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The body's first line of defense, as part of the immune system, is the tonsils and adenoids. They function to "sample" bacteria and viruses that enter the body through the mouth or nose, but they sometimes become infected. At times, they can become more of a liability than an asset and may even cause airway obstruction or repeated bacterial infections. Your ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist can suggest the best treatment options for your individual case. What are Tonsils and Adenoids? Tonsils and adenoids are two masses of tissue that are similar to the lymph nodes or "glands" found in the neck, groin, and armpits. Tonsils are the two masses on the back of the throat, while adenoids are high in the throat behind the nose and the root of the mouth (soft palate) and are not visible through the mouth without special instruments. The most common problems that affect the tonsils and adenoids are recurrent infections (throat or ear) and significant enlargement or obstruction that causes breathing, swallowing, and sleep problems. Abscesses around the tonsils, chronic tonsillitis, and infections of small pockets within the tonsils that produce foul-smelling, cheese-like formations can also affect the tonsils and adenoids, making them sore and swollen. Tumors are rare, but can grow on the tonsils. Tonsillitis Tonsillitis refers to the inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils, which may involve other areas of the back of the throat including the adenoids and the lingual tonsils (areas of tonsil tissue at the back of the tongue). It can be: acute, recurrent, and chronic tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess. Viral or bacterial infections and immunologic factors lead to tonsillitis and its complications. Nearly all children in the United States experience at least one episode of tonsillitis and with improvements in medical and surgical treatments; complications associated with tonsillitis are rare. Most often occurring in children, tonsillitis rarely occurs in children who are younger than two years. Tonsillitis is caused by streptococcus species and typically occurs in children aged five to 15 years, while viral tonsillitis is more common in younger children. A peritonsillar abscess is typically found in young adults but can occasionally occur in children. The type of tonsillitis determines what symptoms will occur. If you have acute tonsillitis, you may exhibit a fever, sore throat, foul breath, difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, and tender cervical lymph nodes. Airway obstruction due to swollen tonsils may also cause mouth breathing, snoring, nocturnal breathing pauses, or sleep apnea. If you have multiple episodes of acute tonsillitis, you may have recurrent tonsillitis which exhibits the same symptoms as acute. Additionally, peritonsillar abscess is when individuals often have severe throat pain, fever, drooling, foul breath, difficulty opening the mouth, and muffled voice quality. Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy Tonsillitis is usually treated with a regimen of antibiotics. Fluid replacement and pain control are important. Hospitalization may be required in severe cases, particularly if you are experiencing airway obstruction. When the condition is chronic or recurrent, a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be recommended. A tonsillectomy is the removal of the tonsils, while excision of the adenoids is an adenoidectomy. Both are typically performed concurrently, hence the procedure is known as a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy or T& A. It is an outpatient surgical procedure lasting between 30 and 45 minutes performed under general anesthesia. Talk to your ENT if you feel your child is suffering from common symptoms or enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Your ENT will ask about problems of the ear, nose, and throat and examine the head and neck. After proper diagnosis, your ENT will be able to prescribe an appropriate treatment for you or your child.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading Norwalk tonsils specialist, Dr. Andrew Parker. Dr. Parker, a board certified otolaryngologist, and his staff of licensed audiologists, a physician associate and another board certified doctor treat all ear, nose and throat maladies including Norwalk and Westport hearing aid.
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