Adenoids: symptoms in adults, causes and treatment with medication and folk remedies

For a long time, it was believed that adenoids grow only in childhood. Today, doctors say that pathology is not only found in children. An increasingly similar condition is diagnosed in the adult population. So, let’s consider what “mature” adenoids are, symptoms in adults and methods of their treatment will also be described in the review.

Pathology characteristic

Initially, let's talk about what is adenoiditis. Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment of pathology are quite similar to the "childhood" ailment. However, they have their own characteristics.

Adenoids in adults are lymphoid tissue that surrounds the nasopharynx. This is a protective barrier to the immune system. Adenoids have the ability to grow. In this case, they become a favorable environment for the accumulation of viruses, fungi, microbes.

Enlarged adenoids are no longer able to clean and moisturize the inhaled air. As a result, it freely enters the respiratory tract, taking with it all the harmful microorganisms. In addition, the flow of air into the lungs is quite difficult. Indeed, overgrown adenoids stand in his way. Symptoms in adults, according to which pathology can be suspected, more precisely, the main symptom is difficulty breathing.

As a rule, adenoids grow up to 12 years. Then they begin to decrease. And by the age of 16-20 they simply atrophy. However, this process is not observed in all people. Unfortunately, statistics claim that adenoids are often found in adults.

Symptoms, causes, treatment of this pathology require careful study. Let us dwell on them.

Causes of occurrence

What triggers the pathology, or why do the symptoms appear (later we will consider what signs are characterized by adenoids in the nose in adults)?

The reasons can be hidden in a variety of factors, including genetic features.

Most often, the following reasons lead to the development of pathology:

1. Diseases of the nasopharynx of an inflammatory nature, having a long course. Lymphoid tissue delays the infection. If the disease passes quickly, then the tonsil decreases naturally. But if the disease is delayed, then under the influence of infection, it begins to become chronic.
2. Infectious pathologies. Quite often, adenoids increase in size after past pathologies: whooping cough, measles, flu, scarlet fever.

Characteristic signs

Now we will consider how the grown adenoids in the nose in adults make themselves felt. Symptoms of pathology are practically no different from the clinical manifestations of the disease in children.

The following conditions are characteristic of adenoiditis:

1. Disturbed nasal breathing. This is the main symptom of pathology.
2. Isolation from the nasal cavity of profuse purulent secretion during a cold.
3. Headache. Adenoids interfere with the free flow of air into the body. Adult symptoms, such as headache and dizziness, indicate brain hypoxia.
4. Stuffy ears. With a large increase in lymphoid tissue, it is possible to close the auditory tube. This can lead to hearing loss.
5. Voice change. He becomes nasal and rude.
6. Cough, snoring. Such phenomena often torment an adult at night.

Degrees of pathology

Doctors distinguish several stages that characterize such an ailment as adenoids in adults. Symptoms and treatment are directly dependent on the form of the disease.

There are 3 degrees of the disease:

1. Lymphoid tissue is just beginning to grow. Therefore, the patient breathes freely through the nose throughout the day. But in a horizontal position, during sleep, the volume of adenoids increases somewhat as a result of a rush of blood, and air penetration is difficult. Therefore, the patient begins to breathe through the mouth.
2. The proliferation of adenoids progresses. The patient breathes through his mouth already in the daytime. During sleep, snoring is often observed.
3. A severe degree in which adenoids almost completely block the flow of air into the respiratory throat from the nasal cavity. The patient breathes exclusively through the mouth. Very often, at this stage of the disease, complications are noted. Typically, hearing loss and impaired speech are diagnosed.

Pathology diagnostics

How to identify overgrown adenoids? Symptoms in adults above are a serious reason to consult an otolaryngologist.

In the recent past, diagnosing this problem was difficult. After all, doctors did not have the necessary equipment. And the structure of the nasopharynx of an adult is such that the area in which the adenoids are located becomes almost inaccessible.

A major breakthrough in this area was made after the invention of new endoscopic methods. The procedure is performed with anesthesia. The doctor gets the opportunity to carefully examine the nasopharynx and make a diagnosis. Indeed, not only adenoids can “grow” in an adult. Sometimes cysts, polyps, tumors are diagnosed.

