3 Yr Old Trouble Breathing and White Nasal Mucous

[mshellhunter]

My son is 3 years old. At night he has had trouble breathing and it seems as though he fights for air sometimes. I also observed white mucous that seems to be always present in his nostrils. I took him to a doctor and the doctor wanted to take his tonsils out but he was too young and I declined. I think its more than his tonsils. When I ask him to blow his nose his mucous seems so white and thick. Is there anyone who can tell me what's going on with him?

[National Jewish]

If your son's tonsils are truly enlarged, then it is very likely that his adenoids are also enlarged.  This could interfere with nasal mucus clearance.  Nevertheless your reluctance, to accept tonsillectomy as the first option is appropriate.  Under no circumstance should you agree to that surgery, without getting a second opinion.

In addition, the tonsils and adenoids might not be the problem.  He could have nasal polyps.  If that is the case, these could be made to shrink in size, along with lessening in mucus production and nasal obstruction, with the use of nasal washes followed by a prescription nasal steroid spray.
However this does not provide immediate relief of symptoms.  It may need to be used every day for several weeks to months to notice improvement in the symptoms.  To get the most help from any nasal spray first do a nasal wash to remove mucus from the nose and sinuses.  To learn more about this technique please read our nasal wash treatment information by copying and pasting this address

http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/treatments/alt-ther/nasal-wash.aspx

into the address window of your internet browser.  Share this information with your son’s doctor to see if he would benefit from this daily treatment.

Your best bet, for an objective second opinion, might be examination of your son's nose and nasopharynx by a pediatrician, skilled in such examinations done with a pediatric fiberoptic laryngoscope.