Adenoids are small lymph glands at the back of the nose. When inflamed or swollen the adenoids block the air flow through the nose, resulting in a stuffy nose with difficulty in breathing and snoring. The illness occurs often more common in children. Like the tonsils they help to catch the germs before they go further down the respiratory tract.
Adenoiditis is inflammation (swelling) of the Adenoids.
The adenoids are lymph nodes in the back of the nose and above the throat. They normally help to filter out bacteria and other microorganisms to prevent infection in the nose and throat area.
They may become so overwhelmed by bacterial or viral infection that they swell and become inflamed, causing Adenoiditis.
Enlarged adenoids can cause blockage of the eustachian tubes and posterior openings of the nose.
1.Viral or bacterial infections
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The herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, and the measles virus cause most cases of acute Adenoiditis.
Bacteria cause 15-30 percent of Adenoiditis cases.
Streptococcus pyogenes is the most common bacteria causing acute Adenoiditis.
2.low immunity factors
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Unbalanced or insufficient food diet,
Unhygienic lifestyle
Inadequate rest or sleep
3. Allergy
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dustmites,
pollens
Adenoiditis most often occurs in children but rarely occurs in children younger than two years.
It is occasionally found in young adults.
The Symptoms of Adenoiditis are:
Blocked nose
mouth breathing
nasal speech
runny nose
Snoring at night
Ear blockage(eustachian tube blockage)
Ear pain(otitis media)
Pain in the cheeks(maxillary sinusitis) or above the eye(frontal sinusitis)
Headache
Fever, chills
Lethargy and malaise are common.
These symptoms usually resolve in three to four days but may last up to two weeks despite therapy.
An ear nose and throat specialist will be able to put a endoscope through the nasal passage to see the enlarged and inflamed adenoids.
1.If the cause of the Adenoiditis is bacteria such as streptococcus, antibiotics are given to cure the infection.
The antibiotics may need to be taken for 10 days by mouth.
They must not be stopped just because the discomfort stops, or the infection will NOT be cured.
2.Rest to allow the body to heal.
3. Fluids especially warm (not hot), bland fluids or very cold fluids may soothe the nose and throat.
Hospitalization may be required in severe cases, particularly when there is airway obstruction.
When the condition is chronic or recurrent, a surgical procedure to remove the Adenoids(Adenoidectomy) is often recommended.
Adenoiditis symptoms usually lessen in 2 or 3 days after treatment starts.
The infection usually is cured by then, but may require more than one course of antibiotics.
A Adenoidectomy may be recommended if Adenoiditis is severe, recurrent, or does not respond to antibiotics.
1.Complications of untreated strep Adenoiditis with tonsillitis may be severe:
Rheumatic fever and subsequent cardiovascular disorders
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis followed by kidney failure
2.Ear pain from otitis media
3.Blocked airway from enlarged Adenoids
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