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Adenoids - Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, Treatment

Medically Reviewed by
Dr. Aman Priya Khanna
Adenoids

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Adenoids
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Aman Priya Khanna Written by Nikita Tyagi

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Adenoids are small lumps of tissue located right above the root of the mouth and behind the nose(as shown in the above image).

These glands are part of your child’s immune system and prevent the body from viruses and bacteria.

As your child builds an immune system, these Adenoids tend to shrink, which is around the age of 5-7 years.

And not just that, by the time they hit puberty, these glands are entirely gone.

Now that you’re clear on the meaning of Adenoids, let’s try to identify whether your kid needs an adenoidectomy,

a surgical procedure performed to remove the adenoids because they have become swollen or enlarged.

What causes Adenoids?

The swelling or enlargement of the adenoids can be caused by infections, allergies, or other reasons. And if the adenoids become enlarged, they can block the airway, causing problems with the child’s breathing. In some cases, the child is born with abnormally large adenoids. In such circumstances, the doctors recommend a surgical approach.

 

What causes Adenoids?

The swelling or enlargement of the adenoids can be caused by infections, allergies, or other reasons. And if the adenoids become enlarged, they can block the airway, causing problems with the child’s breathing. In some cases, the child is born with abnormally large adenoids. In such circumstances, the doctors recommend a surgical approach.

 

Symptoms of Adenoids

Infants and younger children cannot express their pain or point out what’s hurting, which is why, as parents, you must be cautious and overly observant during the initial years of their life. Here is a list of the Adenoids symptoms and signs to look out for in infants and children

  • Breathing through the mouth frequently
  • Stuffy or runny nose without actually being sick
  • Dry mouth and cracked lips
  • Noisy breathing
  • Nasal-sounding voice
  • Frequent ear infections
  • Snoring
  • Poor quality of sleep
  • Pausing during sleep to breathe

 

 

 

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Diagnosis of Adenoids

  • First things first, your general physician may refer you to an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) specialist.
  • The doctor will then ask about the child’s symptoms - the frequency, level of pain, etc. and perform a physical exam.
  • The doctor may insert a scope through the nose that consists of a camera to take a good look at the adenoids.
  • A blood test may be recommended to determine the presence of an infection.
  • If your child is experiencing sleep apnea, the doctor may even recommend a sleep study to determine whether the symptoms are related to enlarged adenoids.

Diagnosis of Adenoids

  • First things first, your general physician may refer you to an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) specialist.
  • The doctor will then ask about the child’s symptoms - the frequency, level of pain, etc. and perform a physical exam.
  • The doctor may insert a scope through the nose that consists of a camera to take a good look at the adenoids.
  • A blood test may be recommended to determine the presence of an infection.
  • If your child is experiencing sleep apnea, the doctor may even recommend a sleep study to determine whether the symptoms are related to enlarged adenoids.

Adenoid Treatment

  • First things first, your general physician may refer you to an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) specialist.
  • The doctor will then ask about the child’s symptoms - the frequency, level of pain, etc. and perform a physical exam.
  • The doctor may insert a scope through the nose that consists of a camera to take a good look at the adenoids.
  • A blood test may be recommended to determine the presence of an infection.
  • If your child is experiencing sleep apnea, the doctor may even recommend a sleep study to determine whether the symptoms are related to enlarged adenoids.

Adenoid Treatment

  • First things first, your general physician may refer you to an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) specialist.
  • The doctor will then ask about the child’s symptoms - the frequency, level of pain, etc. and perform a physical exam.
  • The doctor may insert a scope through the nose that consists of a camera to take a good look at the adenoids.
  • A blood test may be recommended to determine the presence of an infection.
  • If your child is experiencing sleep apnea, the doctor may even recommend a sleep study to determine whether the symptoms are related to enlarged adenoids.

When to See a Doctor?

If your child is suffering from:-

 

  • Frequent ear infections
  • Sore throat
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Difficulty in breathing through the nose
  • Sleep apnea, which means he/she is waking up multiple times during sleep to breathe

 

You must consult your general physician.

Your child’s doctor or paediatrician may recommend adenoid removal if your child has a chronic ear, throat, or nose infections that:

 

  • Isn’t responding to antibiotics
  • It occurs more than 5-6 times a year
  • Is impeding your child’s education due to frequent absenteeism

 

Disease Progression & Risks of Delaying Adenoids Treatment

As parents, you try to keep your child as far away from the hospital as you can. However, there may be circumstances where delaying the treatment is not a good option.

 

If left untreated or there is a delay in treatment, the disease can progress, and enlarged adenoids can cause:-

 

  • Possible hearing loss
  • Blockage in the Eustachian tube; a tube connects the ear to the nose and drains the fluid from the middle ear.
  • Persistent earaches due to the swelling
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness as adenoids will continue to interfere with your child’s sleep.
  • Learning issues or behaviour as a result of poor quality of sleep
  • Sleep apnea

Disease Progression & Risks of Delaying Adenoids Treatment

As parents, you try to keep your child as far away from the hospital as you can. However, there may be circumstances where delaying the treatment is not a good option.

 

If left untreated or there is a delay in treatment, the disease can progress, and enlarged adenoids can cause:-

 

  • Possible hearing loss
  • Blockage in the Eustachian tube; a tube connects the ear to the nose and drains the fluid from the middle ear.
  • Persistent earaches due to the swelling
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness as adenoids will continue to interfere with your child’s sleep.
  • Learning issues or behaviour as a result of poor quality of sleep
  • Sleep apnea

Last Updated on: 28 March 2023

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational and learning purposes only. It doesn't cover every medical condition and might not be relevant to your personal situation. This information isn't medical advice, isn't meant for diagnosing any condition, and shouldn't replace talking to a certified medical or healthcare professional.

Reviewer

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES

12 Years Experience

Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More

Author

Nikita Tyagi

Nikita Tyagi

BPharm (Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University, Hyderabad)

2 Years Experience

An enthusiastic writer with an eye for details and medical correctness. An avid reviewer and publisher. She emphasises authentic information and creates value for the readers. Earlier, she was involved in making ...View More

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