Ear, Nose, and Throat

Pediatric Ear, nose and throat is a common term for pediatric otolaryngology. Pediatric otolaryngology is a specialty that concerns itself with the diagnosis and management of the ear, nose, throat, sinuses and larynx in children.

What is it?

Pediatric ear, nose and throat is a common term for pediatric otolaryngology. Otolaryngology is a specialty that concerns itself with the diagnosis and management of the ear, nose, throat, sinuses and larynx in children. Pediatric ENT specialists treat most disorders above the shoulders with the exception of eye and brain related ailments.

What are the subspecialties?

Pediatric ear, nose and throat is a subspecialty of otolaryngology. Pediatric ENT specialists may work with other associated specialists such as allergists, rhinologists or cosmetic surgeons to develop comprehensive treatment plans for ailments and diseases.

What are the commonly associated medical diseases or symptoms?

Common diseases that would lead to treatment from a pediatric ENT specialist include, but are not limited to, adenoiditis, tonsillitis, cleft palate, ear infections, gastroesophageal reflux disease, nasal obstruction, thyroid conditions, allergy complications and sleep apnea. Additionally, symptoms include upper respiratory infections, pain, pressure, impaired hearing, impaired balance, vomiting, nausea and fluid in the ears.

What are the commonly associated medical procedures?

In addition to routine diagnostic tests, more frequent procedures include tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and endoscopic sinus surgery. Tonsillectomy is a common procedure in which the inflamed tonsils are removed to improve a child’s breathing and swallowing abilities. Similarly, adenoidectomy is the removal of the adenoids. An endoscopic sinus surgery is used to treat sinusitis by removing scarred tissue and obstructions within the sinus.

Are there any preventative measures I can take?

There are several lifestyle behaviors that can reduce the chances of disease in the ears, nose or throat. The most useful preventative measures include avoiding smoking or an environment with smoking, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, exercising, listening to music at an appropriate level, and gently cleaning the ears with a cloth after swimming or showering.

What are the common misconceptions about this specialty?

It is a common misconception that pain or pressure in the sinuses is caused by sinus infections. Although pain and pressure can certainly be felt during a sinus infection, there are many other conditions such as a common cold or allergies that are felt in the same manner. It is better to seek a specialist to effectively treat diseases of the ears, nose and throat rather than make assumptions of general symptoms.

Another misconception is that snoring during sleep is a harmless occurrence. Snoring is often the result of obstructive sleep apnea, which is a condition that prevents proper breathing and causes stress to the body. Sleep apnea is a condition that can be treated with the help of ENT specialists.

One final misconception is that Q-tips are useful for cleaning out the ears. It is not recommended that parents use Q-tips to clean their children’s ears as these tools run the risk of plunging into children’s ears, accidentally damaging their ear drums in the process. It is recommended instead, that parents use a towel to gently clean the insides of their children’s ears.

Disclaimer:

All GlobeHealer Site content, including graphics, images, logos, and text, among other materials on the site are for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and you should always contact your physician or qualified health provider for information regarding your health. Information on this site regarding the overview, diagnosis, and treatment of any kind should be looked at, in addition to the advice and information of your health care professional. Do not disregard medical advice or delay seeking treatment or medical advice due to information found on the GlobeHealer site.

If there is even the possibility that you may have a medical emergency, seek treatment, call your doctor, or call your local emergency telephone number immediately. GlobeHealer does not endorse being the first line of communication in case of emergency and does not endorse any specific test, physician, facility, product, procedure, opinion, or other information that is or may be mentioned on this site or affiliated entities. Reliance of any and all information provided by GlobeHealer, its employees, affiliations, others appearing on the Site under the invitation of GlobeHealer, or visitors of the site is solely at your own risk and is not the responsibility of GlobeHealer.

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Pediatric dental and oromaxillofacial surgery diagnoses and corrects injuries and defects of the oromaxillofacial region in children, specifically the mouth, jaws, facial structures and neck.

What is it? 

The medical specialty of pediatric dental and oromaxillofacial surgery involves the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects involving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oromaxillofacial region. It is a dental specialty concerned with the health of the teeth of the child, as well as a medical specialty concerned with the oral health of the mouth and facial features. This includes treatment of problems of the teeth, jaws, facial bones, temporomandibular joints and salivary glands.

What are the subspecialties? 

There are multiple subspecialties associated with this specialty, with the most common and well-known subspecialty being cranio-maxillofacial surgery, which is a specialty associated to surgery pertaining to the head, face, and jaw area. Other common pediatric dental subspecialties include orthodontics, which focuses on proper alignment of the teeth, and periodontics, which is concerned with the health of the tissue surrounding the teeth, the gums.

What are the commonly associated medical diseases or symptoms?

