Adenoids are a mass of tissue located behind the nasal cavity and above the roof of the mouth. While they are present at birth, they typically shrink and disappear by adulthood. However, in rare cases, adenoids can remain enlarged or hypertrophy in adults.
Causes of Adenoids Hypertrophy in Adults
According to the search results, common causes of adenoids hypertrophy in adults include:
- Chronic infection
- Allergy
- Pollution
- Smoking
- Sinonasal malignancy
- Lymphoma
- HIV infection
Symptoms
Enlarged adenoids in adults can cause:
- Nasal congestion and discharge
- Chronic sinusitis
- Recurring ear infections
- Sleep apnea or difficulty breathing during sleep
- Chronic coughing
Treatment
Treatment for enlarged adenoids in adults typically focuses on addressing the underlying cause. This may include:
- Antibiotics for chronic infections
- Allergy medication or immunotherapy
- Avoidance of pollution and smoking
- Surgical removal (adenoidectomy) in cases of chronic infection, sinusitis, or sleep apnea
Key Points
- Adenoids typically shrink and disappear by adulthood, but can remain enlarged in rare cases.
- Adult adenoids hypertrophy is often associated with chronic infection, allergy, or environmental factors.
- Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause and may involve surgical removal in some cases.
