Does adult adenoid hypertrophy require surgery?

In general, whether adult adenoid hypertrophy requires surgery depends on the presence of symptoms. Surgery is unnecessary if there are no obvious discomforts, but should be considered if breathing or sleep problems occur. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If adenoid hypertrophy is found only during a routine examination and there are no symptoms such as nasal congestion, snoring, or mouth breathing, it indicates that daily life is not affected. In adults, adenoids have usually already regressed, so surgery is not required in such cases. Regular follow-up monitoring along with preventive measures—such as avoiding respiratory infections and maintaining nasal patency—is sufficient.

When chronic symptoms like persistent nasal obstruction, sleep apnea, or recurrent sinusitis appear, the enlarged tissue has likely caused airway blockage or complications. Long-term oxygen deprivation may also affect mental status and metabolism. In these cases, conservative treatments are often ineffective, and surgical removal of the hypertrophied adenoids is necessary to improve airflow and quality of life.

In daily life, maintain nasal hygiene using saline rinses; dress warmly to prevent colds and inflammation; avoid dust and irritant gases to reduce stimulation of the adenoids. Maintain a regular作息 (routine) to boost immunity and lower the risk of symptom progression.