Adenoids sit at the back of your nose, and up your throat. They trap germs, bacteria, and viruses that might enter your body. They are active in children and are often enlarged, as children’s immune systems are not fully developed in the initial years. Adenoids shrink automatically as children reach adulthood.
However, that’s not the case for all. Some adults may have enlarged adenoids, which can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms, like nasal blockage, a muffled voice, and snoring. An ENT specialist in Navi Mumbai can help diagnose enlarged adenoids.
Symptoms of Enlarged Adenoids in Adults
The symptoms of enlarged adenoids often overlap with sinus infections, the common cold, or allergies. If you have enlarged adenoids, you might experience:
- Nasal congestion that occurs repeatedly
- Snoring at night
- Sore throat
- Muffled voice
- Recurrent ear infections
- Breathing through the mouth
The constant snoring, stuffy nose, and sore throat might keep you up at night. The symptoms are also present in people with sinusitis and allergies. However, if they persist for several weeks, it’s worth getting checked.
How to Know if You Have Enlarged Adenoids
It’s hard to diagnose enlarged adenoids at home. Opening your mouth won’t help you locate adenoid glands. Here’s what you can do instead to know if you have enlarged adenoids.
Keep a Note of Your Symptoms
Observe your symptoms. Keep track of nasal congestion, ear infections, snoring, and other symptoms mentioned above. This will help you know how frequently they occur. Ask someone to watch you when you sleep. Constant snoring, breathing through the mouth, and gasping could indicate enlarged adenoids.
Get Medical Tests
The most reliable way to detect enlarged adenoids is by undergoing medical tests. Your ENT specialist might perform a nasopharyngoscopy, which involves inserting a slim instrument into your nose to get a clear picture of the adenoid glands. Lateral neck X-rays and CT scans can also be used to confirm enlarged adenoids.
Treatment for Enlarged Adenoids
Noninvasive Treatment
If your adenoids are swollen because of an allergy or an infection, your ENT specialist may focus on noninvasive procedures initially.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics are commonly used for strep throat and other bacterial infections. If it’s a bacterial infection, it should most likely resolve in a few days, but the antibiotics will continue for 8-10 days.
- Allergy: If you develop adenoiditis due to allergy, antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, and decongestants can offer relief.
Surgical Removal
If adenoids cause severe symptoms, such as sleep apnea or recurring sinus infections, a surgical removal of the adenoids might be the best adenoid treatment in Navi Mumbai. The surgery is called adenoidectomy and is performed under general anesthesia. You can expect a discharge on the same day after surgery. Healing usually takes 1-2 weeks.
Although enlarged adenoids are not common in adults, they can cause sleep disturbances, nasal congestion, and other issues. Unfortunately, there’s no way to check adenoids on your own. You may need to schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist to rule out adenoiditis for recurring nasal congestion, sore throats, and other symptoms.
