microwave or double-boiler.
   
2. Place the hot salt on a cloth and seal the open end with rubber band (or tie a knot).
   
3. When it is bearably hot, lay down and put the cloth on the affected ear for 5 to 10 minutes.
   
4. Repeat this remedy daily as many times as needed. The heat generated from the sock will help draw out fluid from the ear and relieve swelling and pain.

As an alternative, you can use one cup of rice in the same manner described above.

2. Garlic

Garlic has antimicrobial properties and natural pain relieving qualities, making it highly effective in the treatment of ear infections. There are a few ways to use garlic as a home treatment.

Make garlic oil by cooking two garlic cloves in two tablespoons of sesame oil or mustard oil until it turns blackish. Strain the solution. When it is bearably hot, use two to four drops of this oil in the infected ear as ear drops.
   
Alternatively, you can also boil two or three fresh garlic cloves in water for five minutes, then crush them and add some salt. Put the mixture in a clean cloth and place it against the affected ear.
   
Consuming two to three cloves of raw garlic daily also helps speed up the healing process.

3. Basil

You can also use holy basil to treat minor earache and ear infections. It can relieve ear pain as well as reduce infection.

Crush four to five fresh holy basil leaves gently to extract the juice. Apply the basil juice on or around the infected ear. Avoid getting the juice in the ear canal.
   
You can also mix a few drops of holy basil oil with an equal amount of carrier oil like coconut oil. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and gently wipe just inside the ear, around the outer edge and behind the ear. Repeat the process twice daily.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

To get rid of the fungus that may be causing the ear infection, apple cider vinegar is a good option.

1. Mix one part apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water or alcohol. Soak a cotton ball in the solution.
   
2. Put the cotton ball in your ear like a plug and leave it for about five minutes.
   
3. Remove the cotton ball and lay down on your opposite side to drain the liquid from the ear. Use a hair dryer to dry your ear as much as possible.

If apple cider vinegar is not available, you can use white vinegar. If the cause of the ear infection is in the Eustachian tubes, try gargling with apple cider vinegar.

Read Full Article Here: Home Remedies for Ear Infections