An examination of the ear, nose and throat that can be fun
Once you become a parent, you realize that nothing is more important than the health of your child.
Of the health problems that affect children, the most common are those related to the ear, throat and nose. Ear infections, cough and shortness of breath caused by an enlarged adenoids or nasal congestion are just some of the problems that your child may often encounter.
A folk proverb says prevention is better than cure, and it is with an ENT examination for children that you can react in a timely manner and prevent the development of more serious health problems.
The fact is that children are much more sensitive than adults. Their bodies are not yet able to develop as much immunity, so any exposure to dry air, cold weather, or interaction with peers can result in a cold or inflammation.
With this in mind, the average parent will visit clinics often, especially in the winter when conditions are conducive to the development of numerous bacteria and viruses that can attack your child’s body.
However, by scheduling your child for an ear, nose and throat examination, you can learn more about the problems your child is facing, and after the examination, you will be instructed in the treatment of any problems that may arise in the future.
Of all the examinations we perform, at the LF Polyclinic , we believe that the most appropriate examination for children is the one for the ear, throat and nose. Why? Because the ear, nose and throat are a complex and connected system responsible for most complications and diseases of your child’s respiratory system.
Once a child is exposed to a particular bacterium or virus, The ear, throat and nose are often the first meeting points because the mouth and nose are the beginning of the respiratory and digestive systems, and through the Eustachian tube they are connected to the middle ear. In summer, on the other hand, inflammation of the outer ear is frequent, i.e. ear canals for swimming in pools, sea or other waters with a warm environment.
If we add to this the incomplete development of immunity or genetic defects, the chances of developing respiratory problems become even greater.
What can complicate the situation even more, especially if you do not react in time, is the spread of the disease to other parts of the body.
So, for example, it is not uncommon for the infection to spread to the lungs in the case of frequent coughing, which makes the treatment longer and ultimately more unpleasant for your child.
That is why we believe that an ENT examination is often an unavoidable step in diagnosing any health problems of your child – whether it is a frequent cough, allergies, frequent ear infections or irregular breathing that can indicate other complications of the respiratory system.
If your child often has some of the following problems, an ENT examination would be the best solution for giving adequate therapy and treatment of the disease:
The ENT examination of children does not differ significantly from the examination of adults, except in the way of approaching the small patient, and the selection of more appropriate instruments for examination.
Therefore, an ENT examination consists of:
A basic examination of the ear, nose and throat is no different from a standard examination by a family doctor.
When examining the ear, an apparatus called an otoscope is used, which, with a light source at the top, clearly highlights any symptoms, such as redness or pus, that could indicate an ear infection.
To examine the throat , the doctor performs a so-called “say AAA” examination during which he can notice any swelling/deposits on the tonsils (tonsils) or redness, which is a classic symptom for a sore throat.
During the examination of the nose , a nasal speculum is used, a smaller device that dilates the nostrils and thus gives a better insight into the child’s nasal cavity. This examination aims to see the patency of the nasal cavity and point to problems related to the anatomy of the nose, or e.g. a foreign body in the nose, which is more common in younger children (up to 5 years of age)
Fiberendoscopy is considered one of the key procedures of ENT examination in children. Namely, fiberendoscopy is the best method for detecting the adenoids, the enlarged lymphatic tissue responsible for snoring, talking through the nose and difficulty breathing the child.
During the examination, an endoscope is used, a tubular flexible apparatus that has a small camera and a light source at the top. The apparatus is passed through the child’s nasal cavity and a clear image of the enlarged adenoids can be seen on the screen, as well as the appearance of the nasal cavity, pharynx, vocal cords and epiglottis (the cartilaginous cover that separates the respiratory tract from the digestive tract when swallowing, even in small children can be swollen and cause breathing disorders).
The examination is usually performed without local anesthesia (although according to the doctor’s assessment, an anesthetic spray into the nose is sometimes used), and before the examination, we talk to the child and show him what the examination will look like. To the surprise of parents, children often show even greater interest once they are explained the examination procedure.
