Tonsils are positioned at the back of the throat, where their role is to intercept bacteria, viruses, and germs, preventing them from entering the body and causing sickness. Unfortunately, the tonsils themselves can get sick and swell up. This can be a recurring issue for some people.
If you have persistent problems with your tonsils, it might be time to visit your medical professional and consider tonsil surgery to have them removed. Removing the tonsils might seem extreme, but it’s very common and can prevent regular discomfort and medication.
Sore Throats
One of the most common signs of needing your tonsils removed is frequent sore throats known as strep throat. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that makes your throat feel sore and scratchy. When left untreated, it can lead to sleep problems and kidney issues.
If you consult your medical professional, they might administer some antibiotics, but you might need to have your tonsils removed with tonsil surgery if the problem persists. Although tonsils play a role in the immune system, removing them is safe and can be beneficial for your health.
Throat Infections
Tonsilitis is a very common condition of the tonsils. If you experience tonsillitis, you will have a swelling of the tonsils, throat soreness, and inflammation, along with constant throat pain. If tonsillitis is a recurring issue, the best solution is to opt for throat surgery to remove the tonsils.
Tonsilitis is caused by viruses and bacterial infections, which can be treated using standard medications and antibiotics. But if the issue is chronic, you will need to have your tonsils removed (learn more). This is safe procedure with long term health benefits.
Enlarged Tonsils
Enlarged tonsils can be a feature of tonsillitis, and sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably, but enlarged tonsils can also be known as adenoiditis, adenoid hypertrophy. Someone with this condition might have trouble swallowing or experience sleep apnea.
If you or your child has swollen tonsils, it doesn’t automatically mean you need to have your tonsils removed. In most cases, this can be treated with conventional medication. However, if the tonsil issue is recurrent, it might be best to have the tonsils removed with throat surgery.
Tonsil Stones
Tonsil stones, also called tonsilloliths, are hard white or yellow stones that develop on the tonsils. They are often undetectable, but they can start to cause some health issues such as discomfort and an unpleasant odour. This is because the stones are made of food debris and saliva.
Tonsil stones might recur if you have them removed, but you can reduce the chances of them forming by practicing good oral hygiene, quitting smoking, gargle with salt, and drinking plenty of water. In extreme cases, you might need to have your tonsils removed by a professional surgeon.
Sleeping Issues
Sleep apnea is when your breathing when asleep causes you to wake up, preventing you from getting the quality of sleep required for a healthy lifestyle. For example, if you have issues with your tonsils, it can lead to sleep apnea, impacting other aspects of your health and wellness.
If sleep apnea is preventing you from getting a proper night’s sleep or your snoring is impacting the sleep patterns of someone else, it’s worth considering throat surgery and tonsil removal to eliminate the issue altogether. The procedure is called a tonsillectomy or tonsil removal surgery.
Tonsil Cancer
Removing the tonsils can prevent the development of cancer in the tonsils, but unfortunately, it doesn’t eliminate the possibilities of cancer altogether. According to the CDC, even if you have your tonsils removed, you can still develop cancer in the oropharynx – there’s a 70% chance.
If you develop oropharynx cancer, you will probably have your tonsils removed to prevent further growths, but you should always be on the lookout for new tumors in the throat area; these tumors can develop in the absence of tonsils, and you will need to identify them.
Conclusion
Everyone has tonsils, at least to start with. Tonsils are part of the body’s immune system; they are located at the back of the throat and positioned to intercept bacteria and germs that might otherwise enter the body. Tonsils also contain white blood cells to kill off any germs.
It’s therefore unsurprising that the tonsils develop some problems from time to time. The tonsils can swell up and cause sleep apnea, sore throats, and tonsil stones. If you want to prevent these conditions or you have a chronic issue, your tonsils can be removed.
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