Is adenoid hypertrophy related to rhinitis?

Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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The adenoids are located at the rear end of the nasal cavity, specifically in the nasopharynx. When the adenoids become enlarged, they can affect the ventilation and drainage functions of the nasal cavity. Therefore, enlarged adenoids can cause rhinitis, leading to symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, and snoring during sleep; these impact the nasal ventilation, which are the most common symptoms. The rationale is that when the adenoids are enlarged, the nasal mucus cannot be normally drained through the nasal cavity's drainage function. As a result, children may exhibit symptoms of excessive nasal discharge and nasal congestion, and difficulty breathing through the nose. Additionally, the rhinitis caused by the enlarged adenoids leads to nasal congestion, which then manifests as the child snoring and breathing through the mouth during sleep. Over time, this can lead to a condition known as "adenoid facies."

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 8sec home-news-image

What foods are good to eat for enlarged adenoids?

For adenoid hypertrophy, it is advisable to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits in daily life, such as apples, oranges, grapefruits, and tomatoes. Try to avoid spicy and irritating foods as they can cause the adenoids to become congested and swollen, worsening the condition. Clinically, adenoid hypertrophy is generally caused by repeated inflammatory stimuli and the irritation from spicy foods, leading to diffuse congestion, edema, and hyperplasia of the adenoids. This condition can cause the patient to experience persistent nasal congestion in both nostrils, accompanied by snoring during sleep. In severe cases, it can lead to tinnitus and hearing loss, necessitating a hospital examination where a digital nasopharyngoscope can confirm the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, acute adenoid hypertrophy requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment combined with a light diet. If the patient has been suffering for a long time and conservative treatment is ineffective, adenoidectomy may be necessary to completely cure the condition.

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Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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How to check for adenoid hypertrophy?

Adenoid hypertrophy is mainly seen in infants and young children. Children with adenoid hypertrophy often also have enlarged tonsils. Therefore, it is important to ask if the patient breathes with their mouth open, snores, or has episodes of breath-holding. In older children, a nasal endoscopy can be performed to find that the adenoids block two-thirds or even up to three-quarters of the posterior nasal aperture. For smaller children who may not cooperate, imaging studies such as nasopharyngeal CT, X-rays, and lateral films can be used to detect adenoids. In the nasopharynx, the imaging will show the presence of soft tissue with clear boundaries from the surrounding areas.

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Written by Lian Wen Xi
Pediatrics
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Does a child sleeping with their mouth open indicate enlarged adenoids?

The mouth and nose are two organs of the human body used for breathing. Normally, breathing is done through the nose, but when the nose is blocked, mouth breathing occurs. Therefore, mouth breathing is a sign of respiratory discomfort and nasal congestion. Common causes like acute and chronic rhinitis, upper respiratory infections, enlarged tonsils, enlarged adenoids, and nasal foreign bodies can all lead to children sleeping with their mouths open. Thus, a child sleeping with an open mouth does not necessarily indicate enlarged adenoids. If a child experiences nasal congestion, snoring, or mouth breathing for more than a month, it is advisable to consult an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) for a timely examination.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What is adenoid hypertrophy in children?

The adenoid, also known as the pharyngeal tonsil or lymphoid tissue, is located at the top of the nasopharynx and the posterior pharyngeal wall. It looks like an orange segment and is most active in growth from ages 2 to 6 in children, gradually atrophying after age 10. Due to repetitive inflammation, the adenoid can undergo pathological hyperplasia, known as adenoid hypertrophy, which can cause clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion and mouth breathing. The main cause of adenoid hypertrophy is inflammation in the nasopharyngeal region or the adenoid itself. Repeated stimulation leads to pathological hyperplasia. Common causes include recurrent acute and chronic nasopharyngitis, various acute infectious diseases in childhood, which exacerbate nasal congestion symptoms, obstruct nasal drainage, and nasal and sinus secretions further stimulate the adenoid, causing it to continue to grow and creating a vicious cycle.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Does adenoid hypertrophy require surgery?

The adenoids are tissue organs located in our nasopharynx. Whether we need surgery after adenoid hypertrophy depends on two circumstances. The first is the degree of hypertrophy; if the adenoids are significantly enlarged, we might consider surgery. However, merely having enlarged adenoids is not enough; we need to see if the hypertrophy blocks the nasal cavity, obstructs our Eustachian tube, leads to adenoid facies, etc. If there are symptoms and secondary diseases, such hypertrophied adenoids, also known as adenoid hypertrophy, will necessitate surgery. If the adenoid hypertrophy is mild and presents no symptoms, we can temporarily observe without needing surgical intervention.