What are the consequences of not treating adenoid hypertrophy?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 16, 2025
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Adenoid hypertrophy, if not treated, can have serious consequences. It primarily leads to persistent bilateral nasal congestion that progressively worsens. This is often accompanied by snoring during sleep. Additional symptoms include persistent tinnitus, decreased hearing, and a feeling of stuffiness in the ears. Adenoid hypertrophy can also cause a high-arched hard palate, irregular teeth, and facial deformities. Therefore, once adenoid hypertrophy occurs, active treatment is necessary. Generally, adenoid hypertrophy is caused by inflammation, leading to congestion, edema, and proliferation of the adenoids, which is most common in children aged three to eight. In treating acute adenoid hypertrophy, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is needed, including the use of antibiotics and corticosteroids for local nebulization inhalation. If conservative treatment is ineffective, adenoidectomy using plasma may be necessary. This treatment can completely cure the condition.

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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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 19sec home-news-image

Is nasal discharge a sign of improvement in adenoid hypertrophy?

Enlargement of the adenoids accompanied by a runny nose is not a sign of improvement but a symptom of worsening. Enlargement of the adenoids is primarily due to symptoms caused by acute viral or bacterial infections following a decrease in the body’s immunity and resistance. This can lead to diffuse congestion and edema of the glands, causing the patient to experience persistent nasal congestion and discharge of yellow nasal mucus. In severe cases, it can cause nocturnal suffocation. Initially, a detailed examination at the hospital is necessary. Diagnosis can be confirmed with an electronic nasopharyngoscope and a nasopharyngeal CT. During the examination, granular masses can be found on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx; these are soft in texture and not painful. In terms of treatment, during the acute phase of adenoid hypertrophy, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is required, including the use of antibiotics and concurrent nebulizer inhalation to reduce congestion and edema of the adenoids. If the enlargement persists and conservative treatment is ineffective, adenoidectomy may be necessary to achieve a complete cure.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Can people with adenoid hypertrophy eat fish?

The adenoid, also known as the pharyngeal tonsil, is present in everyone's body. In childhood, due to the active proliferation of lymphatic tissue, it can lead to excessive enlargement of the adenoid, causing symptoms such as blockage of the posterior nasal apertures, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sinusitis. When adenoid enlargement occurs, treatment is generally surgical, involving the removal of the enlarged adenoid tissue. Patients with enlarged adenoids should avoid spicy, stimulating foods and cold drinks to prevent nasal inflammation and further growth of the adenoid tissue. Consumption of fish and shrimp is permissible, but if the patient has significant allergies or other symptoms, their consumption should be reduced.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can you eat bird's nest with adenoid hypertrophy?

Adenoid hypertrophy is permissible for consumption of bird's nest, which is considered a health supplement that can enhance the body's immunity and resistance, offering significant assistance in the recovery from adenoid hypertrophy. Generally, adenoid hypertrophy is caused by repeated inflammatory stimulation following decreased immunity and resistance. Adenoid hypertrophy most commonly occurs in children aged three to eight. The adenoid is a lymphoid mass located on the posterior wall of the nasopharynx, and long-term inflammatory irritation can lead to congestion, swelling, and hyperplasia of the adenoids, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, snoring during sleep, decreased hearing, and tinnitus. It's advisable to visit a hospital for a check-up with an electronic laryngoscope or nasopharyngoscope to confirm a diagnosis. During the acute phase of treatment, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is required, followed by a bland diet and consumption of health supplements to enhance immunity and resistance when symptoms alleviate. If adenoid hypertrophy persists for a long time and conservative treatment is ineffective, local surgical removal may be necessary.