Why do people have tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomies usually take about a half hour. Medical staff will monitor your blood pressure and heart rate as you wake up. Most people can go home the same day after a successful tonsillectomy. A tonsillectomy is a very common, routine procedure. However, like with other surgeries, there are some risks with this procedure. These can include:. Patients can experience some pain as they recover from a tonsillectomy. You might have a sore throat after surgery. You might also feel pain in your jaw, ears, or neck.

Get plenty of rest, especially in the first two to three days after surgery. Sip water or eat ice pops to stay hydrated without hurting your throat. Warm, clear broth and applesauce are ideal food choices during early recovery. You can add ice cream, pudding, oatmeal, and other soft foods after a couple days. Try not to eat anything hard, crunchy, or spicy for several days after a tonsillectomy.

Pain medication can help you feel better during recovery. Take the medicines exactly as your doctor prescribes. Contact your doctor if you experience bleeding or run a fever after a tonsillectomy. Snoring for the first two weeks after the procedure is normal and expected. Call your doctor if you have trouble breathing after the first two weeks. When tonsils become infected, the condition is called tonsillitis. Learn more about tonsillitis causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

There are many conditions that can cause white spots on your throat. Learn more about causes and how you can treat this symptom. After this operation, kids usually don't have as many sore throats.

And, if they were having trouble breathing at night, that problem goes away too. But how do doctors get the tonsils out of your throat? Will it hurt? And what exactly do tonsils do back there? Let's find out. The night before surgery, you won't be allowed to eat or drink anything after dinner — not even water. That's because your stomach must be empty for surgery.

You'll also pack your suitcase if you're staying overnight in the hospital and bring anything you want to have with you. If you have a special stuffed animal or blanket, bring it. It's nice to have something that reminds you of home when you're in the hospital. You'll probably go to the hospital on the day of your surgery.

You'll check in and get a plastic bracelet that has your name on it. Then, you'll meet the nurses and other hospital staff who will take care of you. Your mom and dad can stay with you. Tonsils are removed in the operating room , so you'll have to take a ride on a gurney. A gurney is like a bed on wheels. When it's time for your operation, you'll get a medicine called anesthesia that will help you fall asleep and keep you from feeling any pain during the operation.

It may be surprising, but sleep apnea is the number one reason kids under 10 undergo a tonsillectomy. Large tonsils can obstruct breathing. Of course, tonsils may also be removed due to severe and chronic throat infections for example, strep throat and tonsillitis. Compared with kids, teenagers and adults are more likely to get a tonsillectomy for recurrent infections than for sleep apnea. Sore throats are uncomfortable, missing school and work can be disruptive, and the antibiotics used for treatment can have side effects.

Getting chronically infected tonsils out can be a relief. According to American Academy of Otolaryngology guidelines, surgery is not recommended for children with fewer than seven episodes in the past year, fewer than five episodes in the past two years, and fewer than three episodes in the last three years.