Tonsillectomy
WHAT ARE TONSILS?
They are a collection of cells at the back of your throat that are responsible for fighting infection. They detect and fight bacteria, viruses, and other organisms in the mouth and throat region. They typically shrink as a child becomes an adult.
WHAT ARE THE ADENOIDS?
When researching tonsillectomy, you’ll often hear about the adenoids. The adenoids are similar to tonsils. They are also a collection of cells, in the back of the throat, that are responsible for fighting infections.
WHAT PROBLEMS CAN TONSILS CAUSE?
Tonsillitis: Although tonsils are supposed to fight infection, sometimes, they do the exact opposite and cause repeated infections! Inflammation of tonsils is called tonsillitis, and it’s usually caused by an infection.
Some signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include:
· Sore throat
· Difficulty swallowing
· Fever
· Bad breath
· Swollen neck glands
· A general feeling of being unwell and tired
· The tonsils may also be swollen, red, and may have yellow pus on them.
Almost everyone gets tonsillitis at some time. It’s when it happens repeatedly, and affecting someone’s quality of life, that it might be time for surgery.
Trouble Breathing: If the tonsils are too large, or get in the way, they can cause problems with breathing. This can be a very important problem to address, especially for children!
Some signs and symptoms that your child may have trouble breathing include:
· Snoring, often loudly
· Breathing that stops or pauses during sleep
· Loud snorting during sleep
· Gasping for air during sleep
· Sleeping with their head tilted back and breathing with an open mouth
· Sometimes there can also be: bedwetting, slow growth, bad temper, headache, poor concentration, and general tiredness during the day.
Your child may have a sleep study done to see if sleep is being impacted. This is an overnight study that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood during sleep. When enlarged tonsils start to impact sleep, such as snoring and sleep apnea, it is a significant health problem. For example, sleep apnea has been shown to cause high blood pressure, shorten life expectancy, and cause other diseases. Other problems: There are also other rare problems of the tonsils, like an abscess.
WHAT IS A TONSILLECTOMY?
In this section, learn more about what a tonsillectomy is, how it is performed, and what benefits you might expect.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A TONSILLECTOMY?
The tonsils will be removed. So, if the tonsils were causing recurrent bouts of tonsillitis, those bouts would no longer occur. If the tonsils were interrupting breathing and sleep, then those symptoms will be improved. After healing is complete (which often takes about 1 to 2 weeks) most patients find their symptoms are greatly improved.It is important to know that after a tonsillectomy you can still get the typical sore throat that happens with the common cold. Tonsillectomy only prevents the sore throat that comes from tonsillitis.
WHAT IS A TONSILLECTOMY?
The goal of surgery is to remove the tonsils. When the tonsils are removed the immune system is still able to work properly. In fact, many people have an improved immune system when diseased tonsils are removed. It is performed through the mouth and there are no cuts on the surface. The patient will have a general anesthetic. This means that they are completely asleep and unaware. Usually they will need to stay overnight for this surgery. As with any surgery there are risks involved, you need to discuss these with your surgeon and healthcare team.
CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS?
To know more, Reach out to the Best ENT doctors in Dubai here at Tarabichi Healthcare. Our team will connect you with the Best Ent Specialist in Dubai. for more details.
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