Can Enlarged Adenoids Cause Coughing at Night?

The adenoids are lymphatic tissue located high in the throat behind the nose. As part of the immune system, they help trap bacteria and viruses entering through the nasal cavity. But enlarged adenoids can cause sleep problems. If you search for, “Can enlarged adenoids cause coughing at night?” Medstar is here for you to provide insights.

In children, the adenoids normally enlarge until around age 6 to help boost immunity, then gradually shrink. For some, however, the adenoids remain enlarged and can cause issues like coughing at night. As the top Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Clinic in London, Medstar Clinic sees many patients with concerns about enlarged adenoids. 

One common symptom of enlarged adenoids is nighttime coughing, so let's take a closer look at why adenoids become enlarged, whether enlarged adenoids can cause coughing at night, and what options are available for children and adults at Medstar London!

Why Do Adenoids Become Enlarged?

There are a few main reasons why the adenoids may become swollen or enlarged:

• Infection: The adenoids play an important role in the immune system by trapping germs, so they may enlarge as the body's way of fighting an infection in the nose, throat, or ears. Even after the infection clears up, the adenoids can remain enlarged.

• Allergies: Seasonal allergies or other allergic triggers that cause nasal congestion or post-nasal drip can lead to chronic swelling of the adenoids over time.

• Genetics: Some children are simply born with adenoids that are larger than average. Their size alone may cause symptoms.

In most cases of enlarged adenoids in children, the cause is never identified, as they commonly enlarge during early childhood development and then gradually shrink throughout school-age years. Seeing our doctors at Medstar Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Clinic can help diagnose the underlying reason.

How to Check for Enlarged Adenoids in Adults?

While enlarged adenoids most often affect young children, it is also possible for adults to experience adenoid enlargement. One possible cause is an ongoing infection or allergy issue that is never fully resolved. 

For adults experiencing symptoms like nasal congestion, mouth breathing, or recurring sore throats, it is a good idea to have their adenoids examined. At Medstar Clinic, our experienced ENT doctors have several ways to check for enlarged adult adenoids:

• Exam: During a physical exam, the doctor will inspect the nose, mouth, and throat for any signs of swelling.

• Nasal Endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the nose to view the nasopharynx and get a direct look at the adenoids.

• X-ray: Certain X-ray views can reveal if the adenoids are abnormally large compared to their expected adult size.

• MRI or CT Scan: These advanced scans provide extremely detailed images that clearly show the size and shape of the adenoids.

If enlarged adenoids are diagnosed as the cause of symptoms, treatment options can be discussed. For many adults, watchful waiting may be the best approach unless symptoms of enlarged adenoids are severe.

How to Help a Child Sleep with Enlarged Adenoids?

Having enlarged adenoids can definitely disrupt a child's sleep, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness and behavioural issues. The good news is there are steps parents can take to help their child sleep more comfortably while dealing with adenoid enlargement.

• Humidifier: Add extra moisture to the air, which can reduce coughing and throat clearing.

• Nasal spray/saline rinse: Helps thin out nasal congestion for easier breathing.

• Proper positioning: Have your child sleep with their head elevated using extra pillows. This drainage.

• Nighttime cough/decongestant: Over-the-counter medications can temporarily relieve adenoid symptoms at bedtime.

• See an ENT doctor: If symptoms are severe, an ear, nose, & throat physician like those at Medstar Clinic can evaluate treatment options like surgical removal of the adenoids.

• Book an appointment online: Medstar Clinic offers online appointment scheduling on our website for both new and established patients and also on the Medstar app, which can be downloaded on the Google Play Store and App Store.

With support and advice from healthcare professionals, most children adjust to sleeping with enlarged adenoids. But seeing an expert is wise if your child's rest and daily routine are too impacted. 

You can trust Medstar in this regard for expert treatment solutions. Also, make sure to check out “Can Adenoids Affect Speech Development?” for more details about enlarged adenoids in children.

How to Sleep with Enlarged Adenoids?

