Children are usually very active, sometimes even hyperactive. They like playing, running, jumping around and exploring. Because of their activities, they need adequate rest, too. If children do not get enough sleep, they not just become weak, they also become cranky, which becomes a big challenge for parents and anybody who is taking care of them.
So, why would children have sleep problems?
There are multiple levels of sleeping disorders children face, some chronic, genetic as well as due to some that are a result of a medical condition that they might be experiencing. One of the biggest causes of sleeping disorders is enlarged adenoids.
What Are Adenoids?
Adenoids are essentially a patch of tissues, which could be found sitting at the extreme back of the nasal passage. These tissues are responsible for trapping harmful bacteria and viruses that we breathe in or could contract while swallowing. Similar to tonsils, adenoids are tasked with keeping the body healthy, but unlike tonsils, they cannot be seen directly.
Adenoids In Children: What Role Do They Play?
Adenoids are vital in children, as they do the much important work of fighting infection, especially in babies and young children. This becomes less important as the child grows old, because usually, by the age of five, these start shrinking in size and virtually disappear during the teen years. After their purpose is all but over, the body finds another mechanism to fight what adenoids used to before.
What are enlarged adenoids?
As explained before, how adenoids play an essential role in trapping viruses and bacteria as they try to enter the body through the nose or mouth, they could experience temporary swelling, while doing their jobs. Usually, this swelling gets better in a matter of time, but alternatively, they could also suffer infection, that could cause plenty of problems for the child.
Here we are looking for solutions for children and the solutions for helping them sleep better; we should first take a look at the symptoms to know if the child has enlarged adenoids. This is because enlarged adenoids are one problem, and due to the discomforts it causes to the child, it may obstruct their sleeping and create disharmony when they try to.
- General difficulty to breath through the nose
- If the child is breathing through the mouth
- The problem in speech resembling as if nostrils are pinched
- Sinus symptoms with much frequency
- Middle ear infections or middle ear fluids.
- Sleep Apnea
- Snoring
- Noisy breathing
As doctors suspect the problem to be that of enlarged adenoids, they will then proceed to with the child’s ear, nose and throat, including byways of X-rays, or look deep inside with the help of a tiny telescope.
Enlarged AdenoidsTreatments:
To solve the problem of enlarged adenoids, doctors will usually prescribe medicines, like pills or liquid-based nasal steroids etc. The nasal steroids are prescribed if the swelling is too much and thus they help in reducing them. If the swelling beyond the control of medicines or in the case that the adenoids have an infection, then doctors suggest the removal of adenoids through surgical methods. Usually, surgery is indicated if the child is facing the
following problems due to enlarged adenoids:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Infections that keep repeating
- Sinus infections
- Hearing loss
Enlarged adenoids can cause massive discomfort and sleepless nights for children. On the other hand, depending on the stage of the swelling of the adenoids, doctors will suggest the removal of that part altogether. Some significant problems could occur in the light of growing infections in the adenoids, which could have severe repercussions like temporary loss of hearing.
About the Hospital:
About the Hospital: Sai Siva Children’s Hospital, Chanda Nagar, is a full-fledged medical facility specially designed for pediatric patients as well as young adults. The hospital was started in the year 2008, with the aim of reaching out to schools and villages to educate the middle and high school students about health & hygiene. Sai Siva Children’s Hospital is one of the most sought-after children’s hospitals in Hyderabad with a team of experienced doctors and skilled staff who aim to help your child have healthy growth and development. We believe that children today are the future of our world, and must have good health to make the world a better place to live in.