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Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders
Question #45679
81 days ago
903

Advice for My Son's Breathing Issues with Swollen Tonsils and Adenoids - #45679

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My 16 month old son has swollen tonsils and adenoids, constant running nose and fluid in inner ear. We can’t get them removed but he is having so much trouble breathing. We have tried eliminating allergens and started to give him things to help his gut. He can chew and swallow better and swelling around tonsils has gone down but his breathing is still bad and causing sleep apnea. Any advice would be helpful

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Hello I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ can understand your concern as your toddler is experiencing such a thing; breathing troubles + sleep apnea at 16 months are quite serious, and I can only imagine how scary it must be for you and your wife.

I will provide you with safe, evidence-based, and home-supportive measures, but still, please keep collaborating with a pediatric ENT because infants breathing issues should not be without medical supervision.

FIRST AND FORE MOST

Since your son has: Inflamed tonsils & adenoids Fluid in middle ear Persistent nasal obstruction Seep apnea

➡️ This can cause a lack of oxygen and bad sleep, which a pediatric ENT needs to monitor closely.

SHORT TERM RELIEF MEASURES (Safe for toddlers)

1. Steam / Humidifier While sleeping use a cool-mist humidifier in the room It takes away the congestion + breathing gets better.

2. Saline Nasal Spray (Most Efficient) Use a completely neutral isotonic saline nasal drop/spray 2–3 times/day. It helps to remove the mucus and lessens nasal blockage.

3. Gentle Nose Cleaning After saline, use a bulb syringe or NoseFrida to take out the mucus. (This is especially helpful before sleep.)

4. Before bedtime warm bath Helps the nose to breath again.

5. Raise the Head While Sleeping Partly lift the mattress (never put the pillows directly under the head for toddlers). Helps to stop the snoring and the breath holding episodes.

SAFE SUPPORTIVE OPTIONS

1. Honey¼ teaspoon at bedtime Helps the throat to relax & decrease the cough during the night

2. Chamomile Tea (very diluted) 1–2 teaspoons of weak chamomile tea Soothes the inflamed area & assists sleep (Only tiny portions.)

3. Warm coconut oil chest rub With a small pinch of ajwain (carom) heated and strained Helps to get rid of heavy breathing

4. Keep Gut Support Going Good gut health is the foundation of strong immunity & less infections that keep coming. Include: Home-made yogurt Small amounts of ghee Soft fruits Hot soups

WARNING SIGNS THAT NEED IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION

Get immediate help if you observe:

Breathing breaks for more than 10 seconds Lips turning blue Kid waking choking or gasping Poor feeding Daytime sleepiness or irritability Sleep apnea in toddlers is not something to wait on.

You’re Doing the Right Things

What you have already done:

–Reduced allergens –Improved gut health –Reduced tonsil swelling These were major moves.

The breathing problem may be caused by adenoids + nasal blockage, which can hardly be gotten rid of in a short period of time.

There is no doubt that your son can get better without going undergoing surgery but you have to keep his sleep apnea and breathing difficulty under medical supervision.

Meanwhile, take advantage of the humidifier, saline sprays, nasal suction, elevated sleep position, and safe natural remedies.

Warm Regards Dr Snehal ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌Vidhate

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Avoid chilled, dairy and bakery products. Steam inhalation twice a day. Increase intake of raw vegetables and fruits. Tab.Bresol 2-0-2 Tab.Septillin 2-0-2 Follow up after 1 week.

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1.Kanchnar guggulu 2 tab twice daily with water after meals 2.Vriddhi vadhika vati 1 tab twice daily with water after meals 3.Haridra khand 2/4 tsp empty stomach in the morning with warm milk 4.Sitopladi churna 3/4 tsp twice daily with honey

🪔 Local & Home Care - Warm mustard oil or sesame oil massage on chest and back before bedtime. - Gentle steam inhalation (plain water, no strong herbs) for 1–2 minutes to ease nasal blockage. - Keep bedding and surroundings dust‑free; wash soft toys often. - Avoid cold foods (ice cream, chilled milk, cold water). Favor warm soups, khichdi, and light meals.

🍵 Dietary Support - Warm, freshly cooked food with a little ghee. - Avoid excess sweets and processed foods. - Use spices like turmeric, cumin, ajwain in cooking for digestion and immunity.

