Adenoids

Adenoids are the same tissue as tonsils but are situated at the back of the nose. They are often enlarged in children and occasionally found when the ENT performs a nasal endoscopy or examines the eustachian tube opening. If they are so big that they block the back of the nose the patient might present with a blocked nose, mouth breathing, chronic nasal discharge, “nasal“ speech and also hearing loss (if large enough to block the Eustachian tube leading to glue ear).

The doctor might prescribe a trial of nasal steroids first but if not successful will propose an adenoidectomy. This is done as a day case – under general anaesthesia.