Adenoid - what is it? We will voice the answer to the question in the article presented below. You will also learn about why such formations become inflamed and how they are removed.
basic information
So, let's talk about adenoid. What is this, you can understand by analyzing the etymology of the word. The medical term is of Greek origin. It consists of two syllables, which translate as “iron” and “view”. Adenoid - what is it? This is a nasopharyngeal or pharyngeal tonsil, which is pathologically enlarged. With inflammation, it reduces hearing, causes difficulty in nasal breathing, and also contributes to other disorders. What causes the growth of the tonsils? This is due to hyperplasia of its lymphoid tissue.
Where is it located?
The pharyngeal tonsil is located in the nasopharynx. Together with the tubal, lingual and palatine formations, it is part of the pharyngeal lymphadenoid ring. During a routine examination of the patient, this tonsil is not visible. To observe it (in a healthy state), special tools are required. As for the adenoids, they can be seen with the naked eye. Such pathologically enlarged tonsils are very common in children aged 3 to 7 years.
Causes of inflammation
We consider further the adenoid. What it is has been explained above. Now let's try to answer another question. Why are the pharyngeal tonsils inflamed? Experts say that adenoid can be an independent disease, or be combined with inflammatory processes that occur at the level of the oropharynx and nasal cavity. Thus, it can be safely noted that there are a great many reasons for the appearance of this ailment. To determine them, it is necessary first of all to identify the pathological processes that occur in the mother during pregnancy. In addition, the presence of birth injuries should be excluded, which contributed to the development of the disease.
As you know, in the first trimester of pregnancy there is not only a bookmark, but also the formation of all internal organs of the fetus. The infection that appeared at this time quite easily leads to abnormalities in the development of the fetus, including the appearance of adenoids. By the way, uncontrolled intake of harmful drugs in the process of bearing a child is also a negative factor in the occurrence of pathologically enlarged pharyngeal tonsils.
As for childbirth, this is a natural physiological process, which is also associated with the risk of injury to the fetus, especially its head. With skull injuries or a long delay in the genital tract, the child does not receive the oxygen he needs. As a result, he is born weakened. The baby becomes susceptible to respiratory tract infections, which can lead to tonsil enlargement.
Other reasons
Why are adenoids inflamed in the nose and oropharynx? Such a pathology can develop in the process of growing up a child (from 3 years old to adolescence). This is due to many different reasons. For example, due to sore throat, laryngitis, sinusitis and other sores. Adenoids in the nose and oropharynx can also become inflamed in people who are prone to allergies. This disease is often the result of lymphatic diathesis and chronic colds. By the way, the latter lead to inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils most often. This is due to the fact that they are the first immune organs that stand directly in the path of infection.
How to remove adenoids? This question is of interest to many people who are somehow affected by the issue in question. The fact is that, when inflamed, the pharyngeal tonsils increase, as a result of which their normal structure noticeably changes. Growing, they gradually close the path into the nasopharynx cavity, which entails serious consequences.
Symptoms of the disease
What do grade 3 adenoids look like? Experts say that such a disease does not develop in one day. This is a rather protracted chronic process. Adenoids increase gradually. Having reached large sizes, they have a pronounced adverse effect on the whole organism of the patient. In the clinical picture of this disease, several symptoms are conditionally distinguished.
Common symptoms
Grade 3 adenoids are manifested by the fact that during the increase they cause a noticeable lack of oxygen during breathing. If the pharyngeal tonsils are inflamed in children, then the child begins to quickly get tired, and also lingers in mental and physical development. In addition, the baby's memory abilities decrease, increased drowsiness appears. Such children, especially small ones, are irritable and very tearful.
Local symptoms
Local signs of adenoids include disorders that occur due to their proliferation (that is, impaired auditory and respiratory functions). Thus, the following phenomena can be safely attributed to the symptoms of this disease:
- It becomes difficult for a person to breathe through the nose. People can clearly see how the patient breathes with his mouth open.
- After difficulty in nasal breathing, the patient develops night snoring or light snoring.
- If an infection has joined the adenoids, then the patient shows signs of inflammation of the nasopharynx and nose. For example, rhinitis.
- Enlarged pharyngeal tonsils can greatly block the lumen of the canal connecting the ear cavity to the oral cavity. As a result, a person does not have very severe hearing loss.
- A lowered voice and nasal tones appear when the adenoids have almost completely closed the exit from the nasal cavity.
It should be noted that the disease in question often forms an adenoid type of the facial skeleton. How does this happen? Constant nasal congestion and a very long open mouth when breathing create conditions that cause a special expression on the face. In children with such a diagnosis, the facial skeleton is gradually extended, and the nasal passages and upper jaw are narrowed. In this case, malocclusion appears, since complete closure of the lips does not occur. In the event that in childhood the pathology was not found or the appropriate measures were not taken, then the indicated skeleton deformation remains for life.
Diagnostics
Are adenoids removed? Surgery is a fairly common method, thanks to which you can get rid of sore throat tonsils. However, before this, you should definitely consult a doctor to make the correct diagnosis.
Diagnose this disease in the following ways:
- Finger examination. The specialist tentatively assesses the degree of adenoid enlargement and the state of the nasopharynx (by introducing the index finger into the mouth).
- Back rhinoscopy. This method allows you to examine the nasopharyngeal cavity with a small mirror.
- Endoscopic method. This is perhaps the most informative method for diagnosing adenoids. A special device is used to examine the nasopharynx and oropharynx. It is called an endoscope. It allows not only painlessly and quickly to make the correct diagnosis, but also to identify concomitant pathological changes.
How to treat adenoids without surgery?
A conservative method of treating such a pathology involves the use of special medical devices. As a rule, they are used at the very beginning of the development of the disease. When deciding on the choice of this method, the following should be considered:
- The degree of enlargement of the glands (1-2 degrees).
- No signs of chronic inflammation.
- Lack of functional disorders of the gland.
The drugs that are used to treat adenoids include:
- Antihistamines. For example, Pipolfen, Diazolin, Diphenhydramine, Suprastin.
- Local antiseptic drugs.
- Multivitamin complexes.
- Physiotherapeutic procedures, ultrasonic currents, warming up.
Surgical method
If it is impossible to use the conservative method, doctors resort to surgical intervention. How to remove adenoids? Before the operation, a special examination of the patient is performed in order to prevent the occurrence of side effects. Adenotomy is performed under local anesthesia or under short-term general anesthesia. The operation is done using a special device called an adenot. Is a laser used to remove enlarged pharyngeal tonsils? Adenoids are very rarely excised through such equipment. By the way, such a procedure is also expensive.
The operation to remove adenoids is simple. Therefore, in the absence of complications, the patient can be released home after a few hours. In this case, the patient needs bed rest for 2 days and a diet. By the way, food should be non-hot and consumed in pureed form.