If you’ve ever dealt with a bad sore throat, you know how miserable it can be. Imagine dealing with that kind of pain over and over again. For some people, this is a reality caused by recurring tonsillitis, strep throat or other chronic throat issues. If that sounds familiar, your doctor may suggest having your tonsils removed.
What are tonsils?
Your tonsils, those two small lumps of tissue in the back of your throat, actually play a role in your immune system. They help trap bacteria and viruses before they can go deeper into your body.
Sometimes, instead of helping, they become the problem. Your doctor might suggest surgery to remove your tonsils – a procedure called a tonsillectomy.
If you have recurrent tonsillitis or they cause other health issues, make an appointment with your provider to discuss your options for treatment.
Common reasons for having your tonsils removed
How do you know if your tonsils are causing more harm than good? Here are some of the most common reasons doctors recommend getting your tonsils removed:
Recurring tonsillitis and strep throat
If you keep getting tonsillitis or strep throat multiple times a year, your tonsils might be the culprit. Tonsillitis is an infection that causes swelling, pain and difficulty swallowing.
Bacteria causes strep throat and leads to a very sore throat, fever and swollen lymph nodes. If you’re constantly dealing with these infections, removing your tonsils could mean fewer sick days and less discomfort.
Obstructive sleep apnea
Enlarged tonsils can block your airway while you sleep, leading to a condition called obstructive sleep apnea. This can cause snoring, breathing interruptions and poor sleep quality.
If you wake up feeling exhausted despite getting a full night’s sleep, your tonsils could be to blame. A tonsillectomy can help open your airway, allowing you to breathe better at night and improve your overall quality of life.
Persistent bad breath and tonsil stones
Tonsil stones are small, smelly, hardened bits of debris that get stuck in the crevices of your tonsils. They can cause persistent bad breath and even lead to infections.
Removing your tonsils might be the solution if you’ve tried every mouthwash and toothpaste on the market but still struggle with bad breath.
Difficulty swallowing
Swollen tonsils can make swallowing food difficult or cause you to feel like something is constantly stuck in your throat. If this affects your eating habits and comfort, your doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy.
Frequent ear, nose and throat issues
Your tonsils are one part of a system that includes your ears, nose and throat. If they’re constantly inflamed, they can contribute to ear infections, sinus problems and other ENT-related issues. Removing them may help reduce the frequency of these infections.
What to expect during a tonsillectomy
A tonsillectomy is an outpatient procedure, which means you go home the same day. You will be under general anesthesia for the surgery, which will put you to sleep for the duration of the procedure. The doctor will remove your tonsils using a special surgical tool and will attempt to stop most of the bleeding before you wake up.
Recovery usually takes about 10 to 14 days. You may experience a sore throat, mild ear pain and difficulty swallowing during this time. Staying hydrated and eating soft foods like ice cream, pudding and mashed potatoes to make the healing process more comfortable is important.
However, Tejas Raval, MD, an ear, nose and throat physician in our Richmond market, cautions that the experience of getting a tonsillectomy may be different for each person.
“Despite a tonsillectomy being a common and safe procedure, it’s still a major surgery,” he adds. “There are differences in the indications and recovery time between adults and children having the surgery.”
Will removing my tonsils weaken my immune system?
Since your tonsils are part of your immune system, some people worry that removing them might make them more prone to illness. However, your body has plenty of other ways to fight infections.
In most cases, people who have their tonsils removed experience fewer illnesses overall because they’re no longer dealing with constant infections.
How to prevent needing your tonsils removed
While some cases of chronic tonsillitis and other tonsil-related issues may be unavoidable, there are steps you can take to keep your tonsils healthy and reduce the chances of needing a tonsillectomy:
- Practice good oral hygiene: Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and using an antibacterial mouthwash can help prevent bacteria from building up in your throat.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water keeps your throat moist and flush out bacteria and irritants.
- Eat a balanced diet: A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins supports a strong immune system and reduces the likelihood of infections.
- Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke: Tobacco smoke can irritate your throat and weaken your immune defenses, making infections more likely.
- Wash your hands regularly: Keeping your hands clean can help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections.
- Manage allergies: Allergies can cause postnasal drip and throat irritation, which may contribute to tonsil inflammation. Treating allergies properly can reduce these effects.
- Seek early treatment for infections: If you start feeling symptoms of a sore throat, treating it early with rest, fluids and doctor-recommended medications can prevent it from worsening.
What are some risks of having your tonsils removed?
All surgeries carry risks. While unlikely to be long-term, some risks include:
- Reaction to anesthesia: Some people react to the medicine that puts them to sleep during surgery. Symptoms can include headache, muscle soreness, nausea and vomiting.
- Bleeding: Surgical procedures include the risk of bleeding, sometimes seriously. If this happens, you will require treatment for it, which will keep you in the hospital longer to recover. Bleeding can occur during the surgery and as you heal.
- Swelling: If your tongue and soft palate, which is the soft part in the roof of your mouth, swell, you may have trouble breathing. This is likely to happen during your first few hours of recovery.
- Infection: While the risk of infection exists, it’s rare. If you do contract one, you will require treatment.
How we can help
If you’re struggling with frequent sore throats, bad breath, sleep apnea or other tonsil-related issues, make an appointment with your primary care provider. If you don’t already have one, they may refer you to an otolaryngologist, which is more commonly known as an ear, nose and throat doctor.
Depending on your medical history, your provider may recommend getting your tonsils removed.
Learn about the ear, nose and throat services we offer at Bon Secours.
