Does adenoid hypertrophy cause a runny nose?

Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
Updated on February 21, 2025
00:00
00:00

Adenoid hypertrophy can cause a runny nose, which is a very common symptom of adenoid hypertrophy. Since the adenoids are located at the back of the nasal cavity, specifically in the nasopharynx, the mucus secreted by the nasal cavity normally flows backward, precisely to the back of the nasal cavity, passing over the adenoids. When the adenoids are enlarged, they block the drainage pathway of the mucus, causing most of it to flow out from the front of the nasal cavity. Therefore, adenoid hypertrophy can lead to a runny nose, which is one of its symptoms, and can also cause related symptoms of rhinitis such as nasal congestion. After nasal congestion, it may lead to various other manifestations, including snoring.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
53sec home-news-image

What should I do about adenoid hypertrophy?

Adenoid hypertrophy is a relatively common disease among children, and it also occurs in a small portion of adolescents and adults. Generally, it is necessary to first perform a nasopharyngoscopy to assess the specific extent of hypertrophy. If the hypertrophy is very mild and there are no subjective symptoms, the situation is usually managed with regular check-ups without special treatment. If the hypertrophy is more significant and accompanied by nasal congestion, sleep disturbances, snoring, or a feeling of ear blockage, treatment typically involves the use of oral medications and nasal sprays. Generally, a standard treatment lasts about two weeks, after which the effectiveness should be reassessed. If there is no effectiveness, adenoidectomy, a relatively routine surgery, may need to be considered. However, most patients are very effectively treated with conservative management.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
50sec home-news-image

How to treat adenoid hypertrophy?

Adenoid hypertrophy mainly occurs in infants and children. It is a congenital disease, meaning that most children are born with varying degrees of adenoid hypertrophy. However, in many children, the adenoids begin to shrink after six months and generally do not cause symptoms. If the adenoids are enlarged, it can lead to the child breathing through their mouth, snoring, and gasping, which may cause facial changes, brain hypoxia, and delayed brain development. In such cases, adenoidectomy might be considered, generally performed under general anesthesia. However, some children with adenoid hypertrophy also have enlarged tonsils, so both surgeries are often performed together. Otherwise, if only the adenoid hypertrophy is treated without addressing enlarged tonsils, problems such as mouth breathing and snoring may not improve.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 7sec home-news-image

Adenoid hypertrophy can undergo nebulization treatment.

Adenoid hypertrophy can be treated with nebulized inhalation, which is very effective. The adenoid is a lymphatic tissue in the nasopharyngeal area that generally becomes enlarged in children. Its enlargement is mostly caused by inflammatory stimulation, commonly seen in acute rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis. It can cause persistent nasal congestion, snoring at night, and can also lead to symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear stuffiness. During an examination with an electronic nasopharyngoscope, enlarged and congested adenoids blocking the nasal passages can be observed. In terms of treatment, patients can initially opt for conservative treatments, where nebulized inhalation has proven to be very effective. It can reduce congestion and edema of the adenoids to relieve symptoms. However, if conservative treatment is ineffective, patients may need to undergo adenoidectomy. This surgery requires hospitalization, and patients can generally recover and be discharged within a week.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
38sec home-news-image

Does adenoid hypertrophy cause dizziness?

The adenoid is a normal tissue located in the nasopharyngeal area of the human body. Enlargement of the adenoid can block the nasopharyngeal passage, leading to various symptoms and causing dizziness. The primary reason is that adenoid enlargement can lead to snoring and mouth breathing, which affects the supply of oxygen, resulting in dizziness. Additionally, adenoid enlargement may lead to secondary sinusitis, which can also cause symptoms of dizziness and even headaches. Therefore, overall, the enlargement of the adenoid or its associated symptoms can lead to dizziness.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
45sec home-news-image

Can you eat fish with enlarged adenoids?

Patients with adenoid hypertrophy can eat fish, as fish is a common type of meat and does not have side effects on the condition of adenoid hypertrophy, nor does it affect the treatment outcome of adenoid hypertrophy. There is also no direct conflict with the medications used to treat adenoid hypertrophy. For patients with significant adenoid enlargement accompanied by related clinical symptoms, such as nasal congestion, mouth breathing, and snoring during sleep, timely treatment is necessary. Most patients can opt for treatment with oral medications combined with nasal spray medications. If conservative medical treatment is ineffective and the condition is severe, surgical removal might be considered.