Did you know that children are most likely to develop ear infections once or twice a year? These frequent infections are because of their developing Eustachian tubes, which connect the ears to the throat. Because they aren’t fully developed yet, they become prone to swelling and blockages that sometimes turn into infections. You can consult a paediatric ENT specialist in Singapore if your child ever gets an ear infection.
However, many people don’t know what an ENT doctor does until their child needs to consult one. Read these FAQs to learn the basics of an ENT doctor and their specialities.
1. What Is an ENT Doctor?
An ENT doctor is also known as an otolaryngologist, while ENT stands for ear, nose, and throat. These doctors diagnose and treat any diseases in the ear, nose, and throat areas while occasionally taking care of related body parts such as the head and neck. A paediatric ENT specialist in Singapore would mostly care for ENT diseases found in children.
2. When Should a Child See an ENT?
If you suspect your child has a disease or infection in their ears, nose, or throat, you should take them to their paediatrician first. Paediatricians know every aspect of children’s health, and they can write down your child’s infection in their records. If the disease is out of the paediatrician’s scope, they’ll refer you to an ear, nose, and throat clinic in Singapore.
3. What Can You Expect from Your Child’s First ENT Visit?
You’ll have to explain the whole story to the ENT doctor from Singapore during the appointment. Tell them about your child’s initial complaint, how it progressed, ways you tried to treat the infection (if any), and your visit to the child’s paediatrician. The doctor needs all the information to diagnose your child accurately.
After that, they can proceed with an ENT examination. The ENT doctor from Singapore may clean your child’s ears for a better look inside or perform a flexible nasendoscopy, which is when a camera looks into your child’s nasal passages. These procedures help with the doctor’s diagnosis at the end of the appointment.
4. How Do You Prepare a Child for an ENT Visit?
Ear infection cases in children are common, but that doesn’t make it less scary for your child. Ensure that you explain what will happen during the appointment, so they know what to expect. More importantly, you can tell them they should speak out if they ever feel pain or discomfort during the examination. That way, the ENT doctor will know to be more gentle or to stop the test entirely. Also, ensure you have a list of their old medications and medical history.
If you’re struggling with an infection in your ears, nose, or throat, you can consult Dr Jenica Yong, an ENT doctor in Singapore. With years of experience and multiple awards for her contribution to her medical field, Dr Jenica specialises in diagnosing and treating children with ENT conditions. You can schedule an appointment with her today by contacting Dr Jenica Yong’s clinic through her website.