Tonsillitis/Tonsillectomy

As a crucial part of our immune system, tonsils and adenoids are on the body’s first line of defense. They accept bacteria and viruses that enter the body through the mouth or nose at the risk of their infection. Sometimes they can become more of a liability than an asset and may even trigger airway obstruction or repeated bacterial infections. The most common problems affecting the tonsils and adenoids are recurrent infections (throat or ear) and significant enlargement or obstruction that causes breathing, swallowing, and sleep problems.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an infection of one or both tonsils. Common symptoms of tonsillitis include:

• Swollen tonsils
• Redder than normal tonsils
• A white or yellow coating on the tonsils
• A slight voice change due to swelling
• Sore throat
• Uncomfortable or painful swallowing
• Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
• Fever
• Bad Breath

If your or your child’s adenoids are enlarged, it may be hard to breathe through the nose. Common symptoms of enlarged adenoids include:

• Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose most of the time
• Nose sounds “blocked” when the person speaks
• Noisy breathing during the day
• Recurrent ear infections
• Snoring at night
• Breathing stops for a few seconds at night during snoring or loud breathing (sleep apnea)

Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

When tonsils and/or adenoids are overcome by chronic infections, Dr. Leeman will perform surgery to remove the tonsils, the adenoids, or both. At The Comprehensive ENT Center of Texas in Austin, our physicians employ the safest and least invasive Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy techniques. These outpatient procedures take only about 30 minutes, and patients will return home the same day.

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