Table of contents:
- The impact of swollen tonsils on a child's sleep quality
- Overcoming the tonsils so that they no longer interfere with sleep
- Is tonsillectomy safe for children?
One of the effects of swollen tonsils in children is the so-called respiratory distress during sleep obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Swollen tonsils in children are usually caused by inflammation, this in turn obstructs the airways. This disorder can cause temporary stopping of breathing while the child is asleep. If not addressed quickly, the swollen tonsils will disturb the child's sleep, thereby reducing the quality of sleep.
The impact of swollen tonsils on a child's sleep quality
Every child can experience different symptoms of sleep disorders. However, there are some common symptoms that you need to watch for while your child is asleep. Among them:
- Snoring or making a loud sound.
- Breathe through the mouth.
- Restless sleep, whether accompanied by periods of awakening or not.
- Does not appear to be breathing for several seconds. Your child may appear to be breathing in with the chest rising and falling, but there is no air coming in because the air passage is blocked by the swollen tonsils.
Also pay attention to the behavior of your baby when he goes about his daily activities. Swollen tonsils in children will disturb their sleep, causing other effects such as irritability, hyperactivity, or difficulty focusing while studying.
Overcoming the tonsils so that they no longer interfere with sleep
If the swollen tonsils in this child start to have various other effects and make you anxious, you should immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will usually carry out further tests and assess how large the infected tonsils are before suggesting surgery.
As long as the swollen tonsils don't interfere with the child's sleep, development and behavior, you can actually choose options other than surgery. You can wait until the child grows older, of course, with the doctor's approval.
However, if the infection recurs, does not get better with antibiotics, and has OSA caused by inflammation of the tonsils it can indicate that your child needs surgery to remove the tonsils.
Tonsil surgery is usually done in a short amount of time and your child can go home the same day. Some patients may need to undergo treatment if there are conditions such as:
- have a chronic disease
- problems with seizures
- less than three years old
- not drinking enough after surgery
- experiencing complications
Is tonsillectomy safe for children?
Respiratory disorders that are not treated properly can affect the overall health of the child. The decreased quality of sleep will interfere with the production of growth hormone so that the child's height is inhibited. Children with sleep disorders are also more likely to experience behavioral problems, such as hyperactive behavioral disorders.
Like other types of surgery, tonsillectomy also carries a risk of complications. These complications include bleeding from the surgical wound, fever, dehydration, and difficulty breathing. However, this risk is relatively small and can be anticipated with proper postoperative care.
Swollen tonsils can disrupt sleep and cause your child to continue to wake up at night. This condition will lead to various further health problems and have an impact on its development at a later date.
For children with tonsillitis, surgery can be a safe and effective solution. The side effects are relatively mild and can be managed well as long as parents understand how to care for children after surgery.
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