Hypertrophy of tonsils in children

Tonsil hypertrophy in children is an increase in the size of the tonsils.

Unfortunately, this disease is quite common among modern children. The most active age is children from five to ten.

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Causes of tonsil hypertrophy in children

Before moving on to the question of what are the causes of tonsil hypertrophy in children, it is necessary to recall the anatomical structure of the larynx. The tracheal passage is framed, forming the Waldeyer ring, by lymphoid formations such as: two symmetrically located palatine tonsils, between them the third pharyngeal tonsil is visible, then the lingual with the tubal tonsil and on the sides two processes of the pharynx. This lymphoid complex is the first shield in the defense of the body against viral and infectious diseases.

This pharyngeal complex in the form of a ring is formed in the first year of the baby's life, and is absorbed in the period of time when the child begins to show symptoms of puberty. Doctors do not consider the change in the linear parameters of the tonsils a disease, it only indicates that there is a surge in activity in the work of the endocrine system and the body's defenses.

• Many medical professionals believe that the main reason for the development of tonsil hypertrophy in children is frequently recurring colds.

An otolaryngologist classifies this change according to the degree of filling of the space of the pharyngeal passage with tonsils:

1. Stage I pathology is when the tonsils occupy one third of the space in the pharynx.
2. II degree of pathology – the space of the pharynx is blocked by two thirds.
3. Stage III pathology is already a fairly serious complication, which almost completely blocks the entire passageway of the larynx.

• If the child has had an infectious disease such as diphtheria, measles, scarlet fever.
• The impetus for the development of tonsil hypertrophy in children can be a nearby inflammatory process: a carious tooth, damage to the nasal mucosa and adjacent tissues and sinuses.
• Adenoviral infection.
• We can also mention environmental pollution and climate change in recent years.
• The cause of tonsil hypertrophy in children can also be various hormonal effects on the body, especially changes in the quantitative component of hormones in the plasma of the pituitary gland (its anterior lobe), as well as in the upper shell of the adrenal glands.

Clinical monitoring has shown that children who often had tonsillitis have elevated levels of cortisone in their blood, and their urine contains traces of its metabolites. This parameter indicates increased activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal system.

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Symptoms of tonsil hypertrophy in children

Most often, parents can notice an increase in the size of the tonsils after the baby begins to complain about the throat. Based on the anatomical location of the tonsils and their physiology, it is not difficult to see the symptoms of tonsil hypertrophy in children. Even a person far from medicine can do this.

What are the main deviations from the norm that indicate different stages of tonsil hypertrophy in children:

• The baby complains of discomfort in the throat.
• Speech changes are observed. The toddler begins to speak as if "through the nose."
• Breathing becomes difficult.
• In this case, there are practically no painful symptoms.
• Visually, it is clear that the tonsils are enlarged and the passageway to the pharynx is blocked significantly more than usual.
• The swallowing process becomes difficult.
• The color of the tonsils becomes pale yellow or pale pink.
• The texture of the mucous surface becomes loose.
• Despite all this, purulent plugs and plaque on them are not visible.
• When palpated, the tissues feel soft.
• Obstruction of the nasal passages.
• The baby begins to breathe through the mouth, since breathing through the nose is difficult. The mouth is constantly slightly open.
• The appearance of snoring during sleep.
• In a more severe stage of development of tonsil hypertrophy in children (deformation of the pharyngeal tonsil in combination with nasal obstruction), the child may develop pathological changes and distortions of the facial-cranial region and bite.
• The patency of the Eustachian tube may worsen. Hearing problems arise and there is a high probability of recurrence of otitis media.
• Symptoms of changes in the size of the tonsils can also include frequent colds that cause inflammation of the larynx, upper and lower respiratory tract.
• Uneven breathing and restless sleep.

Hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils in children

The palatine tonsils are located symmetrically, on both sides of the laryngeal tonsil and are oval-shaped lymphatic formations with ten to twenty small canals that go into the tonsil. Hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils in children, in most cases, develops in parallel with a change in the size of the pharyngeal process.

As the tonsils increase in size, they begin to block the pharyngeal passage, which leads to the occurrence of the symptoms described above.

Narrowing of the pharyngeal passage leads not only to problems with breathing and swallowing functions. If hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils in children is not treated, then this disease becomes chronic and its complications can affect such areas of the human body as the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Breathing problems can cause pathology of the right ventricle (hypertrophy of the right ventricle). Another problem may appear: a child who previously had no problems with urination begins to wet himself. All these symptoms taken together can lead to weight loss and growth retardation in the baby.

