Is adenoid hypertrophy massage effective?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 10, 2025
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Adenoid hypertrophy generally does not respond well to massage therapy, as the affected area is in the nasopharyngeal region and primarily occurs in children. Typically, children reach the peak of adenoid growth around six or seven years of age, and then the adenoids usually begin to shrink after the age of eight. If the adenoid hypertrophy is severe and blocks the posterior nasal passages, it can lead to nasal congestion, snoring, and mouth breathing while sleeping. If severe and left untreated for a long period, it can result in a condition known as "adenoid facies," which causes abnormal development or deformities of the jaw and facial bones. Treatment generally focuses on medication. If medication is ineffective, surgery may be considered. Massage therapy does not have a direct effect on adenoid hypertrophy.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
1min 7sec home-news-image

What anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken for adenoid hypertrophy?

Most glandular hypertrophy does not require antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, as it is a common condition or physiological manifestation in children. Glandular hypertrophy is the proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharyngeal area, causing partial obstruction of the posterior nasal aperture. Initially, clinical symptoms should be assessed. If there is only simple hypertrophy without any discomfort, it can be observed without treatment. However, if glandular hypertrophy is accompanied by clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, snoring during sleep, and mouth breathing, the use of oral medications and nasal sprays should be considered, but generally, anti-inflammatory drugs are not needed. If there is an acute inflammatory response in the glands, the use of antibiotics along with regular follow-ups and nasal cavity cleaning should be considered. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medication should only be taken under the guidance of a professional medical doctor, and blind medication should be avoided.)

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Does adenoid hypertrophy cause a runny nose?

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.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can you get vaccinated if you have enlarged adenoids?

Adenoid hypertrophy needs to be distinguished first between acute and chronic hypertrophy. If it is acute adenoid hypertrophy, vaccination should not be administered. Acute adenoid hypertrophy is most often caused by an acute inflammatory infection, usually secondary to acute rhinitis or sinusitis. When the inflammation affects the adenoids, it leads to congestion, edema, enlargement, and hyperplasia, resulting in clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, ear stuffiness, and ear pain. The treatment primarily involves symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment, along with nebulized inhalation to alleviate local congestion and edema, which can lead to gradual improvement. Vaccination can be administered once the inflammation has subsided. However, if it is chronic hypertrophy, patients can be vaccinated. Chronic hypertrophy is mostly due to continuous slow enlargement and hyperplasia of the adenoids caused by chronic inflammatory stimulation, leading to symptoms like snoring during sleep and mouth breathing. In such cases, adenoidectomy can be curative.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Minimally invasive surgery for adenoid hypertrophy

Adenoids refer to the glands in the nasopharyngeal area. Enlarged adenoid tissues can block the nasal cavity or the pharyngeal orifice of the Eustachian tube. Clinical symptoms often require surgical removal of the adenoids. The main steps in the surgery include the following: firstly, general anesthesia is administered; secondly, the adenoids are exposed, primarily by suspending the soft palate with a catheter, followed by the insertion of a tonsil opening device; thirdly, the adenoids are gradually ablated and removed using a nasopharyngoscope and a plasma ablation knife head; finally, the surgery is concluded. After the surgery, it is necessary to continue treating the enlarged adenoids with medications such as mometasone furoate nasal spray. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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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.