Adenoids
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Adenoids are small lumps of tissue that are located at the back of the throat above the tonsils. Adenoids cannot be seen when you open your mouth but can be seen when the doctor exams you. They start to grow from birth and commonly affect babies and children; this is because they form part of the immune system of babies and children, helping to trap germs, fight off infection, bacteria and viruses. As the child grows older, adenoids start to shrink and eventually disappear by the time a person hits adulthood.
When adenoids are infected by bacteria that enters the body through the nose and mouth, they swell up as a result of trapping the bacteria. The swelling helps them fight off the infection but also causes sleeping problems, difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Common signs and symptoms
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- Coughing
- A runny nose
- Frequent ear infections
- A blocked or stuffy nose
- Sore throats
- Dry mouth
- Bad breath
- Snoring
Enlarged adenoids are usually a sign of an infection but may also remain enlarged even when they are not infected.
Adenoid Diagnosis
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When your child experiences any of the above symptoms; or any difficulty breathing, swallowing, or a runny nose, consult a doctor and have your child examined. There is a lot that goes into diagnosing enlarged adenoids. The doctor will check the abnormality of the enlarged adenoids by conducting a nose, ear and throat inspection to get an accurate diagnosis. He or she may advice you whether or not the adenoids need to be removed or not.
Treatment
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After the check-up, the doctor will either prescribe antibiotics or a nasal spray to ease the pain if he or she does not see the need to surgically remove the adenoids or will advise that surgery be conducted. There is however a high possibility of adenoid re-growth after they have been removed.
The removal of adenoids in children is called adenoidectomy. This procedure is done when the child’s adenoids are enlarged from constant infections and as a result, is interfering with the child’s breathing especially at night when they are sleeping resulting in restlessness. Having adenoids removed helps with the child’s breathing and reduces ear infections.
During the operation, the child will be closely monitored; the doctor will give the child general anesthetic to help him/her sleep during the procedure which usually lasts for 20 to 45 minutes and thereafter the child can go home; this is usually the same day. Little pain will be felt after the operation but the parents will have to monitor this.
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