Table of Contents
Tonsils and adenoids are masses of tissue similar to the other lymph nodes in our organism. These lymph nodes or glands are found in the neck, groin, and armpits. Tonsils are the two masses in the back of the throat, while adenoids are high in the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth, known as soft palate. Adenoids are not visible through the mouth without special instruments.
Tonsils and adenoids are placed near the entrance to the breathing passages where they can catch incoming germs that cause infections. Since they sample bacteria and viruses, they can become infected themselves. Scientists believe they work as part of the body's immune system by filtering germs that attempt to invade the body. Their role is to develop antibodies to germs that invade a human organism, primarily during the first few years of life, becoming less important as we get older. Therefore, children who must have their tonsils and adenoids removed suffer no loss in their resistance.[2]
What Affects Tonsils and Adenoids?
The most common problems affecting the tonsils and adenoids are recurrent throat or ear infections. Also, problems often arise involving a significant enlargement or obstruction that causes breathing and swallowing problems. Abscesses around the tonsils, chronic tonsillitis, and infections of small pockets within the tonsils that produce foul-smelling, cheese-like formations can also affect the tonsils and adenoids, making them sore and swollen. While tumors are rare, they can grow on the tonsils as well.
When is a doctor’s exam needed?
You should see your doctor when you (or your child) experience the common symptoms of infected or enlarged tonsils or adenoids, so the doctor could examine them promptly. The primary methods used to check tonsils and adenoids are medical history, physical examination, throat cultures or strep tests, X-rays, and blood tests.
During the exam, your doctor will ask about problems of the ear, nose, and throat, and examine the head and neck. He or she will use a small mirror or a flexible lighted instrument to see these areas to get you right diagnosis. Cultures or strep tests are important in diagnosing certain infections in the throat, especially streptococcus throat. X-rays are sometimes helpful in determining the size and shape of the adenoids, while blood tests can determine problems such as mononucleosis.
How are tonsil and adenoid diseases treated?
The two primary reasons for tonsil and/or adenoid removal are recurrent infection despite antibiotic therapy and difficulty breathing due to enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids. Such obstruction to breathing causes snoring and disturbed sleep, which leads to daytime sleepiness in adults and behavioral problems in children. [3]
Some orthodontists believe chronic mouth breathing from large tonsils and adenoids causes malformations of the face and improper alignment of the teeth, which is interesting to hear. A study proved a significant increase in IMPA (angle between long axis of lower incisor and mandibular plane angle), interlabial gap, and facial convexity in both groups with breathing problems — mouth breathing children with enlarged adenoids and 60% of nasopharynx obstruction and a group of children without nasal obstruction — when compared to children who were nasal breathers. The study concluded that all children who had a mouth-breathing habit showed a significant increase in lower incisor proclination, lip incompetency, and convex facial profile.[4]
Other studies claim that chronic infections can also affect other areas such as the eustachian tube, which can lead to frequent ear infections and potential hearing loss. Some recent studies indicate adenoidectomy may be a beneficial treatment for some children with chronic earaches accompanied by fluid in the middle ear.[5] In adults, the possibility of cancer or a tumor may be another reason for tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy.