Should i have adenoids removed

However, these glands can become swollen as they fight off bacteria or viruses. When this happens, the adenoids may enlarge and interfere with breathing and sleeping.

They may also feel sore or painful. Ongoing enlargement of the adenoids can also block the eustachian tube, which connects the ears to the nose and drains fluid from the middle ear. This blockage causes fluid to build up in the ear, which can lead to repeated ear infections and temporary hearing loss.

If enlarged adenoids are causing symptoms, a doctor may initially try to treat the problem with medications or other treatments. If symptoms are persistent, the doctor may then recommend surgery to remove the adenoids. This surgery is called an adenoidectomy. Adenoids tend to be largest during early childhood, after which they begin to shrink. For most people, the adenoids become very small or disappear once they reach their teenage years.

As a result, adenoid removal mostly occurs in young children. However, adults may occasionally require adenoid removal if there is a possibility of cancer or a tumor on the adenoids. Most of the time, enlarged adenoids affect children.

Infants and younger children may not be able to express that they are in pain or are experiencing other symptoms of enlarged adenoids. Some signs to look out for in babies and children include:. This procedure may be beneficial if one or more of the following problems are occurring:. Doctors usually place children under general anesthesia during adenoid removal, which means that they will be sleeping and unable to feel any pain.

It is important to avoid all food and drink for several hours before surgery to prevent vomiting during the procedure. For the adenoidectomy, surgeons use an instrument to see inside the throat and nasal cavity.

They can access the adenoids through the back of the throat, so they do not need to make any external incisions. The surgeon will cauterize or cut away the adenoid tissue. In most cases, the surgery takes less than an hour, and the child can go home on the same day if there are no complications. Children who are very young, have certain higher-risk conditions, or have any trouble breathing may need to stay in the hospital overnight for observation. In many cases, a doctor may remove the tonsils along with the adenoids.

The tonsils are also glands that help protect against germs. However, they sit in the back of the throat rather than behind the nose. Sometimes, both the tonsils and adenoids become swollen and infected.

Cauterizing and packing the area with absorbent material, such as gauze, will control bleeding during and after the procedure. After the procedure, your child will stay in a recovery room until they wake up. Your child will typically go home from the hospital on the same day as the surgery.

Complete recovery from an adenoidectomy usually takes one to two weeks. Having a sore throat for two to three weeks after surgery is normal. Good hydration actually helps to alleviate pain. An ice collar can help with pain and reduce swelling. You can make an ice collar by placing ice cubes in a ziplock plastic bag and wrapping the bag in a towel. Your child should avoid strenuous activity for up to one week after surgery. Adenoid removal is usually a well-tolerated operation. Risks from any surgery include bleeding and infection at the surgery site.

There are also risks associated with anesthesia, such as allergic reactions and breathing problems. Adenoids are small tissues located at the back of the throat.

They are similar to the tonsils, and located right above them. Both adenoids and tonsils…. Adenoiditis is an infection in the throat. Snoring may disrupt your sleep, or that of your partner. Even if it's not bothering you too much, it's not a condition to ignore.

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Give the dose printed on the bottle for your child's weight. Do not give your child acetylsalicylic acid ASA for two weeks after the surgery.

ASA could increase your child's risk of bleeding after the operation. Check with the nurse or doctor first before giving these medicines to your child. It is very important that your child have lots to drink after the operation. Let your child drink as much liquid as they want. When your child can drink liquids without throwing up, they can eat soft foods. Then they can go back to eating what they normally eat. Your child can rinse their mouth with water or brush their teeth gently.

Do not let your child gargle. Teach your child to sneeze with their mouth open. Do not let your child blow their nose for at least one week after the operation. They should dab their nose with a tissue if it is dripping. To help your child breathe more comfortably, you can use a machine called a humidifier. This machine makes the air moist with a cool mist. Put it at your child's bedside. Your child's voice may sound as if they are talking through their nose.

This is normal. It may last for a few weeks or up to three months, if the adenoids were very large. Your child should limit their activity for about two or three days after the operation. Ask your doctor when it will be okay for your child to play contact sports again. Your child may shower or bathe as usual.

Your child should stay away from crowds and people with infections and colds. Your child may return to school or daycare five days after the operation. You should not let your child go on long trips out of town for two weeks. If your otolaryngology doctor has requested to see your child again in the clinic, the clinic will make an appointment for your child. Please call your child's otolaryngologist, the otolaryngology clinic nurse or your family doctor if your child has any of the following signs after going home:.

If your child is bleeding, having trouble breathing, or if you have additional concerns, take your child to the closest emergency department. Skip to main content. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Listen Focus.