What should I do about adenoid hypertrophy?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 30, 2025
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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.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What medicine is used for adenoid hypertrophy?

The adenoids are normal anatomical structures located in the nasopharynx. In childhood, the glandular tissue of the adenoids becomes enlarged, blocking the normal passages of the nasopharynx and leading to secondary diseases. Clinically, there are no drugs specifically targeting enlarged adenoids. However, other medications, such as mometasone nasal spray and montelukast sodium, may have some effect on adenoid enlargement and can help a minority of patients avoid surgery. Nonetheless, it is advised not to rely on these drugs as the primary treatment method for enlarged adenoids; the main treatment is surgical.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Postoperative care for adenoid hypertrophy removal surgery

Adenoid hypertrophy is currently treated primarily via surgical removal using a plasma scalpel to ablate the hypertrophied adenoid tissue, effectively treating the condition. The advantages of using a plasma scalpel include minimal bleeding during and after the surgery, less pain, smaller wounds, and faster healing and recovery, achieving significant therapeutic results. Post-surgery, it is advised that patients avoid hot baths and foot baths for two to three weeks, refraining from strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and excessive exercise, which could lead to bleeding. Diet-wise, it is recommended to avoid overly hot foods to prevent delayed postoperative bleeding of the adenoids.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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How should adenoid hypertrophy be treated?

The main factors to consider are the extent of the enlargement and the associated clinical manifestations. If the enlargement is mild and does not cause significant nasal congestion, snoring, sleep apnea, or waking up due to breath-holding, conservative treatment can be used. The common medications for conservative treatment include nasal sprays and nasal steroids. If the adenoid enlargement affects breathing function, leading to poor sleep, snoring, breath-holding, or even waking up due to breath-holding, aggressive surgical treatment is required. Surgical treatment involves removing the enlarged adenoids to ensure a clear nasopharynx and bilateral posterior nasal openings, thereby ensuring proper breathing function and alleviating related secondary diseases.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Will adenoid hypertrophy recur after surgery?

The adenoid is a normal lymphoid organ in the nasopharyngeal area of the human body. Enlargement of the adenoids can block the nasal cavity, leading to otitis media, snoring during sleep, and other symptoms. The main treatment for enlarged adenoids is surgery. Since the adenoids do not have a complete capsule, there is a certain chance of recurrence after surgery. There are two scenarios for recurrence: one is a mild, localized proliferation that does not cause symptoms such as snoring or otitis media again; the other is a severe enlargement of the adenoids, leading to the reoccurrence of spontaneous conditions like snoring and otitis media. This latter situation accounts for about 0.5% of cases. Therefore, while there is a certain rate of recurrence after adenoidectomy, the rate of recurrence is relatively low.