Adenoids and adenoidectomy
What are adenoids?
Adenoids are small lumps of tissue at the back of the nose, above the roof of the mouth. You can't see a person's adenoids by looking in their mouth. Adenoids are part of the immune system, which helps fight infection and protects the body from bacteria and viruses. Only children have adenoids. They start to grow from birth and are at their largest when a child is around three to five years of age. By age seven to eight, the adenoidsstart to shrink and by the late teens, they're barely visible. By adulthood, they'll have disappeared completely. Adenoids can be helpful in young children, but they're not an essential part of an adult's immune system.This is why they shrink and eventually disappear.
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Introduction
Read about an adenoidectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the adenoids. Find out what the adenoids do, when they need to be removed and how the procedure is carried out.
What are adenoids?
Adenoids are small lumps of tissue at the back of the nose, above the roof of the mouth. You can't see a person's adenoids by looking in their mouth. Adenoids are part of the immune system, which help
When adenoids need to be removed
A child's adenoids can sometimes become swollen or enlarged. This can happen after a bacterial or viral infection, or after a substance triggers an allergic reaction. In most cases, swollen adenoids o
How an adenoidectomy is carried out
The adenoids can be removed during an adenoidectomy. The operation is usually carried out by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon and takes around 30 minutes. Afterwards, your child will need to stay
Risks
An adenoidectomy is a low-risk procedure andcomplications following surgery are rare. However, as with all types of surgery, there are some associated risks. When to seek medical advice Contact your G
Recovery
It's normal to have a sore throat after an adenoidectomy. Your child will usually be given painkillers whilein hospital to help ease discomfort. Your child may also feel groggy and sleepy after having
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