For a long time it was believed that adenoids grow only in childhood. Today, doctors state that pathology occurs not only in children. Increasingly, this condition is diagnosed in the adult population. So, let's look at what "mature" adenoids are, symptoms in adults and their treatment methods will also be described in the review.
Characteristics of pathology
Initially, let's talk about what adenoiditis is. Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment of pathology are quite similar to the "childhood" disease. However, they have their own characteristics.
Adenoids in adults are lymphoid tissue that surrounds the nasopharynx. This is a kind of protective barrier of the immune system. Adenoids have the ability to grow. In this case, they become a favorable environment for the accumulation of viruses, fungi, microbes.
Enlarged adenoids are no longer able to purify and moisten the inhaled air. As a result, it freely penetrates the respiratory tract, carrying with it all harmful substances.microorganisms. In addition, the flow of air into the lungs is quite difficult. After all, overgrown adenoids stand in his way. Symptoms in adults, according to which pathology can be suspected, more precisely, the main symptom is difficulty breathing.
As a rule, adenoids grow up to 12 years. Then they start to decrease. And by the age of 16-20 they simply atrophy. However, this process is not observed in all people. Unfortunately, statistics show that adenoids are not uncommon in adults.
Symptoms, causes, treatment of this pathology require careful study. Let's dwell on them.
Causes of occurrence
What provokes the pathology, or why do (later we will consider what signs are characterized by adenoids in the nose in adults) symptoms appear?
The reasons can be hidden in a variety of factors, including genetic features.
Most often, the following reasons lead to the development of pathology:
- Inflammatory nasopharyngeal diseases with a long course. Lymphoid tissue delays infection. If the disease passes quickly, then the amygdala decreases naturally. But if the disease is delayed, then under the influence of infection, it begins to become chronic.
- Infectious pathologies. Quite often, adenoids increase in size after suffering pathologies: whooping cough, measles, influenza, scarlet fever.
Characteristics
Now consider how enlarged adenoids make themselves felt innose in adults. The symptoms of the pathology are practically no different from the clinical manifestations of the disease in children.
Adenoiditis is characterized by the following conditions:
- Impaired nasal breathing. This is the main symptom of pathology.
- Discharge of copious purulent secretions from the nasal cavity during a cold.
- Headache. Adenoids interfere with the free entry of air into the body. Adult symptoms such as headache and dizziness are indicative of cerebral hypoxia.
- Ear congestion. With a large increase in lymphoid tissue, it is possible to close the auditory tube. This can lead to hearing loss.
- Voice change. He becomes nasal and rude.
- Cough, snore. Such phenomena often torment an adult at night.
Degrees of pathology
Medics identify several stages that characterize such an ailment as adenoids in adults. Symptoms and treatment directly depend on the form of the disease.
There are 3 degrees of illness:
- Lymphoid tissue is just beginning to grow. Therefore, the patient breathes freely through the nose throughout the day. But in a horizontal position, during sleep, the volume of the adenoids increases somewhat as a result of a rush of blood, and the penetration of air is difficult. Therefore, the patient begins to breathe through his mouth.
- The growth of the adenoids is progressing. The patient breathes through the mouth already in the daytime. Snoring is common during sleep.
- Severe degree, in which the adenoids are almost completelyblocking the flow of air into the windpipe from the nasal cavity. The patient breathes exclusively through the mouth. Very often, at this stage of the disease, complications are noted. As a rule, hearing loss and impaired speech are diagnosed.
Diagnosis of pathology
How to identify overgrown adenoids? The above symptoms in adults are a serious reason to consult an otolaryngologist.
In the recent past, diagnosing this problem was difficult. After all, doctors did not have the necessary equipment. And the structure of the nasopharynx of an adult is such that the area in which the adenoids are located becomes practically inaccessible.
A big breakthrough in this field was made after the invention of new endoscopic techniques. The procedure is performed under anesthesia. The doctor gets the opportunity to carefully examine the nasopharynx and make a diagnosis. After all, not only adenoids can “grow” in an adult. Sometimes cysts, polyps, tumors are diagnosed.
