Enlarged adenoids refer to the enlargement of adenoids i.e. the lymphoid tissue located at the junction of the back of the nose and throat. Like tonsils, they are a part of the body’s immune system and play a major role in fighting infections (like the bacteria and viruses entering the body via the nose) in children. Adenoid enlargement is a problem affecting children, those in the 3-10-year age group are the most vulnerable.

Homeopathy is a very natural and effective alternative to surgery in cases of enlarged adenoids in children. Homeopathy treats adenoids in two phases. In the first phase, homeopathic medicines help to provide relief for symptoms like a blocked nose, snoring, etc. Besides, they treat any ongoing infection if present when a person approaches for treatment. In the second phase, these medicines build the immunity of the person to prevent chronic upper respiratory tract infections. It also treats nasal allergies if that causes enlargement of adenoids. Homeopathy helps to halt the further increase in the size of adenoids. The adenoids gradually start to shrink in some time with the proper course of homeopathic treatment as guided by a homeopathic doctor. In conventional medicine, surgery may be advised in many cases of enlarged adenoids. Even if adenoids are surgically removed, the regrowth of adenoids has been noted. Here homeopathy may help to prevent surgery in many cases, having mild to moderate grade of enlarged adenoids. Homeopathy first fixes the root cause, followed by shrinking adenoids back to normal size. However, how much these medicines can help and for how long they need to be taken depends on the severity of the condition.

Homeopathy strengthens immunity and prevents recurrent infections

The main cause behind enlargement of adenoids is recurrent upper respiratory tract infections. So this root cause needs to be treated to get relief in these cases. So, here homeopathic medicines address this root cause by focusing on strengthening the child’s immune system. Once the immunity is strong, the child becomes less prone to catching cold frequently and less susceptible to recurrent upper respiratory tract infections. Once this key factor leading to enlarged adenoids is treated, the adenoids get the time to shrink and go back to their normal size.

Safe medicines

Homeopathic medicines offer the safest treatment in cases of enlarged adenoids as these do not have any adverse side effects. The reason behind this is the use of medicines prepared from natural substances like plants, minerals, etc. These are free from any toxins and treat the condition of enlarged adenoids in a very gentle and natural way by boosting the body’s self-healing mechanism. In mainstream medicines, the treatment protocol for enlarged adenoids mainly includes frequent use of antibiotics, steroid nasal spray, and antihistamines (this is in the case of nasal allergies). These medicines give only temporary relief and may lead to side effects. On the other hand, homeopathy medicines aim for a permanent cure and have zero side effects. Homeopathic treatment for the recommended time as per a homeopathic physician also helps to reduce dependency on the use of antibiotics, antihistamines, and nasal sprays remarkably.

Top 7 Homeopathic Medicines To Treat Enlarged Adenoids

Homeopathic medicines that work wonders in treating enlarged adenoids include Agraphis Nutans, Baryta Carb, Calcarea Carb, Sambucus, Ammonium Carb, Kali Sulphuricum, and Tuberculinum.

1. Agraphis Nutans – Top-Grade Medicine

Agraphis Nutans is one of the best homeopathic medicines for treating enlarged adenoids. It is a natural medicine prepared from the plant Bluebell, also known as ‘wild hyacinth’. This medicine is mainly prescribed based on its two important indications. First is nasal blockage due to enlarged adenoids where it proves very effective. Next is ear complaints mainly deafness, resulting from adenoids growing big. Apart from these, Agraphis Nutans is also very effective when the enlargement of adenoids and tonsils is present together at the same time.

When to use Agraphis Nutans?

Agraphis Nutans can be given in cases of enlarged adenoids to manage nasal blockage and also for ear complaints, especially deafness resulting from enlarged adenoids.

How to use Agraphis Nutans?

A child having enlarged adenoids can be given this medicine twice or thrice a day as per the intensity of the complaint.

