Everything about adenoids

Does your child have bad breath, difficulty in swallowing or sleeping, frequent throat or ear infections, snoring problems etc.? Then, there is a great probability of your child having adenoids. It is best that you consult an ENT specialist at the best ENT hospital in Coimbatore.

What are adenoids?

Adenoids are a bundle of lymphatic tissue located at the back of the nose and above the palate or the roof of the mouth. They are also called pharyngeal tonsils. They form a part of the body's immune system by trapping harmful pathogens like bacteria and viruses before being swallowed. They thus protect the body from infections by flushing out unwanted particles like dust and germs.

Adenoids are at their largest size in kids aged 3-5, start shrinking at the age of 7-8 years, and completely disappear during the teenage years.

How do the adenoids function?

Adenoids are covered with mucus and small hair called cilia.  These hairy cilia wave in the air and trap the dust and bacteria in the mucus. These unwanted particles and germs are flushed away with the mucus. During this process, the adenoids might get swollen, causing difficulty in breathing and/or swallowing.

Enlarged Adenoids and their symptoms

Children often suffer from enlarged adenoids due to infection in their childhood. Enlarged adenoids seldom occur in adults unless they suffer from an allergy, chronic infection, pollution or smoking. 

When the adenoids are enlarged, the patient suffers from the following symptoms

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Noisy breathing
• Snoring
• Sleep apnea or Trouble in sleeping
• Swollen neck glands
• Ear infections
• Dry mouth
• Cracked lip
• Bad breath

Enlarged adenoids must be addressed immediately as they cause several allied health problems like sleep apnea, sinus infections, throat infections like strep throat or ear infections like otitis media. Sometimes, if left unnoticed, the adenoids remain permanently enlarged throughout life. In adults, enlarged adenoids are seen as a sign of cancer. So, the right thing to do on encountering the above symptoms would be to consult an ENT specialist without further delay.

What to do if the adenoids are enlarged? 

The first thing to do on finding the adenoids enlarged is to consult an ENT specialist. The ENT doctor examines the adenoids with a long tube called endoscope and then decide on the course of action. Oral medicines and antibiotics may be prescribed or if the infection is too severe, the ENT specialist may suggest the removal of the adenoids by adenoidectomy.

Get your adenoidectomy done from a reputed ENT doctor in Coimbatore to gain quick and painless relief from this condition.

Adenoidectomy

Adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of the adenoid tissue. It is a simple operation executed in just 30 minutes if handled by an expert ENT surgeon like the ones available at the best ENT hospital in Coimbatore. The surgical procedure is easy and painless and does not require any stitches or sutures. The patient can get discharged from the hospital within the same day.

After surgery, the patient may experience a sore throat or mild pain for which pain-relievers and antibiotics are prescribed.  The patient is advised to take soft foods and fluids to avoid discomfort. Recovery is quick and the patient recoups within a few days.

Enlarged adenoids and cancer

Enlarged adenoids are seen as a risk of cancer and must be dealt with immediately by consulting expert ENT specialists. Cancer of the lymphatic system called lymphoma may cause the adenoid to enlarge forming tumours. Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a type of cancer of the adenoids which causes them to enlarge.

So, never ignore the symptoms of adenoids or the swelling of neck glands in both children and adult. Rush to a trusted ENT specialist or the best ENT hospital in Coimbatore for permanent relief and swift recovery.