Adenoiditis is a type of condition wherein the adenoids (tissue behind the nose and above the throat) gets inflamed. It is  common among children and leads to problems like snoring, mouth breathing, recurrent ear infections, decreased hearing,  difficulty in breathing, cracked lips, runny nose and bad breath.

Adenoiditis occurs when there is inflammation of the adenoid tissue resulting from infection, allergies or irritation from stomach acid as a component of laryngopharyngeal reflux(LPR), Dr. Nitty Mathew, Senior Specialist - ENT, Aster CMI Hospital, said.

Dr Mathew added that adenoiditis is usually caused by an infection of adenoids. Adenoids become apparent by two years of age and regress in size after 8 years. If these remain swollen for a prolonged time, then they can become problematic.

“Because adenoids usually shrink by adulthood, children are most susceptible to its infection. They can be more prone to developing adenoiditis if the child is bottle fed, breast fed in a lying down position, has an infection near the nose or throat and suffers from an allergy,” he explained.

 The symptoms of adenoiditis include stuffy and blocked nose, snoring, sleep apnea, cracked lips, dry mouth, glue ear, ear pain and infections and swollen neck glands.

 Complications of untreated adenoiditis include runny nose, recurrent ear infections, decreased hearing, dry mouth, dental caries and speaking with a nasal tone.

Adenoid facies is defined as the open -mouthed appearance in children, associated with a narrow nose, shortened upper lip, narrow palate, high palatal vault and dental crowding

 Usually by 8 years of age adenoids regress, but keeping good hygiene can prevent repeated infections. Mild symptoms warrant only supportive treatment, but if your doctor suspects any bacterial infection then the child will have to be treated with antibiotics and then kept on nasal sprays to decrease the size of adenoids.

 In case the medications are not bringing intended relief of symptoms, then a surgery called adenoidectomy to remove the enlarged adenoids will have to be done.