What is adenoids hypertrophy?

Adenoids, also called pharyngeal tonsils or proliferative bodies, are attached to the junction of the top and back walls of the nasopharynx, between the pharyngeal recesses on both sides, equivalent to the sphenoid body and the bottom of the occipital bone, and have an orange-flavored surface. Because it is located in the nasopharynx, it is also called pharyngeal tonsils. And it is often said that tonsils are located in the palate, also called palatine tonsils. Adenoids, tonsils, tongue root lymphoid tissue, and posterior pharyngeal wall lymphoid tissue form the pharyngeal lymphatic ring, which is the first line of defense in the respiratory tract. Like tonsils, adenoids gradually grow with age after birth. They proliferate vigorously from 2 to 6 years old and gradually shrink after 10 years old. When bacteria invade the oral and nasal cavity of children, these two glands will start defense and become swollen. Under normal circumstances, when the pathogens are cleared, they will return to their original size. But if the bacteria invade repeatedly, it will cause pathological hyperplasia of the adenoids, and the swelling will always exist, becoming a "adenoid hypertrophy" that is difficult to subside.

Adenoids hypertrophy is most common in children, often coexisting with chronic tonsillitis and tonsil hypertrophy. The cause of adenoids hypertrophy is relatively complex and controversial. It is now generally believed that the main reason is that children are prone to acute rhinitis, acute tonsillitis and influenza. If the symptoms recur, the adenoids can rapidly proliferate and hypertrophy, aggravating nasal obstruction and obstructing nasal drainage. The secretions of rhinitis and sinusitis stimulate the adenoids to continue to proliferate, forming a vicious cycle of mutual cause and effect. This causes symptoms of nasal obstruction and mouth breathing, which are especially aggravated at night, and snoring and restless sleep occur. Children often turn over from time to time, which is more obvious when lying on their backs. In severe cases, apnea may occur.

The dangers of adenoids hypertrophy

"Adenoids facies": Since children's nasopharynx is relatively narrow, when the adenoids are enlarged, due to nasal congestion and long-term mouth breathing, the airflow impacting the hard palate will cause the hard palate to deform and arch. Over time, the development of the face will be deformed, with a short, thick and upturned upper lip, drooping mandible, disappearance of nasolabial groove, high arched hard palate, uneven teeth, protruding upper incisors, poor bite, deviated nasal septum, etc. The facial muscles are not easy to move and lack expression, forming an "adenoids facies"

2. Nose: often complicated by rhinitis and sinusitis, with symptoms such as nasal congestion and runny nose. There is a nasal sound when speaking, snoring when sleeping, and sleep apnea in severe cases.

3. Ears: The pharyngeal opening of the Eustachian tube is blocked, causing secretory otitis media, leading to hearing loss and tinnitus. Sometimes it can cause suppurative otitis media.

4. Symptoms of the pharynx, larynx and lower respiratory tract: Because secretions flow downward and irritate the respiratory mucosa, it often causes night coughing and is prone to tracheitis.

5. Frequent breath holding reduces the blood oxygen concentration, which will have a serious impact on the blood supply to the heart and brain, causing night sweats, kicking the quilt, nightmares during sleep, screaming, grinding teeth, enuresis, wheezing spasms or asthma. Due to long-term hypoxia, the brain cannot get enough oxygen supply, which will cause damage to the cerebral cortex function, and then affect intelligence, leading to memory loss, slow reaction, etc. If you don't sleep well at night, you are prone to napping and lack of concentration during the day, which affects your normal studies.

6. There are often systemic nutritional and developmental disorders, mainly manifested as chronic poisoning reflex neurological symptoms, such as dull expression, chest tightness and restlessness, poor lung expansion, and pigeon chest or flat chest over time. Poor breathing at night and long-term hypoxia in patients lead to growth and development disorders, inattention, enuresis and other phenomena.