Is nasal discharge a sign of improvement in adenoid hypertrophy?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on February 15, 2025
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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 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.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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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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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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The difference between adenoid hypertrophy and tonsil hypertrophy.

There is a fundamental difference between adenoid hypertrophy and tonsil hypertrophy, yet there are certain connections between them. The adenoids are located in the nasopharynx and are also a lymphoepithelial organ. The nature of adenoid hypertrophy leads to an increase in size, causing obstruction of the posterior nasal apertures and the Eustachian tubes, resulting in symptoms such as snoring and otitis media. Tonsils, on the other hand, are located in the oropharynx and their enlargement can block the oropharynx, leading to rapid breathing and obstructed breathing. It is common for tonsil hypertrophy to occur physiologically in children; clinically, it is often observed that children with tonsil hypertrophy also have adenoid hypertrophy. Both generally occur together because they are part of the internal ring of the pharyngeal lymphatic ring, which establishes a link between them. In summary, while adenoid hypertrophy and tonsil hypertrophy differ fundamentally in location and the manner of pathological changes, they are connected in certain ways.

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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 Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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The difference between adenoid hypertrophy and rhinitis.

Adenoid hypertrophy and rhinitis certainly have their differences. The adenoid is a lymphoepithelial tissue located in the nasopharynx, and its enlargement can block the posterior nasal aperture, leading to nasal congestion. Rhinitis refers to the inflammation of the nasal mucosa, where the mucosa becomes congested and swollen, leading to narrowing and obstruction of the nasal cavity. There are fundamental differences between them. The clinical treatment for rhinitis primarily involves medication, while the treatment for adenoid hypertrophy mainly involves surgical removal. In the early stages of adenoid hypertrophy, some medications can be used, but the effectiveness of medical treatment is often relatively poor and rarely controls the progression of the condition, so surgery is primarily used. Clinically, it is often seen that rhinitis and adenoid hypertrophy coexist, which requires doctors to differentiate and determine whether the nasal congestion is caused by adenoid hypertrophy or rhinitis.