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Take Aravindasava 2ml bd nd consulting ayuevedic pediatric

Dr RC BAMS MS

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Internal Medicines 1 Sitopaladi Churna – ¼tsp + honey → 4 times daily 2 Talisadi Churna – ¼tsp + honey → 3 times daily 3 Laxmivilas Ras (Nardiya) – ¼ tablet morning + night with honey 4 Swasari Pravahi (Patanjali) OR Kasari Syrup – 2.5 ml + equal warm water → 3 times daily

Local & Home Remedies- Nasya – 1 drop warm Anu Taila OR pure cow ghee in each nostril morning & night → lie 1 min Steam – plain warm water steam (cover with towel) 5 min twice daily Head end of bed raised slightly (pillow under mattress, not under head)

Diet Give only: Warm moong dal khichdi + ½ tsp ghee Pomegranate juice 50 ml daily Warm goat milk 100 ml if tolerated

Avoid completely: curd, banana, cold milk/drinks, biscuits, packaged food

Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma

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Hello, Your 16-month-old son’s symptoms — swollen tonsils & adenoids, constant running nose, fluid in the middle ear, mouth breathing, and sleep apnea — indicate a long-standing Kapha aggravation, upper respiratory congestion, and low immunity (Ojas depletion). Tonsils & adenoids enlarge when the body is constantly fighting allergens or infections, causing blocked nose, snoring, disturbed sleep, and breathing difficulty.

Since surgery is not an option now, treatment will focus on reducing chronic inflammation, clearing mucus, strengthening immunity, and improving airflow.

This is a reversible condition in many toddlers with the right care.

🔎 Recommended Investigations (Only if not done recently or symptoms are severe) 1. Pediatric ENT evaluation – to assess adenoid size & ear fluid 2. Allergy panel (IgE) – if repeated colds 3. Vitamin D3 – deficiency worsens immunity 4. CBC – to check for chronic infection

💊 Internal Support (Child Safe) (No tablets. Only child-safe liquids/herbal decoctions.)

Phase 1 – 15 days (Reduce mucus + open airways) 1. Warm water + 1–2 drops honey – Twice daily (Do NOT give honey to children <1 year; safe for 16 months) 2. Sitopaladi + Praval Pishti – Pinch dose mixed with honey – Once daily (Reduces congestion & improves breathing) 3. Tulsi water – Boil 3–4 tulsi leaves in water – Give 1–2 small sips twice daily 4. Turmeric milk (very mild) – ½ cup warm milk + a pinch of turmeric – Night time

Phase 2 – 30 days (Immunity building + reduce adenoid swelling) 1. Chyawanprash (kids’ dose) – Finger-tip amount daily morning 2. Anu taila (nasal oil) – ONLY apply externally around nostrils – Do NOT insert inside nose at this age 3. Warm ajwain water steam – Keep near the child while he sleeps – Helps open the nose & reduce apnea

🌿 External Therapies (Very Important)

1. Warm mustard oil chest & back massage – Add a pinch of rock salt – Apply before bath – Helps open air passages 2. Eucalyptus steam in room – Add 1 drop eucalyptus oil in a diffuser – Do NOT apply directly on baby 3. Salt pillow – Slightly warm rock salt in a cloth pouch – Keep near baby (NOT on chest) – Helps reduce nasal blockage 4. Head elevation during sleep – Very important for adenoids – Keep a small pillow under the mattress at head side

🥗 Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations (Child-Safe) ❌ Avoid 1. Bananas at night 2. Curd, cheese, paneer 3. Cold water / cold foods 4. Sugary snacks 5. Dust exposure ✅ Include 1. Warm soups – dal, rice water, vegetable broth 2. Ghee – ½ tsp per day (boosts immunity) 3. Seasonal fruits: apple, pear, papaya 4. Garlic-ginger in cooked food (not raw) 5. 2–3 drops ghee in warm food daily

🧘🏻‍♂️ Breathing & Airway Support (Toddler Safe) 1. Ajwain potli inhalation – Keeps airways open 2. Gentle chest percussion – Helps loosen mucus 3. Humidifier in room – Prevents nighttime blockage

🕉️ Follow-up & Duration * Nose blockage improves in 7–10 days * Sleep apnea reduces gradually in 3–4 weeks * Tonsil & adenoid swelling reduces in 6–8 weeks * Ear fluid takes 4–8 weeks to clear * Continue mild immunity herbs for 3 months

✨ Many children outgrow enlarged tonsils/adenoids by age 3–5 when immunity improves. With mucus reduction + gut support + airway care, your child’s breathing will gradually get better.

Warm regards Dr.Sumi MS(Ayu)

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Start with Sithophaladi churna pinch with honey Aravindasava 2.5 ml BD with water Avoid cold exposure/ AC/ fan/ cold drinks

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Hi dear this is Dr soukhya see I want to clear you one thing Before trying anything to child you should be careful for everything … And he is still 16mon you can’t blindly try anything to him As he has issues with allergy we can give him plane water Steam for both nose and ear also… it will really help…no issues in that… But kindly get proper diagnosis before giving any medicine…

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Start with Sitopaladi churan 1/2tsp+ Yastimadhu churan 1/2tsp + giloy satva 1 pinch mix with 3tsp. Honey and take twice daily Have warm haldi doodh at bedtime Do Nasya with Anu tel 2drops in both nostril once daily Avoid citrus fruits, fried foods, cold foods drinks icecream sugary foods. Chyavanprash 1 tsp once daily before breakfast with water.

