Adenoids

Adenoids are masses of protective lymphoid tissue located in the lining of the nasopharynx. Like the tonsils located below them, the adenoids (technically known as the nasopharyngeal tonsils) are lymph nodes containing the specialized white blood cells that help localize and destroy harmful bacteria and viruses. The adenoids provide an important defense against diseases of the respiratory system.

Enlarged Adenoids

It is normal for the adenoids to become enlarged during throat infections, just as the tonsils do, and then to diminish in size after the infection has passed. Sometimes, however, as a result of continuing infection or of allergies, the adenoids remain enlarged. The resulting obstruction of the nasal passage may cause the characteristic "nasal" voice, mouth breathing, and continuing drainage of pus-filled mucus down the throat.

It may also cause a blockage of the eustachian tubes, which connect the throat to the ears, resulting in retention of fluid in the middle ear, impaired hearing, earache, and recurring ear infections.

Treatment

Antibiotics are used to treat infection of the adenoids. Surgery may be recommended when the infected or enlarged adenoids themselves are the source of the disease (usually the tonsils beneath them are infected as well and are removed in the same operation). This would be the case if recurrent or continuing infection of the adenoids could not be eliminated with antibiotic medications, if the adenoids caused repeated ear infections, or if cancer or an abscess (a mass of pus in a cavity) was present.

Surgical removal of the adenoids may also be recommended if chronically infected adenoids increase susceptibility to a serious condition, such as rheumatic fever or nephritis (a kidney disease). Surgery is generally not performed during an acute attack of tonsillitis, however, because it actually may worsen the infection. Surgery is also not recommended to prevent snoring, mouth breathing, or the nasal voice caused by enlarged adenoids because the enlargement usually diminishes after childhood.

Prevention

Adenoid infection and enlargement cannot always be prevented. In fact, enlarging in order to trap and fight infectious organisms is a normal function of the adenoids. Good general health measures can help, however, as can the use of antibiotics prescribed by a physician when the adenoids become infected and enlarged.



This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.