Most people think chronic sore throats are the main reason children have their tonsils out. But the No. 1 reason for surgery is sleep apnea — a problem many parents don’t believe could affect their children.
“Most people do think of sleep apnea as an adults-only problem,” CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida said. “Yet millions of kids have it. Their tonsils and adenoids block the throat during sleep.”
The result can be poor school performance, a higher rate of attention deficit disorder, and a host of physical complaints. The solution is often a standard tonsillectomy.
Now research shows removing tonsils and adenoid glands helps in many ways:
- Better learning
- Better grades
- Less hyperactivity
- More physically active
- Fewer physical complaints such as chronic headaches or stomachaches
Snoring is the No. 1 sign the tonsils and adenoids are clogging breathing passages. Clogged breathing passages cause a form of childhood sleep apnea.
Hnida said years ago everyone head their tonsils out. Then through the 1970s and 1980s nobody did.
“Now we are back somewhere in the middle,” Hnida said. “New technology certainly does make the procedure a lot easier. You still get a lot of ice cream after having one done.”
There is no hard and set rule for sore throats.
“Maybe three severe tonsillitis’ a year, or an abscess, is a reason for a tonsillectomy,” Hnida said. “For this problem, remember snoring is the tip off.”
Source: cbs4denver.com
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