Adenoids are glands located in the upper airway, just behind the nasal cavity. They are made of lymphoid tissue, which consists of connective tissue and white blood cells, especially lymphocytes. Lymphocytes make antibodies and play a role in immune response. Adenoids, along with the tonsils, are part of the lymphatic system, which clears away infection and keeps body fluids in balance. Adenoids help keep the body healthy by trapping harmful bacteria and viruses that we breathe in or swallow. They are most important as infection fighters for babies and young children, but become less important as a child gets older and the body develops other ways to fight germs. Adenoids usually begin to shrink after about 5 years of age and often practically disappear by the teen years.
Enlarged adenoids are adenoids that are swollen. They can become inflamed and enlarged when the body is trying to fight something off, and are most commonly due to infections. Enlarged adenoids can cause a variety of symptoms, including a stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, snoring, restless sleep, sleep apnea, ear infections, dry mouth, bad breath, and cracked lips. Treatment for enlarged adenoids may include medications such as nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines, and antibiotics, or surgical removal of the adenoids (adenoidectomy) in severe cases.
