Children

Adenoids are similar to tonsils and form part of the immune system to help fight infection in the early years of childhood. Adenoids start to grow from birth and reach the largest size at around three years of age. By the age of seven to eight, they start to shrink and progressively disappear in early teens and adulthood. They are located at the back of the nose but are not

Glue ear is collection of glue like fluid in the middle ear, which replaces the air that normally fills the middle ear (between the ear drum and inner ear). This fluid reduces the sound that passes into the inner ear. This leads to partial deafness, which in children often affects speech and language development, attention deficit, occasional imbalance as well as pain. Glue ear is one of the most common childhood illnesses.

The Problem Most prominent ears lack a normal fold of cartilage. Sometimes other parts may be affected, and one ear may be worse than the other. Children with prominent ears are often teased at school. Adults are often conscious of their ears and tend to cover them with different hairstyles. What can be done? Surgery is carried out to correct the deformities and set ears back closer to the head

Snoring is common in children and generally no treatment is required. Sometimes, loud snoring followed by intermittent cessation of breathing, affects sleep. This is commonly because of large tonsils and adenoids, is known as “obstructive sleep apnoea”, and should be treated. Tonsil and adenoid surgery usually cures the condition in children. In adults other surgical measures may be required. What increases the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea? Being overweight Males have