Tonsil infections are common and are caused both by viruses or bacteria. If you have a persistent sore throat with high temperatures, you may need a course of antibiotics.If you are having repeated infections affecting your daily living, you may consider seeing an ENT specialist for removing your tonsils. 

Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the middle part of the ear, which is the area behind the eardrum. It can happen when germs, like bacteria or viruses, get into the ear and cause swelling or fluid buildup. This can make the ear hurt, cause hearing problems, or lead to a feeling of fullness in the ear. It’s common in children, especially when they have a cold or upper respiratory infection.

Glue ear (also called otitis media with effusion) is a type of ear problem where fluid builds up in the middle ear without an infection. The fluid is thick and sticky, like glue, and it can make it harder for sounds to reach the inner ear, leading to hearing loss. This often happens after an ear infection has cleared up, but the fluid stays trapped. Glue ear can affect a child’s hearing, balance, and speech development, but it often improves on its own over time.

These could settle with time with watchful waiting or may require surgical intervention in the form of myringotomy + grommets with or without adenoidectomy. 

Pediatric sleep apnea is a condition where a child’s breathing is briefly interrupted while they sleep. This happens because their airway becomes partially or completely blocked, often due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids. These interruptions can last a few seconds to minutes and may happen many times during the night. Common signs of sleep apnea in children include loud snoring, restless sleep, difficulty waking up in the morning, and feeling sleepy during the day. In more severe cases, it can affect a child’s growth, behavior, and learning. Most children will grow out of this if they have mild sleep apnoea, however if they suffer from moderate or severe sleep apnoea the general advice is for an adenotonsillectomy in the first instance. 

This is a sticky yellowish substances made in your ear canal. Despite being a protective mechanism to trap dirt and moisturise the ear, if it builds up, can cause issues with hearing. This may need to be removed under a microscope in one of our clinics. We would strongly advise using olive oil drops prior to your appointment. 

Pediatric laryngomalacia is when a baby’s voice box (larynx) is soft and floppy, causing the airway to collapse slightly when they breathe in. This leads to noisy breathing, called stridor, which sounds like a high-pitched wheeze. It’s common in newborns and usually improves as the baby grows, with most babies outgrowing it by 18 to 24 months. Most cases are mild and don’t need treatment, but severe cases may require medical attention.

Pediatric swallowing problems (dysphagia) happen when a child has trouble swallowing food, liquids, or saliva. Signs include coughing, choking, or gagging while eating, difficulty chewing, or food coming out of the nose. Causes can include muscle issues, reflux, or developmental delays. Treatment like therapy or exercises can often help, but severe cases may need medical care.