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Tonsils, Tossing and Turning
Can a Tonsillectomy Help a Child With Sleep Problems?
By Teri Brown
"The child will struggle to force air through the blockage and will have a 'mini awakening,' when they gasp, take a deep breath and fall back to sleep," says Dr. Shapiro. "The cycle then repeats. Enlarged tonsils also tend to collect bacteria and mucous, which may prevent sinuses from draining and cause the nose to become blocked or to run. Mucous from the tonsils may also drip into the lower airway, which may worsen asthma symptoms."
Dr. Shapiro says the majority of parents do not know that removing tonsils can improve obstructive sleep problems in children, and a large percentage are not aware of the signs, symptoms or consequences of pediatric sleep disorders. They can literally affect your child's every waking moment, causing both academic and behavioral problems.
"Sometimes the pediatrician will notice big tonsils on a routine exam and ask you about sleep problems," says Dr. Shapiro. "Pediatric dentists are also able to exam your child's mouth and may notice some problems such as tooth decay or bite problems, which also may be due to enlarged tonsils. If your pediatrician is concerned, he or she may refer you to a pediatric otolaryngologist (an ear, nose and throat specialist)."
