The tonsils are the immune system's first line of defense against bacteria and viruses that enter your mouth. This function may make the tonsils particularly vulnerable to infection and inflammation. However, the tonsil's immune system function declines after puberty — a factor that may account for the rare cases of tonsillitis in adults. A tonsillectomy may be recommended to prevent frequent, recurring episodes of tonsillitis.
Frequent tonsillitis is generally defined as:. Tonsils may become enlarged after frequent or persistent infections, or they may be naturally large. A tonsillectomy may be used to treat the following problems caused or complicated by enlarged tonsils:. A tonsillectomy may also be used to treat other rare diseases or conditions of the tonsils, such as:. You'll receive instructions from the hospital on how to prepare yourself or your child for a tonsillectomy.
Questions to ask your doctor or the hospital staff for yourself or on behalf of your child include:. Tests or bloodwork may be required before surgery. Your doctor may also order a sleep study polysomnography if a tonsillectomy is intended for treating obstructive sleep apnea, other obstructions of the airway and some other conditions. Tonsillectomy is usually done as an outpatient procedure.
That means you'll be able to go home the day of the surgery. An overnight stay is possible if complications arise, if the surgery is done on a young child or if you have a complex medical condition. But not every case of tonsillitis justifies surgery. And though tonsillectomies have been done less frequently since the s, they are still considered one of the most common major surgical procedures for children.
Here, Dr. Drake explains the procedure—and when you or your child might need it. During a tonsillectomy, surgeons remove two round lumps in the back of the throat known as the palatine tonsils. Tonsils and adenoids help trap bacteria and viruses that people breathe in, helping prevent throat and lung infections.
Drake says. For some adults, tonsilitis can become chronic. If the infection happens 5 or more times a year, the doctor will propose removing the tonsils. The swollen tonsils can cause sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can happen if something blocks the upper airway during sleep. As a result, some people stop breathing, start snoring or wake up gasping for breath. Long-term sleep apnea could lead to fatigue, restlessness, and even high blood pressure. If a doctor suspects the swollen tonsils can affect sleep and overall health, a tonsillectomy may help.
Certain viruses, like human papillomavirus HPV , can leave masses on the tonsils that may be cancerous. These masses can lead to similar symptoms related to tonsil infections.
A biopsy helps to rule out the possibility of the throat or other cancers. A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils. Tonsils are two small glands located in the back of your throat.
Tonsils house white blood cells to help you fight infection, but sometimes the tonsils themselves become infected. Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils that can make your tonsils swell and give you a sore throat. Frequent episodes of tonsillitis might be a reason you need to have a tonsillectomy. Other symptoms of tonsillitis include fever, trouble swallowing , and swollen glands around your neck.
Your doctor may notice that your throat is red and your tonsils are covered in a whitish or yellow coating. Sometimes, the swelling can go away on its own.
In other cases, antibiotics or a tonsillectomy might be necessary. A tonsillectomy can also be a treatment for breathing problems, like heavy snoring and sleep apnea. Tonsillitis and the need for tonsillectomies are more common in children than adults. However, people of any age can experience trouble with their tonsils and require surgery. One case of tonsillitis is not enough to warrant a tonsillectomy.
Usually, the surgery is a treatment option for those who are often sick with tonsillitis or strep throat. You will need to stop taking anti-inflammatory medicines two weeks before your surgery. This type of medication includes aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Drugs of this kind can increase your risk of bleeding during and after your surgery. An empty stomach reduces the risk of feeling nauseous from the anesthetic.
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