Skip to main content

Featured post

“Where Are Your Tonsils? Your Health’s First Line of Defence!”

  Where Are Your Tonsils Located?   Learn About Their Position and Importance for Your Health Have you ever wondered where your tonsils are and why their location is significant for your health? Let's explore the fascinating world of tonsils and understand their crucial role in your body's defence system. What Are Tonsils? Tonsils are two oval-shaped masses of lymphoid tissue located at the back of your throat. They are part of your immune system, which is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against harmful invaders. The tonsils are vital in protecting your body from infections. They are often referred to as the "first line of defence" because they are strategically positioned to catch and filter out germs that enter through your mouth or nose. Where Exactly Are They Located? Your tonsils are situated in the pharynx, just behind the soft palate. There are two tonsils, one on each side of your throat. If you open your ...

Cough in Children

                 


                   

What causes a cough in children?

Coughing is a protective reflex of the body due to irritation of the airway. If the cough lasts more than 4-8 weeks or if after four weeks the cough is becoming worse, then it can be worrying. A persistent cough can affect the quality of the life of a child, including, schooling, sleep and appetite. Common causes of persistent cough could be allergy/hay fever, postnasal drip, large tonsil, gastro-oesophageal reflux or asthma. Rare causes include foreign body inhalation or psychogenic. Evolving evidence is dry cough on its own is rarely a symptom of asthma. 



What are two essential things to understand about chronic cough in a child?

  • Causes of chronic cough are different from adults 
  • Management of chough in children if different from adults and parents and clinician need to understand this.


What should I write down when we make an appointment for my child with ENT?

It is important to note, when did the cough start? What is the frequency of cough, hourly or daily? Did the child have a cold before symptoms start? Does your child have a temperature with shortness of breath? Shortness of breath with a cough will trigger urgent attendance to accident and emergency. Is the cough wet with phlegm or dry? Is the cough worse at night? Does sleeping make it better? What are the aggravating and relieving factors for your child's cough?



How do I suspect if my child's cough is due to allergy?

  • If the child is having hay fever symptoms and the coughing is seasonal.
  • If your child is coughing mainly at night and it gets better when you are away on holiday. In these cases, getting allergy skin prick or RAST blood can help make the diagnosis.



How do I suspect that it could be inhaled foreign body?

Sudden onset coughing with a choking episode could be due to inhaled foreign body. In many of these cases, a choking attack may not be witnessed.



How do I know if an enlarged tonsil is contributing to coughing?

An enlarged tonsil can hold thick secretions in the oral cavity and can make a child cough to clear these secretions. Quite often, these children have associated symptoms of sleep apnoea.



Is the management of the chronic cough multidisciplinary?

A chronic cough is managed multidisciplinary working together with your primary care physician, paediatrician and ENT surgeon.





What investigations might an ENT surgeon request?

A detailed history is a crucial part of managing a child with a chronic cough. Depending on their history, the child may need an allergy test, blood test, chest x-ray, barium swallow or a CT scan. It is essential to note that not every child will need all these investigations.


                               Helping Patients with Specialist Expertise and Kindness

Mr Gaurav Kumar

Consultant Ear Nose Throat Surgeon

To make an appointment

Book Online

info@entsurgeonclinic.co.uk

07494914140

Disclaimer: For general information only, always seek medical advice from your treating consultant.




Popular Post

Quinsy Abscess

 How to tell the difference between tonsillitis and quinsy? 🤔🩺 Tonsillitis vs. Quinsy: Spotting the Differences 🩺🤔   Feeling under the weather with a sore throat? It's essential to know the difference between tonsillitis and quinsy. Here's how to tell them apart:   1. Tonsillitis:   Symptoms: Sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, swollen tonsils with white or yellow patches, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and possibly a cough and hoarse voice. Cause: Usually viral or bacterial infections, such as the common cold or strep throat. Treatment: Rest, hydration, over-the-counter pain relievers, and sometimes antibiotics for bacterial tonsillitis. 2. Quinsy (Peritonsillar Abscess):   Symptoms: Severe sore throat on one side, difficulty swallowing, fever, drooling, muffled voice, swollen tonsil on one side, swollen uvula, and possibly a visible abscess on the tonsil. Cause: Complication of untreated or inadequately treated tonsillit...
Read more

Boil in the Ear canal can be very painful...

