Why Is My Child’s Breathing Noisy? A Parent’s Guide to Stridor, Croup and When to Seek Help Hearing an unusual noise when your child breathes can be frightening. Parents may describe the sound as squeaky, harsh, wheezy, whistling or “croupy”. Some notice it only when their child is crying or excited. Others hear it while the child is resting or sleeping. One of the most important points is that not all noisy breathing is the same . A noise coming from the nose is different from a wheeze coming from the lower airways. A harsh sound when a child inhales may be stridor , which can indicate narrowing of the upper airway or voice box. Many causes of noisy breathing in children are treatable, and some are temporary. However, because a child’s airway is relatively small, worsening breathing difficulty should always be taken seriously. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon, assesses children with ear, nose, throat, voice and upper-airway concerns from Lond...
When Are Big Tonsils a Problem? A Parent's Guide to Enlarged Tonsils in Children Many parents are told during a routine GP visit, "Your child has very large tonsils." The next question is almost always: "Do they need removing?" The answer is not always. Some children have naturally large tonsils that never cause any problems. Others develop breathing difficulties, disturbed sleep, repeated infections or poor school performance because their enlarged tonsils partially block the airway. Understanding the difference helps parents make informed decisions. As a Consultant ENT Surgeon seeing children across London, East London, Brentwood and Essex , one of the commonest questions I hear is: "How do I know whether my child's tonsils are normal or actually causing problems?" This guide explains exactly what parents should look for. What Are Tonsils? Tonsils are part of the body's immune system. They sit on either side of...