Adenoids

How often do you think about tonsils and adenoids? Not very much, I'll bet! For many people, the first time they learn anything about these organs is when they or their children experience issues with them. When they're functioning normally, tonsils and adenoids are hardly ever a topic of conversation. But from both an oral care and immune health perspective, the tonsils and adenoids play a crucial role in keeping your body infection-free. When we think of a robust immune system, building healthy habits like getting quality sleep, staying hydrated, and nourishing our bodies with healthy foods come to mind. But did you know that your tonsils and adenoids are your immune system's first line of defense? Let's dive into some common questions about the difference between adenoids and tonsils, their essential functions, and their potential complications and treatments. Tonsils are a pair of lymph nodes at the back of the throat. With just a light, you can view your tonsils when you open your mouth. They can appear larger in children under nine and usually shrink significantly during the teen years. Adenoids and tonsils are part of the more extensive lymphatic system that includes lymph nodes found in the neck, armpits, and groin. This system clears away infection and keeps body fluids in balance. Tonsils and adenoids work by trapping the germs coming in through the mouth and nose to prevent them from invading the body. Because they work as mechanisms to fight infection, they can...

Tonsils are small, round pieces of tissue located in the back of the mouth on both sides of the throat. The adenoid is a clump of tissue located behind the nasal cavity above the roof of the mouth. Tonsils and adenoids fight infection and can become enlarged when they get infected. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are also referred to as tonsillitis, adenoiditis, or tonsil and adenoid hypertrophy. A child with enlarged tonsils and adenoids may have a sore throat, trouble swallowing, Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids | Symptoms & Causes What are the symptoms of enlarged tonsils and adenoids? Symptoms of enlarged tonsils and adenoids can vary depending on the cause and severity of infection. They can occur suddenly or develop gradually. Symptoms of tonsillitis • sore throat • painful swallowing • lost appetite • bright red tonsils • white or yellow film on the tonsils • • bad breath Symptoms of enlarged adenoids • breathing through the mouth instead of the nose • constantly running nose • nasal speech • recurring ear infections • snoring • sleep apnea, when the child repeatedly stops breathing for a few seconds while asleep What causes enlarged tonsils and adenoids? Tonsils and adenoids can become enlarged for many different reasons, including exposure to viruses, bacteria, fungal, parasitic infections, and cigarette smoke. Common viruses include: • • • Epstein-Barr virus • herpes simplex virus Common bacteria include: • group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) • Neisseria gonor...

Overview Located just behind your nasal passage and above your soft palate, adenoids start to shrink by age 8 and disappear completely by adulthood. What are adenoids? Your adenoids are glands located in your upper airway, just behind your nasal cavity. Part of your lymphatic and What are some interesting facts about adenoids? Adenoids have an important job for babies and young children. They help fight off germs until your child’s body develops another way to combat infections. Here are some interesting facts about adenoids: • Adenoids grow to their maximum size between ages 3 and 5. • Adenoids start to shrink by age 7 or 8. • By adulthood, they’re completely gone. Anatomy Where are your adenoids located? Your adenoids sit above your soft palate, directly behind your nasal passage. Unlike your tonsils, you can’t see your adenoids by looking at your throat. What do your adenoids look like? Your adenoids look like a pink patch of soft tissue. Some people describe the tissue mass as “cauliflower-like.” How big are your adenoids? The average size of a normal (non-enlarged) adenoid is 6.2 millimeters. The average size of an enlarged adenoid is 11.6 millimeters. (Adenoids can become enlarged due to infection, allergies or other irritants.) What are your adenoids made of? Your adenoids are made of lymphoid tissue — the same type of tissue that your lymph nodes are made of. Lymphoid tissue consists of connective tissue and white blood cells, especially lymphocytes. Lymphocytes ma...

