Enlarged adenoids refers to swollen lymphatic tissue that is found in the airway between your nose and the back of your throat. The tissue is similar to the tonsils.
Alternative NamesAdenoids - enlarged
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsEnlargement of the adenoids may occur naturally (beginning when the baby grows in the womb), or it may be caused by long-term inflammation. The adenoids normally shrink as children reach adolescence.
SymptomsThe adenoids cannot be seen by looking in the mouth directly, but can be seen with a special mirror or using a flexible endoscope through the nose.
Tests may include:
Antibiotics may be used to treat tonsil, adenoid, and sinus infections when they occur.
Surgery to remove the adenoids (adenoidectomy) may relieve symptoms or prevent complications in those with frequent ear or sinus infections or fluid behind the ears. It may also be done when ear tubes have not successfully reduced infections.
Expectations (prognosis)Full recovery is expected.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if your child has difficulty breathing through the nose or other symptoms of enlarged adenoids.
PreventionTreating throat infections early may prevent the adenoids from becoming enlarged from long-term infection and inflammation. Removing the adenoids prevents long-term airway blockage.
ReferencesWetmore RF. Tonsils and adenoids. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 380.
Enlarged adenoids is swelling of the lymph tissue found in the airway between your nose and the back of your throat. The tissue is similar to the tonsils.
Alternative NamesAdenoids - enlarged
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsEnlarged adenoids may be a natural occurrence, beginning when the baby grows in the womb.
Long-term inflammation can also lead to englarged adenoids.
The adenoids normally shrink as a child grows older.
SymptomsThe adenoids cannot be seen by looking in the mouth directly, but can be seen with a special mirror or using a flexible endoscope through the nose.
Tests may include:
Antibiotics may be used to treat tonsil, adenoid, and sinus infections when they occur.
Surgery to remove the adenoids (adenoidectomy) may relieve symptoms or prevent complications in those with frequent ear or sinus infections or fluid behind the ears. It may also be done when ear tubes have not successfully reduced infections.
Expectations (prognosis)Full recovery is expected.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if your child has difficulty breathing through the nose or other symptoms of enlarged adenoids.
PreventionTreating throat infections early may prevent the adenoids from becoming enlarged from long-term infection and inflammation. Removing the adenoids prevents long-term airway blockage.
ReferencesWetmore RF. Tonsils and adenoids. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 380.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/12/2010
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Maybe your child snores a lot. Maybe your child gets a lot of ear infections or has a lot of sore throats. There's a good chance your child has a problem with his adenoids. Let's talk about enlarged adenoids.
The adenoids are glands located between the airway your child breathes into through their nose and the back of your child's throat. Like your child's tonsils, the adenoids can often become swollen. This may happen if the adenoids grow too large, instead of shrinking as your child gets older. If the adenoids continue to grow, your child may have bad breath, cracked lips, and a dry mouth. Your child might breathe a lot through his mouth. That's because his airway can become blocked, and he may have trouble breathing through his nose. Your child may even stop breathing at times during sleep.
Your child's doctor will use a special mirror to see if the adenoids are swollen. Your child may also need an x-ray.
Your child's doctor may try to treat the chronic swelling with medications such as antibiotics. If that doesn't work, your child may need surgery to remove the adenoids.
If your child needs surgery, he will be given general anesthesia and be asleep and unable to feel pain. The surgeon will prop your child's mouth open with a small instrument, then remove the adenoid glands, while probably removing the tonsils at the same time. Your child will probably go home the same day as surgery.
Surgery to remove the adenoids, called an adenoidectomy, is one of the most common reasons children have surgery. But surgery doesn't have to be all bad. Your child can look forward to a steady diet of pudding, ice cream, and other soft and fun foods, until they feel better. And hopefully your child can look forward to fewer sore throats and ear infections, and more normal breathing, in the future.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 10/25/2011
Alan Greene, MD, Author and Practicing Pediatrician; also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Teeth grinding in children has nothing to do with having enlarged adenoids and tonsils. If a child is grinding their teeth, it is simply a bad habit.
Yes, enlarged adenoids can lead to a nasal quality in speech, as they can obstruct the airway and affect the sound resonance. In some cases, adenoids can also cause speech difficulties such as nasal congestion or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. Treatment for enlarged adenoids may help improve speech in these cases.
yes
Normally the adenoids, like the palatine tonsils located on either side of the throat, help prevent infection in the surrounding tissues. However, when they become enlarged they interfere with normal breathing and sometimes with hearing. When severely enlarged, adenoids can affect normal dental development, resulting in an alteration of facial expression. Infection of the adenoids is common, the symptoms resembling those of tonsillitis, with which it is frequently associated. Surgical removal of the adenoids is advisable when enlargement and repeated infection interfere with development and health.Source: Answers.com
Normally the adenoids, like the palatine tonsils located on either side of the throat, help prevent infection in the surrounding tissues. However, when they become enlarged they interfere with normal breathing and sometimes with hearing. When severely enlarged, adenoids can affect normal dental development, resulting in an alteration of facial expression. Infection of the adenoids is common, the symptoms resembling those of tonsillitis, with which it is frequently associated. Surgical removal of the adenoids is advisable when enlargement and repeated infection interfere with development and health.Source: Answers.com
"Adeno" refers to the adenoids, and "adenoidosis" is inflamation of the adenoids (either of two abnormally enlarged masses of lymphoid tissue at the back of the pharynx that usually obstruct the nasal and ear passages). So I believe "adenotonisillitis" would be tonsillitis with the adenoids infected, too, which can be very painful.
alteration of facial growth because of enlarged adenoids, upper airway obstruction, development of an irregular bite, difficult speech or swallowing
A dog does have adenoids. When the adenoids in dogs become a problem; such as snoring and chronic throat infections, the adenoids can be removed.
John Kynaston has written: 'Adenoids and enlarged tonsils curable without operation' -- subject(s): Adenoids, Adenoidectomy, Tonsils, Tonsillitis, Tonsillectomy 'The case of Lieut. John Kynaston, late of Col. Newton's Regiment of Dragoons, as far as it concerns the Board of General Officers; ..'
The adenoids are located in the nasopharynx.
Adenoiditis is inflammation of the adenoids.
Adenoids