Adenoiditis: symptoms, causes and treatment

What is adenoiditis

Adenoiditis is inflammation and infection that occurs in adenoids. Adenoids are a collection of lymphatic tissues and are located in the throat (pharynx), precisely behind the nose.

Together with the tonsils (tonsils), adenoids work as filters that protect the body from bacteria and viruses that enter through the nose and mouth. Adenoids can only be seen with special tools. The size of the adenoids will increase in size until the child is 6 years old, which then gradually shrinks.

Adenoids will usually stop changing size when your child is 16 years old. Therefore, this condition is more commonly found in children. Cases of occurrence in adults are very rare.

The main job of adenoids is to fight bacteria and viruses. That is why, these glands can become overwhelmed and become infected, resulting in inflammation or adenoiditis.

How common is adenoiditis?

Adenoiditis is a fairly common condition. The incidence of cases is mostly found in pediatric patients. This is because the adenoid glands in children still change in size.

However, it does not rule out that adenoid inflammation can occur in adults.

Symptoms of adenoiditis

Adenoids that are inflamed or infected cannot be seen with the naked eye. This is due to its position behind the pharynx and can only be seen with certain tools.

When adenoids become inflamed, it usually begins with swelling or enlargement of the adenoids. The swelling can block or block your airways.

Therefore, the most common signs and symptoms of adenoiditis are difficulty breathing. Here are the symptoms that usually appear:

• Sore throat
• The throat feels dry and painful
• Runny nose and greenish mucus
• Nasal sound when speaking
• Breathing through the mouth feels easier than through the nose
• Difficulty breathing while sleeping

If the inflammation is chronic, the symptoms will last for 90 days or more.

There may be other signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, please consult a doctor.

Causes and risk factors for adenoiditis

Acute adenoiditis generally occurs after a patient develops an upper respiratory tract infection. This infection can usually occur due to viruses or bacteria.

The bacteria and viruses that reproduce can infect adenoids and surrounding tissue, causing inflammation. Inflammation of adenoids is easier to occur when you have had a sore throat or sore throat beforehand.

When you have a sore throat, sometimes the tonsils, aka the tonsils in your mouth, can become infected. Adenoids, which are located higher in the mouth, behind the nose and roof of the mouth, can also become infected.

The bacteria that can cause adenoiditis is streptococcus. However, adenoid enlargement can also be caused by infection of several types of viruses, including Epstein Barr virus, adenovirus, and rhinovirus.

It does not rule out that adenoid inflammation is caused by irritation due to increased stomach acid in GERD disease.

Risk factors

The following are factors that put a person at risk for adenoiditis:

• Age
  Adenoid inflammatory disease is more common in children than adults. This is because adenoids actively change in size during childhood.
• Have recurring (chronic) infections or strep throat, neck, or head
  If you or your child have had frequent infections or strep throat, tonsils, neck, or head over a long period of time, your risk of developing this disease is much higher.
• Suffering from GERD
  If you or your child has acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the likelihood of developing adenoid inflammation is much greater.

Diagnosis of adenoiditis

In diagnosing adenoiditis, your doctor will usually refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist. The doctor will then perform a series of tests below:

1. Physical examination

The ENT doctor will perform a physical exam to determine where the infection is in your body. You may also be asked about your and your family members' medical history.

2. Laboratory examination

Laboratory tests are carried out to determine the cause of the adenoiditis. The examination includes:

• Rapid strep test
  This test is done to determine the diagnosis, so that the doctor can provide the right treatment. This examination is done by taking a fluid sample from the back of the throat and tonsils.
• Throat culture
  This examination is done when your condition does not improve even though you have been given medication. This can help determine the cause of the infection and the appropriate treatment.
• Allergy test
  If adenoiditis is suspected to be the result of an allergic reaction, an allergic examination may be performed to determine treatment.

3. Radiological examination

Radiological examinations, such as X-rays and CT scans are needed to find the source of infection in the sinuses. However, this procedure is rarely performed in common cases.

Adenoiditis treatment

Adenoiditis is generally categorized as part of rhinosinusitis or strep throat (pharyngitis). Therefore, doctors generally provide medication that is also used to treat both diseases.

If your doctor believes that the cause of adenoiditis is the common cold or another common viral infection, you may not be given any medication. Usually, these common infections will go away in five to seven days.

However, if your condition does not improve, your doctor may recommend medication. Quoted from an article published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the following drugs can treat adenoiditis:

1. Antibiotics

Antibiotics will be given if symptoms such as fever and flu do not subside after 5-7 days. The most common types of antibiotics are:

• Amoxicillin
• Define
• Cefuroxime
• Clarithromycin
• Azithromycin

Your condition will improve within 2-3 days. The duration of treatment is usually 10 days.

2. Allergy treatment

If adenoid inflammation is believed to be an allergic reaction, the patient will be given a nasal steroid spray, oral steroid medication, antihistamine, or a combination of these drugs.

3. GERD treatment

If the adenoiditis is related to acid reflux problems or GERD, your doctor will recommend diet and lifestyle changes, which are sometimes accompanied by a prescription. H2 blockers or proton-pump inhibitor .

4. Operation

If normal treatments don't work, or if your child has serious breathing problems, your doctor will recommend a surgical procedure to remove the adenoid, also known as an adenoidectomy.

During the operation, general anesthesia will be performed and the adenoid will be removed by mouth without additional incisions.

Home treatment of adenoiditis

The following lifestyle and home remedies can help you manage your health condition:

• Eat a healthy diet
• Drink lots of fluids
• Enough sleep
• Maintain cleanliness of the body and the environment

If you have any questions, consult with your doctor to find out the best solution for you.