2. Baryta Carb – For Managing Recurrent Tendency To Get Cold And Sore Throat

Baryta Carb is a homeopathic medicine of great help in treating numerous health concerns in kids among which enlarged adenoids is a prominent one.  It is mainly prescribed where a child has tendency to have colds and recurrent throat infections. Both adenoids and tonsils may have enlarged together simultaneously. In acute phase of URTI (upper respiratory tract infection), pain in the throat on swallowing, sneezing and thick yellow nasal discharge may also be seen. The mouth gives off an offensive odor. The child may be physically inactive and sluggish.

When to use Baryta Carb?

Baryta Carb is considered in cases where the tendency to have recurrent cold and sore throat is present. This medicine can also be used when adenoids and tonsils, both are enlarged.

 How to use Baryta Carb?

Its use can be done from low (like 30C) to high potencies (like 200C and 1M) but not in very frequent doses. To begin with, one may take Baryta Carb 30C twice a week only. To increase the dose or potency, kindly consult a homeopathic doctor.

3. Calcarea Carb – To Manage Disposition To Take Cold Easily

Calcarea Carb is the top medicine for kids who are highly susceptible to cold and fall sick after every such exposure. They get repetitive cold with clear watery nasal discharge or yellow foul discharge. Besides, nasal blockage is very prominent which is the most troublesome at night.  The chronic tendency to infections results in enlarged adenoids or tonsils. Such children also tend to perspire excessively on the scalp.

When to use Calcarea Carb?

Calcarea Carb is administered to kids who are inclined to get recurrent colds from even slight exposure to cold weather.

How to use Calcarea Carb?

Its use varies from low (30C) to high potencies (200C, 1M) varying from case to case. Initially, Calcarea Carb 30C can be given twice a week or 200C be given once a week. For changing its dose or moving to higher potencies, advice from a homeopathic expert is a must.

4. Sambucus – To Relieve Nasal Blockage

Sambucus is a natural remedy sourced from the plant Sambucus Nigra commonly known as ‘elder’. Its use is highly considered to manage a blocked nose at night with thick mucus in the nostrils. The mucus is also very sticky. Mouth breathing due to a blocked nose is pronounced.

When to use Sambucus?

This medicine is best to relieve nasal blockage along with thick mucus in the nose.

How to use Sambucus?

This medicine acts for a short period and bears repetition well. Sambucus 30C can be used two or three times a day as per the severity of the problem.

5. Ammonium Carb – For Intense Nasal Blockage

Ammonium Carb is a very suitable medicine to manage nasal blockage. The blockage is intense causing the child to breathe through mouth. The child may jerk several times during sleep due to obstructed breathing.

When to use Ammonium Carb?

Ammonium Carb can be used when there is nasal blockage along with mouth breathing.

How to use Ammonium Carb?

Ammonium Carb 30C given three times a day gives great relief in nasal blockage.

6. Kali Sulphuricum – When Symptoms Still Trouble Even After Surgery Of Adenoids

Kali Sulphuricum is a specific medicine for managing symptoms that persist even after surgery for enlarged adenoids. This medicine can be used to manage symptoms including nasal blockage, mouth breathing, and snoring.  It can also be given when yellow nasal discharge accompanies these symptoms.

When to use Kali Sulphuricum?

This medicine is an ideal prescription if symptoms like nasal blockage, mouth breathing, and snoring are still disturbing your child inspite of adenoid surgery.

How to use Kali Sulphuricum?

It is majorly used in biochemical form in 6X potency that comes in tablet form. Kali Sulphuricum 6X can be used three to four times a day at a three-hour gap. The number of tablets to be given at a time varies from 2 to 4 as per the age of the child.

 7. Tuberculinum – To Treat Recurrent Infections Causing Enlarged Adenoids

Tuberculinum is a very effective homeopathic medicine to help build a child’s immunity so that he does not catch infections repeatedly. Children needing it are very sensitive to weather changes and highly susceptible to infections. They frequently suffer from sore throat, colds, and upper respiratory tract infections. This medicine is given in chronic cases and when no active infection is present. It strengthens the body’s immune system.

When to use Tuberculinum?

Tuberculinum is mainly used as a medicine to boost a child’s immunity which will make a child less susceptible to catch frequent infections.