How do I know I have boil in the ear canal? The ear canal is lined by skin up to the eardrum. Skin in the outer third of the ear canal has hair follicles. Hair follicles can get infected with bacteria and can form boil or furunculosis. It is challenging to look in our own ear canal. You can only feel a bump in the ear canal entrance which is tender to touch. Why is so painful when we have boil in the ear? Ear canal skin is very tightly attached to underlying cartilage. So any swelling in the skin stretches it and makes it very sore to touch. How do we get boil in the ear canal?  Most common causes of boil in the canal is dryness of the skin and trauma. Dry skin leads to cracks and these cracks can get infected. People who use dry earbuds, fingers, towel edges or pens and traumatise ear canal skin, which can get infected with bacteria. How do I release the temptation of using earbuds? Some people can get very dry skin due to sensitivity to soup, shampoo o...
Read more

Tonsil Stones or Tonsilloliths

Where do Tonsil Stones come from? Tonsil stones or tonsillolith are formed in the tiny crevices on the tonsil surface. Tonsils are present at the back of the throat. Two large tonsils on each side can catch food particles when we eat. This food debris can accumulate bacteria and give a bad smell. This mixture of bacteria and food debris can become solid to form tonsil stones. Can Tonsil Stones go away on their own? Tonsil stones form due to food particle and bacteria. You can prevent stone formation by regularly rinsing mouth after every meal, good oral hygiene and dental care. Gargling with salt water and gentle use of bud to deliver the stones can help in some cases. Soft water floss can help keep tonsil surface clean. If you have, post nasal drip due to sinusitis, seeking treatment advice from ENT surgeon can help. You should not use sharp objects to clean tonsil stones or make tonsil surface bleed. What symptoms do tonsil stones cause? Tonsil ston...
Read more

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Are you unable to pop your ears or feeling pressure in your ears? Eustachian tube dysfunction is a very common problem after flu or cold or even after long haul flight when you feel hearing is muffled, feel pressure around the ears and sometimes you feel as if you are underwater. Good news is most of the time it is temporary.  If you try decongestants, antihistamine ( hay fever tablets ) and Valsalva (ie try and pop your ears) things should improve after a few days to a week. Why do we have symptoms of Eustachian tube dysfunction? The eustachian tube is present at the back of our nose and connects the nose to the middle ear. It is there to maintain equal pressure on both sides of the eardrum. The eustachian tube also helps in clearing normal mucus from the middle ear.  Hence opening and closing of this ventilation tube are very important for hearing. Normally every time we yawn and chew this tube opens and closes without us noticing it. So, if this opening of ventila...
Read more

"Naseptin: Powerful Defence Against Nasal Bacteria!"

  Everything You Need to Know About Using Naseptin Nasal Cream   If you've been dealing with nasal issues, you may have come across Naseptin nasal cream as a potential solution. Whether you suffer from recurrent nasal infections (vestibulitis), nose bleeds or simply need some relief from nasal dryness, Naseptin can be a valuable aid. In this blog, we'll cover everything you need to know about using Naseptin nasal cream to ensure you get the best results from this trusted product.   Unlocking the Power of Naseptin Nasal Cream: A Guide to Its Versatile Uses   Naseptin nasal cream, a powerful ally in nasal health, holds the key to treating infections caused by staphylococcal bacteria. This versatile cream offers much more than meets the eye, and we're here to shed light on its incredible benefits! 🌟 👃 Kicking Nose Infections to the Curb: Say goodbye to those troublesome nose infections! Naseptin comes to the rescue, targeting staphylococcal bacteria and...
Read more

