My 4 year old daughter has enlarged adenoids which are apparently the cause of occasional severe snoring. Instead of having them surgically removed, could you suggest alternative treatment?

Q. My 4 year old daughter has enlarged adenoids which are apparently the cause of occasional severe snoring. Instead of having them surgically removed, could you suggest alternative treatment?

A. Your desire to avoid surgery is indeed wise. Except in extreme circumstances, we do not usually recommend adenoid surgery. This is because as the child gets larger, the airways get larger and the adenoids get smaller. Thus, the blockage becomes less, and the symptoms "including the snoring" will decrease. I am not aware of any other treatment to make the adenoids smaller at this time, so unless she is incredibly uncomfortable from this, you should notice a decrease of the symptoms as time passes.