Adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove the adenoids. Adenoids are lymphoid tissue located behind the nose in the upper part of the throat. As with tonsils, the adenoids can also become swollen and infected. This condition is known as adenoiditis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adenoid infections often affect children, but are nearly unheard of in adults; this is because the tissues begin to shrink around the age of 5 or 6, and disappear completely in most people by the time they reach their teens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virtually any virus or bacteria can cause an infection of the\u00a0adenoids. Symptoms of adenoiditis are cold-like in nature, and include sore throat, stuffy nose, swollen neck glands, earache, mouth breathing, snoring and difficulty sleeping. A person with adenoiditis will often have nasally speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because symptoms closely mirror those of other conditions, an in-depth examination is necessary in order to properly diagnose adenoiditis. Your child\u2019s doctor will examine the ears, nose and throat, and check for swollen lymph nodes in the neck. X-rays may be ordered because the adenoids are often difficult to observe visually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the cause of adenoiditis is viral in nature, it should run its course in a matter of days. Symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter medications (antihistamines, decongestants, pain relievers), fluids and rest. If a bacterial infection is to blame, antibiotics are the usual method of treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n