Adenoid hypertrophy


Can you get vaccinated if you have enlarged adenoids?
Adenoid hypertrophy needs to be distinguished first between acute and chronic hypertrophy. If it is acute adenoid hypertrophy, vaccination should not be administered. Acute adenoid hypertrophy is most often caused by an acute inflammatory infection, usually secondary to acute rhinitis or sinusitis. When the inflammation affects the adenoids, it leads to congestion, edema, enlargement, and hyperplasia, resulting in clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, ear stuffiness, and ear pain. The treatment primarily involves symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment, along with nebulized inhalation to alleviate local congestion and edema, which can lead to gradual improvement. Vaccination can be administered once the inflammation has subsided. However, if it is chronic hypertrophy, patients can be vaccinated. Chronic hypertrophy is mostly due to continuous slow enlargement and hyperplasia of the adenoids caused by chronic inflammatory stimulation, leading to symptoms like snoring during sleep and mouth breathing. In such cases, adenoidectomy can be curative.


Does a baby snoring mean that the adenoids are enlarged?
Baby snoring cannot necessarily be attributed to enlarged adenoids; it might also be due to a cold, nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils, or the position of the tongue falling back while sleeping. Therefore, the specific cause of a baby's snoring needs to be determined by a professional physician's examination, and appropriate treatment should be given based on the specific cause. If the snoring is due to enlarged adenoids or tonsils, a professional evaluation may be required to decide whether surgery is necessary to alleviate the symptoms of snoring. If the cause is nasal congestion, oral antihistamines or local nasal sprays can be used to relieve the symptoms of snoring. (If medication is required, please proceed under the guidance of a doctor.)


What are the symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy in children?
Children with adenoid hypertrophy mainly have the following symptoms: The first is that children are prone to nasal congestion, and they may snore and breathe through their mouths while sleeping at night. The second is that their facial appearance might change. The third is that children may experience a decrease in memory and lack of concentration. It is recommended to visit the otolaryngology department for diagnosis. If diagnosed with adenoid hypertrophy in children, treatment should be targeted, based on the specific condition and severity of the child.


What anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken for adenoid hypertrophy?
Most glandular hypertrophy does not require antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, as it is a common condition or physiological manifestation in children. Glandular hypertrophy is the proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharyngeal area, causing partial obstruction of the posterior nasal aperture. Initially, clinical symptoms should be assessed. If there is only simple hypertrophy without any discomfort, it can be observed without treatment. However, if glandular hypertrophy is accompanied by clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, snoring during sleep, and mouth breathing, the use of oral medications and nasal sprays should be considered, but generally, anti-inflammatory drugs are not needed. If there is an acute inflammatory response in the glands, the use of antibiotics along with regular follow-ups and nasal cavity cleaning should be considered. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medication should only be taken under the guidance of a professional medical doctor, and blind medication should be avoided.)


Can adenoid hypertrophy cause a fever?
Adenoid hypertrophy is a common condition in children and is an overgrowth of normally occurring tissue. It does not cause fever on its own. However, diseases secondary to adenoid hypertrophy, such as sinusitis and otitis media, might lead to fever. During the acute infection phase of hypertrophied adenoids, referred to as acute adenoiditis, fever can occur. Therefore, clinically, it is essential to distinguish between different stages and conditions of adenoid hypertrophy to manage it correctly. Simply put, adenoid hypertrophy does not cause fever by itself.


Can you drink milk with enlarged adenoids?
Patients with adenoid hypertrophy can consume milk. The adenoids, also known as the pharyngeal tonsils, are a common ENT disorder, occurring mostly in children. The adenoid tissues become hyperplastic and active, blocking the posterior nasal passages and causing symptoms such as snoring during nighttime sleep, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sinusitis. When adenoid hypertrophy occurs, surgery is primarily used for treatment. In terms of diet, patients can consume milk and eggs, but should avoid cold and spicy foods to prevent exacerbating the swelling and congestion of the adenoids.


Which department should I visit for adenoid hypertrophy?
Enlarged adenoids should be examined by an otolaryngologist. Enlarged adenoids are a relatively common condition, usually seen in children, though a small portion of adults may experience it as well. The main symptoms of enlarged adenoids include nasal congestion and snoring during sleep. In severe cases, it can lead to mouth breathing or a distinctive "adenoid facies". These symptoms are usually more apparent in children around the ages of 5 to 6, and the adenoids generally begin to shrink after the age of 8. However, if the symptoms are pronounced during childhood, timely treatment is necessary. Prolonged lack of treatment or ineffective medication can potentially lead to abnormal development of the facial bones. Therefore, timely medical treatment is crucial, and in severe cases, surgery might be required.


Does adenoid hypertrophy have a strange smell?
Adenoid hypertrophy is a common ENT disease, mostly seen in infants and young children aged 5 to 7 years. Before surgery for adenoid hypertrophy, the blockage of the posterior nasal aperture can cause edema, inflammation, and purulent secretions in the sinus and nasal mucosa, leading to an unpleasant odor in the nasal cavity. Patients with adenoid hypertrophy usually need to undergo adenoidectomy using a plasma knife. After the surgery, local burns can cause necrosis of the mucosa, resulting in bad odors in both the nasal and oral cavities. Therefore, for patients with adenoid hypertrophy, the main approach is to maintain oral hygiene, which can help reduce the unpleasant nasal odors.


Do adenoids cause coughing?
Children with adenoid hypertrophy may exhibit symptoms of coughing. The reason for the aforementioned symptoms primarily stems from excessive growth and enlargement of adenoid tissues, resulting in obstruction of the posterior nasal aperture. This causes chronic sinusitis in children and postnasal drip, leading to reflex cough. Therefore, for patients with adenoid hypertrophy, it is crucial to first conduct thorough examinations such as paranasal sinus CT and electronic nasopharyngoscopy to definitively diagnose the patient's condition, enabling early detection and timely surgical treatment. This involves removing the enlarged adenoid tissues to restore normal nasal ventilation and overall physical condition. Additionally, relevant examinations should be promptly completed before and during surgery to rule out surgical contraindications. After surgery, it is advisable to avoid hot baths, foot baths, and strenuous exercise to prevent postoperative bleeding from the surgical site.


Adenoid hypertrophy conservative treatment
Adenoid hypertrophy is a relatively common disease, mainly seen in children, with only a small portion of adults possibly experiencing adenoid hypertrophy. In terms of treatment, the first consideration is conservative medical treatment, which currently commonly involves oral medications and nasal sprays. Additionally, rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution and adopting a side-sleeping position during sleep can be considered. Most patients see a significant improvement in symptoms after standardized medication treatment, and with increasing age, many adenoids may gradually atrophy. However, there is a small group of patients for whom medication does not work well and symptoms are more apparent; in these cases, adenoidectomy might be considered. After the surgery, regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor the relief of symptoms and to check for any recurrence. (The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.)