When is it time for tonsillitis surgery?

Tonsils are lymphoid tissue whose job it is to maintain the body's defenses or immunity. Tonsils are not only found in the oral cavity; they are also found in other areas, such as those behind the nose, or adenoids, and under the tongue, which are called lingual tonsils. The three tonsils are all lymphoid tissue, which is often also called Waldeyer's ring, which is an organ whose job it is to maintain the body's defenses or body immunity in the upper respiratory tract.

Causes of Tonsillitis
There are many factors that can cause inflammation of the tonsils, including: 

1. Bacterial or viral infections that attack the immune system
2. Allergies or atopy, especially in children whose parents have a history of allergies or atopy
3. Often, people consume sweet foods such as chocolate, fizzy drinks, or ready-to-drink drinks with high sugar content, which can trigger reactions such as allergies, namely inflammation. Apart from that, plaque from food will stick to the throat cavity or teeth.

Symptoms of Tonsillitis 

We can divide the inflammation of the tonsils into two phases, namely acute and chronic. The acute phase is the phase when you are sick. Complaints include pain when swallowing and coughing. Some people also experience cold symptoms, coughing with a thick slurp, and fever. In the chronic phase, or if you have had tonsillitis for a long time, the symptoms are frequent snoring, sleep apnea, or stopping breathing during sleep. This sleep apnea will, of course, cause the child's sleep to be of poor quality and can cause the child to have frequent tantrums and become weak and sleepy quickly. In the long term, this will, of course, cause the child to become an individual who is easily angry and has difficulty concentrating. Apart from that, chronic tonsillitis will also cause recurring coughs and colds.

Does Tonsillitis Require Surgery?
There are several criteria for patients to undergo tonsillectomy. Absolute criteria include frequent shortness of breath during sleep, sleep apnea, and severe snoring. There are also relative criteria, namely recurring coughs and colds with a frequency of more than five times a year. However, before proceeding to surgery, of course, treatment will be carried out with medication during the acute phase. Of course, surgery is carried out electively if the patient has passed the acute phase.

Hermina friends, see the complete explanation about tonsillitis on the Hermina Hospitals Youtube channel (click here).