Tonsil removal for better sleep? Find out how tonsil surgery helps with snoring and stopping breathing in your sleep.
If enlarged tonsils are the cause of stopping breathing during sleep, tonsillectomy removal is not only recommended, but also necessary.
Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in otorhinolaryngology, especially in children. Tonsils, tonsils or tonsils are clusters of lymphatic tissue located at the entrance to the digestive and respiratory systems.
Due to their specific anatomical position, they represent the first line of defense against harmful microorganisms that enter the body through the respiratory and digestive tracts.
Precisely because of their protective role and location in the body, the tonsils are often swollen and enlarged as a result of the immune reaction. Frequent sore throats, sinusitis and purulent angina are often the result of tonsillitis problems in childhood and adulthood.
Enlarged tonsils can interfere with breathing and swallowing, and in smaller children they can negatively affect speech development. Due to the enlargement of the third tonsil, obstruction of the Eustachian tube can occur, resulting in the appearance of hearing loss.
In addition to these diseases, one of the more serious consequences of frequent tonsillitis is obstructive sleep apnea (sleep apnea ). Obstructive sleep apnea).
If the ENT examination determines that the tonsils are enlarged, and the person additionally presents symptoms such as snoring, suffocation during sleep, cessation of breathing in sleep with sudden awakening and gasping for air, then tonsillectomy removal is a very good therapeutic option.
Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the absolute indications for tonsillectomy. So, if enlarged tonsils are the cause of stopping breathing during sleep, tonsillectomy removal is not only recommended, but also necessary.
Obstruction of breathing with interruptions lasting 5 seconds or longer over a period of several months (or years) can lead to damage to the walls of blood vessels, brain, heart and lungs and impaired cognitive development of the child.
In the event of symptoms and conditions that indicate the need for tonsillectomy surgery, it is recommended to monitor the condition over a six-month period. The indication for surgery is set with regard to the general condition of the organism and the presence of the already mentioned conditions.
The indication for tonsillectomy is given by an otolaryngologist in cooperation with specialist pediatricians, infectologists, internists, etc.
Tonsillectomy means surgical removal of the lymphatic tissue of the palatine tonsils. Tonsillectomy in children is most often performed Starting from age 3 and onwards. There are cases when the procedure needs to be done earlier, but it depends on the general health of the child and the indication for surgery.
An adult tonsillectomy is considered to be any procedure performed on a person over 15 years of age. It is necessary to first perform an otorhinolaryngological examination , which will determine the condition of the tonsils and the need for surgery.
Before the operation, in addition to the ENT examination, additional tests must be performed to determine the general health of the patient.
In our country, the most commonly used technique is to remove the tonsils by a combination of blunt and sharp dissection with reusable instruments. In addition to the above, tonsils can also be operated on with radiofrequency, laser, ultrasonic knife or electrocautery.
This surgical procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Tonsillectomy takes relatively little time and is considered a safe and simple procedure.
After admission to the polyclinic, professional medical staff will escort you to your room. Before the surgery, your surgeon will talk to you once again about the surgery protocol. Once you are comfortably seated in the operating room and the anesthesia begins to work, the operation can begin.
The tonsillectomy surgery takes about 20 minutes.
After the procedure, you will be returned to your room where you will spend some time under medical supervision. There is no stitching because the left open wound will heal on its own. Two hours after the procedure , you should not consume food and liquids, and after that it is necessary to drink a large amount of fluids. In most cases, you will be discharged to home care on the same day.
In the outpatient clinic for otorhinolaryngology of the Lohuis FIlipović Polyclinic, we have gathered an internationally recognized team of doctors subspecialized in solving certain problems that occur in the area of the ear, nose and throat, head and neck in children and adults.
Our goal is to achieve a safe and long-term good result through a successful diagnosis and selection of individual treatment with timely monitoring of the patient. We use state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic methods to reduce postoperative pain and ensure a positive outcome of treatment.
After tonsillectomy, unlike conventional surgical procedures, the surgical site is not closed with sutures, but an open wound remains that will heal. On the second day after the operation, the wound is covered with white deposits that will fall off within a week after the procedure.
Proper hydration is especially important in the period immediately after the procedure. It is necessary to drink more than 2 liters of
fluids per day. In this way, the operated area is moisturized, the masticatory muscles are activated and pain is reduced.
Pain is a normal occurrence after tonsillectomy surgery. It is necessary to follow the instructions of our doctors and, if necessary, take analgesics in accordance with the recommendation. It is also necessary to insist on bed rest and avoid visits in the days after the procedure. It is recommended to avoid larger companies and excessive visits due to the possibility of infection.
You can also expect the appearance of fever (up to 38°C), which needs to be treated with antipyretics as directed by the doctor. If the child has a fever higher than 38°C for more than two days, it is necessary to contact a doctor because this is a possible symptom of infection.
Seven days after the operation, smoking and brushing your teeth are not allowed. You can rinse your mouth with special mouthwashes that are easily available in pharmacies, and lukewarm sage or marshmallow tea that will help you with bad breath.
During recovery from tonsil surgery, it is necessary to avoid very hot and cold foods, as well as spicy and acidic foods. During the first seven days, consume mushy foods and gradually introduce a daily diet.
Two hours after the procedure, hydration is important. It is recommended to drink more than two liters of chilled tea, milk or boiled water, and because of the pain in the operated area, you will drink slowly, sip by sip.
You can consume liquid lukewarm foods, soups, chocolate and similar preparations.
You can introduce mushy foods, compotes, pureed fruits or vegetables.
In addition to mushy food, you can also eat overcooked rice or pasta, overcooked minced meat, soft parts of bread, and the like.
Gradually, you can return to a normal diet, that is, you can eat fresh fruits, vegetables, cold water, etc. It is important to avoid “coarse” food that could irritate the operated area and lead to bleeding.
Tonsillectomy is a routine procedure, it takes a short time and does not pose a great risk. This surgical procedure is treated as an outpatient procedure and serious complications of tonsillectomy rarely occur after the operation.
One of the complications that can occur is bleeding since the operated area is not sutured after the procedure. A significant factor in preventing bleeding after tonsillectomy is adherence to hygiene and nutritional measures in the postoperative period.
Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders. If you sleep alone, it is difficult to recognize it. One of the main symptoms of sleep apnea is daytime sleepiness and a feeling of lack of sleep despite a sufficient amount of sleep during the night.
Snoring is also a significant symptom of sleep apnea. It is especially common in the older male population, but it can also occur in women and children.
Snoring is caused by a narrowing of the airways and additional vibration of the tissues at the site of the narrowing. A stuffy nose or a narrowed nasal cavity can also be a cause of snoring.
In people who breathe normally through the nose, snoring and apnea are often caused by limited space behind the uvula and soft palate. Depending on the severity of apnea or snoring, we can perform several minor surgeries that also target the cause of breathing obstruction.
Enlarged tonsils in children often cause severe snoring and sleep apnea. In this case, a simple tonsil surgery is the best solution. Enlarged tonsils also occur in adults, and surgery is still very common and effective.
The main goal of LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch healthcare services.
