{"id":487,"date":"2018-11-21T10:15:21","date_gmt":"2018-11-21T18:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fueldev.site\/~oregonen\/throat\/tonsils-adenoids\/"},"modified":"2018-11-27T14:52:01","modified_gmt":"2018-11-27T22:52:01","slug":"tonsils-adenoids","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/oregonent.com\/ent-services\/throat\/tonsils-adenoids\/","title":{"rendered":"Tonsils & Adenoids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The tonsils and adenoids are part of the lymphatic system\nand serve as defenders of the immune system, protecting your body by preventing\ngerms and bacteria from entering through your mouth and nose. Occasionally,\nthey will develop problems themselves, requiring the attention of an ENT\nspecialist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tonsillitis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils that leads to\nswelling, sore throat and difficulty swallowing. It is usually the result of a\nviral or bacterial infection and tends to affect children more frequently than\nany other age group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms & Causes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The tonsils \u2013 tissues that serve to trap germs and bacteria\nand prevent infection \u2013 are located in the back of the throat. Their constant\nexposure to germs makes them susceptible to infection themselves. Following\npuberty, their role as immune system defender declines significantly; this is\nwhy tonsil infections are far more common in children than adults. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tonsillitis is the name given to a tonsil infection,\nswelling and inflammation of the tonsils caused by viruses, bacteria, allergies\nor upper respiratory disorders. In addition to red and swollen tonsils,\nsymptoms include white or yellow patches on the tonsils, sore throat,\ndifficulty swallowing, fever, tender lymph nodes, bad breath, headache and\nstiff neck. Younger children may be extra irritable, drool excessively and\nrefuse to eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the streptococcus bacterium is a frequent cause of\ntonsillitis, doctors will usually test for strep throat when a patient is\ndiagnosed with a tonsil infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How tonsillitis is treated depends on whether it has been\ncaused by a virus or bacteria. If the infection is viral, it should clear up in\na week to ten days, and home remedies should do the trick. Make sure you get\nlots of rest and drink plenty of fluids, especially warm liquids like broth or\ntea with honey). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To soothe your throat, gargle with warm saltwater several\ntimes a day, eat cold treats such as Popsicles and suck on lozenges or cough\ndrops. Avoid cigarette smoke and other irritants. If a bacterial infection such\nas strep throat is responsible, antibiotics will be administered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your doctor may recommend surgical removal of the tonsils\n(tonsillectomy) if the condition recurs frequently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adenoiditis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re probably familiar with tonsillitis, an infection of\nthe tonsils caused by viruses and bacteria but did you know your adenoids can\nalso become infected? Your adenoids are a pair of soft tissues masses located behind\nthe nose and roof of the mouth that trap germs and create antibodies that aid\nthe immune system in fighting off infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since your\nadenoids play such a key role in protection, they often come into contact with\ngerms and then become infected. This condition is known as adenoiditis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Causes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adenoid infections often affect children, but are nearly\nunheard of in adults; this is because the tissues begin to shrink around the\nage of 5 or 6, and disappear completely in most people by the time they reach\ntheir teens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtually any virus or bacteria can cause an infection of\nthe adenoids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Enlarged adenoids\ncan block airflow through your nose, which can lead to mouth breathing, snoring\nand a dry and sore throat. Yellow or green discharge from the nose can also\noccur. In addition to swollen adenoids, infected adenoids can lead to middle\near infections, sinusitis and a chest infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatments <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because adenoiditis symptoms closely mirror other\nconditions, an in-depth examination is necessary in order to properly diagnose the\ncondition. Your child\u2019s doctor will examine their ears, nose and throat, and\ncheck for swollen lymph nodes in the neck. X-rays may be ordered because the\nadenoids are often difficult to observe visually. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the cause of adenoiditis is viral in nature, it should\nrun its course in a matter of days. Symptoms can be treated with\nover-the-counter medications (antihistamines, decongestants or pain relievers),\nfluids and rest. If a bacterial infection is to blame, antibiotics are the\nusual method of treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chronic ear infections, a frequent cause of adenoiditis, may\nrequire surgical treatment. This procedure to remove the adenoids, known as an\nadenoidectomy, is routine and performed on an outpatient basis. It is often\nrecommended that a tonsillectomy (surgery to remove the tonsils) be performed\nat the same time, since tonsillitis and adenoiditis often occur simultaneously.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recovering from Surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If surgery is required to remove the tonsils and adenoids,\nrecovery usually takes seven to ten days. The following steps are recommended\nto make it as painless and smooth as possible: <\/p>\n\n\n\n