Adenoiditis

Adenoids have an important job for babies and young children. They help fight off germs until your child’s body develops another way to combat infections.

• Adenoids grow to their maximum size between ages 3 and 5.
• Adenoids start to shrink by age 7 or 8.
• By adulthood, they’re completely gone.

FUNCTION

• Adenoids help fight off bacteria and viruses. White blood cells make this possible. They travel through your adenoids, targeting and trapping germs.
• Adenoids also produce antibodies
• Adenoids sit above your soft palate, directly behind your nasal passage.
• Adenoids look like a pink patch of soft tissue. Some people describe the tissue mass as “cauliflower-like.”
• The average size of a normal (non-enlarged) adenoid is 6.2 millimeters. The average size of an enlarged adenoid is 11.6 millimeters. (Adenoids can become enlarged due to infection, allergies
• Adenoids are made of lymphoid tissue — the same type of tissue that your lymph nodes are made of. Lymphoid tissue consists of connective tissue and white blood cells, especially lymphocytes.

SYMPTOMS

• Frequent ear infections.
• Upper respiratory infections.
• Recurring (returning) nosebleeds.
• Allergies
• Sore throat.
• Nasal congestion.
• A feeling of fullness in their ears.
• Mouth breathing.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Snoring.
• Obstructive sleep apnea.

DIAGNOSIS

• Imaging tests.  X-rays, CT scans or MRI.
• Sleep studies. .
• Nasal endoscopy. 
• Bacteria culture test.