For a correct diagnosis, the doctor takes a biopsy. A small piece of overgrown tissue is examined at the cellular level. And only according to the results of a biopsy, a diagnosis is made and appropriate treatment is prescribed.
Endoscopic method confirmed the magnitude of the pathology. According to statistics, overgrown adenoids are detected in almost 30% of the adult population.
Medicated treatment
Conservative therapy is effective only at 1 degree of overgrowth. But remember that prescribing medicationtreatment should be a doctor.
The treatment regimen includes the following:
- Vasoconstrictor drugs. Drops are often recommended: Sanorin, Naphthyzin, Nazivin.
- Solutions for washing. This procedure is a mandatory measure if adenoids are found in adults. Unpleasant treatment (washing) allows you to reduce swelling, relieve inflammation and provide air access to the tissues. For the event, preparations are recommended: Aqualor, Aquamaris, Dolphin. An excellent effect will be provided by a solution of furacilin, a decoction of chamomile.
- Drying drops. After the washing procedure, it is necessary to drip the nose with one of the following medicines: Protargol, Collargol.
- Antiseptic sprays. Medications "Ingalipt", "Miramistin" may be prescribed.
- Immune stimulants. The therapy includes drugs: "IRS-19", "Imudon". For general strengthening of immunity, medicines are recommended: "Bronchomunal", "Ribomunil".
- Antiallergic drugs. Local remedies are often recommended: "Kromoglin", "Kromoheksal". Oral medications may be prescribed: Loratodin, Zodak, Zirtek.
- Antibiotics. They are included in the treatment only in case of exacerbation of adenoiditis. The drug is prescribed after bakpasev from the nasal cavity. Depending on the specific pathogen, effective antibiotics are selected.
Surgical treatment
Pathology 2, 3 degrees needs surgical intervention. To date, these operations arefairly simple and less traumatic.
Endoscopic equipment is used for such treatment. This allows you to remove all overgrown tissue as accurately as possible, since even a small part left after adenotomy can lead to a relapse. And in this case, the unpleasant symptoms will return to the patient very quickly.
After the operation, the patient stays in the hospital, as a rule, for 1 day. During this period, complications such as nosebleeds may occur. After discharge, the patient is recommended a certain diet and rest. For 1 week, it is advisable to consume exclusively warm liquid food. It is necessary to limit yourself from physical labor, various kinds of overloads, visits to the sauna. You should not sunbathe at this time.
Folk treatment
This therapy is quite effective. However, before using it, do not forget to consult a doctor.
Treatment of adenoids with folk remedies in children and adults:
- Sea s alt. This tool is recognized as quite effective in the fight against pathology. Use s alt for washing. It is necessary to dilute 2 tsp. it in a glass of boiled water, according to the instructions. It is recommended to wash the nasal passages 2 times a day.
- Natural celandine. The herb is great for treating adenoids. It is necessary to pour crushed raw materials (2 tablespoons) with boiling water (1 tablespoon). The mixture is kept in a water bath for half an hour. Then you should infuse the decoction for 20 minutes. Strain. Add to the resulting producta couple of tablespoons of melted pork fat. The mixture is placed in the oven for 1 hour. The composition should thicken completely. The product keeps well in the refrigerator. It is recommended to soak cotton balls in the "medicine" and insert into the nasal passages for 5 minutes. Such an event should be carried out daily. Adenoids under the influence of this agent are amenable to reverse development. In addition, the "medicine" stimulates the immune system.
- Thuja oil. It is considered a powerful tool in the treatment of adenoids. After all, the oil has an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictive, antimicrobial, immunostimulating effect. It allows you to normalize the main processes in the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract and nasopharynx. The oil perfectly eliminates swelling, destroys viruses and pathogenic bacteria. It allows you to normalize the secretion of mucus. It is recommended for 2 weeks daily, before going to bed, to instill oil into the nasal passages. Then you should take a 7-day break and repeat the course.
Important recommendation
If the only way to deal with adenoids is surgery, then you should know that conservative treatment is mandatory before surgery. This avoids unpleasant complications in the future.
