Adenoids, Tonsils and Tubes! Oh My!

Frequent ear infections, sore throats or problems sleeping can be as troublesome as lions, tigers and bears. But you don’t need to run from these problems, as help can be as close as your doctor, according to Geoffrey Schwartz, M.D., an ear, nose and throat specialist with Associated ENT Specialists.

Recognize the Signs

“Chronic infections and sleepless nights don’t need to be a normal part of childhood. There are ways we can help,” said Schwartz. He recommends seeing a doctor when you notice the following in your child:

• Frequent infections, including ear infections and strep throat
• Infections that require multiple courses of antibiotics
• Bad breath
• Sleep disturbances, such as frequent waking, constantly shifting positions, pauses in breathing, snoring or open-mouthed breathing
• Frequent nasal congestion or runny nose

“Not only can these symptoms be uncomfortable, but some can lead to long-term problems,” said Schwartz. “For instance, chronic fluid on the ears can lead to delays in speech development or even long-term hearing loss,” he said.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the Spring 2013 Healthy Woman publication.

Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Dr. Geoffrey Schwartz will explain the anatomy of your child’s ears, nose and throat and how to handle the numerous inflammations they may hold at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 25 at Strongbow Inn, 2405 Morthland Dr. in Valparaiso. Children are welcome to accompany parents to this presentation.

To learn more about adenoids and various infections that can occur, click here.

To learn when a child's tonsils need to be removed, click here.