Adenoids against respiratory infection

It is common to hear among doctors talk about adenoids or vegetations , mainly during the growth of children.

In Mexico, there is little information that has been disseminated about it. They are simply recognized as glands that are in the throat and that cause infections in children. But what are they? and what function do they have in the organism? That is the question.

The vegetations , known as adenoids , are at the top of the throat , one on each side, behind the nose and on the palate at the level of the pharynx, that is, in the throat .

Vegetations are part of what is called lymphatic ring of Waldeyer; which represents a defense mechanism for the organism before the entry of aggressor microorganisms, taking charge of its purification and attack.

The adenoids they are interconnected with other structures: lingual tonsils identified as palatine tonsils and finally, pharyngeal tonsils or "adenoids ", Which are considered minor distributed by the mucous membrane that covers the mouth, tongue, palate and pharynx.

Regarding the diseases that could arise in adenoids, the Mexican Federation of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery A.C. (FESORMEX) comments that there are basically two:

1. The infection in adenoids is called adenoiditis . 2. The increase in size of these, which is called hypertrophy .

While both diseases can occur separately, they usually do so together, that is, they start with an infection, then inflammation and growth in size.

Learn to identify it

The medical specialists of said federation, clarify that it is normal that vegetations increase their size from birth to four years of age, then begin to decrease until disappear in adulthood. The most common symptoms are:

1. Nasal obstruction in the minor, which does not allow him to breathe normally.

2. Abundant mucus thick in the nose.

3. Nasose or hoarse voice.

4. Snore at night.

5. Threw up for large amounts of throat mucus.

6. Earache .

Once the symptoms have been identified and a diagnosis has been made by a specialist in otorhinolaryngology, the treatment to be followed as a first option is with medication; this in order to eliminate infection in adenoids, because of the abundant mucus.


Video Medicine: "Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy for OSA: Anesthetic Considerations" by Denise Chan, MD (March 2024).