A Simple Guide to Adenoiditis

A Simple Guide to Adenoiditis
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What is Adenoiditis?
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Adenoiditis is inflammation (swelling) of the Adenoids.

The adenoids are lymph nodes in the back of the nose and above the throat.

They normally help to filter out bacteria and other microorganisms to prevent infection in the nose and throat area.

They may become so overwhelmed by bacterial or viral infection that they swell and become inflamed, causing Adenoiditis.

Enlarged adenoids can cause blockage of the eustachian tubes and posterior openings of the nose.

What causes Adenoiditis?
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1.Viral or bacterial infections
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Bacteria cause 15-30 percent of Adenoiditis cases.
Streptococcus pyogenes is the most common bacteria causing acute Adenoiditis.

The herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, and the measles virus cause most cases of acute Adenoiditis.


2.low immunity factors
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Unbalanced or insufficient food diet,

Unhygienic lifestyle

Inadequate rest or sleep

3. Allergy
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dustmites,

pollens

Who gets Adenoiditis?
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Adenoiditis most often occurs in children but rarely occurs in children younger than two years.

It is occasionally found in young adults.

What are the symptoms of Adenoiditis?
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The Symptoms of Adenoiditis are:

1,Blocked nose

2.mouth breathing

3.nasal speech

4.rhinorhoea(runny nose)

5.Snoring at night

6.Ear blockage(eustachian tube blockage)

7.Ear pain(otitis media)

8.Pain in the cheeks(maxillary sinusitis) or above the eye(frontal sinusitis)

9.Headache

10.Fever, chills

11.Lethargy and malaise are common.

These symptoms usually resolve in three to four days but may last up to two weeks despite therapy.

What are the signs of Adenoiditis?
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An ear nose and throat specialist will be able to put a endoscope through the nasal passage to see the enlarged and inflamed adenoids.

What are the Complications of Adenoiditis?
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1.Complications of untreated streptococcus Adenoiditis with tonsillitis may be severe:

Rheumatic fever and subsequent cardiovascular disorders
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis followed by kidney failure

2.Ear pain from otitis media

3.Blocked airway from enlarged Adenoids

What is the treatment of Adenoiditis?
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1.If the cause of the Adenoiditis is bacteria such as streptococcus, antibiotics are given to cure the infection.

The antibiotics may need to be taken for 10 days by mouth.
They must not be stopped just because the discomfort stops, or the infection will NOT be cured.

2.Rest to allow the body to heal.

3. Fluids especially warm (not hot), bland fluids or very cold fluids may soothe the nose and throat.

4.Hospitalization may be required in severe cases, particularly when there is airway obstruction.

5.When the condition is chronic or recurrent, a surgical procedure to remove the Adenoids(Adenoidectomy) is often recommended.

What is the Prognosis of Adenoiditis?
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Adenoiditis symptoms usually lessen in 2 or 3 days after treatment starts.

The infection usually is cured by then, but may require more than one course of antibiotics.

Adenoidectomy may be recommended if Adenoiditis is severe, recurrent, or does not respond to antibiotics.