What are tonsils and adenoids?
Tonsils and adenoids are lumps of tissue in the back of your throat. They trap germs and help your body fight infection. You can see your tonsils in the back of your throat. But you can't see your adenoids because they're up behind the roof of your mouth.
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Tonsils and adenoids get bigger if you have an infection
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Big tonsils or adenoids sometimes make it hard to breathe or swallow
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Big adenoids can cause problems with breathing during sleep and increase the risk of ear infections
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Doctors sometimes do surgery to remove adenoids that are too big
What causes tonsils and adenoids to enlarge?
Some children are born with tonsils and adenoids that are bigger than normal.
A child's tonsils and adenoids may grow too big because of repeated:
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Other things that irritate the throat (such as gastroesophageal reflux)
What are the symptoms of having enlarged tonsils and adenoids?
Big tonsils and adenoids often don't cause symptoms. When they do cause symptoms, children may:
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids may cause more serious problems, such as:
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Ear or sinus infections that don't go away or keep coming back
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Hearing loss due to fluid buildup in the ear
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Problems breathing during sleep, such as sleep apnea
How can doctors tell if my child’s tonsils or adenoids are too big?
The doctor will:
Doctors may also test for problems that result from big tonsils and adenoids, such as:
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Ear or sinus infections, with blood tests and imaging studies
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Ear fluid buildup, with hearing tests
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Sleep apnea, with sleep studies
Your child may lose weight because of trouble breathing while eating. The doctor will compare your child's weight to standard growth charts to see if the weight loss is a concern.
How do doctors treat enlarged tonsils and adenoids?
Your child's doctor may give your child medicine to treat infections or allergies that are irritating the tonsils or adenoids.
Doctors may suggest removing the adenoids and tonsils if your child has:
Doctors may suggest removing only your child’s adenoids if your child has:
Children can usually go home the same day as the surgery. If just the adenoids were removed, your child should feel better in 2 to 3 days. If the tonsils were also removed, recovery should take about 2 weeks.
