Health Advice: Adenoids
Swollen adenoids can block the nose
Since adenoids are constantly in the path of germs (micro-organisms), infections are common. Infections commonly cause swollen or blocked adenoids, which can reduce the airflow through the nose. In adults, both tonsils and adenoids shrink. However, they can all swell up again with infections.
Symptoms of infected adenoids include:
- Breathing through the mouth
- Snoring when asleep
- Talking with a ‘blocked nose’ sound
- The inability to pronounce certain consonants, including ‘m’ and ‘n’
- Dry and sore throat because of breathing through the mouth (this is often a problem in the morning after sleeping with the mouth open)
- Yellow or green mucous coming from the nose.
Complications of infected adenoids
Infections of the adenoids can cause a variety of complications, including:
- Middle ear infections – the adenoids are located at the end of the tubes connecting the middle ear and the throat (the Eustachian tubes). Infections can spread up to the ears from the adenoids and cause middle ear infections, which can affect hearing.
- Glue ear – the swollen adenoids block the Eustachian tubes and prevent drainage of the normal mucous, which is made each day in the middle ear. A build-up of sticky mucous interferes with the movements of the tiny bones in the middle ear, affecting hearing.
- Sinusitis – the air-filled cavities of the skull may also become infected.
- Chest infections – bacteria or viruses can infect other sites, such as the bronchi (bronchitis) or lungs (pneumonia).
- Vomiting – the child may swallow a great deal of pus, generally at night while sleeping, which may be vomited in the morning.
Treatment options
What is done to treat infected adenoids depends on whether the child is ill or not, and what other effects the infected adenoids are causing. For example, if a child has a middle ear infection or sinusitis, and the adenoids are swollen, treatment will be aimed at reducing the pain in the ears. Antibiotics will often be used. If these treatments improve the health of the ear or the sinuses, they will usually help get rid of the infection in the adenoids as well.. Your doctor may recommend having the adenoids removed by operating if:
- Your child has recurrent ear infections, which are interfering with language development.
- Your child is often unwell.
- Your child has large adenoids that are interfering with breathing, especially at night.
Adenoidectomy
Surgery to remove the adenoids is called adenoidectomy. It is done under general anaesthetic. Often, the tonsils are removed at the same time, since recurring infections tend to affect both the adenoids and tonsils.
Post-operative complications
Complications from adenoidectomy may include vomiting, difficulties with swallowing, pain and bleeding
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