Sometimes, a child's adenoids can become swollen or enlarged. For most children, this will only cause mild discomfort and will not require any specific treatment.
However, for some children, swollen or enlarged adenoids can cause severe discomfort and start to interfere with their daily life. In these cases, a GP may suggest the child has their adenoids removed (an adenoidectomy).
Breathing problems
Swollen adenoids can make it difficult for your child to breathe through their nose. Their nasal breathing may sound noisy or make a rattling sound.
Your child may therefore begin to breathe through their mouth instead. However, this can cause cracked lips and a dry mouth, which your child may find uncomfortable.
Difficulty sleeping
Swollen or enlarged adenoids can also make it more difficult for your child to sleep. Because breathing through their nose is difficult, they may snore, and their disturbed breathing may make it more difficult for them to fall asleep.
In severe cases of swollen or enlarged adenoids, some children may also experience sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea is a condition that causes irregular breathing during sleep at night and excessive sleepiness during the day. It occurs when the upper airway collapses at regular intervals during sleep, temporarily cutting off the air supply.
Enlarged adenoids can make the throat narrower than normal, increasing the chance of the upper airway collapsing.
Glue ear
If your child's adenoids become swollen or enlarged, your child may develop problems with their ears and hearing. This is because the adenoids can press on the entrance of the Eustachian tubes.
The Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the back of the nose and help drain away any fluid that builds up in the middle ear, as well as maintaining air pressure within the ear.
When the Eustachian tubes are blocked, fluid can build up in the middle air. Over time, the fluid can become thick and glue-like, causing sounds coming into the ear to be muffled. This condition is known as glue ear.
If your child cannot hear sounds clearly, it may affect their learning, development and social interaction. It is therefore important that glue ear is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
An adenoidectomy will help the Eustachian tube to function normally, which should also help treat your child's glue ear.
Other symptoms
Enlarged adenoids can also cause other symptoms, such as a constantly runny nose or nasal-sounding speech.
