Why Should You Have Your Tonsils Removed?

We speak with Mr Anooj Majithia, consultant ENT surgeon at Clementine Churchill Hospital, about having your tonsils removed. Having your tonsils removed can be highly beneficial, especially if you suffer from frequent throat infections, tonsillitis, and sleep related breathing issues like sleep apnoea. Recurrent infections can massively disrupt your daily life, causing missed school or work and leading to constant discomfort. A tonsillectomy eliminates this source of infection, significantly reducing the likelihood of future throat infections and improving your overall health and quality of life. Links: For more information, please visit: https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/treatments/tonsillectomy-adult https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/health-matters/your-body/what-are-the-benefits-of-having-your-tonsils-removed To find a consultant near you, visit: https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/find-an-appointment Chapters: 00:32: What is a tonsillectomy? 02:36: What happens during a tonsillectomy? 03:10: What is the recovery period? What is tonsillitis? Tonsillitis is when your tonsils, the two lumps at the back of your throat, become inflamed and swollen, usually because of an infection. Chances are that you have probably experienced tonsillitis at some point in your life. It is very common in children, but adults can get it too. Tonsillitis can be caused by either a viral or bacterial infection, and symptoms vary depending on the type of infection you have and how strong your immune system is in fighting off infection. What are the most common symptoms of tonsillitis? There are many symptoms of tonsillitis, and symptoms are similar across viral and bacterial infections. These include: A constantly sore throat White, pus-filled spots on your tonsils (more common with bacterial tonsillitis) Swollen, painful lymph glands in your neck Pain when swallowing Earache A headache Nausea Fatigue Bad breath Loss of voice or voice changes Symptoms of tonsillitis can vary significantly from person to person. They are impacted by many factors, including your age, the strength of your immune system, and the underlying cause of the infection. Some people might experience a high fever and a general feeling of disorientation with severe tonsillitis, while others might have much a much milder strain of infection and only experience a light discomfort in the throat. Children sometimes experience abdominal pain, drooling, and severe difficulty eating with tonsillitis, whereas adults more often experience pronounced fatigue and body aches. Symptoms usually go away on their own with rest after three to four days. Managing tonsillitis symptoms with at-home remedies To alleviate the symptoms of tonsillitis at home and get better quickly, you can try several remedies. Staying hydrated is crucial in regaining strength and protecting your immune system, so drink plenty of fluid to keep your throat moist and help flush out the infection. Warm beverages like tea with honey and clear broths can soothe a sore throat, while cold treats like ice pops can help reduce pain and swelling in your throat. Gargling with warm salt water several times a day can also provide relief and numbness from pain and inflammation, as can special throat sweets and sprays. Another important remedy is rest. Don't overexert yourself when you have tonsillitis. Try to take time off work (or allow your child time off school), and rest as much as possible to give your body the opportunity to recover. You can go for a light walk if you feel up to it, but there is no harm in spending most of the time resetting in bed or on the sofa and fuelling your body with nutritious food and drink throughout. You can combine these remedies with painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen to experience maximum relief from symptoms and reduce the swelling and inflammation as much as possible. Consultant details: Mr Anooj Majithia is a consultant ENT surgeon at Clementine Churchill Hospital. Learn more about his expertise: https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/consultants/anooj-majithia To see how Clementine Churchill Hospital can help you, visit: https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/hospitals/the-clementine-churchill-hospital If you have any of the symptoms outlined in this video, seek professional medical help as soon as possible. Do you want to hear more about other ENT conditions? Leave a comment below and we will plan future videos on suggested topics. #tonsillectomy #tonsilitis