What Are Adenoids? Adenoids are a patch of tissue that sits at the very back of the nasal passage. Like Adenoids (pronounced: AD-eh-noyds) do important work as infection fighters for babies and young children. But they become less important as we get older and the body develops other ways to fight What Are Enlarged Adenoids? Because adenoids trap germs that enter the body, adenoid tissue sometimes temporarily swells (becomes enlarged) as it tries to fight an infection. The swelling sometimes gets better. But sometimes, adenoids can get infected (this is called adenoiditis). If this happens a lot, a doctor might recommend they be removed. Often, tonsils and adenoids are surgically removed at the same time. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Enlarged Adenoids? Someone with enlarged adenoids might: • have trouble breathing through the nose • breathe through the mouth (which can lead to dry lips and mouth) • talk as if the nostrils are pinched • have noisy breathing ("Darth Vader" breathing) • have bad breath • stop breathing for a few seconds during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea), which can lead to snoring and disturbed sleep • have frequent or chronic (long-lasting) nose or • have ear infections, middle ear fluid, and hearing loss How Are Enlarged Adenoids Diagnosed? If your doctor thinks you have enlarged adenoids, he or she might: • ask you how things feel in your ears, nose, and throat, and then examine these areas • feel your neck near your jaw To get a really close look,...

A child’s adenoids can sometimes become swollen and, occasionally, infected. If enlarged adenoids cause sleeping or breathing difficulties, a doctor may recommend adenoid removal. In this article, we look at what adenoids are, the symptoms of their enlargement, and reasons for having them removed. We also explain the adenoid removal procedure, risks and possible complications, and recovery following surgery. Share on Pinterest Lorenzo Dominguez/Getty Images Adenoids are glands high up in the throat behind the nose and roof of the mouth. They are part of the body’s The adenoids catch germs in the nose before they can cause illness. However, these glands can become swollen as they fight off When this happens, the adenoids may enlarge and interfere with breathing and sleeping. They may also feel sore. Ongoing enlargement of the adenoids can block the If enlarged adenoids are causing symptoms, a doctor may initially try to treat the problem with medications or other treatments. If symptoms persist, the doctor may then recommend surgery to remove the adenoids. This surgery is called an adenoidectomy. Adenoids tend to be largest during early childhood, after which they begin to shrink. For most people, the adenoids become very small or disappear once they reach their teenage years. As a result, adenoid removal mostly occurs in young children. However, adults may occasionally require adenoid removal if there is a The doctor will take a child’s medical history into account before ...

Adenoids are a patch of tissue that sits at the very back of the nasal passage. Adenoids help keep the body healthy by trapping bacteria and viruses that enter our bodies through breathing or swallowing. Adenoids help fight infections for infants and young children but become less important as children grow and develop other ways to fight germs. Adenoids usually begin to shrink after about 5 years of age and often practically disappear by teen years. Signs and symptoms of enlarged adenoids may include: • Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea • Noisy breathing • Breathing through the mouth • Frequent or chronic ear infections • Frequent or chronic sinus infections • Bad breath Adenoids can swell up or become enlarged when fighting infections. Allergies can also cause them to enlarge. The swelling normally gets better on its own, but if it happens frequently, a healthcare provider may prescribe medication or recommend the adenoids be removed. Treatment An adenoidectomy is the surgical removal of the adenoids. It is one of the most common surgical procedures done one children, along with the removal of tonsils. An adenoidectomy is performed in an outpatient setting under general anesthesia. The surgery is done through the child’s open mouth with no cuts through the skin and no scars. The procedure usually takes about 20 – 30 minutes. Most children can go home the same day as the procedure. The typical recovery takes 10 – 14 days of mild discomfort and pain which may include sor...

undefined undefined / Getty Images A healthcare provider might recommend tonsil and adenoid removal if they become enlarged and inflamed, making breathing or swallowing difficult, or if you have multiple throat infections yearly. Tonsil and adenoid removal surgery (T&A) is often done during childhood, but it can also be performed on adults. One 2019 longitudinal study (a study that follows individuals over a period of time) involving 40 children under 3 years old found that children showed a significant decrease in antibodies (immune proteins) one month after surgery. However, there didn’t seem to be a negative effect on the immune system’s function. A review of 18 studies found How the removal of the tonsils or adenoids in childhood may affect allergies and respiratory health later in life is a much-studied topic of research, and controversies remain. One study found an increased risk of asthma (but not allergies) in people who had these operations at an early age. It’s possible to have enlarged tonsils without enlarged adenoids, and vice versa. Additionally, enlarged tonsils and adenoids are different from inflamed tonsils and adenoids. With inflammation due to a viral or bacterial infection, the inflammation and swelling are temporary. Home Remedies Swollen tonsils and adenoids often occur because of viruses for which there’s no treatment. The illness will usually go away on its own with rest and time. A healthcare provider will likely prescribe antibiotics for a bacter...