Adenoids in Adults

What are adenoids?

Adenoids are tissue mass that exist at the end of the nose and top of the throat. They help keep children healthy till their teen years and then it diminishes in size.

Why are adenoids important?

Adenoids are the first line of defense against harmful inhaled and swallowed bacteria, they are of great importance especially in children's early years till they are immune enough to fight infections in other ways.

1. Inflammation of adenoids: (Adenoiditis)

When your adenoids fight germs and bacteria, but sometimes the infection is too strong that the adenoids get infected themselves. They get inflamed, swollen and stuffy. It happens mainly in infants and children, rarely in adults.

 

Enlarged adenoids symptoms

 

• Sore throat
• Swollen neck
• Stuffy nose.
• Speaking with nasal sound.
• Mouth breathing.
• Sleeping difficulties.
• Sleep apnea
• Bad odor of breath.

 

 

 

Complications of enlarged adenoids

• Sleep apnea
• Bad odor of breath.
• Middle ear infections: the enlarged adenoids block the Eustachian tubes which is responsible for draining fluids from our throats. Recurrent inflammation and swelling of the adenoids lead to repeated middle ear infections.

Examination of adenoids

A physical examination of your nose, ear and throat is usually enough to diagnose your adenoiditis. But in some cases, your doctor may ask for an X-ray or endoscopic examination to check for unseen complications.

Treatment of enlarged adenoids

Bedrest and plenty of fluids are good remedies especially if it is viral infection

Antibiotics are the first line of treatment of adenoiditis of bacterial origin

If it doesn’t work, or there is any complication, your doctor may recommend a simple surgery known as adenoidectomy. 

Adenoids' excision

A specialized doctor in otolaryngology examines the adenoids, checks for complications and then schedule you for surgery. On the day of surgery, you check in a specialized hospital where you may get fully sedated to remove these adenoids completely (the doctor may recommend excising the tonsils in the same session too).