A tracheostomy is a tiny, surgical opening through the skin into the trachea or windpipe. Children may need a tracheostomy for various reasons. One is to relieve severe breathing difficulties caused by a narrowing or obstruction in the upper airway. Another may be because they need to have regular suctioning of mucus from their airway if they are unable to swallow their saliva properly.
As a provider of skilled nursing, we have enumerated some tips to keep your little one protected when they have a trach tube:
- Playing
When your child goes outside to play, remember to protect their trach opening from anything that can blow into it. At all indoor play areas, remove small parts and thin objects, as some children like putting these objects into the trach. - Eating and Drinking
Let your child drink a lot of water or other liquids. This helps keep their mucus thin and most. When mucus is moist, it will be easier to suction it out of the lungs. In addition, keep the trach tube loosely covered while feeding. Keep your child supervised during mealtime to ensure that food is kept out of the trach tube. - Clothing
Keep clothing off the trach tube. Don’t let your child dress in turtleneck shirts. Also, avoid letting them wear necklaces, fuzzy clothing, or fuzzy blankets. This is because fibers or tiny beads can get into the trach, which can make it difficult for your little one to breathe.
If your child has a tracheostomy tube, then they can benefit from the services of a pediatric home health agency in Texas.
At Skillcare Health Services, Inc. Dba Caring At Home, our nurses will make sure that your little one will stay safe and healthy. For more information about our home health agency in
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by a repeated stopping of your breathing. This disorder can be fatal since it blocks the airway by relaxing the throat muscles. This then travels down the throat, making it hard for the sleeping person to breathe.
It has three types: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome.
This sleep disorder does not choose any age. Sleep apnea can be experienced by both the young and old. That is why, as early as possible, it is best to look out for the symptoms of sleep apnea in your child and the elderly members of your family with the help of a home health agency in Plano, Texas.
Specifically, a pediatric home health agency in Texas can help identify whether your child’s symptoms are indicative of sleep apnea. Here are some signs you have to watch out for:
- Loud snoring during sleep.Although some people with sleep apnea do not snore, it is still important to consult a doctor after hearing your child snore loudly periodically.
- Sudden stopping of breathing while sleeping.This is caused by the lack of oxygen in the blood, which signals the brain to wake your child from his or her slumber. This sensation can cause your child to gasp for air while sleeping. There is also a high chance that your child will continue to have this episode throughout the night.
- Difficulty paying attention.Sleep apnea can trigger hypersomnia, a condition that causes the affected individual to sleep excessively. This leads to tiredness which may then result in a loss of focus and attention.
If you notice these signs in your child, do not hesitate to call Skillcare Health Services, Inc. Dba Caring At Home. Our skilled nursing can help manage your child’s condition.
, Texas, do not hesitate to contact us.