In the past, it was relatively common to have your tonsils out if they gave you regular problems. This is less common nowadays. Doctors often prefer to take a wait-and-see approach when it comes to tonsil removal surgery.
However, sometimes, doctors recommend that tonsils are removed. If your GP wants to refer your child for a tonsillectomy, then they won't be doing this lightly. Why does your doctor want your child to have surgery?
Recurring Infections
Some people never have a significant problem with their tonsils; others have occasional bouts of tonsillitis when they pick up a bug. However, tonsils can be a major problem for some people who get regular infections.
Your doctor will have assessed your child's tonsil problems. If your child has had a number of infections over a 12-month period or longer, then your doctor may recommend surgery to knock the problem on its head.
Your doctor may also be concerned that your child's tonsil problems are giving them other issues. For example, your child may also have regular ear, nasal and sinus problems that are related to their tonsils. Some children also develop abscesses on tonsils, which can be dangerous.
Also, tonsil surgery may be a better option than giving your child antibiotics too often. Removing problematic tonsils improves your child's quality of life — they won't be knocked out by bouts of tonsillitis any longer that might make them miss a significant amount of school, for example.
Sleep Problems
Over-large tonsils can affect sleep quality. If your child's tonsils are generally quite big or flare up when they are infected, then your child may not get all the sleep they need. The size of the tonsils makes it hard for them to breathe easily in bed.
This may make your child feel tired and lethargic during the day. It can lead to problems like sleep apnoea. If this happens, your child's tonsils temporally block their airways when they breathe. This prevents them from getting into a healthy deep sleep state as they may wake up periodically to take a breath.
If your child's tonsils are affecting their sleep, then your doctor may feel that surgery is the best option. Removing the obstruction will improve your child's sleep patterns which will, in turn, improve their overall health and wellbeing.
The hospital your doctor refers your child to will be able to tell you more about the reasons why your child's tonsils should come out. They can also talk you through how the surgery works.
Share16 May 2019
When I first started noticing veins protruding from my lower legs, I did my best to ignore them. However, I knew they were likely varicose veins, as both my parents have had varicose veins for several years. Eventually, I went to see my doctor due to experiencing leg swelling and red patches of skin, which turned out to be varicose eczema. I was prescribed the usual treatment, and my doctor discussed surgery to strip out the damaged veins, but I decided to postpone surgery and look at managing the swelling and protrusion of veins naturally. I started this blog to share my own experiences of trying complementary therapies, such as homeopathy, herbal medicine and massage, to manage my symptoms. I hope you find my posts useful and interesting.
