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Enlarged adenoids
Definition:
The adenoids are lymphatic tissue in the back of the nose, similar to the tonsils. If the adenoids become enlarged, it can cause cause mouth breathing, snoring, bad breath, and chronic runny nose. It can also cause health-threatening conditions such as sleep apnea, pulmonary hypertension, and right-sided heart failure. Alternative Names:
Adenoids - enlarged
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Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Enlargement of the adenoids may occur naturally (beginning during fetal development), or it may be caused by long-term inflammation.
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