For the correct diagnosis, the doctor makes a biopsy. A small piece of overgrown tissue is examined at the cellular level. And only by biopsy the diagnosis is made and appropriate treatment is prescribed.

The endoscopic method confirmed the magnitude of the pathology. According to statistics, overgrown adenoids are detected in almost 30% of the adult population.

Drug treatment

Conservative therapy is effective only with 1 degree of growth. But remember that a doctor should prescribe medication .

The following agents are included in the treatment regimen:

1. Vasoconstrictor drugs. Often recommend drops: "Sanorin", "Naphthyzinum", "Nazivinum".
2. Solutions for washing. This procedure is a mandatory measure if adenoids are found in adults. Unpleasant treatment (washing) allows you to reduce puffiness, relieve inflammation and provide air access to the tissues. Recommended preparations for the event: Aqualor, Aquamaris, Dolphin. An excellent effect will provide a solution of furatsilina, a decoction of chamomile.
3. Drying drops. After the washing procedure, it is necessary to drip the nose with one of the following medicines: Protargol, Collargol.
4. Antiseptic Sprays. Medicines “Ingalipt”, “Miramistin” can be prescribed.
5. Immunity stimulants. The therapy includes drugs: IRS-19, Imudon. For general strengthening of immunity, medications are recommended: Bronchomunal, Ribomunil.
6. Antiallergic drugs. Local remedies are often recommended: Cromoglin, Cromohexal. They can prescribe medications for oral administration: “Loratodin”, “Zodak”, “Zirtek”.
7. Antibiotics. They enter treatment only in case of exacerbation of adenoiditis. Prescribe the drug after backside from the nasal cavity. Effective antibiotics are selected depending on the particular pathogen.

Surgical treatment

Pathology 2, 3 degrees requires surgical intervention. Today, such operations are quite simple and less traumatic.

For such treatment, endoscopic equipment is used. This allows you to accurately remove all the overgrown tissue, since even a small part remaining after an adenotomy can lead to relapse. And in this case, unpleasant symptoms very quickly return to the patient.

After the operation, the patient remains in the hospital, as a rule, for 1 day. During this period, complications such as nosebleeds may occur. After discharge, the patient is recommended a certain diet and rest. For 1 week, it is advisable to eat exclusively warm liquid food. It is necessary to limit yourself from physical labor, various kinds of overloads, visiting the sauna. You should not sunbathe at this time.

Alternative treatment

This therapy is quite effective. However, before using it, do not forget to consult a doctor.

Treatment of adenoids with folk remedies in children and adults:

1. Sea salt. This tool is recognized as quite effective in the fight against pathology. Use salt for washing. It is necessary to part 2 tsp. her in a glass of boiled water, according to the instructions. Flushing the nasal passages is recommended 2 times a day.
2. Natural celandine. Grass is an excellent treatment for adenoids. It is necessary to chop the crushed raw materials (2 tbsp. L.) With boiling water (1 tbsp.). The mixture is kept in a water bath for half an hour. Then you should insist the broth for 20 minutes. Strain. A couple of tablespoons of melted pork fat are added to the resulting preparation. The mixture is placed for 1 hour in the oven. The composition should completely thicken. The product is perfectly stored in the refrigerator. It is recommended to soak cotton balls in the “medicine” and insert into the nasal passages for 5 minutes. Such an event should be held daily. Adenoids under the influence of this remedy are reversible. In addition, the "medicine" stimulates the immune system.
3. Thuja oil. It is considered a powerful tool in the treatment of adenoids. After all, the oil has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictive, antimicrobial, immunostimulating effects. It allows you to normalize the basic processes in the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract and nasopharynx. Oil perfectly eliminates edema, destroys viruses and pathogenic bacteria. It allows you to normalize the secretion of mucus. It is recommended for 2 weeks daily, before going to bed, to instill oil in the nasal passages. Then you should take a 7-day break and repeat the course.

Important recommendation

If surgical intervention remains the only way to combat adenoids, you should be aware that conservative treatment is always necessary before the operation. This avoids unpleasant complications in the future.