Adenoiditis and Adenoid Hypertrophy

Infections of the nose and the throat are quite common in young children. These infections are often accompanied by adenoiditis which is nothing but the inflammation of the adenoids. Treatment of adenoiditis should be done immediately in order to avoid further complications like otitis media which may cause even hearing loss.  The patient must consult an expert ENT specialist without delay like the ones at the reputed ENT hospital in Coimbatore.

What is adenoiditis?

Adenoids are lumps of tissue located above the tonsils at the back of the nose. They are basically a bunch of lymph nodes which include the tonsils. they are situated at the Waldeyer's ring at the back of the throat. Adenoids contain lymphocytes which are used to infection. Sometimes during ear, nose or throat infections, the adenoids get affected and inflamed causing adenoiditis Adenoiditis can be troublesome as it may cause nasal congestion, sinusitis, tonsillitis, otitis media, etc.

Treatment of adenoiditis includes oral administration of antibiotics by a professional ENT specialist after diagnosis. If this proves ineffective, the adenoidectomy is done where the adenoids are removed.

Symptoms of adenoiditis

Adenoiditis is characterized by the following symptoms like

• Stuffy nose due to nasal congestion
• Sore throat
• Sinusitis- Inflammation of the sinuses
• Tonsillitis - Enlargement of the tonsils
• Snoring
• Sleep Apnea- breathing is paused intermittently during sleeping
• Earache
• Glue ear - this is called otitis media and is caused by the accumulation of fluids in the middle ear.

Adenoiditis should never be ignored as it may lead to frequent ear infections which may result in even hearing loss or speech delays. Consult the expert ENT hospital in Coimbatore immediately to get permanent and lasting relief from adenoiditis.

What is adenoid hypertrophy?

During childhood, the adenoids may swell up due to nose or throat infections. But adenoids usually shrink when children get to the age of puberty. But for some children, the adenoids continue to be enlarged causing adenoid hypertrophy. This condition results in blocking of the nasal passage making it difficult for the child to breathe. This causes snoring, sleep apnea, etc. Due to adenoid hypertrophy, fluids may get collected in the middle ear causing otitis media. 

Adenoid hypertrophy may result due to chronic or repetitive bacterial and viral infections which make the adenoids stay enlarged even up to adulthood. Infection by the Epstein-Barr virus may also cause adenoid hypertrophy in adults.

The only way to treat adenoid hypertrophy is to get the adenoids removed and this should be done only under expert care at premier health centres like the ENT hospital in Coimbatore.

What is adenoidectomy?

Adenoidectomy is the treatment for adenoiditis or adenoid hypertrophy where the adenoids are removed by a surgical procedure. It is performed by a skilled ENT specialist. The patient is administered general anaesthesia and operated upon to remove the adenoids. The adenoids may be normally removed along with the tonsils during a tonsillectomy. Laser treatment or endoscopic ablation is also done to quicken the process and get lasting relief with less pain at top health clinics like the ENT hospital in Coimbatore. Within 3-4 hours after the surgery, the patient is discharged safely along with the doctor's instructions.

Following the surgery, the patient may suffer from sore throat, mild fever pain etc for a few days. White scabs may also be formed in the mouth and these fall off within a couple of days. 

Feed the patient only soft foods after surgery for a week. Avoid dairy products immediately after surgery. After 24 hours, even ice cream can be consumed.

When is adenoidectomy a must?

Adenoidectomy is a must when the adenoids stay enlarged even after puberty and get frequently infected. It has to be definitely done when the middle ear gets frequently infected with fluid accumulation causing otitis media as this may cause deafness. 

Adenoiditis and adenoid hypertrophy should not be carelessly ignored. Consult experts at the ENT hospital in Coimbatore to get the right treatment and lasting remedy for adenoids.