Adenoids are masses of tissue in the posterior wall of the nasal cavity. They are located above the tonsils and behind the nose. Adenoids are not visible when viewing the mouth.
Adenoids
The adenoids are located at the back of the nasal cavity. The adenoids are made up of lymphatic tissue. This tissue helps fight infection. After repeated infections, the adenoids can become swollen. This is common and normal. They shrink to their normal size after the infection is gone.
If the enlarged adenoids do not shrink to their normal size after a cold, they may cause chronic symptoms. They may prevent air flow. They may prevent normal drainage of the middle ear. Generally speaking, adenoids begin to get smaller at age 7. For adolescents, they are very small or no longer present.
Symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy include
Severe snoring
Insomnia
Sleep apnea
Breathing through the mouth
Speech problems
Nasal voice
Swallowing problems
Frequent ear infections
Causes of occurrence
After the first year of life, adenoids tend to grow because they are part of the body’s immune system. This adenoids filter and fight germs that enter the body through the mouth and nose. The adenoids may become very large and thus interfere with the child’s quality of life.
Complications
The Eustachian tubes lead from the ear to the throat. If adenoids block these ducts, your child may develop many ear infections. These can lead to middle ear problems and hearing loss.
Sleep apnea is a complication of adenoid hypertrophy. Some children snore so much that it interrupts their breathing. This can lead to sleep problems. Poor sleep at night may lead to poor concentration at school, learning difficulties, hyperactivity or impulsivity.
How to help a child with adenoid hypertrophy
To prevent dry mouth, put a humidifier in your child’s room. This will help keep the air moist. In addition, it is sometimes possible to sleep on your side or stomach to avoid snoring and disturbed sleep.
What the doctor can do to help the patient child
The doctor will will examine the child’s body and will listen to the child’s breathing. If the child has sleep apnea, certain medications may be considered. These include decongestants and anti-inflammatory medications. These include nasal spray hormones (e.g., budesonide, etc.), leukotriene receptor antagonists (e.g., montelukast sodium), etc. For this problem, antibiotics are not given. If medications do not work, surgery may be an option, and the procedure is called adenoidectomy. Surgery usually helps make sleeping and breathing easier for children.
Important points
Adenoids are lumps of lymphatic tissue. They are located in the back wall of the nasal cavity. They are not visible during an oral exam. In some children, the adenoids become enlarged after repeated infections. This is common and normal. Severe enlargement of the adenoids can lead to fluid accumulation in the ear.
This can cause mild, temporary hearing loss if left untreated. If the enlarged adenoids interfere with breathing or sleep, surgical removal may be recommended.