LAX VOX

  LAX VOX  is a vocal therapy technique that can help improve voice quality, relaxation, and overall vocal health. It involves using a unique tube to create  bubbling sounds  while phonating.  Here are the steps for practising LAX VOX: Relax and Focus on Posture and Breathing : Maintain a good posture with a long spine. Relax your face, neck, upper back, and chest muscles, allowing them to release toward gravity. Preparing for Bubbling with Phonation : Place a  silicone tube  (about 35 cm long and 9-12 mm in diameter) between or in front of your incisor teeth and above your tongue. Keep your tongue relaxed (imagine it as a piece of steak) and slightly touch the tube. Hold the water-filled bottle near your body to avoid using shoulder muscles. Inhale through your nose as if you’re yawning with your mouth closed. Prepare for phonation during exhalation, focusing on abdominal and lower back muscles. Finding the Target Voice : Create bubbling sounds with y...
Read more

“Where Are Your Tonsils? Your Health’s First Line of Defence!”

  Where Are Your Tonsils Located?   Learn About Their Position and Importance for Your Health Have you ever wondered where your tonsils are and why their location is significant for your health? Let's explore the fascinating world of tonsils and understand their crucial role in your body's defence system. What Are Tonsils? Tonsils are two oval-shaped masses of lymphoid tissue located at the back of your throat. They are part of your immune system, which is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against harmful invaders. The tonsils are vital in protecting your body from infections. They are often referred to as the "first line of defence" because they are strategically positioned to catch and filter out germs that enter through your mouth or nose. Where Exactly Are They Located? Your tonsils are situated in the pharynx, just behind the soft palate. There are two tonsils, one on each side of your throat. If you open your ...
Read more

Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS)

🔍 Unlocking the Mystery of Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS) 🌀✨ It's a rare condition that affects the inner ear, and here's the lowdown:   Cause: SCDS occurs when one of the bony canals in the inner ear, particularly the uppermost semicircular canal, doesn't close or thicken properly during fetal development.   Symptoms:   Hearing Loss: It's a common symptom of SCDS. Sound Distortion: Ever feel like sounds aren't quite right? That could be SCDS at play. Balance Problems: SCDS can throw your balance off, making you feel unsteady. Autophony: Imagine hearing your own heartbeat or breathing louder than usual. That's autophony. World Tumbling Sensation: Loud noises or pressure changes might make you feel like the world is spinning. Diagnosis and Treatment:   CT Scans: A specialist might use these to spot SCDS, but other tests are crucial too. Hearing Tests: Essential for accurate diagnosis. Treatment: Surgery may be necessary for severe symptoms. ...
Read more

Retracted Ear Drum

  What Is a Retracted Eardrum? A retracted eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane retraction, is a condition where the eardrum (tympanic membrane) is pulled inward or drawn backwards from its normal position. The eardrum is a thin, delicate membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It plays a crucial role in transmitting sound vibrations from the outer ear to the middle ear, where the auditory ossicles (small bones) are located.   Under normal circumstances, the eardrum is slightly concave and positioned at an angle that allows it to respond to changes in air pressure. The Eustachian tube, a tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat, helps equalize pressure between the middle ear and the outside environment.   However, in cases of a retracted eardrum, the Eustachian tube might not function correctly or become blocked, leading to an imbalance in pressure. When negative pressure builds up in the middle ear, it causes the eardrum t...
Read more

Vertigo and Dizziness..

Are labyrinthitis and vertigo the same? The ear has three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, with small bones of hearing, and the inner ear, consisting of the labyrinth. The labyrinth has two parts as well, hearing processing part and balance part. When you get an infection in the inner ear, it is often called labyrinthitis. Common symptoms for Labyrinthitis are hearing loss or vertigo, however, there are also other causes for vertigo as well. What is the most important thing to remember when you have labyrinthitis symptoms? In the first few hours of symptoms, it is difficult to know between stroke and labyrinthitis. If you have vertigo and notice one side of your face becoming droopy, your arms or leg become weak and speech becomes slurred, you should call for urgent help. What is the difference between labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis? If you only have vertigo symptoms, then it is due to vestibular neuritis. Vestibular neuritis oc...
Read more