Does anyone know anything about the possible link between enlarged tonsils &ADHD?

Joy - posted on 06/19/2009

Thank you all for your advice & comments. We took our daughter to an ENT who recommended the surgery. We also went for a 2nd opinion to be sure. They both said the same thing: She definitely would benefit from the surgery for health purposes such as... no more infections and better sleep patterns. This could in the long run improve on her ADHD behaviors if it is indeed part of the root cause. Otherwise, we could notice no changes in her behavior. Theres no way of knowing for sure until after fact. In other words, the only garantee is shell be healthier.

Carrie - posted on 06/18/2009

That's interesting. My son is 4 years old and he was diagnosed with ADHD a few months ago. His doctor has been saying for about 2 years that his tonsils are bigger than what they should be. His dr. also says that they should go down by the age of 5--if not, he will have surgery.

Sonja - posted on 06/13/2009

There is a link between ADHD-type behavior and sleep apnea in kids. Kids usually have sleep apnea due to enlarged tonsil and adenoids. If you have a child with hyper behavior and trouble in school who snores and/or stops breathing while asleep, then make sure you tell their doctor and consider seeing an ENT to ask about tonsillectomy. It may help.

Yaumara - posted on 06/09/2009

Quoting Joy:

Yaumara, have you noticed a change for the better in his ADHD behavior since the surgery?

No, No change in behavior. In fact his surgery was on his third birthday and he was diagnosed with ADHD at age 6.

Julie - posted on 06/04/2009

I had never heard of this. My son who has ADHD and my daughter how doesn't both of their tonsils actually went away on their own. I know weird but their tonsild receeded on their own. My husband had to have his taken out when he was a kid so i always expected to need to go that route at sometime. Intereting though!

Joy - posted on 06/02/2009

Yaumara, have you noticed a change for the better in his ADHD behavior since the surgery?

Yaumara - posted on 06/02/2009

This is interesting. I never knew there was a link. My 10 year old has ADHD and his tonsils were HUGE! He had surgery on his 3rd birthday because he had developed Sleep Apnea because of the tonsils and adnoids being so large. They were all removed during surgery.

Joy - posted on 05/31/2009

Vicki, have you noticed a change for the better in your sons ADHD behavior since the surgery? I found this info on webmd.com.

Adrienne - posted on 05/29/2009

Well, i should also add that as i have been finding out about my daughters food intolerances, it's actually becoming clear that i am the same. I'm 36. had my tonsils out at 20, as my mum wouldn't let drs remove them when i was young. I could touch my golf ball tonsils together. Now when i get a sore throat it is always at times i am not sticking to my childs diet. Dr may not see the link. Alot of Drs don't acknowledge the food intolerances that my daughter has. Drs i've come accross have called it a "phenomenon". Homeopaths/naturopaths or dieticians may be more of a help with that.

The diet she is on, as eliminated alot of the symptoms of Aspergers and ADHD tendencies that she has. And may explain why she's been diagnosed at 13. :) Look up fedupwithfoods.com There's a book called Fed Up With Foods by Sue Dengate. Hopefully thats a help.

Good Luck. :)

Vicki - posted on 05/29/2009

Wow, I'd never heard of that connection.

My son with ADHD had his tonsils taken out at age 4. They had been enlarged for almost a year. It was affecting his sleep at night, because he snored so violently, he'd wake himself up. He also had his adnoids taken out. He also suffers from allergies. Both of his parents also had their tonsils removed, and his dad is also ADHD. I'd be interested to learn more about this possible connection. Does anyone have reliable statistics?

Adrienne - posted on 05/29/2009

My daughter has just been diagnosed....we got through the last few years with the the help of a low chemical diet....even natural food chemicals. Salicylates, amines, glutamates. We see a naturopath. She gets sore throats as result of a diet too high in these... Hope that helps.

Jacque - posted on 05/28/2009

I never knew there was a link between the two. My daughter has huge tonsils. It has been 3 years since her diagnoses. I will ask her dr.