Many urban legends circulate during childhood, here are the details from an expert about adenoids. Ear Nose and Throat Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rauf TAHAMILER and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet EKEN “The idea that removing adenoids in childhood is harmful is not true, it is an urban legend.” He says.
Untreated adenoid enlargement can lead to snoring, sleeping with the mouth open, disruption of the lower-upper jaw ratio, facial asymmetry, growth retardation, hearing loss, difficult-to-heal sinusitis attacks and treatment-resistant middle ear infections in children.
Adenoids cannot be seen by looking at the child's throat, unlike tonsils. Adenoids serve as a part of our body's defense mechanism until the age of three. However, it stops secreting the defense cell after the age of three. Infections and existing allergies cause the adenoid, a tissue located between the nose and throat, to grow. It completely covers the nasal area after successive infections and allergy attacks. One of the biggest problems caused by adenoids is the formation of asymmetry on the face. If the child has persistent or frequently recurring adenoid enlargement or inflammation, the adenoid may need to be removed. Children do not get sick more often after adenoid removal; Because, other tissues in the body that function like adenoids can perform the same functions adequately.
What Signs Adenoids?
Various symptoms can be seen if the adenoids grow. The occurrence of one or more of the following symptoms may indicate adenoids:
Difficulty breathing through the nose
Continuous mouth breathing
Nasal speech as if the nose is blocked
Wheezing sound when breathing
Sleep snoring during sleep
Holding one's breath for a few seconds during sleep (sleep apnea)
Loss of appetite and developmental delay
Is Surgery Really Necessary?
Inflamed adenoids First of all, it is tried to be treated with antibiotics or allergy medications. If the adenoid is not inflamed, it can be waited for a while depending on the child's condition. Because it is normal for the adenoid to grow a little in children. Over time, the child's adenoid may shrink on its own.
However, the child If there are complaints such as difficulty breathing, sleep apnea, frequently recurring adenoid inflammation and speech impairment, and if these problems continue after the inflammation period has passed, surgery can be performed without waiting. If the complaints intensify and life-threatening occurs, surgery can be performed before the age of three.
What Happens During Adenoid Surgery?
It is an operation that takes about 15 minutes and is not difficult. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia by entering through the mouth. There is no need to make an incision in the skin for adenoid surgery.
What Should You Pay Attention to After the Surgery?
Children may experience a noticeable relief of breathing while they sleep, on the night of the surgery. In some children, relief may not be this early and obvious due to the secretions accumulating in the nasal passages and nose; The child may continue to wheeze, snore and mouth breathe. It takes 1-2 weeks for the surgical area to fully heal and for the preoperative complaints to resolve. Some children can continue mouth breathing because they have acquired the habit. When families notice this, they should remind the child to breathe through his nose.
Do Adults Also Experience This Problem?
Adenoids can also cause problems in later ages, reducing the quality of life. Adenoids are detected in 20% of adults who apply to the hospital with complaints of nasal congestion.
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