But parents should be especially alerted by the fact when one tonsil changes in size. A detailed and thorough diagnosis is necessary to find the cause of such a manifestation. Since the impetus for this picture can be more serious diseases: bacterial and viral infections, syphilis and tuberculosis, but the most unpleasant thing is that the cradle of such a manifestation can be a tumor, in particular lymphoma. If the condition of the tonsil is in doubt for the otolaryngologist, then he must consult an oncologist.

Therefore, you shouldn't think that slightly enlarged tonsils are nothing, everything will go away on its own. It would seem that a minor deviation from the norm can lead to serious complications.

Diagnosis of tonsil hypertrophy in children

First of all, it is necessary to differentiate hypertrophy of the tonsils in children and chronic tonsillitis. The symptoms of these two diseases are quite similar, but the significant difference is that with hypertrophy there is no inflammatory process in the tonsils, while tonsillitis provides for this process.

Quite often, adenoids are a disease accompanying hypertrophy in children. But the main signs are so obvious that, often, the diagnosis of tonsil hypertrophy in children comes down to questioning the parents and visually examining the little patient. In cases where the ENT doctor has any doubts, the doctor sends the parents with the baby for a lateral X-ray of the nasopharynx or ultrasound, and prescribes laboratory tests. After all, other diseases with similar symptoms cannot be ruled out, it is especially important to capture the development of tumor processes at an early stage.

That is, the little patient goes through:

• Physical examination. The otolaryngologist carefully examines the baby.
• Finds out the symptoms of the disease in parents.
• Ultrasound of the pharynx.
• Clinical laboratory tests. Determination of the acid-base index of plasma, urine and blood analysis to identify pathogenic microflora, determination of the threshold of sensitivity to prescribed drugs.
• X-ray of the nasopharynx.
• If necessary, consultations are held with other specialized specialists.

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Treatment of tonsil hypertrophy in children

When treating any disease, the main focus of measures to achieve a positive result is eliminating the causes of the disease and stimulating the immune system.

If the disease in question is detected in a mild or moderate form, treatment of tonsil hypertrophy in children is mainly medicinal. Astringent and cauterizing medical compounds are used to treat the area of deformation.

Tannin. This medicinal solution (in proportions of 1:1000) is used for gargling and lubricating the throat and tonsils. This drug has no contraindications, except for hypersensitivity to the components of the medicine.

Antiformin (Antiforminum) (antiseptic). This drug is used as a rinse to disinfect the oral cavity and the area of the tonsils and pharynx. Rinsing is carried out with a 2-5% solution of the drug.

Silver nitrate (Argentnitras). To eliminate inflammatory processes and using the astringent property, a 0.25-2% solution of the drug is applied to the mucous membrane of the tonsils; if cauterization is necessary, the percentage of silver nitrate in the solution is increased to two to ten percent. In this case, one-time dosage for adults should not exceed 0.03 g and daily dosage should not exceed 0.1 g. No contraindications have been identified for this remedy.

Lymphatic drugs, medicines with antimicrobial and antiviral effects, are also prescribed. For example, such as:

Umckalor. This drug should be taken half an hour before meals with a small amount of water.

The dosage for children from one to six years is 10 drops. The dose is taken three times a day.

For children aged six to twelve years, the single dose should not exceed 20 drops. Take three times a day.

For children aged 12 years and over, Umckalor is prescribed in a dosage of 20–30 drops.

Most often, the course lasts ten days. The drug is continued for several days after the symptoms of the disease have disappeared. If the disease periodically relapses, the treatment course is continued, but with a lower dosage.

Lymphomyosot. This medicine is prescribed to the child in a dosage of 10 drops three times a day. The course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor observing the child based on the clinical picture of the disease and the severity of its manifestations. No side effects or contraindications have been identified, except for hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Tonsilgon. This is a combination drug based on herbal ingredients. The form of the drug: tablets and a water-alcohol extract of a cloudy yellow-brown color. It is used for inhalation. This drug has no special contraindications, except for individual intolerance to the components of the drug.

Tonsilotren. The tablets of the drug dissolve in the mouth. If the course of the disease is characterized by acute manifestations, the attending physician prescribes the following protocol of administration: for two to three days, after every two hours, the little patient should dissolve two tablets. The duration of the course of administration is up to five days.

If the disease is not so acute, then children aged ten to 14 years are prescribed two tablets of the drug, taken twice a day. It is not recommended for children under ten years of age to take this medicine. If the symptoms of the disease disappear within three days, the drug is canceled, otherwise the treatment can be extended to five days. In case of relapse, the duration of treatment can be extended to two to three weeks, dividing it into several courses.

It is not recommended to prescribe this medicine to children under ten years of age, pregnant women and women during breastfeeding, as well as patients with liver and kidney failure. It should be taken with caution by the elderly and patients with severe forms of gastrointestinal tract or thyroid disease.

