Tonsils are meant to protect your body from invaders, but sometimes they end up doing more harm than good. If this is the case, our team of physicians may suggest a tonsillectomy.
At ENT Specialists of Austin, they use the most advanced surgical methods, so you know you’re in the best hands. Schedule a consultation at their Austin or Cedar Park, Texas, locations online or over the phone.
Tonsillectomy Q & A
Tonsils are the round lumps of tissue at the back of your throat. They’re one of your body’s first defenders against incoming foreign substances and play a role in your body’s immune system, filtering out viruses and bacteria before they enter the body. When they detect harmful germs, they activate the immune system and keep the germs from infiltrating.
Tonsils sometimes cause more problems than benefits and may need to be removed. Your ENT specialist may suggest a tonsillectomy for the following problems:
- Enlarged tonsils that cause breathing difficulties, especially during sleep
- Recurring tonsillitis
- Treatment-resistant tonsillitis
- Tonsil stones
Since your tonsils are the first immune structures in your mouth to encounter germs, they’re susceptible to infection. Tonsillitis is the name for a tonsil infection. Symptoms of tonsillitis include:
- Red, inflamed tonsils
- Bad breath
- White or yellow pockets on the tonsils
- Sore throat
- Hoarse voice
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Noisy breathing
Chronic inflammation and recurrent infections may be a sign of chronic tonsillitis. Your ENT doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy if you or your child experiences frequent tonsillitis, especially if it’s resistant to antibiotics.
A tonsillectomy is usually a surgical outpatient procedure to remove the tonsils. This is performed under general anesthesia.
Once the anesthesia takes effect, your surgeon removes the tonsil tissue using various techniques. This typically takes no more than 20 minutes. Afterwards, the patient is taken to a recovery room for observation. After a few hours of observation the patient is sent home.
Adults and children who have a tonsillectomy frequently experience a sore throat and related ear, neck, or jaw pain. Recovery involves pain medications, rest, lots of fluids, and a soft-food diet for several days.
If you need your tonsils removed, contact the experts at ENT Specialists of Austin.