Kids may cope with enlarged adenoids and tonsils due to some infection. There may not be any symptom, but difficulty in swallowing food or even water, throat infection and sleep apnoea can be observed. Read to learn how to help kids to deal with them in winters.Tonsils can be seen at the back of the throat, but adenoids are not visible easily. However, some children face lot of health problem due to these especially during winter. Antibiotics are prescribed by doctors when there is an infection. They are also surgically removed depending on the severity and seriousness of the case.
What are Adenoids and Tonsils?
Everybody knows what tonsils are but not all know what they do and why they are removed.
Adenoids and tonsils are set of lymphoid tissues and they help fight infections. They trap germs and stop bacteria and viruses that enter your body through nose and mouth.
Tonsils can be seen as they are present on both sides of the throat. Whereas adenoids are patch of tissues sitting at the back of the nasal passage and cannot be seen normally.
Infection in Adenoids and Tonsils
Sometimes adenoids and
tonsils get infected. Tonsils get swollen and sore due to tonsillitis and cause a
sore throat. The infected person finds it difficult to swallow and feels the pain as well. Enlarged adenoids can be painful and makes it difficult to breathe leading to ear pain and other problems as well.
What Causes Enlarged Adenoids?
- Adenoids get enlarged due to allergies.
- Enlarged adenoids may be present in some children right from their birth.
TreatmentThe initial treatment for enlarged adenoids and tonsillitis is antibiotics. However, if there is frequent infection and your child finds trouble breathing, surgery may be recommended by doctors.
Symptoms of Enlarged Adenoids
As nose gets blocked due to enlarged adenoids, children prefer breathing through their mouth. Breathing with mouth usually happens during night, but if the problem is severe, it may occur during day time also.
- Difficulty while breathing.
- Breathing through mouth.
- Ongoing ear problems or complain of ear pain.
- Sinus symptoms found frequently.
- Snoring.
- Interrupted breathing during sleep or stopped breathing for few seconds during sleep.
- Restless when sleeping.
TreatmentMany kids do not need any treatment and the enlarged adenoids shrink as they grow older. Antibiotics and nasal steroid sprays help when there is infection and the health provider might prescribe them depending on the condition. Surgery is recommended only in severe cases and when problem occurs frequently.
When is surgery needed?
If your child is having frequent ear problem, pain and fluid build up, your doctor might suggest going for the surgery. This suggestion is given especially when there is repeated ear infection or sinus symptoms get build up.
Adenoids can be removed without taking out tonsils but if your child is suffering from both the problems, it is better to remove both of them at a time. In fact, this is a common paediatric operation.
What Happens During Surgery?
No matter how small a surgery is, it can frighten you and your child, for sure. Educate yourself about the surgery procedure and prepare your child by telling her what she should expect. The process takes nearly 20 – 30 minutes and your child will be sent home the same day. Everything will return to normal within a week and the problems that were due to enlarged adenoids will be gone. There are no stitches given and so your child will recover from the surgery normally.
Symptoms of Tonsillitis in Kids
Here are some common signs and symptoms of tonsillitis in kids.
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Discomfort in swallowing
- Swollen tonsil glands in the throat
Some children get along with enlarged tonsils without showing any symptom at all. In many cases they shrink as the kid grows. The tonsils shrink on their own during the course of few years.
What Causes Tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis can be due to one or several different types of bacteria and viruses.
When to see the doctor?
It is advisable not to depend on your guesses. If you find that your child has infected tonsils, you should immediately consult a paediatrician. If your child suffers from recurrent throat problems, you should consult your doctor and go for throat culture in order to check for strep throat.
When is Surgery Recommended?
The doctor might recommend for surgery if your child shows one or more of the following symptoms:
- Persistent throat infection or tonsillitis.
- Difficulty in eating or swallowing.
- Difficulty in breathing especially during sleep.
- Obstructive sleep apnoea or snoring.
How to Prepare for Surgery?
If doctor recommends surgery, you should prepare your child for that. Explain what exactly will be done and how she will get rid of the recurring problems. The operation will take 20 minutes and if everything turns out well, your child will be asked to go home the same day.
Natural Remedies for Enlarged Adenoids and Tonsils
You can treat or prevent adenoids and tonsils from getting infected by following natural remedies.
- Gargle with warm water adding salt to it to get rid of swollen tonsils and pain.
- Ask your child to drink warm water to which you can add honey and lime juice.
- Take out juice of carrot, cucumber and beet and add lime juice to it. Ask your child to drink this at least once a day.
- Add pinch of pepper powder and turmeric to a glass of warm milk. Ask your child to drink this just before going to bed.
- Honey is a natural antibiotic and has antibacterial properties that help in shrinking adenoids naturally. You can simply add a pinch of pepper powder and few drops of lime juice to a tea spoonful of honey and give this mixture twice a day to your child. You will see positive results very soon.
- Give warm treatment to the throat from outside also, it helps reduce swelling and congestion.
- Garlic contains many important factors making it anti-inflammatory and ant-bacterial compound. You can try giving your child 1- 2 smashed garlic with lime juice and honey for relief.
- Cod liver oil has many necessary nutrients and has essential fats that help reduce inflammation. You can get cod liver oil supplements for kids.
- Throat lozenges and mouth washes can also bring relief to a great extent.
- Add one tea spoonful of fresh ginger juice and one tea spoonful of honey to two tea spoonful of water. Ask your child to gargle with this to get relief from pain and swelling.
How to help kids deal with tonsils in winter
- Keep your child warm.
- Pay attention to covering ears with warm clothes.
- Wash hands before eating.
- Pay attention to fluid intake, preferably water.
- Give soft food and warm drinks to your child when infected.
- Citrus fruits and nutritious soups are good.
- Avoid sugar, dairy products and processed foods if there is any symptom seen.
- Let your child rest and stay warm.
- Keep your child’s head and ears covered always.
- You can use an air humidifier to help soothe your child’s throat.
- Avoid all junk foods and oily as well as friend food stuffs.
- Avoid drinks that are too acidic as these would aggravate the problem.
- Avoid food and snacks that are hard and crunchy.
Enlarged adenoids or tonsils are common complaints among children. Toddlers and young children suffer from one or more symptoms often. Therefore, it is advisable to take necessary precautions to prevent your child from suffering from discomfort and uneasiness. If your child has frequent occurrence of symptoms, you can ask her to gargle with warm water and salt daily, regardless of the fact whether the symptoms are apparent or not. Also, keeping her head and ears covered you will prevent her from getting infected easily.
What are the causes of enlarged adenoids and tonsils? Which home remedies are useful for helping kids to deal with enlarged adenoids and tonsils? Why do enlarged adenoids and tonsils cause more trouble during winters? Discuss here.