How to use Tuberculinum?

It is mainly used in 200C or higher potencies. The dose varies from just one dose in 15 days or a month depending on the age of the child and the severity of the problem. It is advised not to self-medicate with this medicine as it is a strong remedy. Always use this medicine only after consulting a homeopathic physician.

Note Use of these medicines is recommended only in mild to moderate cases. They can be used for about a month or two in recommended potency and dose. For further continuation of these medicines or for increasing dose or potency, kindly consult a homeopathic physician. In severe cases (for example, sleep apnea, mouth breathing even during daytime, recurrent ear infections or retarded overall growth of child), kindly take help from conventional mode of treatment as homeopathy has its limitations in treating severe cases of enlarged adenoids.

Cause Behind Adenoids Enlargement

Adenoids are present in every child that act as the first line of defense in the body along with tonsils. They normally grow up till  5-7 years of age and thereafter, they start shrinking and finally disappear around teenage. This is the physiological growth and regression pattern of adenoids, which are needed only until the child becomes a teenager. By that time, the other immune systems get mature enough to fight infections and disease. The adenoids, which are no longer needed, regress and disappear.

But in some children adenoids tend to get enlarged. The main risk factors behind this are recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and nasal allergies. As soon as the germs enter via the nose, adenoids trap them and fight them. In this process, the adenoids get temporarily swollen. With time, this swelling reduces and they come back to their original size. However, if the infections are recurrent, the adenoids, due to constant swelling, are unable to return to normal size and get permanently enlarged even in the absence of any acute URTI.

Signs And Symptoms Of Enlarged Adenoids

1. Nasal blockage causing mouth breathing, noisy breathing and snoring

2. Dry mouth, dry cracked lips, offensive breath due to breathing from mouth

3. Disturbed, restless sleep; drowsiness and sleepiness during the day; difficulty in concentration

4. Nasal voice, enlarged glands in the neck, frequent colds, sore throat, and difficult swallowing. Appetite may also be poor. A child having enlarged adenoids has a blocked nose and breathes through the mouth. Chewing and breathing at the same time are difficult, therefore these children avoid eating at all.

5. Adenoid facies: The term facies refers to a set of specific facial features in a person suffering from a particular disease. The typical set of facial features noted in a child having enlarged adenoids is known as adenoid facies. The features of adenoid facies include a long face, open mouth, high arched palate, prominent incisors, short upper lip and a pinched nose.

Complications Of Enlarged Adenoids

1. Sleep apnea (momentary pauses in breathing arise during sleep) in severe cases. Sleep apnea leads to poor sleep, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating on studies at school.

2. Ear-related complaints such as difficulty in hearing, deafness, and ear infections. The eustachian tube connects the throat to the middle ear. When the adenoids get enormously enlarged, they may block these eustachian tubes, leading to deafness or middle ear infection.

3. In fact, persistently enlarged adenoids retard the overall development of the child. The retarded growth in such cases is attributed to two main factors – poor appetite leading to nutritional deficiencies, and improper sleep. The growth hormone required in children is primarily secreted during sleep. A child who lacks sound sleep will have lower levels of this growth hormone and hence, suffer poor growth and development.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My child has a persistently blocked nose, are enlarged adenoids to blame?

A blocked nose is a key feature of enlarged adenoids and is accompanied with symptoms like mouth breathing and snoring. However, nasal allergies, turbinate hypertrophy, and nasal polyps may also cause a blocked nose. So a diagnosis and X-ray of soft tissue of the neck are needed before enlarged adenoids can be established as the cause.

2. Can enlarged adenoids and enlarged tonsils appear at the same time?

Yes. Tonsils are located in the back of the throat, one on either side and are a part of the child’s defense mechanism along with adenoids. Both adenoids and tonsils are masses of lymphoid tissue. There are high chances for both adenoids and tonsils to get enlarged at the same time.

3. Can adenoids grow back after surgery?

Yes, there is a fair chance they will. This is because even though the adenoids have been incised, the root cause behind their enlargement remains.