Common medical diseases and symptoms that would cause a patient to seek treatment from a pediatric oromaxillofacial surgeon can range from common dental and oral problems to major birth defects. The most common symptoms and diseases include symptoms such as cavities, misaligned teeth or impacted teeth, jaw asymmetry, craniosynostosis and hemifacial macrosomia. Craniosynostosis, also known as a craniofacial anomaly, is a birth defect. It causes the affected baby’s head to be misshapen and his or her brain to be unable to form properly. This is due to the joints of the baby’s head around the bones in the skull closing prematurely. Hemifacial macrosomia is a congenital defect that causes the lower part of the face to be underdeveloped, including the ears, mouth, and jaw area. One of the most common birth defects that patients seek pediatric oromaxillofacial treatment for is a cleft lip and cleft palate. This is a birth defect which causes an opening in the front of the face and in the roof of the mouth. This is caused by the tissues of the mouth not forming properly during fetal development.

What are the commonly associated medical procedures? 

Children will need dental and oromaxillofacial assistance for common and routine treatments such as teeth cleanings, dental fillings to fill cavities, and oral x-rays. In addition to routine check ups for the treatments for the common diseases and symptoms, other common medical procedures associated with pediatric oromaxillofacial surgery include common oral procedures such as extractions, removal of impacted teeth, and dental implant placement. Other procedures include a frenectomy. A frenectomy is a procedure that loosens the bands of the tongue to allow for better tongue movement and dental spacing and formation.

Are there any preventative measures I can take?

While some of the diseases and symptoms in this specialty are caused by birth defects, there are preventative measures that can be taken to avoid some pediatric oral and maxillofacial problems. The biggest preventative measure is proper dental hygiene, especially in children. Instilling these habits in children at a young age can carry proper hygiene habits throughout their lifetime. The American Dental Association recommends that children begin seeing a proper dentist before their first birthday. Brushing and cleaning gums before teeth come in and then transitioning into a tooth cleaning schedule after teeth come in is imperative.

What are the common misconceptions about this specialty? 

A common misconception with this specialty is that children’s oral hygiene does not matter, since their teeth will fall out regardless. This notion is untrue, because beyond the proper hygiene habits that children can obtain, lack of poor oral hygiene in children can cause their teeth to fall out prematurely, which can lead to jaw problems, bite, and permanent teeth problems.

Disclaimer:

All GlobeHealer Site content, including graphics, images, logos, and text, among other materials on the site are for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and you should always contact your physician or qualified health provider for information regarding your health. Information on this site regarding the overview, diagnosis, and treatment of any kind should be looked at, in addition to the advice and information of your health care professional. Do not disregard medical advice or delay seeking treatment or medical advice due to information found on the GlobeHealer site.

If there is even the possibility that you may have a medical emergency, seek treatment, call your doctor, or call your local emergency telephone number immediately. GlobeHealer does not endorse being the first line of communication in case of emergency and does not endorse any specific test, physician, facility, product, procedure, opinion, or other information that is or may be mentioned on this site or affiliated entities. Reliance of any and all information provided by GlobeHealer, its employees, affiliations, others appearing on the Site under the invitation of GlobeHealer, or visitors of the site is solely at your own risk and is not the responsibility of GlobeHealer.

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Pediatric cardiology is a medical specialty that addresses the diseases and disorders of the heart in children.

What is it?

Pediatric cardiology addresses the diseases and disorders of the heart. Pediatric cardiologists diagnose and treat complications of the heart. Specifically, pediatric cardiologists use special imaging techniques to assess a child’s heart for changes in blood flow, blood pressure, deformities and other irregularities. While cardiologists will tend to use medications to treat heart problems, they will at times perform minor procedures on the heart, in the case of heart complications, that help unblock arteries and allow the heart to beat effectively.

What are the subspecialties?

Pediatric cardiology is a branch of internal medicine. Pediatric cardiologists might consult other specialists to develop comprehensive approaches to a child’s heart health. Subspecialties associated with pediatric cardiology include electrophysiology, fetal cardiology, exercise physiology and preventive cardiology.

What are the commonly associated medical diseases or procedures?

Common medical diseases treated by pediatric cardiologists include but are not limited to congenital heart defects, muscle disorders, irregular rhythms, and high blood pressure. A child might need to see a pediatric cardiologist if he or she experiences chest pain, chest discomfort, irregular heartbeat, heightened heart rate, severe dizziness, or intense feelings of restlessness.

What are the commonly associated medical procedures?

In addition to diagnostic tests, more frequent procedures consist of embolizations, endovenous laser ablations and blood transfusions. Embolization is a controlled method of preventing blood flow to a specific area of the body through the use of coils, balloons and chemical agents. Endovenous laser ablation uses a laser to intentionally heat blood and damage a malformed vein so that blood bypasses this region. A blood transfusion is a procedure wherein blood is transferred intravenously following blood loss to restore cell counts.

Are there preventative measures I can take?

