Adenoids are basically lymph nodes that are located in the back of the throat (tonsils) and in the back of the nose (adenoids).
They are not different from any of the hundreds of lymph nodes that are located in the neck, chest, abdomen, and groin. As such, they are part of the immune system of the body and they do not possess any special features related to their position, specially, there is no evidence to suggest that they pick up the bacteria as it enters the mouth. The size of the adenoids fluctuates dramatically depending on the age of the patient and in the presence of an infection.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG WITH THE TONSILS AND ADENOIDS?
There several problems that could be associated with adenoids.
Large adenoids could block off the air and food passage behind the nose. This usually exhibits itself in children and could cause persistent obstruction of the nose and persistent breathing though the mouth. The most important problem with the blockage occurs at the night time when the patient wind passage could block off completely for few seconds. This is never serious at the time it occurs but could cause significant problems if persistent for few months or years without treatment, mainly by affecting the heart and the lungs.
WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR REMOVING ADENOIDS?
There are two indications for removal of Tonsils and adenoids:
Definitive indications or reasons include sleep apnea, or the patient ceasing to breath at night time for few seconds secondary to the enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
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