What Are Adenoids? Signs, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Let’s say your child always sounds congested. They breathe through their mouth, snore loudly at night, and sometimes wake up feeling tired—even after a full night’s sleep.

Or maybe you’re an adult constantly clearing your throat or struggling with a nasal-sounding voice. It’s frustrating, and it’s easy to brush it off as just a cold or allergies. But what if the issue is something deeper—like adenoids?

So, what are adenoids? That’s what we’re gonna talk about throughout this blog. 

What Are Adenoids and What Do They Do?

The adenoids are part of your immune system. You’ll find them at the back of your nasal cavity, where your nose meets your throat. They help catch and fight germs that enter through your nose and mouth—kind of like a filter.

In young kids, adenoids are especially active and important. But as you get older, your body relies less on them, and they usually shrink or even disappear completely by your teenage years.

Here’s what you should know about how adenoids work:

• They trap bacteria and viruses before they can make you sick

• They produce antibodies to help your body fight infection

• They’re more important in early childhood than in adulthood

When they’re healthy, you don’t even notice them. But when they swell or get infected, that’s when problems start to show up.

Understanding what adenoids are and how they function helps you see why they can sometimes cause issues—and why it’s important to get the right help if they do.

Why Do Adenoids Cause Problems?

You might not think much about your adenoids until they start causing trouble. But when they do, it’s hard to ignore.

Adenoids can become swollen or enlarged for several reasons:

• Frequent infections – Like the common cold or sinus infections

• Allergies – Seasonal allergies or reactions to things like dust or pet dander

• Irritants – Smoke, pollution, or strong odors can also be triggers

• 
  

When adenoids stay enlarged, they can block airflow through your nose. That forces you—or your child—to breathe through the mouth, especially during sleep. This can lead to snoring, poor sleep, and even daytime tiredness.

In some cases, swollen adenoids can press on nearby structures like the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the throat. This can lead to:

• Ear infections

• Fluid buildup in the ears

• Hearing problems

If your child seems to get sick often, talks through their nose, or has trouble sleeping, their adenoids could be part of the issue. And even in adults, lingering nasal blockage and throat issues might trace back to adenoid trouble.

The good news? Adenoid problems are common—and treatable. If you suspect they’re causing problems, it’s worth getting checked out by a specialist like Dr. David Opperman, who can guide you through the next steps.

What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Adenoid Problems?

Swollen Adenoids Diagram

So how do you know if your adenoids are causing problems? The signs are often pretty easy to spot once you know what to look for.

Common symptoms of enlarged or infected adenoids include:

• Mouth breathing, especially during sleep

• Snoring or noisy breathing at night

• Frequent sore throats or swollen glands

• A constant runny or stuffy nose

• Talking with a “nasal” voice (like they always sound congested)

• Trouble sleeping or waking up feeling tired

• Repeated ear infections or fluid in the ears

In kids, you might also notice:

• Irritability or trouble focusing in school

• Poor sleep quality or restlessness

• Delayed speech or muffled hearing from ear pressure

• 
  

These signs don’t always mean it’s the adenoids—but they are a big clue, especially if the issues keep coming back. A quick visit to an ENT can help figure things out.

And remember, you don’t have to guess. Dr. David Opperman can take a look, ask the right questions, and help you decide if adenoids are the root of the problem if you live in Greenwood Village, CO.

How Do Adenoids Affect Your Voice and Breathing?

When adenoids become too large, they don’t just block your nose—they can affect the way you speak and breathe too. You might not realize it at first, but if you or your child has a nasal-sounding voice, breathes loudly, or struggles to speak clearly, swollen adenoids might be playing a role.

Here’s how adenoids can affect your voice and breathing:

• Nasal voice – Because the nasal passages are blocked, your voice may sound pinched or like you have a permanent cold.

• Mouth breathing – Constantly breathing through the mouth can dry out your throat and affect how clearly you speak.

• Vocal strain – If you’re struggling to get enough air through your nose, you might put extra pressure on your voice, leading to hoarseness or fatigue.