At the LF Polyclinic, we are aware that proper communication can eliminate any fear that existed before entering the office and thus make the examination interesting and even fun.
Tympanometry is another method through which an enlarged adenoids or allergic diseases of the nose can be diagnosed. Based on the changes in pressure inside the ear canal, the functionality of the eardrum, ear ossicles and the flow of air through the Eustachian tube can be seen.
The procedure is simple and does not require additional preparations, as well as the application of local anesthesia, which makes it suitable for children.
The results obtained are displayed on a tympanogram, and based on the graph shown, problems with the ear cavity can be clearly diagnosed, such as: otitis media, accumulated fluid in the middle ear, punctured eardrum or poor contact between the bones of the middle ear.
Tone audiometry is a method used to test hearing. During the examination, the child is put on headphones and various frequencies of sounds are emitted.
Whenever he hears a sound, the child will press a button they’re holding
After a few minutes, the doctor will have a sample showing the range of the child’s hearing and will then be able to identify any abnormalities in the hearing.
Balance testing is another method of checking the functionality of the ear, specifically the inner ear. Namely, in the inner ear there is a cochlea, a part of the ear filled with fluid.
The small crystals found in the cochlea serve as receptors, and whenever the fluid in it moves, our ear will record it as a change in balance.
In the case of improper function of the inner ear, the body will find it difficult to keep itself balanced and will not be able to perform basic motor functions such as standing on one leg or touching the nose with closed eyes.
This method of examination is very interesting and fun for children because it requires physical activity from them, which can never be boring. If we add to this the kindness and friendly approach of our doctors, the balance test will not seem like part of an ENT exam for children at all.
You have noticed how difficult your child is to swallow and how he is tormented by a cough before going to bed. You want to take him to the doctor, but as soon as you mention the word “doctor” you can see the fear on your child’s face.
Don’t worry. You are not the only parent who is experiencing this situation. Fear of doctors is a normal phenomenon, and every child can easily get rid of it if both you as a parent and we as doctors follow the following steps:
No matter how small they are, children can “smell” when you hide something from them. Therefore, before going for an ENT examination, tell your child what the examination looks like and what to expect during the process.
Parents often do not dare to apply this method of communication because they believe that the child will develop even greater fear.
In reality, the opposite happens – the child becomes aware of where he is going and what he will encounter, which gives him time to prepare and grow his self-confidence.
We all feel easier when someone understands us. You are a role model for your child, and if you admit that you used to be afraid of the doctor, the child will cope with fear more easily.
At the LF Polyclinic, we have taken special care of this part. In order to relax at least a little and forget about the examination, your child will spend time in the waiting room drawing and playing at a table full of crayons and toys that we have prepared. With this, we try to create a relaxed atmosphere, and you are free to join.
During the examination, we will do our best to entertain your child and make the examination as interesting as possible.
Kindness, patience and playfulness – these are the basic three words that we try to apply once you come with your child for an examination. We are aware that fear of doctors is a common occurrence, and at the LF Polyclinic we do our best to turn fear into beautiful memories and a pleasant time.
At the LF Polyclinic, we do everything to make sure that you leave our office healthier. Your health is our priority – by using new technologies in medicine, we have developed a modern approach to the treatment of various diseases, and our staff will do their best to make you feel as comfortable as possible.
We have the same approach to the youngest – we are aware of how fear can affect children and how just one bad gesture or word can create a permanent aversion to any interaction with doctors.
That is why we try to be as cheerful and playful as possible in communication with children, and after the examination or the procedure we will give a diploma for courage.
With this approach, we try to change children’s perceptions of doctors, dentists, and other medical professionals and present ourselves to children as someone they should not be afraid of.
If you would like to arrange an examination for children in our polyclinic, feel free to contact us on the phone number +3851 2444 646 or via our online form.
The main goal of LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch healthcare services.
