Tonsils


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Tonsils

Oval-shaped masses of glandular tissue located on both sides at the back of the throat. Tonsils act like filters to trap bacteria and viruses.
Mentioned in: Lymph Node Biopsy, Salivary Gland Tumors, Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy, Tonsillitis, Velopharyngeal Insufficiency
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Patient discussion about Tonsils

Q. how do i cure tonsil stones (tonsiloth)?

A. There are very little literature about this subject, but I heard about treatment in which the crypts (deep and narrow grooves on the tongue in which the stones form) are burned with laser.

As far as I know these stones don't cause damage by themselves so it's not such a common treatment.

You may read more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonsillolith

Q. When should the tonsils and/or adenoids should be removed?

A. Currently the tonsillectomy is recommended in the presence of 6 episodes of throat infection (Group A strep pharyngitis) in one year or 3-4 episodes in each of 2years. Adenoidectomy may be recommended when tympanostomy tube surgery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tympanostomy_tube) failed to prevent ear infection.

Another thing to consider is the presence of oral breathing - the constant use of the mouth for breathing in small children may lead to malformation of the facial bones that would necessitate more extensive surgeries later in life.

More discussions about Tonsils
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References in periodicals archive ?
Scrutiny of the tonsils has largely fallen by the wayside in today's busy primary care practice.
Big tonsils? Screen closely for sleep apnea
The tonsils catch bacteria and viruses entering the throat and produce antibodies to fight infections.
Look!: Children's Health - Sore throat needn't be a pain in the neck; Tina Miles on finds that treatment for tonsillitis has come a long way
Yehuda Finkelstein of the Meir Hospital at the Sapir Medical Center in Kfar Saba, has found that the tonsils are often to blame.
The End of Bad Breath - Israeli Scientist Discovers Cause and Cure
Safe and routine, having tonsils removed is the most common surgical procedure done on kids.
Ohm at home
Tonsils are part of the lymphatic (lim-FAT-ik) system, and are helpful in fighting infections that enter the mouth by food or air.
Dr. Dr. Cory
Oropharyngeal KS, particularly isolated KS of the tonsils is rare with only a few cases reported in the literature.
Tonsillar Kaposi Sarcoma in an HIV-Negative Patient: A Case Report
Tonsils are two small masses of lymphoid tissue one on each side of the root of the tongue.
What to do when your child has adenotonsillitis
They found that out of 18,271 children who had their tonsils removed during this time, only 2,144 - 11.7 per cent - had throats sore enough to justify surgery.
32,000 children a year have tonsils removed needlessly at cost of PS37m
For decades, millions of children across the world have undergone surgery to remove their tonsils and adenoids.
Removing your child's tonsils may do more harm
Removal of the adenoids or tonsils before the age of nine resulted in a doubling of longterm risks of respiratory diseases and a smaller increase in the risk of allergic disease.
DID YOU KNOW? StoppardLong-term consequences of tonsillectomies
Tonsils play an important role in inducing secretory immunity and regulation of immunoglobulin production.
A STUDY ON TONSIL CORE CULTURE IN CHRONIC AND RECURRENT TONSILLITIS
ISLAMABAD -- Removing tonsils and adenoids in childhood increases the long-term risk of respiratory disorders such as asthma and influenza, as well as allergic and infectious diseases, says a study of nearly 1.2 million children.
Tonsil removal in childhood may increase asthma risk

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