Innovative method of third tonsil examination
ENTviewer
Discover a new generation device allowing you to examine the third tonsil
Third tonsil – what is it?
Third tonsil is a kind of ‘guard’ that protects us from infections.
It is located in the throat and, unfortunately, cannot be seen with a naked eye
It starts to develop just after birth and reaches its maximum size when the child is 3-6 years old. After 7 years of age, it slowly disappears, since its role in the developing immune system becomes less important.
If small, its presence has a positive effect. Then it protects the child’s organism from germs penetrating into the respiratory tract. However, if too big, it may cause trouble.
WHY DOES THE THIRD TONSIL BECOME ENLARGED?
In little children, tonsils are the first “line of defence”; they come into contact with bacteria and viruses penetrating the body through the nose and mouth. To become more efficient in capturing hostile ‘intruders’, they grow. In normal conditions, after the child is cured, the tonsil decreases its size; however, if infections are frequent, or the child suffers from allergy, it fails to return to its previous size.
To sum up, the third tonsil may become enlarged for 3 reasons:
- recurrent bacterial and viral infections
- allergies to airborne and food allergens
- congenital tonsil hypertrophy
Problems with the third tonsil
Permanently enlarged third tonsil causes nuisance for a child.
Symptoms are quite specific
- breathing through the mouth, which causes recurring infections and drying the tooth enamel and development of caries.
- talking through a blocked and stuffy nose – nasal speech
- frequent upper respiratory tract infections (rhinitis, swollen glands in the neck, inflammation of the ear and sinuses)
- snoring and laboured, rugged breathing
- restless sleep (wriggling in the sleep)
- a very dangerous apnea causing hypoxia
- tiredness, headache, irritation, lack of appetite, problems with concentration
- slowed down intellectual and physical development
- in serious cases, a change in the appearance of the face (adenoid face – open mouth, dry, protruding upper incisors, withdrawn jaw)
If at least two of the above symptoms occur, a laryngological consultation and examination are necessary, since only a doctor may assess the condition of the third tonsil.
Examination with our device ensures:
- significant reduction of nuisance caused by the examination, which has occurred with the previously applied methods, and which is particularly important in the case of little children
- full comfort – eliminates fear caused by other diagnostic devices with unfriendly shape and appearance
- no need for anaesthesia
- examination recorded on a CD
- shorter doctor’s appointments
- awareness of receiving a professional service
- a smile on the child’s face