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Can give Sithophaladi churna pinch + Yasthimadhu churna pinch with honey twice daily Vasavaleha 1/4 th tsp daily Give turmeric milk Avoid cold refrigerated foods

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For your son’s breathing issues, especially with sleep apnea, there are several Ayurvedic approaches that might help. Prioritize his respiratory health with gentle, natural methods that can be safely applied even for young children.

Nasya karma, or nasal administration of medicinal oils, can sometimes assist. A mild formulation, like Anu Taila, may be diluted with sesame oil for a very mild effect. Apply a drop to both nostrils daily, ideally in the morning. This helps with nasal congestion and improves oxygen flow. However, use with caution due to his age and monitor for any signs of irritation or discomfort.

Encourage steam inhalation but very gently. A modest, warm bath can function as humidification therapy. Add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to create steam that could loosen nasal obstructions. Make sure the steam is not too hot, stay in a warm environment to receive this benefit from the humid atmosphere.

Diet is crucial too. Opt for light, easy-to-digest meals. Avoid mucus-forming foods like dairy and refined sugars. Include cooling, yet slightly moist foods. Moong dal soup and other simple soups keep things balanced. Incorporating turmeric and ginger in tiny amounts could also support reducing inflammation.

Consider Ayurvedic herbs like pippali (a type of long pepper) in minimal doses for gentle immune support. Consult a certified Ayurvedic practitioner for precise dosages and to ensure the child-specific suitability, as self-prescribing herbs can be risky at this young age.

Ensure the airflow in his sleeping environment is good. Position a pillow slightly elevated beneath his mattress to help breathing at night rather than placing it directly under his head, reducing risk of choking.

Practice patience as the child’s systems adjust. While certain symptoms like ear fluid may persist, gradual implementation of these methods may slowly ease the issues experienced with proper monitoring from a pediatrician or ENT specialist. Important & urgent matters requiring medical intervention should not be delayed, prioritize overall safety and wellness above all.

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For your son, whose symptoms suggest an imbalance affecting his respiratory and immune systems, it might be helpful to consider a few steps influenced by the Siddha-Ayurvedic approach. First, focus on his kapha dosha, which often governs aspects related to mucus, fluid buildup, and congestion. Though you’re working to improve his gut health, consider continuing with digestive spices such as a tiny sprinkle of cumin or fennel in his food, which can aid his agni, or digestive fire.

Incorporate warm, easily digestible foods that are less likely to produce more kapha. Perhaps think about a gentle soup made from moong dal, as it’s nourishing yet light on digestion. Ensure his nutritional intake is soft and not too heavy, helping not to burden his system further.

You might consider practices that help reduce mucus production. A small amount of warm turmeric milk (less than a teaspoon of turmeric in a cup of warm milk with a touch of black pepper) before bedtime could be considered, though this is only if he’s not allergic to dairy.

Herbal formulations in tiny doses, like the Ayurvedic preparation Sitopaladi Churna may assist with respiratory issues, but it is essential to consult a practitioner to check appropriateness for such a young child. Practicing steam inhalation, perhaps with eucalyptus or a mild essential oil, can provide some relief from congestion, aiding in clearer breathing, just ensure it is done under close guidance and careful observation.

Ultimately, if his breathing difficulties are severe, impacting his sleep with apnea as you mentioned, it’s critical to consult with a pediatrician or an ENT specialist, as immediate medical interventions might be required to ensure his safety. Always balance traditional practices with modern medical advice, especially in urgent scenarios.

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7 hours ago
Huge thanks! The advice was super clear and easy to follow. Really appreciated the extra tips on steam and keeping warm 👍.
Huge thanks! The advice was super clear and easy to follow. Really appreciated the extra tips on steam and keeping warm 👍.
Aubrey
7 hours ago
Super thankful for the detailed advice! I feel a lot better about how to help my friend now. Appreciate the clear guidance on how to use these remedies!
Super thankful for the detailed advice! I feel a lot better about how to help my friend now. Appreciate the clear guidance on how to use these remedies!
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Really thankful for the guidance! Answer was super thorough and easy to follow. My friend’s already feeling some relief. Couldn't ask for more!
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This was super helpful, thank you! Your detailed answer really cleared things up. Feeling more confident on what to do now.
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