Patient's question:
The child is 8 years old. The previous month, they had the flu and frequent colds. In the last two weeks, they have been snoring during naps, drooling, and yesterday they went to the hospital and were told they have enlarged adenoids. However, no imaging tests were done to confirm the exact condition, and it is unclear if it is due to allergies or rhinitis. Previously, they never had this issue. I would like to ask if surgery is possible for an 8-year-old with enlarged adenoids? Is general anesthesia required? If surgery is not possible, are there any medications that can help alleviate the condition?Doctor's answer:
The adenoid is a lymphoid tissue located in the nasopharynx. It tends to become fibrotic and enlarged during early childhood, which can cause snoring during deep sleep, obstruct nasal breathing, and in severe cases, lead to sleep apnea. If nasal congestion is severe at present, nasal spray can be used first to constrict the nasal mucosa and observe the stability of breathing. Generally, it is recommended to perform an adenoidectomy after the child is three years old.