ADENOIDS
Often, tonsils and adenoids are surgically removed at the same time. While
you can see the tonsils by looking in your child's throat, adenoids are located
behind the nose and are not directly visible. If your child is facing surgical
treatment for enlarged or infected adenoids, learning a few facts can make the
trip to the hospital easier for both you and your child.
What are adenoids?
The adenoids are tissues that look like tiny clusters of grapes, located in
the passage that connects the nose and the throat. (Adenoids are also called
pharyngeal tonsils, but they are separate from the tonsils in the throat.)
Adenoids filter out bacteria and viruses entering through the nose and produce
antibodies to help the body fight infections.
Your pediatrician may suggest surgery for your child because of persistent
or recurring enlargement or infections of the adenoids. Children do not suffer
from more infections after adenoid surgery - other tissues in the body serve
the same function as adenoids.
What are the symptoms of enlarged or infected adenoids?
There are several symptoms associated with enlarged adenoids. You may notice
that your child:
- complains of difficulty breathing through the nose
- is breathing through the mouth
- talks as if nostrils are pinched
- breathes noisily
- snores while sleeping
- stops breathing for a few seconds while sleeping (sleep apnea)
See your doctor if you suspect your child has enlarged or infected adenoids.
Treatment of enlarged adenoids - is surgery necessary?
Surgery is no longer the standard treatment for adenoid problems. Your
pediatrician may wish to treat your child's infected adenoids with antibiotics
as a first line of defense. If the adenoids are not infected, your pediatrician
may choose to wait - enlarged adenoids are normal in some children. Your
child's adenoids may eventually shrink on their own. Your pediatrician may
suggest adenoid surgery if your child experiences one or more of the following:
- difficulty breathing
- sleep apnea
- recurrent infections
- distorted speech
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