HOME HEALTH GUIDE

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 October 1944, Page 7

HOME HEALTH GUIDE

ADENOIDS If vour child is not so bright as he might be, if he looks “heavy round the nose and eyes, if he habitually breathes through his mouth, and is perhaps a little deaf—suspect adenoids. , , , , Adenoids must not be neglected. Difficult nose breathing and possibly snoring at night both point to the presence of unhealthy adenoids. H this condition is allowed to continue mouth- breathing will become a habit, nasal development halted, and the child’s appearance altered. Another mechanical effect is the blockage of rhe eustachian tube (from die back of the nose to the middle car) and interference with hearing. Adenoids are subject to infection, usually following a cold. The germs find in the adenoid tissues a moist, warm, dark place that suits them. They multiply and chronic infection may occur. This shows up in a tendency to catch one cold after another and for a cold to hang on and affect the chest. Infection may cause earache, and sometimes more serious ear trouble, such as inflammation and abscesses of the middle ear. Both arc extremely painful and wholly unnnecessary. Unhealthy adenoids may also reduce the child’s resistance to other infection. Normal adenoids may be left alone. They disappear with age. If they are causing mechanical blockages, or are infected, they must be removed by simple operation. There is one important consideration if they are removed: Deep breathing exercises and nose breathing must be insisted upon until natural nose-breathing is reestablished.