Treatment

Your physician will determine the best course of treatment for you based on the ENT condition or symptoms you’re experiencing. Some treatment options include:

Pediatric Ear Infection

Home treatment for middle ear infections, the most common childhood ear infections, should initially focus on relieving pain. Home treatment can include:

• Pain relievers such as Tylenol, Motrin or Advil.
• Using a warm washcloth or heating pad to apply heat to the ear. Use a heating pad only with older children and don’t let your child go to sleep with it.
• Rest, to help your child heal from the infection.
• Eardrops, though you should consult your WellStar physician before using.

If home treatments aren’t effective, your WellStar ENT physician can prescribe an antibiotic. However, ear infections often get better without them. You should see the WellStar physician about your child’s ear infection if:

• Your child has repeat ear infections.
• Your child’s ear pain, fever or vomiting continues after two days of home treatment.

Sinus Infection

Home treatment for sinus infection can be very effective if the infection is caught early. Your goal with treatment is to open up the sinuses, drain them, eliminate dryness and ease pain.

• Drink plenty of water and inhale steam to promote drainage.
• Expectorants, such as those in over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines, thin mucus, which promotes drainage. Combine with OTC decongestants, either oral or spray, to help relieve many symptoms. Your pharmacist can help determine which OTC medications you should try.
• Pain medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin can relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

If these treatments don’t work, consult with a WellStar ENT specialist, who may prescribe an antibiotic to fight the infection. In severe cases, surgery to open the sinuses may be required. WellStar’s ENT physicians have experience with many types of sinus surgeries and can advise you on which treatment is best for you.

Sleep Apnea

Mild cases of sleep apnea often disappear with lifestyle changes, including weight loss or stopping smoking. If these changes don’t help or if you have severe sleep apnea, you may need additional treatment. Other treatment options include:

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a machine with a mask that slips over your nose while you sleep. Air pressure is delivered through the nose, keeping your airways open and preventing apnea.
• Surgery to remove excess tissue from the back of your nose or throat may be necessary if the tissue is blocking your air passages and causing apnea.

Talk to your WellStar ENT specialist about the specific advantages of these and other treatments for sleep apnea.