Is the incidence of adenoid hypertrophy high?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on June 29, 2025
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The incidence of adenoid hypertrophy is very high, typically caused by acute inflammatory stimuli, and is directly related to the current dietary habits of children. Acute inflammation can include acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, acute rhinitis, and sinusitis. Inflammation leads to congestion, edema, proliferation, and exudation of the adenoids. This can cause patients to experience persistent bilateral nasal congestion, snoring during sleep, decreased hearing, tinnitus, deafness, ear pain, and other related symptoms. A diagnosis can be clarified by examining with an electronic nasopharyngoscope.

In terms of treatment, conservative treatment for adenoid hypertrophy starts with oral antibiotics. Additionally, inhalation nebulization is needed to relieve the congestion and edema of the adenoids. If conservative treatment is ineffective, the patient may need to undergo adenoidectomy for recovery.

(The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Is adenoid hypertrophy more severe in winter?

Adenoid hypertrophy tends to be more severe in the winter due to the weather changes which can lead to significant adenoid hyperplasia. Adenoid hypertrophy is generally more common in children aged three to eight. It is caused by repeated stimulation from acute inflammation, leading to congestion, edema, and growth of the adenoids. This condition can cause patients to experience persistent bilateral nasal congestion, snoring during sleep, and episodes of breath-holding. Additionally, patients may also experience tinnitus, hearing loss, and other related symptoms. Diagnosis can be confirmed through an electronic nasopharyngoscope and adenoid CT scans. For treatment, patients can initially opt for conservative treatments such as oral antibiotics. Additionally, localized nebulizer inhalation can be used to reduce congestion and swelling of the adenoids. If conservative treatments are ineffective, adenoidectomy may be necessary for recovery. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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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.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Treatment methods for adenoid hypertrophy

Adenoid hypertrophy refers to the hyperplasia and enlargement of the adenoid tissue in the nasopharynx, blocking the local upper airway passages, leading to conditions such as rhinitis, sinusitis, otitis media, and snoring during sleep. Clinically, there are two treatment methods: conservative medication and surgery. Currently, there are no specific drugs aimed at adenoid hypertrophy. Typically, treatments involve the use of nasal corticosteroids such as mometasone furoate nasal spray and anti-allergic medications like montelukast. However, the effectiveness of the treatment may vary from person to person or be unpredictable. Generally, medication is first tried for one to three months, or depending on the severity of the adenoid hypertrophy, treatment can last about two weeks to four weeks. If the medication is not effective, or shows no results, surgical intervention to remove the enlarged adenoids and facilitate airway clearance is necessary. (Please use medication under the guidance of a clinical doctor and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 4sec home-news-image

How to perform pediatric massage for adenoid hypertrophy

Children's adenoid hypertrophy does not respond to massage therapy. It is typically caused by an acute inflammatory response, leading to sudden congestion, edema, proliferation, and exudation of the glands. Symptoms include fever, nasal congestion, sneezing, and snoring during sleep; severe cases can also lead to a decrease in hearing, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ears. In treating acute adenoid hypertrophy, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is required first. This includes oral or intravenous antibiotics, which are usually effective due to bacterial infections, with penicillin antibiotics often having good outcomes. Local treatments such as nebulization can also help to reduce gland congestion and swelling. A light diet, drinking more water, and resting can generally lead to improvement. However, if the condition recurs frequently, local surgical treatment may be necessary. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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How to treat children's adenoid hypertrophy?

If children experience hypertrophy of the adenoids and the symptoms are not very severe, it is not recommended to perform surgery immediately. Instead, conservative treatments can be adopted, such as using nasal sprays. With conservative treatment over a period of time, the enlargement of the adenoids in children may improve. However, if conservative treatment persists for about three to six months without effect, and the child exhibits symptoms such as snoring during sleep, nasal congestion, or the presence of yellow nasal discharge, it is advisable to take the child to a reputable hospital for an examination. If the diagnosis confirms that surgery is indeed indicated, surgical removal of the adenoids can be considered as a treatment option.