In this disease, non-drug methods are often used for therapeutic purposes:

• Application of ozone therapy. The baby breathes ozone for a measured period of time.
• Sanatorium and resort treatment. Such patients are prescribed climatic and balneological mud sanatoriums.
• Ultrasound therapy is a treatment that uses ultrasound to target the tonsils.
• Vacuum hydrotherapy. Rinsing and treatment of tonsils with mineral and sea water.
• Inhalations with decoctions and oils of plants with antiseptic properties (sage, chamomile, etc.), mineral water and mud solutions.
• Peloidotherapy. Application of mud compresses to the submandibular area.
• Electrophoresis with therapeutic mud.
• Oxygen cocktails.
• UHF and microwave. Irradiation of the submandibular region with lymph nodes.

If medication and non-medicinal methods fail to restore the original size of the tonsils and the process threatens to become a chronic disease, the otolaryngologist is forced to stop at tonsillotomy. This is a surgical intervention in which part of the altered lymphoid tissue is removed. This operation is performed under general anesthesia. The baby is put to sleep, the tongue is held with a spatula, and the part of the tonsil that protrudes beyond the accepted size is resected.

If necessary, tonsillectomy is performed - resection of the tonsils is carried out completely. Not so long ago, such surgical intervention was the norm. Today, this operation is prescribed quite rarely (for chronic peritonsillar abscesses), since with complete removal of the tonsils, Waldeyer's ring is torn, the defensive line on the path of infection is destroyed.

Traditional medicine is also ready to offer several recipes that help with hypertrophy of the tonsils in children.

• It is necessary to teach the baby to rinse the mouth after each meal. Such a simple procedure will not only clean the mouth from food debris (bacteria), but also introduce an element of hardening. Moreover, there should be no problem with the child, since children enjoy playing with water. You can rinse with regular water, or with herbal decoctions (sage, calendula, oak bark, mint, chamomile).
• You can practice ointments: mix aloe juice and honey in a ratio of 1:3. Lubricate the tonsils with this ointment. You can also apply just aloe juice.
• Rinsing with a solution of sea salt (sea water) is also effective. Add one to one and a half teaspoons of salt to a glass of soda at room temperature or slightly higher.
• It is very good to rinse with a decoction of walnut leaves, rich in iodine.
• It is effective to lubricate the tonsils with propolis oil, which is made quite simply and at home. Add one part of propolis to three parts of vegetable oil. Heat in the oven or in a water bath for 45 minutes, stirring. Leave for some time to infuse and strain. This composition can be stored for a long time in a cool place.
• You can also lubricate the tonsils with apricot, almond and sea buckthorn oil.

Prevention of tonsil hypertrophy in children

Before starting preventive measures to protect the body from any diseases, it is necessary to organize a daily routine for the baby.

The main prevention of tonsil hypertrophy in children is:

• Teach your baby to rinse his mouth after every meal.
• Minimize the use of various household chemicals in everyday life.
• Pay attention to hardening the baby’s entire body and the nasopharyngeal region in particular.
• If the baby is prone to allergic reactions, remove all irritants.
• Avoid frequent colds and hypothermia.
• The air in the room where the child spends a lot of time should not be cold, dry and dusty. Do wet cleaning of the apartment more often.
• If necessary, remove the child's adenoids. This will restore the process of normal air flow through the nose, the baby will stop breathing only through the mouth. The impact of cold air and infection on the tonsils will be significantly reduced.

Prognosis of tonsil hypertrophy in children

If there were no prescriptions for surgery, it is quite possible to cope with this disease both with medication and without medication, and with the addition of hardening procedures, you can get rid of this unpleasant disease forever.

If tonsillotomy is necessary, do not despair. This procedure takes a short time, the recovery period will take about a month, but the child will receive normal functioning of the respiratory system and swallowing functions. Speech is normalized. Therefore, the prognosis for tonsil hypertrophy in children, even after surgery, is positive. If the child is ten years old, then, often, the growth process of the tonsils begins to reverse. Their size is normalized, the symptoms disappear.

But there are cases when involution slows down, then the result of this can be enlarged tonsils in an adult. Inflammatory process is not observed. In the future, the parameters of the tonsils will still decrease.

Tonsil hypertrophy in children may be perceived by parents as a common occurrence. However, you should not relax and just let the situation slide. If you do not take any measures to treat tonsils, the consequences that will lead to complications can be severe: hearing loss, cardiovascular and neurological disorders, speech defects, problems with eating, weight loss and growth retardation in the baby.

Therefore, in order to prevent such destruction in the child's body, parents need to urgently contact specialists, undergo diagnostics and begin treatment. Be more attentive to your baby. After all, his problems are your problems.