Adenoids that appear as small patches are located behind the nose and roof of your mouth. Unlike your tonsils, adenoids are not easy to locate or see without the help of instruments.
Like tonsils, adenoids act like a protective sponge by catching all the germs that are trying to enter your child’s throat and nose. Their role is more pronounced before the age of 5 years. They usually enlarge as your child suffers from more and more infections. After 5 years of age, they usually shrink in size. Enlarged adenoids and adenoiditis (infection of the adenoids) can cause symptoms in a child such as:
- Sore throat
- Runny nose or stuffy nose
- Feeling that your ears are plugged
- Sleep apnea (temporary cessation of breathing in sleep)
- Snoring
- Swelling of neck
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dry mouth and lips (due to breathing through mouth)
- Ear pain
- Bad breath
- Dentition problem
- Ear infection due to constant respiratory tract infection
How do doctors diagnose adenoid problems?
An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor specializes in treating problems of the adenoid. They will usually find out the location of the infection that is causing adenoiditis or adenoid enlargement. They may use an instrument with a mirror that allows them to look at your child’s adenoids. Additionally, they may order tests, such as:
- Blood tests to check if there is an infection
- X-ray of the head and neck to look if there is any swelling or growth
- Throat swabs to look for the exact microorganism that has caused the infection
- Polysomnogram (sleep study)
How are adenoid problems treated?
Initially, doctors prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications to get your child of the infection and pain. However, if antibiotics do not work in resolving your child’s problem or your child suffers from breathing problems due to the adenoids, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the adenoids. The surgical procedure is known as adenoidectomy. It is one of the most common surgeries performed in children and performed along with a tonsillectomy. Tonsillectomy is the surgery to remove the tonsils.
QUESTION
See AnswerWhat happens during an adenoidectomy?
The ENT surgeon is the one who performs the adenoidectomy. Before the surgery, your child will be administered general anesthesia that makes them sleep throughout the procedure. The surgeon will put the instruments through your child’s mouth to cut and remove the adenoids. The procedure does not require any incision and stitches. A few stitches may be put only on the place from where adenoids have been excised. The whole procedure takes anywhere between 20-30 minutes.
Your child may be discharged on the same day after observation of 4-5 hours or the next day after an overnight stay.
How long does it take to recover from adenoidectomy?
Usually, it takes less than a week for your child to recover from the adenoidectomy. The adenoids also heal on their own. There is mild pain or discomfort for a few days. Your child may also experience sore throat, runny nose, and bad breath for a few days, which is normal.
Here are a few tips to care for your child after the surgery:
- You can encourage your child to have plenty of fluids soon after they recover from the anesthesia.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier if your child suffers from a stuffy nose after the surgery.
- Do not allow your child to play sports until the doctor advises to do so.
- Discourage your child from blowing their nose for 1-2 weeks after the surgery.
McClay JE. Adenoidectomy. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/872216-overview
Top What Are the Symptoms of Adenoid Problems? Related Articles
What Are 7 Home Remedies To Kill a Sore Throat Fast?
Learn what's causing your sore throat, home remedies that can provide relief fast, and what other treatments can help to relieve your symptoms.Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Home Remedies for Sore Throat
Several home remedies may cure pain and other symptoms associated with a sore throat. However, it is imperative to note that these are not effective against bacterial infections, such as strep throat.How Do I Know If My Sore Throat Is Viral or Bacterial?
It's seldom easy to tell the difference between bacterial and viral sore throats. Find out what the differences are and learn some tips for telling them apart. A sore throat is irritation and scratchiness in the throat accompanied by pain that often worsens with swallowing. The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection. Rarely, a bacterial infection can cause a sore throat. Antibiotics cannot treat a sore throat if it is caused by a viral infection. Viruses cause about 90% of sore throats; hence, antibiotics should not be used immediately as treatment for a sore throat. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics such as penicillin if a sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection.Sore Throat Home Remedies
Natural and home remedies for sore throat symptoms and pain relief include essential oils, licorice gargles, slippery elm leaves, raw garlic, Throat Coat tea, sage, and acupuncture. Typical symptoms of a sore throat include throat pain, coughing, sneezing, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Sore throats are caused by viral (common cold, flu, mumps), bacterial (tonsillitis, some STDs), toxins, allergens, trauma or injury, or "mechanical causes" (breathing through the mouth).Sore Throat or Strep Throat? How to Tell the Difference
Is this a sore throat or could it be strep throat? Explore the causes of a sore throat, including strep throat, and learn how to find relief from that raw, scratchy throat pain.