Is your child suffering from sleep, hearing or behavioural problems? Tonsils and adenoids could be the cause

Does your child suffer from obstructive sleep apnea? Get an x-ray done to check his tonsils and adenoids.

Before you make the mistake of allowing your child to be labeled as dumb or lazy because he is finding it difficult to focus at school, consider the fact that you might actually be overlooking a curable health condition. ENT specialists say that adenoids and tonsils are one of the common causes.

The adenoids and tonsils are lymph nodes located in the back of the throat, right behind the nose. These lymphoid tissues play an important role in a child s immune system as they form the first line of defense that protects the body from various infections. In children, the adenoids produce white cells and antibodies that fight against air-borne germs. By the time you re an adult, your tonsils and adenoids automatically shrink in size.

However, sometimes children have big tonsils and adenoids and in severe cases, they have to be removed due to chronic infection. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are one of the leading causes of obstructive sleep apnea in children. These are the 7 reasons for enlarged lymph nodes. In this condition, the airways get blocked or obstructed which causes disturbed sleep in children. It is due to this lack of sleep that your child is constantly irritable and is facing problems in concentrating on his school work. If you suspect your child might be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, Dr Vikas Agarwal, ENT & Sleep Apnea Surgeon at the Specialty Ear Nose Throat hospital, Mumbai, says, you should look out for these signs and symptoms:

• Heavy snoring
• Headaches
• Recurring colds and in extreme cases, your child could also develop asthma
• Disturbed sleeping patterns
• Hyperactivity is one symptom but on the other hand, your child is also excessively sleepy during daytime and feels fatigued
• Inability to concentrate and irritable
• Unable to perform at school

ENT doctors say that the problem of enlarged tonsils and adenoids can start at the age of 1.5 years itself. It is important for parents to remember that if their child displays any of these symptoms, they should get a simple X-ray done as it can easily detect adenoids. In most cases, it can be treated medically as less than 25% of children require surgery to get rid of the enlarged adenoids. These symptoms are more common in children between the ages of 2-8 years but it could happen to older children as well, says Dr Agarwal.

Children suffering from tonsils and adenoids are called dumb due to their inability to perform at school but that is mainly because of poor sleeping quality. They move a lot during their sleep and snore a lot. The are four grades of tonsils and adenoids and once it progresses to grade three or four, the child needs to undergo surgery because in some cases, the adenoids tend to regrow, adds Dr Agarwal. In some cases, due to fluid accumulation behind the ears, your child might also develop hearing problems and difficulty in swallowing.

Treatment for tonsils and adenoids

When treated medically, your ENT specialist will prescribe nasal steroids for some relief which will help in providing some relief from symptoms caused by disturbed airflow in the nose. You could also try these 7 home remedies for enlarged tonsils and adenoids. For more severe cases, if it progresses to grade III or grade IV, your child will need to undergo either an adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy. The removal of the tonsils or adenoids helps in providing relief and also protecting your child s immune system.

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