When is it helpful for an ear, nose, throat specialist to check for nasal obstruction?
A family doctor or pediatrician may be able to help manage some patients with nasal obstruction but an otolaryngologists, or ear, nose, throat specialist is especially qualified to evaluate and treat most of these kids. If your child is not improving during treatment by your primary care physician, depending on your insurance, you can get a referral or call directly for an appointment with an otolaryngologists. What causes nasal obstruction? Nasal obstruction can be caused by many different situations. Some children are born with blockages in the nasal passage, while others happen as the child gets older. Try to remember the age when the noisy breathing began, and that can help determine the cause of the obstruction. Some of the causes are noted below: • ADENOID HYPERTROPHY is another common cause of nasal obstruction in children. See this topic under common diagnoses. • Choanal atresia can be one sided (unilateral) or affect both sides (bilateral). It means that the back opening of th
