Adenoid: what is it, symptoms, treatment, removal

Adenoid - what is it? The answer to this question will be announced in the article presented below. Also, you will find out why such formations are inflamed and how they are removed.

basic information

So, let's talk about the adenoid. What this, you can understand by analyzing the etymology of the word. The medical term is of Greek origin. It consists of two syllables, which are translated as "iron" and "form". Adenoid - what is it? It 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 explained by the hyperplasia of her lymphoid tissue.

Where is it located?

The pharyngeal tonsil is in the nasopharynx arch. Together with the tubal, lingual and palatine formations, it is part of the pharyngeal lymphadenoid ring. At usual survey of the patient this tonsil is not visible. To observe it (in a healthy state), special tools are required. As for the adenoids, they are visible to the naked eye. Such pathologically enlarged tonsils are very common in children aged 3 to 7 years.

Causes of inflammation

Consider further adenoid. What it is, has been explained above. Now let's try to answer another question. Why do the pharyngeal tonsils become inflamed? Experts argue that the adenoid can represent both an independent disease, and be combined with inflammatory processes occurring at the level of the oropharynx and nasal cavity. Thus, it can be safely noted that there are a great number of causes that cause the appearance of this ailment. To determine them, it is necessary to first 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 the internal organs of the fetus. The infection that appeared at this time, quite easily leads to abnormalities of fetal development, including the emergence of adenoids. By the way, uncontrolled intake of harmful drugs in the process of bearing a child is also a negative factor in the appearance of a pathologically enlarged pharyngeal tonsil.

As for the birth, this is a natural physiological process, which is also associated with the risk of fetal injury, especially its head. If the skull is damaged or if a prolonged delay in the genital tract occurs, the child is not receiving enough oxygen. As a result, he is born weakened. The baby becomes susceptible to respiratory tract infections, which can lead to an increase in tonsils.

Other reasons

Why inflamed adenoids in the nose and oropharynx? This pathology can develop in the process of growing a child (from 3 years to adolescence). This is due to a variety of different reasons. For example, because of angina, laryngitis, sinusitis and other sores. Also, adenoids in the nose and oropharynx can become inflamed in people who are predisposed to allergies. This disease is often a consequence 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 represent the first immune organs that stand directly in the path of infection.

How do you remove adenoids? This question is of interest to many people who are affected in one way or another by the problem in question. The fact is that, inflamed, pharyngeal tonsils increase, as a result of which their normal structure significantly changes. Growing up, they gradually close their way into the cavity of the nasopharynx, which entails serious consequences.

Symptoms of the disease

What are the adenoids of the third degree? Experts argue that such a disease does not develop in one day. This is a rather protracted chronic process. Adenoids increase gradually. Having reached a large size, they have a pronounced adverse effect on the entire body of the patient. In the clinical picture of this disease, several symptoms are conventionally isolated.

General features

Adenoids of the 3rd degree are manifested in the fact that in the process of increase they cause a noticeable lack of oxygen during respiration. If pharyngeal tonsils are inflamed in children, then the child starts to get tired quickly, and also lingers in mental and physical development. In addition, the baby's memory capacity decreases, there is increased drowsiness. Such children, especially small children, are irritable and very whiny.

Local Symptoms

The local signs of adenoids include disorders that arise due to their proliferation (that is, a violation of auditory and respiratory functions). Thus, the following symptoms can be safely attributed to the symptoms of this disease:

• It becomes difficult for a person to breathe through the nose. The surrounding people can clearly see how the patient breathes with his mouth open.
• After a difficult nasal breathing, the patient develops a night snore or an easy snoring.
• If an infection has joined the adenoids, the patient shows signs of inflammation of the nasopharynx and nose. For example, rhinitis.
• The enlarged pharyngeal tonsils can strongly cover the lumen of the canal connecting the ear cavity with the oral cavity. As a result, a person does not have a very severe hearing loss.
• Reduced voice and nasal tone appear in those cases if the adenoids almost completely closed the exit from the nasal cavity.

It should also be noted that the disease under consideration often forms an adenoid type of the facial skeleton. How does this happen? Constant nasal congestion and a very long open mouth during breathing create conditions that cause a special facial expression. In children who have this diagnosis, the facial skeleton is gradually extended, and the nasal passages and upper jaw narrows. At the same time, an occlusion deformation occurs, since there is no complete closure of the lips. In the event that in childhood the pathology is not detected or taken appropriate measures, then this deformation of the skeleton remains for life.

Diagnostics

Are the adenoids removed? Operation is a fairly common method, thanks to which you can get rid of the inflamed pharyngeal tonsils. However, before this, you should always contact the doctor for the correct diagnosis.

Diagnose this disease in the following ways:

• Finger research. The specialist tentatively estimates the degree of adenoid enlargement and the condition of the nasopharynx (by inserting the index finger into his mouth).
• Rear Rhinoscopy. This method allows you to examine the nasopharynx cavity with a small mirror.
• Endoscopic method. This is perhaps the most informative method of diagnosing adenoids. To inspect the nasal and oropharynx use a special device. It is called an endoscope. It allows not only to painlessly and quickly put the correct diagnosis, but also to identify the associated 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 applied at the very beginning of the development of the disease. When deciding on the choice of this method, consider the following:

• The degree of increase in glands (1-2 degrees).
• Absence of signs of chronic inflammation.
• Absence of functional disorders of the gland.

The drugs that are used to treat adenoids include:

1. Antihistamines. For example, "Pipolphen", "Diazolin", "Dimedrol", "Suprastin".
2. Local antiseptic medicines.
3. Polyvitaminic complexes.
4. Physiotherapeutic procedures, ultrasonic currents, heating.

Surgical method

If it is impossible to use a conservative method, doctors resort to prompt intervention. How do you remove adenoids? Before the operation begins, a special examination of the patient is made to prevent the occurrence of side effects. Adenotomy is performed under local anesthesia or under short-term general anesthesia. The operation is done with a special device called adenotom. Is the laser used to remove enlarged pharyngeal tonsils? Adenoids by means of such equipment are rarely excised. By the way, this procedure is also expensive.

The operation to remove adenoids is simple. Therefore, in the absence of complications, the patient can be released home within a few hours. In this case, the patient requires a bed rest for 2 days and a diet. By the way, the food should be non-corrosive and used in a wipe form.