Swelling of Adenoids:

Adenoids are masses of lymphatic tissue that are a component of the body’s immune system. They are located at the back of the nasal passage. Adenoids grow and become bigger until the age of three years, after which they stop growing and usually disappear altogether during the teen years. Adenoids are not visible through the mouth like the tonsils are. The adenoids help the body in fighting infection by trapping germs and other microorganisms that enter the nasal passage. The antibodies that are produced by the adenoids help to prevent infection. Swelling and infection of the adenoids can occur commonly as they come in direct contact with viruses and bacteria that cause infection. The swelling usually subsides when the infection goes away. Allergies can also commonly cause enlargement of the adenoids. When an allergen enters the air passages, antibodies are produced by the body. These substances are trapped by the adenoids and prevented from entering the body. As such swelling of the adenoids can commonly occur during allergies.

When infected the adenoids can swell to the size of ping pong balls, and as such can obstruct the flow of air that enters through the nose. The individual may be forced to breathe through the mouth. The blockage of the nasal passage may be complete or partial. This also results in accumulation of thick green or yellow mucus in the nasal cavity. Soreness of the throat is also likely to occur as the individual has to keep breathing through the mouth. This is especially experienced in the morning, as the mouth remains open for breathing throughout the night. Snoring during sleep is also a common symptom of swollen adenoids. Enlarged adenoids can also block the Eustachian tube which connects to the middle ear. This can result in infections of the middle ear and mucus build-up in the middle ear, which may hamper hearing.

If allergies are the cause of swollen adenoids, it is important to determine the allergens that cause the reactions and stay away from them. Swollen adenoids can be relieved with the help of honey. Honey that is swallowed slowly helps to alleviate the swelling and infection. Honey can also be mixed with lemon juice and salt and taken for relief. Another effective remedy is to take a mixture of equal parts of carrot juice, cucumber juice and beet juice. This is known to be a very popular and effective remedy for treating infected adenoids.