Pediatric
Many pediatric patients receive incomplete care as they are shuffled between multiple sub-specialists who do not see the big picture. At Midwest Ear, Nose, and Throat, all of our physicians are board-certified in pediatric otolaryngology.
Here, we can diagnose and treat reflux, allergies, sinusitis, asthma, tonsillitis, otitis media, and sleep apnea, with a common-sense approach using a single doctor.
Our Sinus and Allergy Center division allows us to treat allergies with medicine, immunotherapy, or surgery. Because we are trained in surgery of the ear, nose, sinuses, and throat, we are the best choice for allergy patients.
- Tonsils and adenoids
- Hearing issues
- Ear pain
- Allergies
- Sinusitis
- Tongue and mouth problems
- Asthma
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Head and neck tumors
- Reflux (GERD)
- Eczema
- Day care and illness
- Secondhand smoke
- Choanal atresia
Latest Resources
Diagnosing food allergies in children
The first step in addressing possible food allergies in a child is a complete diagnostic work-up consisting of the following:
History/Physical
We will then identify the general approach; namely, allergy vs. intolerance and IgE versus non-IgE mediated. Read More >
Extent of the food allergy problem
The public believes that some 20-25 percent of people have food allergies. This may actually be low if you consider both IgE and IgG mediated reactions. If you only consider IgE (atopic) food allergies, the numbers are much lower, with one to two percent of adults having this reaction and six to eight percent of infants/children having such response. Read More >
Signs and symptoms of food allergies
Food allergies can result in vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and colic in children. They can also result in skin symptoms such as atopic dermatitis , or upper respiratory tract symptoms Read More >
What type of tubes are there?
We place tubes because in the vast majority of the time, the hole we make in the eardrum will heal closed within a few weeks. The tube is to prevent the hole from closing. There is also no such thing as a “permanent” tube. In essence, the bigger the tube or bigger the inner flanges, the longer they are supposed to stay in. 3-6 months: Fleurstein Split, Read More >
What happens after tubes are inserted?
Immediately after the procedure, the surgeon will examine the patient for persistent or profuse bleeding or discharge. The child will be given antibiotic eardrops to use for a couple of days to prevent clogging. After one month, we will review the tube placement will be reviewed and possibly test the patient’s hearing. Later, we will see whether the tube was effective in removing infection.
With the average set of tubes, you can expect them to just grow out and the eardrum to heal itself in six to twelve months. If the patient is age six or younger, it is recommended that tubes remain in place for up to two years. During this time, be aware of getting water in the ears. We recommend giving the eardrops after prolonged bathing or swimming. Ear plugs, although not a bad idea, have never proven effective in controlled studies. Use them only if they are not a bother.
We generally see patients every three to four months after tubes are inserted to ensure proper healing and development. 80% of patients who need tubes only need one set.
If the infections persist, this may be a result of chronically infected adenoids and tonsils, in which case we may recommend removal of adenoids and/or tonsils. This is usually done when the second set of ventilation tubes are inserted. Allergies may also require additional investigation and treatment.
