Noisy Breathing
Diagnosing And Treating Noisy Breathing In Children
If you notice your child is making a lot of sounds when breathing, contact our team at Virginia Ear, Nose & Throat Associates. Our team can conduct a thorough evaluation and determine the root cause of your child’s breathing problems and develop a customized treatment plan to meet their specific needs.
Types Of Noisy Breathing
Noisy breathing is a common issue affecting children. In some cases, it is harmless—in others, it can point to an underlying condition or issue with the airways. There are a few different sounds that you may notice your child making while breathing. Each sound may point to a different issue in the airways. These include:
The type of sound your child makes, as well as when they make this sound, will help our team to determine the root cause. If your child is making sounds while breathing in addition to pauses in breathing, drooling or changes in skin color, seek medical attention immediately.
Causes Of Noisy Breathing
The airway is comprised of the pathway from the nose to the lungs, and disease can affect any point along this pathway. Most diseases of the airway are manifested by noisy or obstructed breathing. Sounds while breathing can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
Diagnosing And Treating Noisy Breathing
There are several things that our team will take into consideration when diagnosing your child’s noisy breathing. Considerations include:
In some cases, our ENT specialists may recommend a flexible fiberoptic examination of the airway, a bronchoscopy or x-rays so they can see inside the airways and better diagnose the issue. Treatment varies from patient to patient, but may include medication, endoscopic procedures and in some cases, open neck surgery performed in the operating room.
Call Virginia Ear, Nose & Throat
If your child is making noises while breathing, request an appointment with our team at Virginia Ear, Nose & Throat. Our experienced, compassionate team can swiftly diagnose and treat your child’s noisy breathing, giving them relief and you peace of mind. Call us at (804) 484-3700 to get started.