Adenoids & its conditions

• The adenoids are a mass of soft tissue behind the nasal cavity.
• Like lymph nodes, adenoids are part of the immune system and are made of the same type of tissue (lymphoid tissue).
• White blood cells circulate through the adenoids and other lymphoid tissue, reacting to foreign invaders in the body.
• We all have adenoids at birth and in childhood, but as we head into adolescence they start to shrink.

Adenoids Conditions

• Adenoiditis: Inflammation of the adenoids, often from infection. Bacteria or viruses may cause adenoiditis.
• Enlarged adenoids: In children, the adenoids can get larger because of infection or reasons that are unclear. Very large adenoids can interfere with breathing or with the flow of mucus.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: While sleeping, enlarged adenoids may intermittently block the flow of air through the throat. This can cause a person to stop breathing for a few seconds (known as apnea) and can occur several times each night.
• Ear infections (otitis): While sleeping, enlarged adenoids may intermittently block the flow of air through the throat. This can cause a person to stop breathing for a few seconds (known as apnea) and can occur several times each night.

Causes

Adenoiditis can be caused by a bacterial infection, such as infection with the bacteria Streptococcus. It can also be caused by a number of viruses, including Epstein-Barr virus, adenovirus, and rhinovirus.

What are the symptoms of enlarged adenoids?

What are the symptoms of enlarged adenoids?

• blocked,stuffy nose
• ear problems
• problems sleeping
• snoring
• sore throat
• difficulty swallowing
• swollen glands in the neck
• problems breathing through the nose
• “glue ear,” or otitis media with effusion (fluid buildup in the middle ear, which can cause hearing problems)
• cracked lips and dry mouth (from breathing problems)
• sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep)