Child Mouth Breathing and Nasal Blockage: Could Enlarged Adenoids Be the Cause? It is a scenario familiar to many parents across East London and Essex: you look over at your child while they are watching television or deeply asleep, and notice their mouth is constantly open. They seem to struggle to breathe quietly through their nose, their sleep is heavy and noisy, and they sound permanently congested—even when they don't have a cold. When over-the-counter allergy syrups and nasal sprays fail to clear the blockage, parents frequently contact their GPs in search of answers. Chronically open-mouthed breathing is rarely just a habit; it is typically a sign of a physical upper airway obstruction. This guide explores why persistent nasal blockage happens in children, the role of enlarged adenoids , and the localised private care pathways available to help your child breathe easy. The Hidden Obstruction: What are Adenoids? While parents can easily spot swollen tonsils at the bac...
What is a pharyngeal pouch? When we eat food, it passes through the mouth, into the pharynx (the space behind our oral cavity) and then into the oesophagus (food pipe). In some patients, the lower part of the pharynx can bulge or form a pocket that can collect food and become large enough to compress on the food pipe. This 'hernia' is commonly known as the pharyngeal pouch or Zenker's diverticulum. Is a pharyngeal pouch serious? A pharyngeal pouch is an uncommon condition presenting predominantly in males than females, usually showing after the age of seventy or later. If the pharyngeal pouch is left untreated, it can become more prominent, and the regurgitation of food into the windpipe can lead to chest infections. In sporadic cases, cancer can form in the pouch. What are the symptoms of a pharyngeal pouch? Symptoms of pharyngeal pouch depend on the size. A small pharyngeal pouch mainly presents as a feeling of something stuck in the throat or choking...