When you open your mouth and look at the back of your throat, you will be able to see your tonsils. They are the two large lumps of flesh that are on both sides of your throat. Their main purpose is to catch all the bacteria and viruses that try to enter your body through your mouth, nose, and throat. They help to protect you against illnesses with the white blood cells they contain to kill any germs they come in contact with. Sometimes tonsils can start to cause problems though. ENT Specialists would like to talk about some signs and symptoms you may have that indicate whether or not you need your tonsils removed.
If you notice that you are constantly battling infections like strep throat and tonsillitis, this may be a sign that your tonsils are not working properly and may need to be removed. If you notice you have had tonsillitis 5-6 times within one year, you need to contact a speciaist.
When your tonsils aren’t working like they should, they are larger than they should be. This can cause a person to snore during the night. Snoring can cause a number of problems and inhibit you from getting the sleep your body needs to function properly.
When your tonsils are allowing bacteria to be a problem in your throat, it can also cause problems with your adenoids that are at the opening of the ear. They are naturally a place that bacteria like to grow, and excess bacteria because of your tonsils makes ear infections worse.
If your tonsils are constantly infected, abscesses can appear in the back of your throat. This can make swallowing and eating very painful. If this is happening often, you may need to have your tonsils taken out to fix the problem.
Tonsils that are infected constantly and are enlarged can give someone the feeling of a plugged nose, causing them to breathe through their mouth. This can cause a mouth to be dry and lack saliva. Saliva helps keep bacteria from growing in your mouth. If you find yourself unable to breathe out your nose daily, then you may have a problem with your tonsils.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that happens when airflow is blocked and you can’t breathe while you sleep. If your tonsils are enlarged, as your muscles in the throat relax when you go to sleep, it can block your airway and cause sleep apnea.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it may be time to talk to a doctor. ENT Specialists can help increase your quality of life by getting healthy. If your tonsils need to be removed because they are causing you pain and discomfort, let us help you treat and possibly remove them to get on the road to feeling better. Call today for an appointment.
