Signs You May Need Tonsil Surgery

Tonsil surgery is something that many adults and children end up needing in their lifetime. If you suspect that this may be a treatment that you require, it is important to know some of the different signs that you should look out for. If you do need this treatment, it can be provided by an ENT doctor who will be able to assess your tonsils to determine whether or not removal surgery is needed. With that in mind, below, we are going to take a look at some of the different signs and indications that you may require tonsil surgery.

What are your tonsils?

Before we take a look at the different signs and indications that you may require tonsil surgery, we must explain what tonsils are and what they do. Tonsils are a small pair of glands that are situated at the back of your throat. These are actually known as the palatine tonsils. A lot of people do not realize that this is just one set of tonsils in the mouth and throat. There are another two sets as well. 

Tonsils are a critical part of the immune system, which have the role of stopping germs from entering the nose or mouth. The tonsils tend to get smaller with age. However, for some individuals, this does not happen. As a consequence, the tonsils can end up becoming infected and overwhelmed. While a tonsil infection will usually not cause any harm to a person, there are a number of signs and indications that removal surgery will make a lot of sense. 

What are some of the signs that you may require tonsil surgery?

Now that you know what tonsils are and the vital role they play, let’s take a look at some of the different signs and indications that you may need to have your tonsils removed. Firstly, if you feel like you are battling throat infections all of the time, this could be a reason for having tonsil surgery. This is because tonsils can easily end up being infected when they are exposed to excess viruses and bacteria. This is what is commonly known as tonsillitis. The result of this condition includes pain, soreness, inflammation, and swelling.

The good news is that tonsillitis does seem to be relatively easy to treat. With antibiotics and other similar medications, most infections will go away. The condition can even become chronic in some adults, so it is important to take care. Should you end up experiencing an infection like this on many occasions – like five times or more per year – it is highly likely that your doctor is going to recommend that the tonsils should be removed.

Another sign that there could be something wrong with your tonsils is if you have been struggling to sleep. Sleep apnea is one of the issues that tend to arise as a consequence of swollen tonsils. Sleep apnea can occur if your upper airway ends up being blocked while you are sleeping. This causes some people to stop breathing, which can result in them waking up gasping for breath or snoring quite profoundly. Long-term sleep apnea can end up causing restlessness, fatigue, and increased blood pressure. A tonsillectomy may assist if your doctor suspects the swollen tonsils will impact your sleep and overall health.

Finally, if you have a strange growth on your tonsils, it is important to get in touch with an ENT doctor sooner rather than later. Tonsils can sometimes end up being swollen as a consequence of bacteria and viruses, yet in other instances, there is something else happening. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and other types of viruses can result in masses developing on the tonsils, which can be cancerous. These masses can result in symptoms that are very similar to tonsil infections. A biopsy will typically be needed so that the possibility of throat cancer or another type of cancer is ruled out. 

Contact us today to speak to an experienced ENT doctor

If you are worried that you may need to have tonsil surgery, the best thing to do is get in touch with an ENT doctor today. This is something we can assist with here at Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates. The phone numbers for our local offices are as follows: Sylva: 828-586-7474, Franklin: 828-524-5599, Murphy: 828-835-1014, and New Asheville: 828-458-8100. We will be more than happy to book a consultation for you so that we can assess your tonsils and determine whether or not surgery is needed.