Tonsils and Adenoids

Adenoids are generally not removed with adult tonsillectomy, as they shrink with age. They are often removed with the tonsils in pediatric patients if large and contributing to nasal obstruction or if chronically infected.

A 2012 article from the Journal, Pediatrics, reports that sleep-related breathing problems due to obstructive adenoids may increase the chances that a child may develop behavioral problems.

Homeopathy cannot cure enlarged adenoids; ultimately, obstructive adenoids need surgical removal.

Yes, but this is rare and occurs if not all the adenoid tissue is removed. The residual tissue can rarely regenerate or become enlarged during an acute infection.

If large enough, the tonsils can obstruct the airway and contribute to sleep apnea.

No. The lingual tonsils, located at the back of the tongue, help to fight infection in the absence of the tonsils.

There is no real way to shrink the adenoids naturally.

Adenoids are lymphatic tissue and help fight infection by collecting bacteria and viruses. This is also the same manner in which they can become infected.

The adenoids are visualized via an endoscopy in the nasopharynx.

Most tonsillectomy procedures are outpatient and do not require a hospital stay.

Citrus products can aggravate and causing burning if the tonsils are already painful and irritated.

Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can be due to chronic infection or they may be this way simply due to someones anatomy.

The tonsils will appear large and likely inflamed/red.

A tonsillectomy is not bad; however, there are risks associated with the surgery like any other surgery. The biggest risk is bleeding.

The tonsils should not be removed if you do not meet the clinical criteria from a tonsillectomy.

Large adenoids can contribute to obstructive sleep apnea.

No. Adenoids are not visualize on x-ray, but they are visualized on a CT scan of the neck.

Yes; however, a tonsillectomy carries a low risk of morbidity and mortality. The rate of tonsillectomy morality is 1 death per every 20.000 procedures.

No. The adenoids are in the nasopharyx. This region of the body is where the back of the nose turns down to meet the throat.

Yes. Enlarged adenoids can affect the resonance of speech, thus affecting a childs intelligibility.

Adenoids do not cause post-nasal drip.

Adenoids begin to shrink after age five and are nearly gone by the teenage years

Adenoids begin to shrink after age five and are nearly gone by the teenage years.

No.

Yes. You do not need your tonsils. There are no adverse consequences to not having tonsils.

Yes, but this is rare and occurs if not all the tonsil tissue is removed. The residual tissue can rarely regenerate or become enlarged during an acute infection.

Tonsillectomy (surgical removal).

If infected, sore tonsils can be treated by treating the infection with antibiotics and/or steroids. If severe enough, tonsillectomy is performed.

Most people experience pain after an adenoidectomy; however, the pain is well controlled with prescription pain medication or even Tylenol.

Dairy can thicken or increase mucus production and therefore, may not be helpful in tonsillitis.

Tonsillectomy is a major surgery, but is outpatient surgery and is generally tolerated well.

The biggest risk associated with adenoidectomy is bleeding.

None in particular.

You do not get sick more without tonsils. In fact, you may will likely get sick less if the tonsils were removed for chronic tonsillitis.

It the adenoids are large enough to obstruct the airway, an adenoidectomy can help with sleep apnea.

Tonsillectomy can change the resonance of your voice, but this is rare and mild.

A biopsy of the tonsil can be performed and sent to pathology or the tonsils can be removed completely and sent for pathology.

This can vary. Generally, the tonsils will be swollen as long as the infection is present.

The surgery itself takes about 30 minutes to one hour.

Yes

This depends on the cause of the infection: bacterial vs. viral and what type of bacteria.

Acute flares of adenoiditis can be treated with medication; however, obstructive adenoids generally need surgical removal.

If the adenoids are still present and problematic, adults can have an adenoidectomy.

Dentists and otolaryngologists can remove tonsil stones with an air or water syringe. Tonsil stones can also be manually extracted.

Adenoidectomy is needed if the adenoids are chronically infected or enlarged and causing airway obstruction.

Tonsillectomy is needed if the tonsils are chronically infected or enlarged and causing airway obstruction.

Adenoids are lymphatic tissue located in the nasopharynx. They help to fight infection. Removal is needed when they are chronically infected or enlarged and obstructing the airway.

Liquid and soft foods can be eaten after tonsillectomy.

Adenoids help fight infection.

Children generally recover well and quickly after a tonsillectomy and generally do not need more than OTC medication for pain.

The most definitive way to treat chronically infected or enlarged adenoids is an adenoidectomy.

A childs tonsils should be removed when they become chronically infected or enlarged, causing airway obstruction.

Tonsils are still removed, but only if the proper indications are met. Tonsils are simply not removed just for the sake of removing them.

A tonsillectomy is not necessarily more dangerous for adults; however, adults do have a more painful and longer recovery than children.