Adenoids

Updated on November 30, 2009
K.L. asks from Land O Lakes, FL
18 answers

My 18-month old son had tubes placed in his ears two months ago. He's had one ear infection and two sinus infections since. I've been told that he might have to have his adenoids removed. Any advice on having the adenoids removed or shrunken? Also has anyone experienced the tubes moving or becoming blocked? Thank you for the help!

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So What Happened?

We saw the ENT and they recommended that we have his adenoids removed. He was on an antibiotic when I wrote my original post and now has another sinus infection two days after stopping the medication. I was sitting on the fence until he got sick again. Surgery is scheduled for next month. Thank you everyone for your advice.

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S.C.

answers from Tampa on

Both of my children had their adenoids removed. My oldest had it done after his first set of tubes and it immediately changed his life! No sickness at all!!! My youngest had them taken out with his first set of tubes due to my oldest's history. Do it!!! You will be amazed at the difference.

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D.P.

answers from Miami on

Hi K.,

Any medical question you have re a child contact Pediatrics.com and any medical question re an adult try WebMD.com.

Good Luck
D. P.

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P.O.

answers from Jacksonville on

My then 2yr old son had his adenoids removed due to it blocking him from breathing. It was a tough thing to do as I thought God put them there for a reason, but I was glad when it was done, because it greatly improved his condition and the sleepless, breathless and snoring nights he had. The surgery went fine.

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T.T.

answers from Tampa on

Hi,My son had the tubes in his ears and then had his adenoids and tonsils took out,it was the best thing that had ever happened to my son,he was so sick,before they were took out and the tubes put in.But the tubes do sometimes move and they do sometimes come out,but I think it is natures way of saying o.k.,we don't need these no more,cause one of his fell out and he didn't even notice at first.he found it and asked me what it was and I told him it was his tube and then I took him to the doc and they looked in his ears and yup it was and the ear was already healing up,and the other one was in the ear canal coming out so they just pulled it the rest of the way out.he didn't feel a thing,he said it tickled.But doing it was the best thing for him,he was so sick all the time and now he hardly ever gets sick any more..hope this helps..

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B.S.

answers from Naples on

My son has his tonsils and adnoids taken out last year- he was 9. This was the result of a sleep study finding him sleap apnea and restless leg- accentauting his ADHD/ Bipolar. The surgery was rough, we was in bed for about 8 days.. But it was one of the best things we did- he sleeps better and is hardly ever sick! My biggest advice- invest in lots of popsickles and freezer juices. And ice cream!

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R.A.

answers from Boca Raton on

Get your kid off cows milk, including cheese, etc. If you're still nursing, stop consuming dairy yourself. Get him on to a good probiotic (that is not dairy based) no sugary stuff. Does anyone notice the huge amount of people saying their children have had all these parts removed from their body??? I can't believe no one sits back to wonder why this is happening. Doesn't anyone see that our diets are creating havoc??? Doesn't anyone consider that there is seriously something wrong with our society that our precious little children are going through surgery at such a young age and have parts of our body removed??? Whatever your belief, G-d, a creator, nature, whatever it's still the same, why would these things be in our body only for some dr to yank them out? People you need to wake up and take control of our lives. Eat a clean diet, stop with the Frankenstein and go to nature.

K.N.

answers from Miami on

Dear K.,
With-in this past year my niece/ daughter, had tubes put in and her adenoids removed! At one point one of the tubes slipped a little, but they eventually fell out on their own as they are supposed to. When it slipped, I called the Drs. office immediately and was told that it was fine that they'd be coming out soon! I do know that she is fine and can hear a lot better!!! She was around 7 almost 8 when hers got done! But to be honest, I love not having her scream to be heard; as they think they need to do! Now to find a way to get her and her 5 yr. old sister to quit fighting! smile! God bless you in your decision!
Sincerely,
Kathy N.

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S.W.

answers from Miami on

Typically adenoids and tonsils are removed at the same time.
I suffered with sinus and throat infections until I finally had the surgery...at the age of 24!

At 18 months, he's probably too young. Surgeons want the child to be a certain weight to handle anestesia. But the younger the better, as he'll be over the constant battle.
Another thing to consider is household allergens: wool, dusty artificial plants, pets, carpet and bedding..and cleaning products.
Good luck and take it easy on yourself, new mommy.

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R.S.

answers from Miami on

Adenoids and tonsillis are usually removed at the same time. The doctor may suggest removing the tonsils if he has to remove the adenoids. If your son does not have a tonsil problem I would not recommend removing the tonsils. However, if it is just the adenoids, it is better to just get it out--I tried EVERYTHING with my daughter and have to eventually take it out. Don't worry, the surgery is not too bad--it's standard and the recovery is quick. I can recommend the ENT specialist my daughter goes to if you are in the miramar/pembroke pines area.

