28/08/2025
📌 Adenoiditis – Overview
Definition:
Adenoiditis is the inflammation of the adenoids (lymphoid tissue located in the nasopharynx, behind the nose and above the throat). It commonly affects children, as adenoids are largest in early childhood and regress after adolescence.
---
🔹 Etiology / Causes
Viral infections (adenovirus, rhinovirus, influenza, RSV)
Bacterial infections (Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, H. influenzae)
Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections
Allergy or chronic sinusitis predisposing
---
🔹 Signs & Symptoms
Nasal obstruction → mouth breathing, nasal voice
Snoring / sleep apnea (due to airway obstruction)
Recurrent ear infections (otitis media due to Eustachian tube blockage)
Chronic runny nose (nasal discharge, postnasal drip)
Difficulty swallowing / sore throat
Enlarged cervical lymph nodes
Daytime fatigue, irritability (from poor sleep)
---
🔹 Pathophysiology
1. Infection / allergen exposure → activates adenoid lymphoid tissue.
2. Hyperplasia + inflammation → swelling in nasopharynx.
3. Airway obstruction → mouth breathing, snoring, OSA.
4. Eustachian tube obstruction → middle ear effusion, recurrent otitis media.
5. Chronic inflammation → adenoidal hypertrophy → persistent obstruction.
---
🔹 Investigations
Clinical diagnosis (history & physical exam)
Nasal endoscopy → direct visualization of enlarged adenoids
X-ray nasopharynx (lateral view) → soft tissue shadow of adenoids
Audiometry / Tympanometry → if associated with ear issues
CBC → may show leukocytosis in bacterial infection
Culture → if recurrent/purulent discharge
---
🔹 Treatment Approaches
1. Allopathic Perspective
Medical:
Analgesics & antipyretics (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
Nasal saline irrigation
Decongestants (short-term)
Antibiotics (if bacterial suspected)
Intranasal corticosteroids (for allergic component)
Surgical:
Adenoidectomy → indicated in chronic / recurrent adenoiditis, OSA, or recurrent otitis media not responding to medical therapy.
---
2. Ayurvedic Perspective
In Ayurveda, adenoiditis can be correlated with “Nāsāgranthi Śotha / Tundikeri” – a disease of Ūrdhvajatrugata rogas (diseases above clavicle), caused mainly by Kapha + Vāta dosha aggravation.
Nidāna (Causes)
Guru (heavy), Abhishyandi (blocking) food
Excess cold food/drinks, curd, ice cream
Repeated respiratory infections
Poor digestion (Agnimandya → Āma formation)
Lakṣaṇa (Symptoms)
Nasal obstruction, mouth breathing
Snoring, disturbed sleep
Thick nasal discharge
Difficulty in speech/swallowing
Karna vedanā (ear pain) due to blockage
Samprāpti (Pathogenesis)
Kapha + Vāta vitiation → śotha (inflammation) & granthi (enlargement) in nasopharyngeal lymphoid tissue.
Leads to obstruction of prāṇa vāha srotas and śravaṇa srotas (respiration & hearing channels).
Chikitsā (Management)
Śodhana (purification):
Nasya Karma (nasal drops with Anu Taila, Shadbindu Taila)
Dhoomapāna (medicated smoke inhalation)
Gandusha/Kavala (oil pulling with medicated oils)
Śamana (palliative):
Herbs: Haridra (Turmeric), Tulasi, Yashtimadhu, Pippali, Kantakari
Formulations: Sitopaladi Churna, Talīsādi Churna, Vyoshadi Vati, Chyawanprash
Kashayas: Dashamoola Kwatha, Kantakari Avaleha
Lifestyle/Diet: Avoid cold/ice foods, curd at night, promote warm soups, light digestible food, pranayama for lung function.
---
📌 Summary Table
Aspect Allopathy Ayurveda
Definition Inflammation of adenoids Ūrdhvajatrugata kapha-vāta śotha (Nāsa granthi)
Symptoms Nasal obstruction, snoring, otitis media Nasāvarodha, śvāsa kaṣṭa, nidrā bādha
Investigations Endoscopy, X-ray, audiometry Nāsāparīkṣā, Doṣa-nidāna
Treatment Antibiotics, decongestants, adenoidectomy Nasya, Dhoomapāna, herbal formulations, Kapha-pacifying regimen
---
✅ So, Adenoiditis is an inflammatory condition with both medical and surgical solutions in allopathy, while Ayurveda focuses on Kapha–Vāta pacification, detoxification (Nasya, Dhoomapāna), and long-term immunity-building.