Even with treatment and lifestyle adjustments, adults with enlarged adenoids may continue having disturbed sleep. Here are some extra tips for getting better quality rest:

• Prop yourself up: Use a wedge pillow, blankets rolled into a bolster, or extra pillows to raise your entire torso while lying on your back or either side. Gravity helps drainage instead of swallowing.

• Try breathing exercises: Unwind before bed with deep breathing, which can relax muscles and clear your nasal passages.

• Limit fluids: Avoid drinking large volumes before bed, which increases trips to the bathroom and the risk of throat clearing.

• Cool mist humidifier: Run one in your bedroom to add moisture to the air without drying out your throat and nasal membranes overnight.

• Nasal strips: Products like nasal strips lift nasal tissue for wider airways and less snoring or mouth breathing.

• See a sleep specialist: If symptoms of adenoids enlargement persist, request a referral to a sleep specialist at a facility like Medstar Clinic. Our team can evaluate sleep apnoea or other issues.

Consistent rest is vital for health, so do not hesitate to explore all options if enlarged adenoids disrupt your nights. Focusing on these lifestyle tweaks may help you sleep better naturally.

How to Suppress Cough at Night?

No matter your age, a persistent cough can disrupt sleep and leave you feeling drained during the day. For those dealing with a cough caused or exacerbated by enlarged adenoids, here are some natural remedies Medstar Clinic recommends trying before bed:

• Honey: A teaspoon of honey has been shown to temporarily suppress coughing. Its thickness coats the throat.

• Herbal tea: Sipping chamomile, mint, or liquorice root tea provides throat-coating relief while its warmth and steam hydrate irritated airways.

• Saline spray/rinse: Using a nasal saline spray or pot rinse clears nasal congestion for easier breathing and less irritation.

• Vapour rub: Applying vapours from camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol-containing chest rubs soothe cough reflexes.

• Stay hydrated: Drink sufficient water throughout the day to thin secretions rather than swallowing or coughing them up.

• Try prescription options: If these remedies do not work, see an ENT doctor to discuss safe prescription cough or decongestant medicines with minimal daytime drowsiness side effects.

With relief from coughing, enlarged adenoids and most other causes cease interfering with sleep. Consulting Medstar Clinic is wise if home treatments are not helping and if you search for “Best Private Health Clinic for ENT in London Near Me”.

ENT Clinic in London

As one of London's top specialists in ear, nose, and throat conditions, Medstar ENT Clinic in London treats a wide range of issues every day. Our experienced physicians are skilled in evaluating and diagnosing problems involving the upper respiratory tract and related structures like the sinuses, voice box, mouth, and thyroid.

Whether you need help with chronic sinusitis, a laryngology issue like vocal cord lesions or paralysis, hearing loss, dizziness, or enlarged lymph nodes/masses in the neck, we offer comprehensive care. We also specialise in diseases of the salivary glands, facial trauma and reconstruction cases, sniffing disorders like chronic rhinitis, and swallowing disorders like dysphagia.

You may want to check out “Viral Chest Infection Treatment in London”, “Can Vaping Cause Tonsillitis?”, “Can Tonsils Cause Ear Infections?”,  “How to Recover from Glandular Fever?”, “How to Cure Hay Fever Permanently?”, and “Sore Throat and Itchy Ears”, “Can a Sinus Infection Cause a Hoarse Voice?”, and “How to Tell If Hearing Loss is Permanent or Temporary?” to learn more about ENT diseases.

For those experiencing symptoms like nasal obstruction or congestion, dry mouth, head or facial pain, ringing in the ears, ear fullness, or neck lumps/swelling, the experienced ENT doctors at our London clinic can properly diagnose the cause. If needed, they perform minimally invasive in-office procedures and surgeries using the latest medical technology. Post-treatment follow-up care is also provided.

Making an appointment is an easy process with Medstar London. You can contact us directly or book an appointment online. Our goal is helping all patients in London feel relieved of ENT issues through effective treatment in a comfortable environment. Book your appointment with Medstar ENT Clinic today!

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