Regular sore throat can eventually turn into chronic tonsillitis. Therefore, doctors often recommend removing the tonsils (tonsils). When should you agree to an operation?
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Chief Researcher of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Scientific and Clinical Center of Otorhinolaryngology”
The palatine tonsils neutralize the infection that has entered the body. They are a natural protective barrier created by the immune system. But there are times when the tonsils cannot cope with the attack of bacteria, become inflamed, and angina develops (acute tonsillitis). If left untreated, the disease can become chronic. Again, doctors often suggest surgery. The reason for the measure is that an infection from the tonsils with the bloodstream can spread throughout the body and have a negative effect on the heart, kidneys, joints.
Often, parents turn to a specialist for a referral for an operation because the child’s tonsils are enlarged. But only this symptom is not an indication for surgical intervention. In children aged 3 to 7 years, the tonsils may appear enlarged in relation to the volume of the pharynx, because the development of organs is uneven. A simple example of such an imbalance is the 42nd foot size in a child with a height of 1,5 m. So, despite external deviations, the tonsils can function absolutely normally.
Even if one doctor recommends surgical treatment, it is worth seeking the advice of several more specialists. Tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) is not the safest procedure. The tonsils are located next to large vessels, and the doctor does not always manage to bandage them in a timely manner and prevent profuse blood loss. It is also worth considering that there is no evidence that tonsillitis, for example, contributes to the development of pyelonephritis or myocarditis. This requires many years of research involving a large number of patients. Currently, there is evidence that 90% of adults who undergo tonsillectomy have not benefited from it. After surgery, the risk of developing certain diseases, including asthma, increases. It’s all about a violation of the immune barrier.
It must be understood that angina is different from chronic tonsillitis. It is not an indication for surgery. This disease can be treated with conservative methods, rinsing and warm drinking help. But if recurring sore throat is accompanied by a significant increase in temperature, attacks of pyelonephritis, pain in the joints, you should think about a radical treatment option. Of course, the doctor must carry out a comprehensive diagnosis and offer a solution. The first thing a specialist focuses on is the number of recorded episodes of the disease. If a pain in the throat with an increase in temperature, weakness appeared 7 times during the year and at least 5 times in the previous two years, it is necessary to conduct a streptotest. It allows you to identify the nature of tonsillitis. Surgery may be suggested if the tonsils are enlarged and cause snoring and respiratory arrest during sleep. But the surgical procedure is also done after an examination (polysomnography).