While there are risk factors such as family history that might predispose children to cardiovascular diseases, there are also many measures that can be taken to promote heart health. The most useful preventative measures consist of exercise, avoidance of smoking or environments with smoking, maintaining a diet with low cholesterol, and closely monitoring one’s weight and blood pressure.

What are the common misconceptions about this specialty?

A common misconception about heart health is that children do not have to worry about heart disease. However, stress, lifestyle habits and exposure to pollution in childhood can impact one’s well-being, both in the short and long-term. In childhood and adolescence, plaque can start to accumulate in arteries, so it is important to exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet, and develop management plans for early conditions such as diabetes.

Disclaimer:

All GlobeHealer Site content, including graphics, images, logos, and text, among other materials on the site are for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and you should always contact your physician or qualified health provider for information regarding your health. Information on this site regarding the overview, diagnosis, and treatment of any kind should be looked at, in addition to the advice and information of your health care professional. Do not disregard medical advice or delay seeking treatment or medical advice due to information found on the GlobeHealer site.

If there is even the possibility that you may have a medical emergency, seek treatment, call your doctor, or call your local emergency telephone number immediately. GlobeHealer does not endorse being the first line of communication in case of emergency and does not endorse any specific test, physician, facility, product, procedure, opinion, or other information that is or may be mentioned on this site or affiliated entities. Reliance of any and all information provided by GlobeHealer, its employees, affiliations, others appearing on the Site under the invitation of GlobeHealer, or visitors of the site is solely at your own risk and is not the responsibility of GlobeHealer.

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Pediatric cardiac surgery is surgical specialty that focuses on procedures of the heart and blood vessels in children to correct deformities, congenital heart defects and delivering heart transplants.

What is it?

Pediatric cardiovascular surgery is performed to treat a variety of cardiac complications in children including ischemic heart disease, congenital heart disease, or valvular heart disease from various causes including endocarditis, rheumatic heart disease, and atherosclerosis. This specialty also includes heart transplantation.  A physician who performs these surgeries is usually referred to as a Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon.  These doctors are highly trained surgeons who spend roughly twelves years after medical school in residency and fellowship programs in order to become specialized in pediatric heart surgery.

What are the commonly associated medical diseases or symptoms?

The heart is a complex muscle that can malfunction for a number of different reasons.  In children, problems with the heart are usually due to congenital heart defects.  This simply means that the child was born with a problem affecting his or her heart.  Some of the most common heart conditions that affect children are septal defects (a hole in the heart between the left and right ventricle), arterial stenosis (narrowing of the aorta), right ventricular hypertrophies (increased musculature of right ventricle), and Ebstein’s anomaly.  This last heart condition affects the tricuspid valve, which in turn causes backflow of blood into the right atrium of the heart, causing the heart to work much less effectively.

What are the commonly associated medical procedures?

Common procedures performed to correct abnormalities in children’s hearts include, but are not limited to, aortic valve repair, arterial switches, hypoplastic left heart surgery, surgical valvuloplasty, and ventricular septal defect closures.  A ventricular septal defect, or VSD, is a hole in the wall between the left and right ventricles of the heart.

Are there any preventative measures I can take?

There are preventative measures that a woman can take during pregnancy to help avoid a congenital heart defect in their baby.  Obtaining an MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine before becoming pregnant can help to prevent rubella infection, which can cause a heart defect in the fetus.  Avoiding harmful substances such as smoking and alcohol during pregnancy can also lower the chances of a baby being born with a heart problem.  Folic Acid should be included in a pregnant woman’s nutrition, whether through diet or vitamins.  This can lower the risk of not only heart defects, but brain and spinal cord abnormalities as well.

What are the common misconceptions about this specialty?

While every child’s condition varies, there are many different thoughts about how a child should go about daily life with heart disease.  Some parents believe their child should be able to live their life to extremes and others hold conservative, careful approaches.  A recommended approach for children is to let them live as normal a life as possible. , now more than ever, to lead a normal life despite the presence of heart disease.  Survival rates of children born with heart defects have risen to 90% from 20% in the 1950’s.

Disclaimer:

All GlobeHealer Site content, including graphics, images, logos, and text, among other materials on the site are for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and you should always contact your physician or qualified health provider for information regarding your health. Information on this site regarding the overview, diagnosis, and treatment of any kind should be looked at, in addition to the advice and information of your health care professional. Do not disregard medical advice or delay seeking treatment or medical advice due to information found on the GlobeHealer site.

If there is even the possibility that you may have a medical emergency, seek treatment, call your doctor, or call your local emergency telephone number immediately. GlobeHealer does not endorse being the first line of communication in case of emergency and does not endorse any specific test, physician, facility, product, procedure, opinion, or other information that is or may be mentioned on this site or affiliated entities. Reliance of any and all information provided by GlobeHealer, its employees, affiliations, others appearing on the Site under the invitation of GlobeHealer, or visitors of the site is solely at your own risk and is not the responsibility of GlobeHealer.

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