Earache: Children
Ear, nose and throat health are vital to maintaining your childs active life. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgeons(AAO-HNS) an ear infection is the number one reason that a child sees a doctor. Your ENT doctor will examine and asses what condition your child is suffering from and recommend a treatment course.
What is an Otolaryngologist?
An otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of ear, nose and throat diseases and disorders. Commonly known as an ENT doctor, they treat diseases and disorders that can affect children, adults and seniors.
Treatments:
Your doctor may recommend a variety of treatment depending on what your child is suffering from. These options may range from ‘wait and see’, drug therapies such as antibiotics or allergy medications or in certain cases surgery. Your doctor will recommend a treatment that best fits with your child’s individual situation and disease.
My doctor recommends surgery for my child…
It can be scary to hear that your child needs surgery but don’t worry, talk to your doctor. There are different surgical procedures available and your doctor will be happy to explain the procedure he or she has chosen and risks associated. For example, if your child has a chronic middle ear infection, he or she may recommend that your child has a CO2 laser assisted surgical procedure called a Myringotomy, which is an operation that opens a small hole in the ear drum allowing fluid to drain
Why CO2 laser surgery?
CO2 laser surgery benefits both your child and your doctor. A CO2 laser is a unique device that allows your doctor to perform certain surgical procedures with increased precision, smaller or no incisions, and little or no bleeding. For your child it offers multiple benefits, these may include speeded healing times1, less post operative pain2 and surgery may be performed in your doctors office using a local anesthesia3 (dependant on child age, procedure and office setting). If your child needs surgery, ask your doctor if he or she will be using a CO2 laser.
Click to download an informational flyer that talks about Kids ENT Health.