For kids, this can affect speech development and learning. For adults, it might lead to voice fatigue, especially if you rely on your voice for work.

Breathing can also feel more effortful. You may notice shortness of breath during sleep, or feel like you’re not getting enough air through your nose, especially at night.

This is where seeing a voice specialist or ENT doctor like Dr. David Opperman can make a real difference. With the right care, you can breathe easier, speak more clearly, and avoid ongoing discomfort.

How Are Adenoids Diagnosed by an ENT?

If you or your child has symptoms that point to adenoid problems, the next step is getting a proper diagnosis. But how do ENT doctors like Dr. David Opperman figure out what’s really going on with your adenoids?

It usually starts with a simple conversation about your symptoms. Your doctor will ask about breathing habits, sleep issues, sore throats, and ear infections. From there, they may do one or more of the following:

• Physical exam – A quick look in the mouth, ears, and nose to check for signs of swelling or infection.

• Nasal endoscopy – A thin, flexible camera goes gently into the nose to view the adenoids directly. It’s quick and usually well-tolerated.

• Imaging – In some cases, an X-ray or scan may be done to see how big the adenoids are and how much space they’re taking up.

These steps help your ENT understand if your adenoids are causing the trouble—or if something else is going on.

What Are the Treatment Options for Adenoids?

Once you know that swollen adenoids are the issue, the next question is: what can you do about it?

Thankfully, there are several ways to treat adenoid problems, and the right choice depends on your symptoms, age, and overall health. Here’s a breakdown of what treatment might look like:

1. Watch and Wait

If symptoms are mild or come and go, your doctor might suggest monitoring the adenoids for a while. Kids often grow out of adenoid problems as the tissue naturally shrinks with age.

2. Medications

For ongoing or recurring issues, medicines may help:

• Nasal sprays – Reduce inflammation and improve breathing

• Antibiotics – Used if there’s a bacterial infection

• Allergy treatments – Helpful if allergies are making things worse

3. Surgery (Adenoidectomy)

If problems keep coming back or are severe, your ENT may recommend surgery to remove the adenoids. This is called an adenoidectomy.

This is a common outpatient procedure, especially in children who have:

• Ongoing ear infections

• Sleep apnea

• Breathing problems

• Frequent sinus infections

Most people recover quickly, and many feel better almost right away—breathing easier, sleeping better, and getting sick less often.

Dr. David Opperman can help you decide if surgery is the right choice, or if there are non-surgical options that could work first. The goal is always to help you feel better with the least disruption possible.

Final Thoughts

Now that you understand what adenoids are, you can see how something so small can have such a big impact—especially on breathing, sleep, and voice.

If you or your child has been dealing with mouth breathing, snoring, constant congestion, or a nasal-sounding voice, it’s time to take those signs seriously. These symptoms don’t always go away on their own, and ignoring them could lead to bigger issues later on.

The good news is, you’re not alone—and help is close by.

As an experienced ENT and voice specialist, Dr. Opperman can figure out whether adenoids are the cause of your symptoms and guide you through the best treatment plan. 

If you’re in the Greenwood Village, CO area, don’t wait. Book a consultation with Dr. David Opperman today and take the first step toward feeling better.

FAQs

1. Can adults have adenoid problems?

Yes, although it’s more common in children, adults can also have issues with enlarged or infected adenoids. This might cause chronic nasal congestion, snoring, or even voice changes. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it’s worth getting checked.

2. Do adenoids grow back after surgery?

In rare cases, adenoid tissue can regrow after an adenoidectomy, especially in very young children. However, this doesn’t happen often, and symptoms usually don’t return.

3. What’s the difference between adenoids and tonsils?

Adenoids are located behind the nose, while tonsils are at the back of the throat. Both are part of the immune system and can become swollen or infected. Sometimes, both are removed at the same time if they’re causing problems.

4. How long does an adenoidectomy take?

The surgery usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes and is done under general anesthesia. Most children go home the same day.

5. Is it safe to remove the adenoids?

Yes, adenoidectomy is a safe and common procedure. Most people recover quickly and feel much better within a few days to a week.