Tonsils

Overview A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure that removes inflamed, infected or problematic tonsils. What is a tonsillectomy? Tonsillectomy (pronounced “tahn-suh-LEK-tuh-me”) refers to the surgical removal of your Most of the time, surgeons remove all portions of your tonsils during this procedure. But some people might only need a partial tonsillectomy. Why is tonsillectomy done? Healthcare providers recommend tonsillectomy for two main reasons: • To treat breathing-related sleep disorders, such as • To reduce the risk of infection in people with frequent or chronic While most tonsillectomies treat children, adults can also benefit from the procedure. How common are tonsillectomies? Tonsillectomies aren’t as common today as they were a few decades ago. Still, surgeons currently perform over 500,000 tonsillectomies every year in the U.S. Procedure Details What happens before a tonsillectomy? Before surgery, your healthcare provider will do a routine check to make sure you’re healthy enough for surgery. They may also request blood tests. Your healthcare provider will give you a list of detailed preoperative instructions. You should follow these guidelines closely. What happens during a tonsillectomy? Your healthcare provider will give you general • Electrocautery: This method uses heat to remove the tonsils and stop any bleeding. • Cold knife (steel) dissection: A surgeon uses a scalpel (traditional surgical knife) to remove your tonsils. Then, they’ll stop the bleeding...

The tonsils and adenoids, which are in the throat, form part of the immune system. They are the body’s first line of defense against illness-causing microbes that enter through the mouth or nose. A Sometimes, the tonsils and adenoids become enlarged, often due to a viral or bacterial infection. This If antimicrobial drugs do not resolve an infection, a doctor may need to remove the glands surgically. If there is no infection, doctors may recommend steroid nasal sprays. Keep reading to learn more about tonsils and adenoids, including their functions, common health issues, and treatment options. Share on Pinterest sdgsdg eyecrave/Getty Images Adenoids and tonsils are structures in the The tonsils, also known as the palatine tonsils, are two round lumps on the right and left sides of the back of the throat. The Although tonsils are visible when the mouth is open wide, doctors can only view adenoids In most people, the tonsils and adenoids decrease in size after the age of 9 years. During a person’s teenage years, they further reduce in size. Possible signs and symptoms of enlarged tonsils or adenoids • pauses in breathing during sleep • snoring • strained breathing • mainly breathing through the mouth • frequent colds • trouble swallowing • restless sleep, bedwetting, and waking frequently • unusual sleeping positions, such as having the head bent backward The symptoms of tonsillitis • fever • reddish color of tonsils • swelling • a sore throat, which sometimes comes with ear...

How Do I Know If My Child Has Tonsillitis? To check your child's Often What Are the Treatments for Tonsillitis? Since most of the time infection is due to a virus and not a bacteria, If the throat culture is negative for bacteria, the infection is probably caused by a virus and requires only treatment for relief of symptoms. To ease pain, the doctor may also recommend Do not give your child aspirin , which has been linked to Reye's syndrome , a life-threatening condition. Gargling three times a day with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water) may relieve some of the pain. If your doctor discovers or suspects an abscess, you may need to be seen by an ear, nose, and throat doctor (called an ENT or otolaryngologist) to be evaluated for possible drainage of pus. Frequent cases of tonsillitis that affect your child's general health, interfere with school attendance, cause Recovery is usually helped by rest and avoiding vigorous activity. Try to get your child to drink plenty of fluids, but don't force them to eat or drink. Older children should be given at least a pint of extra liquids per day. Although ice cream is usually the favorite food to cool the throat, it's okay to offer your child any foods they desire if it will make your child more comfortable and help them eat. Do only what your doctor advises to lower your child's fever. How Can I Prevent Tonsillitis? Tonsillectomy, the surgical removal of the tonsils, is one of the most commonly performed o...

A tonsil cyst is a lump on one or both of the tonsils. A doctor should check to rule out other conditions that can cause growths in the area. The tonsils are two masses of soft tissue at the back of the throat. When cysts form there, they may not cause symptoms or be noticeable. A person may only feel the presence of larger cysts. These cysts are usually not a cause for concern. Below, learn all about tonsil cysts and other issues that can be easy to mistake for them. Share on Pinterest YakobchukOlena/Getty Images A cyst is a slow-growing, noncancerous mass of cells contained in a sac wall. Cysts can form anywhere in the body. Types of cyst that may develop on the tonsils include: • Tonsillar retention cysts: These are • This type is in other areas of the body but very rarely appears on the tonsils. • Lymphoepithelial cysts: These usually appear as small bumps under the tongue or on the floor of the mouth. They • Hydatid cysts: These are also Echinococcus granulosus. This is a type of oropharyngeal cancer, which is cancer that begins in the mouth or throat. Cells grow too quickly and form one or more tumors. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Symptoms A person with tonsil cancer • a sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal • red or white patches on the affected tonsil • mouth pain or bleeding • an earache • bad breath • changes in speech • unexplained weight loss • fatigue • a new mass or lump on the neck Treatment The treatment plan may involve a combinati...