ENT conditions (Mr Gaurav Kumar)

  Is It Hay Fever or a Constant Cold? A Parent’s Guide to Allergic Rhinitis in Children Some children seem to have a cold that never fully goes away. They wake up sneezing, rub their nose, sniff constantly, breathe through their mouth, cough at night, or have a blocked nose for weeks. Parents often ask: “Is this just another cold, or could it be hay fever or allergy?” This is an important question. Viral colds are common in children, especially at nursery and school. But if symptoms keep returning, last for weeks, follow a seasonal pattern, or include itchy eyes and sneezing, allergic rhinitis may be part of the problem. Allergic rhinitis is inflammation and irritation inside the nose caused by something the child is allergic to, such as pollen, house dust mites, mould or animal skin flakes. NHS lists symptoms including sneezing, blocked or runny nose, itchy nose and reduced sense of smell. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon , assesses children with nose, ear, throat and paed...

  Why Does My Child Keep Asking for the Volume Louder? A Parent’s Guide to Hearing Concerns Many parents first notice a possible hearing problem in a very ordinary way: the television is too loud. Your child may keep turning up the TV, tablet or music. They may ask for films to be louder, hold devices close, say “what?” repeatedly, or seem not to hear when called from another room. It is easy to assume this is behaviour, a preference, or a habit. Sometimes it is. But in some children, asking for louder volume can be an early sign that they are not hearing clearly. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon , assesses children with ear, hearing, and paediatric ENT concerns from London, East London, Brentwood, Romford, Ilford, Redbridge, Chelmsford, and the wider Essex area. This guide explains why children may keep asking for the volume to be louder, when a hearing assessment is sensible, and what parents can do at home and at school. Is Loud Volume Always a Sign of Hearing Loss? No. S...

  Why Does My Child Have Earache but No Ear Infection? A Parent’s Guide Earache is one of the most common reasons parents seek medical advice for children. It can be distressing, especially when your child is crying, not sleeping, refusing food or repeatedly pulling at one ear. Many parents naturally assume that earache means an ear infection. Sometimes it does. But not always. A child can have significant ear pain even when the eardrum looks normal, and there is no obvious middle-ear infection. This is because the ear shares nerve pathways with nearby areas including the throat, tonsils, teeth, jaw joint and neck. Pain from these areas can be “referred” to the ear. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon, assesses children with ear, hearing and paediatric ENT concerns from London, East London, Brentwood, Romford, Ilford, Redbridge, Chelmsford and wider Essex. This guide explains why earache can happen without an obvious ear infection, what parents should watch for, and when ENT as...

  My Child Keeps Getting Nosebleeds – Should I Be Worried? Seeing blood coming from your child's nose can be frightening. The good news is that most nosebleeds in children are not caused by a serious medical problem and can often be managed successfully at home with the correct first aid. Nosebleeds are particularly common during childhood because the lining of the nose contains many delicate blood vessels that sit close to the surface. As a Consultant ENT Surgeon treating children across London and Essex, one of the most common questions I hear is: "My child keeps getting nosebleeds. Is this normal?" In this guide, I'll explain why nosebleeds happen, how parents can manage them safely, when to seek medical advice and when an ENT assessment may be helpful. Why do children get nosebleeds? Most nosebleeds occur from a small area at the front of the nose known as Little's area. This region contains several tiny blood vessels that bleed easily when irritated. ...

Cholesteatoma: Why Persistent Ear Discharge Requires Specialist Investigation An occasional ear infection or fluid buildup is a common complaint that usually clears up quickly with targeted drops. However, when an ear continuously leaks a foul-smelling fluid or when a deep-seated pressure is accompanied by progressive hearing loss, it may point to a more complex condition known as a cholesteatoma . Despite its name, a cholesteatoma is not a tumour or a cancer. Instead, it is an abnormal accumulation of skin cells deep within the middle ear. Left untreated, it can act like an expanding cyst, gradually eroding the delicate structures around it. This guide explains how to recognise the signs of a cholesteatoma and why early surgical intervention is essential. What is a Cholesteatoma? A cholesteatoma typically develops from long-term pressure issues in the ear, often linked to poor Eustachian tube function—the tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat. If this tube...

  Ear Infections: When Should You Seek Care from a Private ENT Specialist? Ear infections are a frequent cause of discomfort, affecting people of all ages. While many mild infections resolve with basic care, others can become persistent, painful, or lead to temporary hearing loss. If you are dealing with an infection that isn't clearing up or keeps returning, a specialist assessment is essential to prevent long-term damage to the ear canal or eardrum. Types of Ear Infections Not all ear infections are the same. Understanding where the infection is located is the first step in effective treatment: Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear): An infection of the outer ear canal, often caused by water trapped in the ear or irritation from cotton buds. Otitis Media: An infection of the middle ear, common in children, where fluid builds up behind the eardrum. Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: A persistent infection involving a perforated eardrum and ongoing discharge. Signs You Should See an ENT ...