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M.L.

answers from Miami on

My daughter had all three surgeries at once a month afetr she turned four and had no problem. The tonisils is what hurt her the most. She hasn't had an ear infection again and she is almost 6 now. She used to snore a lot!!! and doesn't at all anymore she is much healthier now it was worth it.

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S.S.

answers from Miami on

Use Neil Med irrigation. You can buy the pediatric one or use saline solution in the nose at every diaper change. He has HUGE allergies/sensitivities to foods. Check out NAET to eliminate the allergies and he will not get ear infections anymore. Stop all vaccines!

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A.B.

answers from Chicago on

Hi, I once went to a homeopathic doctor who said that she cured enlarged tonsils of a boy in similar situation as yours. She said that adenoids and tonsils are like guardians of our body which are getting inflamed because of rigorous fighting with the invaders. Removing them is not the cure but increasing the body's immunity to be able to fight better is the answer. Sometimes there are underlying food allergies that are causing inflammation in the body. My advice would be to try to find a holistic practitioner around your area to solve this problem.
Best of luck,
A.

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K.M.

answers from Tampa on

Check out WestonPrice.com for the nutrition needed, and the other excellent place is Health Alert- Dr. Bruce West.
You are looking at a compromised immune system here, and need to get at the underlying cause- usually nutrition.
best, k

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M.H.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

Ditto, ditto, ditto Asra!

All body parts are necessary to good health. Unless something is about to burst and toxify the rest of the body, it is good to keep it! The situation with the adenoids is not that they are not working right but that they are protecting the rest of the body. When a body part is inflamed it has taken all the toxins and localized them. For instance, when tonsils are inflamed with strep they are protecting the heart from a strep infection. Yes they are painful but better the throat than the heart. The same with the adenoids. Look for the causes of the inflammation. Like Asra said, it could be a food allergy. Or it could be a matter of too many synthetic toxins in his body. This happens OFTEN today due to the synthetic chemicals in our foods (pesticides, preservatives, hormones, antibiotics), formula even, and synthetic toxins in our laundry detergents, our shampoos, etc...

My first piece of advice is to detox your house and his little body, then see if there is still a problem. It may completely go away. My youngest daughter's diagnosis of ADHD was removed after I detoxed our home. My oldest daughter's doctor wanted her to get tubes in her ears and our chiropractor helped so much with her immune system that we never had to deal with them. Chiropractic does wonders for ear infections and sinus infections. The reason tubes are expelled is because they are foreign to the body and the body is rejecting them.

K., it's so much scarier for us when our little ones are sick. Keep researching. You're doing the right thing. If you want more information about detoxing, feel free to ask me.

God bless,

M.

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R.W.

answers from Tampa on

Did you have him checked to see if his tubes fell out??? They can fall out as the child grows. That is why you don't have to have surgery to remove them. My daughter had tubes and had no problems at all. Sorry couldn't really help.

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S.M.

answers from Miami on

Hi, K.. Hmmm...the tubes in the ears are supposed to prevent any further ear infections and should also help keep him from having sinus infections as well.

The tubes in the ears may be responsible for his shuddering! Definitely get him checked out because something may be wrong with the tubes if he's still getting sick.

He may have airborne allergies which could be responsible for the sinus problems. He may also be allergic to a food which causes him to produce too much mucus (milk is a prime suspect).

Definitely get his ears & tubes checked out!

Peace,
Syl

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J.S.

answers from Tampa on

My son had ear tubes at the age of 3 and a half. Within six mos., he started with ear infections, again. We did have his adenoids removed with that surgery but chose not to remove his tonsils. He had no problems recovering from the procedures. The tubes seemed to become blocked in the winter mos. more until I took milk out of his diet. Happy to say things have gotten much better!

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L.L.

answers from Orlando on

Hello:-) my daughter had her 1st set of tubes put in when she had just turned 2. As soon as they fell out (which is normal) she started getting ear infections again. So when she was 3 she got a 2nd set of tubes put in and that time had her adenoids removed at the same time. As you know, putting the tubes in only takes about 10 minutes. Her 2nd surgery for more tubes and adenoids took about 45 minutes. The recovery time for both procedures was about the same. She was in no pain or anything- actually I think when she woke up she said her throat hurt a little (she is 7 now so forgive me for not remembering exactly, lol). But she was just fine. And, after having her adenoids removed, she rarely gets sick. In the past 4 years she's maybe gotten sick a few times. That's it. It is always scary when your child has a procedure done and has to be put under anesticia (sp?) - but in the end, having my daughter adenoids removed really helped her be healthy and not so sick all the time. Hope that helped a little :) good luck.

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