Enlarged tonsils or adenoids

Overview

Large tonsils and adenoids can block breathing during sleep.

Children may snore, breathe through the mouth, or seem tired.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Snoring or mouth breathing
• Snoring or stopping breathing in sleep

Less common

• Pauses in breathing at night
• Bedwetting

Look up a symptom: Snoring or stopping breathing in sleep · Sore throat · Stuffy nose

When to get medical care

Causes

Infections, allergies.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Children

Possible complications

• Sleep apnea

Diagnosis

A clinician examines.

Questions you may be asked

• Snoring, pauses

Tests

Tests, if needed:

• Sleep study:

Treatment

Watch sleep.

Self-care

• Note snoring and pauses
• Watch your child sleep

Medicines

Medicines that may help:

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

Removal for sleep apnea or frequent infections.

Prevention

To lower your risk or prevent problems:

• There is no known way to prevent it. Early checkups help find it sooner.

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to an ENT doctor (ear, nose, and throat doctor).

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Children 3 to 7: Most common.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Usually shrink with age.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• Does my child need surgery?
• Do we need a sleep study?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Enlarged tonsils or adenoids