Tonsil removal may seem more appropriate for children, but adults can also benefit from having their tonsils extracted – particularly when persistent throat infections such as tonsillitis interfere with daily activities.
If your enlarged tonsils cause frequent throat infections, snoring, or sleep apnea, they may recommend having them surgically removed by your physician. Below are the signs to watch out for when considering this option.
Signs You Need Your Tonsils Removed
1. Recurrent throat infections
Tonsil removal surgery is commonly seen among children, but adult individuals may need to consider having their tonsils extracted as well. Recurrent throat infections that do not respond to medication and other therapies could prompt your physician to recommend having your tonsils surgically extracted.
Your tonsils are two oval-shaped clumps of lymphoid tissue located at the back of your throat that serve as your first line of defense against any harmful bacteria or viruses that enter through your mouth or nose.
Your tonsils may become infected and swell up due to tonsillitis, an infection caused by bacteria in the throat that’s treated with medication, but repeated infections can lead to chronic tonsillitis that leads to snoring, difficulty swallowing and other issues – signs that might indicate sleep apnea; for this reason an ENT doctor might recommend having them removed as treatment option.
2. Difficulty swallowing
Your tonsils are two clumps of tissue located at the back of your throat that provide essential protection from germs. When they become infected with an infection such as tonsillitis, it typically results in sore throat symptoms and swollen tonsils.
Sometimes this condition may be due to Strep bacteria; when that is the case, antibiotics can usually treat it effectively; but if the condition continues reoccurring then doctors may suggest removal as a more permanent solution.
Tonsil removal is a popular treatment among children, but can also benefit adults who experience frequent throat infections or who snore heavily. The process involves extracting tonsils using either a scalpel, laser, heat source, ultrasound source or another means.
Swallowing issues caused by enlarged tonsils can be the source of malnutrition and dehydration, as well as sleep apnea which can be harmful to health.
3. Sleep apnea
Tonsils provide many important functions in our body’s environment – filtering bacteria and producing white blood cells to fight infection – but aren’t essential to daily life. If the tonsils become enlarged and swollen frequently and cause difficulty with breathing, swallowing, or sleeping, our ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists may suggest tonsil removal surgery as a solution for you or your child.
Children suffering from obstructive sleep apnea often require tonsil removal as part of a solution for frequent infections that result from this condition, in which airways become blocked briefly during sleep and require frequent awakening to prevent suffocation.
This problem can have adverse impacts on health, academic performance and daytime functioning for the affected individual. Sleep apnea may prompt adult individuals to consider tonsil removal.
4. Asymmetric tonsils
Tonnils are oval-shaped pads of tissue located at the back of the throat that collect white blood cells to fight infection. Asymmetric tonsils in adult individuals may prompt them to consider tonsillectomy for symptoms like repeated infections or difficulty swallowing.
Many patients develop asymmetric tonsils due to chronic viral or bacterial infections. When inflamed, inflammation of the tonsils can result in sore throat symptoms including difficulty swallowing, sore jaw muscles and swelling lymph nodes in the neck area as well as bad breath (“halitosis“).
It is crucial that these patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation, to confirm there is no malignant tonsillar neoplasm. A diagnostic tonsillectomy may not always be necessary as there may be more benign findings that can be assessed with less discomfort and expense.
5. Strange growths
Tonsils are small clumps of tissue located at the back of your throat that serve to trap germs as they enter your mouth or nose. While tonsils typically shrink as we age, some individuals’ tonsils don’t, which may lead to them expanding or infecting and eventually leading to chronic sore throats or breathing issues like snoring or sleep apnea.
Doctors typically recommend tonsillectomy surgery as the best solution to treat tonsil issues in both kids and adults. It can usually be completed while you or your child are sleeping under general anesthetic, so they won’t experience any discomfort during the procedure.
Surgeons will use either a traditional knife (scalpel), high-energy heat, sound waves or laser technology to remove your tonsils and stop any bleeding during surgery. After completion of this procedure, doctors will provide postoperative instructions.
What Are the Risks Associated With a Tonsillectomy?
Tonsillectomy, similar to any surgical procedure, carries inherent risks. Let’s now discuss some of the associated risks that are commonly linked to tonsil.
Reactions to anesthesia can occur when undergoing surgery and receiving medication to induce sleep. These reactions are typically minor and short-term in nature, including side effects such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, or muscle soreness.
Dehydration can occur when individuals do not drink enough fluids after undergoing surgery. This could lead to a state of insufficient hydration.
Mortality: Although rare, severe complications can occur, including mortality. It is worth noting that the risks associated with tonsillectomy are generally quite low.
The majority of individuals recover without experiencing any complications. Nonetheless, it is crucial to discuss both the risks and benefits of the surgery with your doctor before making a final decision.
What Is the Recovery Time for a Tonsillectomy
The recovery period after a tonsillectomy typically ranges from 10 days to two weeks. However, the exact duration can vary based on several factors, including the specific type of tonsillectomy performed, your body’s ability to heal, and any potential complications you may have encountered.
While there may be differences in individual cases, we can provide a general timeline outlining what you can anticipate during your tonsillectomy recovery:
Three to five days after a tonsillectomy, patients may experience several symptoms. These can include a peak in pain levels. Seven to ten days after a tonsillectomy, the intensity of pain usually starts to decrease. During this time, scabs may form and eventually fall off from the surgical site. Additionally, any ear discomfort experienced post.
After two weeks of undergoing a tonsillectomy, the pain and scabs should have subsided, allowing you to resume your regular activities.
After a tonsillectomy, it is common to experience throat pain for 1 to 2 weeks or longer. The pain may worsen initially before improving. Throat and ear pain can be quite severe, which is why regular doses of pain medication are usually prescribed.
Interestingly, children tend to recover faster compared to adults. It is crucial to refrain from engaging in vigorous activities for at least 14 days post-surgery.
