Ear-nose-throat diseases in children.

What should we know about ear, nose and throat diseases?

Children catch colds most easily, most often suffer from sore throats, ears and stuffy noses...
What symptoms should be referred to an otorhinolaryngologist? Which ear-nose-throat disease occurs most often? To talk about these and other issues, we turned to TSSU G. Doctor-otolaryngologist of Zhvania Pediatrics Academic Clinic, TSU Assistant Professor Irina Kekelidze.

- Mrs. Irina, what are adenoids, at what age can they appear in a child and what problems can they cause?
Adenoids--- is the tonsil gland of the nasopharynx, along with it the lymphoid apparatus of the pharynx is represented by the tonsils of the palate, the tonsils of the base of the tongue and the tonsils of the barrel. Adenoid hypertrophy is caused by various bacteria and viruses, and it is especially common in children aged 3-10 years. An increase in the size of adenoids can cause various complications, such as middle ear infections, difficulty breathing through the nose, noisy sleep. In advanced cases: disturbance of the formation of the jaw and a typical, striking so-called adenoid face (developed as a result of constant gnawing).

- Several degrees of enlargement of adenoids are distinguished. what does this mean?
Three degrees of enlargement of adenoids are distinguished: I degree - the child breathes freely during the day, but at night it is difficult to breathe through the nose (adenoids choke the airways more when lying down); II degree - adenoids practically cover half of the nasal airway. Therefore, children often snore in their sleep, and during the day they are forced to breathe through their mouth; III degree - adenoids completely block the nasal airway and prevent the passage of air from the nose to the trachea. The child breathes only through the mouth.

- How are adenoids treated? And when is surgery necessary?
We have two methods of treatment; In the case of medical and 2.3 degree hypertrophy, when medical treatment is not effective, we resort to surgical treatment: adenotomy.

- If the child suddenly started breathing loudly, what could be the reason for this?
The cause of sudden noisy breathing - requires a differential diagnosis with other pathologies, because it cannot be caused only by hypertrophy of adenoids; Sudden noisy breathing requires a timely visit to a pediatrician, ear-nose-throat doctor.

- What is chronic tonsillitis and what complications can result from it?
There are three forms of chronic tonsillitis: compensated, decompensated and atrophic. In case of decompensated and atrophied form, it is necessary to perform tonsillectomy to the patient, since these forms of the disease cause such complications as: damage to the heart, joints, general weakness, sweating. It is possible to develop rheumatism, nephritis. During the compensated form, it is possible to treat the patient without surgical intervention. Both adults and children suffer from chronic tonsillitis. The reason may be: repeated sore throats, rarely other acute infectious diseases (smallpox, measles, diphtheria). The development of chronic tonsillitis is facilitated by nasal breathing disorders, diseases of the nasal appendages, carious teeth, chronic pharyngitis, chronic rhinitis.

- When does acute inflammation of the middle ear develop and what are its symptoms?
Acute inflammation of the middle ear is mainly caused by bacterial and viral infections. An important role is also played by allergic reactions with swelling of the upper respiratory tract. At this time, the swelling spreads from the nasopharynx to the Eustachian tubes, which leads to their obstruction (clogging) and the development of inflammation of the middle ear. The middle ear is a hollow organ filled with air, which is connected to the nasopharynx through the Eustachian tube. Inflammation of the middle ear can develop at any age, however, due to anatomical and physiological features, it is mostly observed in children. A baby's Eustachian tube is relatively narrow and horizontal, making it easier for infection to enter and linger. Hypertrophy of adenoid vegetations contributes to the frequency of middle ear inflammation in children. During inflammation of the middle ear, they mainly complain of acute pain, which is transmitted to the eye socket, head, and jawbone, aggravated by sneezing, snoring, and crying. In newborns, pressure on the tragus (the cartilaginous formation on the front wall of the external auditory tube) increases the pain. During an acute purulent process in children, pain in the back of the ear (mastoidism) or swelling - a bulky formation (mastoid abscess) can be expected. High temperature reaction, weakness, irritability are common, in children - fussiness, insomnia, intense crying. To reduce the pain, patients choose to lie on the painful ear. At this time, the inflammatory fluid in the middle ear pushes the membrane of the plaque and no longer irritates the nerve plexus on the medial wall of the middle ear. Hearing loss is often observed during inflammation of the middle ear. Damage to the auditory nerve and dizziness-loss of balance can also be expected if toxins enter the inner ear. If the pain continued the next day, it was aggravated, or external