When Are Big Tonsils a Problem? A Guide for Parents in London and Essex It is incredibly common for a parent to glance into their child’s mouth during a yawn or while checking a sore throat and feel a sudden wave of panic. At the back of the throat, two large, round mounds of tissue seem to be practically touching in the middle. When parents across East London and Essex see this, they frequently search for answers online or contact their local GPs, wondering if their child’s tonsils are dangerously large. However, the most important rule in pediatric ENT is that the absolute size of the tonsils matters far less than how they function . Some children naturally have large tonsils that cause no issues whatsoever, while others experience severe airway blockages that require specialist treatment. This guide explains exactly when big tonsils shift from being a harmless anatomical feature to a clinical problem. Understanding Tonsil Sizes: Naturally Big vs. Obstructive Tonsils are compos...
When is adenoid surgery required? Adenoids are part of the immune system like our tonsils. If your child has an enlarged adenoid, he/she can have the following symptoms. Enlarged adenoids can lead to a blocked nose. This can lead to thick secretions in the nose and bad breath. A child with a blocked nose may be mouth-breathing most of the time and can lead to prominent upper teeth. Enlarged adenoids can affect a child's sleep quality, leading to sleep apnoea and snoring. They may breathe like "Darth Vader". Enlarged adenoids can block the Eustachian Tube. The Eustachian Tube is responsible for maintaining air pressure in the middle ear. Enlarged adenoids can contribute to a glue ear and frequent ear infections. How is adenoid surgery done? Adenoid surgery is done as a day-case procedure under general anaesthesia. The procedure itself takes 20-30 minutes. ENT doctors can perform adenoid surgery through the mouth or the nose with the help of an endoscope. The child should...