<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The adenoids are lymph tissue that sit in your upper airway between your nose and the back of your throat. They are similar to the tonsils.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Enlarged adenoids means this tissue is swollen.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><img alt="" src="https://www.zdrav.kz/images/refs2/68En.jpg" /></span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Structures of the throat include the esophagus, trachea, epiglottis and tonsils.</em></span></span></h2>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Causes</span></span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Enlarged adenoids may be normal. They may grow bigger when the baby grows in the womb. The adenoids help the body prevent or fight infections by removing bacteria and germs.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Infections can cause the adenoids to become swollen. The adenoids may stay enlarged even when you are not sick.</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Symptoms</span></span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Children with enlarged adenoids often breathe through their mouth because their nose is blocked. Mouth breathing occurs mostly at night, but may be present during the day.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Mouth breathing may lead to the following symptoms:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Bad breath</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Cracked lips</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Dry mouth</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Persistent&nbsp;runny nose&nbsp;or&nbsp;nasal congestion</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Enlarged adenoids may also cause sleep problems. A child may:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Be restless while sleeping</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Snore a lot</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Have episodes of not breathing during sleep (sleep apnea)</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Children with enlarged adenoids may also have more frequent ear infections.</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Exams and Tests</span></span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The adenoids cannot be seen by looking in the mouth directly. The health care provider can see them by using a special mirror in the mouth your mouth or by inserting a flexible tube (called an endoscope) placed through the nose.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Tests may include:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">X-ray&nbsp;of the throat or neck</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Sleep study</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Treatment</span></span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Many people with enlarged adenoids have few or no symptoms and do not need treatment. Adenoids shrink as a child grows older.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The health care provider may prescribe antibiotics or nasal steroid sprays if an infection develops.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Surgery to remove the adenoids (adenoidectomy) may be done if the symptoms are severe or persistent.</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">When to Contact a Medical Professional</span></span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Call your health care provider if your child has trouble breathing through the nose or other symptoms of enlarged adenoids.</span></span></p>
