Prevent Premature Hearing Loss for Your Child - Adenoidectomy

Adenoids are tissue mass that along with your tonsils help you to keep your mouth or nose healthy by trapping harmful germs. Your adenoids are also responsible for the production of antibodies to fight infections in your body. You can't see adenoids unlike tonsils, which can be seen easily by opening at your mouth. To see the adenoids, a doctor must use a small mirror or special light instrument. In Oklahoma, pediatric ENT specialists use X-rays to see them better.

Adenoiditis

Even if adenoids help to filter germs out of your body, bacteria can sometimes overwhelm you and get infected. They become inflamed and swollen when this happens. Adenoiditis is the name of this condition. In children, it is most common, but it affects adults at times.

If the problem is not solved, the Eustachian tube can be blocked, causes fluid build-up and eventually leads to repeated ear infections and temporary hearing loss. There are also other symptoms here that may mean enlarged adenoids:

  • Snoring

  • Cracked lips

  • Breathing through the mouth

  • Nasally voice

  • Frequent and persistent ear infections

  • Dry mouth

  • Stuffy or runny nose

Adenoids can be removed if, as a result of the above symptoms, one or more of the following problem occurs:

  • sleep apnea

  • difficulty sleeping

  • chronic fluid buildup with pain in the ear

  • repeated ear and adenoid infections

The Process of Adenoidectomy

Adenoidectomy is the surgical removal of adenoids, small lumps of soft tissue found in children on the back of the nose. It's a short and safe procedure, but for a few days, your child's throat is sore. Adenoids are part of a child's immune system and are used to prevent infection in the nose and throat. However, adenoids can also get infected and can cause problems like If this happens often.

  • Frequent ear infections, sticky ear or sinusitis

  • Interference with breathing

  • Disrupted sleep,

  • Snoring and sleep apnea

Pediatric ENT specialists in OKC recommend an adenoidectomy for your child if these problems are severe and continue.

Expectation

In an hour or so, your kid will recover from general anesthesia, although anesthetics may make feel tired and sick and have a sore throat. They are encouraged to drink and eat whenever possible light foods and need to drink fluids before going home. On the day of surgery, children can go home, but it is requested to stay overnight for observation.

Your throat is probably going to be sore for one or two days, and your pediatric ENT in OKC recommends that the pain should be treated with medication. If the tonsils are also removed, more pain will occur, and it will last longer. Therefore, your child should rest a day or two and then return to regular work.

If you suspect that adenoids or tonsils are problematic for your child, schedule a meeting with an expert pediatric ENT in OKC or call us at Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, LLC.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.

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