Acute adenoiditis is characterized by fever, runny nose, obstruction of the nasal airways, which mainly leads to oral breathing, snoring and sleep apnea, rhinorrhea with serous secretion in viral form and mucous-purulent secretion in bacterial form. In cases due to a viral infection, symptoms usually disappear spontaneously after 48 hours, symptoms of bacterial adenoiditis usually persist for up to a week. Adenoiditis is sometimes accompanied by tonsillitis. Repeated adenoiditis can lead to an enlarged polyp. Adenoiditis occurs when there is inflammation of the adenoid tissue resulting from infections, allergies or irritations caused by stomach acid. Adenoiditis rarely occurs on its own and is usually involved in a more extensive pathological process such as adenotonsillitis, pharyngitis, rhinosinusitis or possible laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR). Continuous irritation can lead to adenoid hypertrophy, which is responsible for many complications of adenoid disease. This activity reviews the presentation and management of patients with adenoiditis and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in improving outcomes for patients with this disease. Adenoiditis can cause cold-like symptoms. However, symptoms of adenoiditis often persist for ten days or more and often include pus-like discharge from the nose.
The specialist may also recommend removing the tonsils at the same time, since adenoiditis and tonsillitis often go hand in hand. Surgery to remove the tonsils is called tonsillectomy, the most common pediatric surgery. Many active ingredients and pathogens can cause inflammation of the adenoid tissue. An upper respiratory viral infection (URI) often precedes acute adenoiditis. In this vulnerable condition, bacterial pathogens can infect tissues and multiply. Everyone has a sore throat from time to time, and sometimes the tonsils in your mouth can get infected. However, almonds aren`t the only sensitive glands in your mouth. Adenoids higher in the mouth – behind the nose and roof of the mouth – can also become infected. Enlarged and inflamed polyps – called adenoiditis – can make breathing difficult and lead to recurrent respiratory infections. It is difficult to explain accurate statistics on the incidence and prevalence of adenoiditis alone, as adenoiditis is usually treated as part of a larger pathological process such as rhinosinusitis and adenotonsillary disease. Because adenoid tissue atrophies during puberty, adenoiditis is usually a disease of children. The current literature does not suggest a preference for gender, race, region, and socioeconomic class for this disease, although parental smoking has been positively correlated[7].
If adenoiditis is considered secondary to environmental allergies, the patient may receive a study of nasal steroid sprays, oral steroids, oral antihistamines or a combination of these to see if this relieves symptoms. If this is effective, the patient may benefit from a formal allergy test, followed by immunomodulatory therapy to provide definitive relief. The diagnosis of polyps is based on the symptoms and the physical examination seen by your doctor. As a rule, a patient who has prolonged problems with adenoiditis is referred to an otolaryngologist for further consultation. An otolaryngologist may perform a nasal endoscopy or order an X-ray of the head to determine the size of the polyps. If the doctor believes that the cause of adenoiditis is the common cold or other viral infection, he should refrain from using antibiotics. As a rule, uncomplicated viral infections of the upper respiratory tract disappear within five to seven days. [8] Patients with recurrent adenoiditis or complications of adenoid hypertrophy should be referred to an otolaryngologist for further evaluation and treatment. Other disciplines that may need to be involved in patient care include sleep medicine, allergy specialists, and gastroenterology, depending on the needs of the individual.
Adenoiditis is a common problem in children and can be unavoidable as they often come into contact with the most common pathogens and allergens that cause inflammation. However, it is important to seek treatment before chronic adenoiditis and adenoid hypertrophy develop, as they can lead to serious complications and decreased quality of life.