Table of Contents
What Are Enlarged Adenoids?
The adenoids are small patches of lymph tissue that are situated at the back of the throat. Adenoids are similar to the tonsils. Both tonsils and adenoids are part of the immune system, which helps to fight against infections. Tonsils are directly visible at the back of the mouth to the naked eye in the majority of people, whereas adenoids are not.
Adenoids are important in children to fight against infections, but as they grow up, the adenoids lose significance as the body learns how to fight against infections. The size of the adenoids is larger in children, and they shrink as they grow up. Adenoids do not typically grow back, although that is not always the case. The enlarged adenoids can cause problems and as they are not an essential part of the immune system, they are generally treated by removing them.
What Causes Enlarged Adenoids?
Adenoids are located in the passage that connects the throat and the nasal cavity. They produce antibodies to help the body fight against infections. In infants, they protect the body from infection by trapping the bacteria and viruses that enter the body through the nose.
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When the adenoids get infected, they enlarge in size and return back to normal size when the infection subsides, but in some cases, the size of the adenoids remains the same even after the infection is gone.
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Adenoids can be enlarged in cases of allergies.
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In some children, by birth itself, the size of the adenoids is enlarged.
What Are the Symptoms of Enlarged Adenoids?
Enlarged adenoids can cause various symptoms such as
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Stuffy nose or nasal congestion.
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Problems related to the ear.
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Sore throat.
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Difficulty in swallowing.
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Swelling of glands in the neck.
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Problems related to breathing through the nose.
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Otitis media with effusion (middle ear infection with fluid build-up in the middle ear causing hearing problems).
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Dry mouth.
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Cracked lips.
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Sleep apnea (breathing stops and starts during sleep).
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Disturbed sleep.
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Bad breath.
How Are Enlarged Adenoids Diagnosed?
The specialist will ask for the symptoms the child is having. The physical examination is done using a mirror, and endoscopy (a procedure in which a small flexible tube is inserted through the nose with a fitted camera and light in it) might be done to visualize the adenoids through the nose.
The doctor might advise a blood test to check for the infection, and in some cases, an X-ray of the throat might be needed.
In severe cases of enlarged adenoids, the doctor might suggest a sleep study. During this procedure, the patient will sleep overnight at a facility where the breathing and brain activity is monitored using an electrode in order to identify if they suffer from sleep apnea.
How Are Enlarged Adenoids Treated?
The treatment of enlarged adenoids will depend upon the symptoms, the age of the patient, and the severity of the condition. If the enlarged adenoids are in the children, then the doctors might not recommend surgery and advise waiting and watching to see if the adenoids shrink on their own as the child grows up.
1. Medications- In other cases, the doctor might give medications such as nasal steroids so that the enlarged adenoids shrink.
2. Adenoidectomy- It is common for the enlarged adenoids to be removed if there is no response to medications and it continues to cause problems. It is a simple surgery without much risk. This surgery is called adenoidectomy. Adenoidectomy is performed under general anesthesia and done in an outpatient setting, which means the patient can leave the hospital on the same day.
The surgery is done by inserting a small instrument through the mouth to prop it open, and a small incision is made to remove the adenoids. The complete recovery after the adenoidectomy might take one to two weeks.
After the adenoids are removed, the patient might experience:
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Sore throat.
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Minor bleeding.
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Earache.
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Nasal congestion.
3. Tonsillectomy- In case the child has a recurring tonsil infection, the doctor will advise the removal of tonsils as well. The tonsils and adenoids are often removed together. The surgery to remove the tonsils is termed tonsillectomy. It is done under general anesthesia and takes about half an hour for the procedure. This procedure is also done in an outpatient setting, and the patient can leave the hospital on the same day of the surgery. An incision is made with a scalpel, and the tonsils are removed. The other method for tonsillectomy is using cauterization and ultrasonic vibrations. Tonsillectomy-related bleeding is a less common complication, but it can happen most frequently within 24 hours of surgery or seven days of surgery. Children who experience severe or even life-threatening bleeding following surgery should visit a doctor as soon as possible.
What Are the Risks of an Adenoidectomy?
The risk of adenoidectomy is rare but can include:
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Excessive bleeding.
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Permanent change in voice quality.
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Risks from the use of anesthesia.
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Secondary infections.
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Failure to resolve the underlying breathing problems, ear infection, or nasal drainage.
When to Contact a Medical Professional?
Contact the doctor when the child has difficulty breathing through the nose or other symptoms of enlarged adenoids. Children may experience snoring or more severe conditions like sleep apnea (stopping breathing) at night due to breathing issues, ear infections, or other complications if left untreated.
Conclusion
Enlarged adenoids are common in children. Enlarged adenoids are a treatable condition, and some of them can even be treated with simple antibiotics. Enlarged adenoids can be irritating to infants as they cannot convey; it is important for the parents to look for any signs. Consult a doctor when there are any signs of enlarged adenoids as soon as possible.
