This is an automatically translated article.
The article was professionally consulted by Dr Ear, Nose Throat Doctor, Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
Tonsillitis not only causes sore throat, but also increases the size of the tonsils, causing the tonsils to enlarge, causing pressure on the airways and digestive tract. So if the tonsils are enlarged, how to not affect the health of the child? Should tonsils be removed? And if cutting, when is the best time to cut?
1. What is tonsil?
The tonsils, also known as the tonsils of the palate, are the largest lymph nodes in the body located on both sides of the pharynx, where the esophagus and trachea meet. The tonsils are visible to the naked eye when the mouth is open.
The role of the tonsils is likened to the body's gateway protection barrier thanks to its function of producing IgG antibodies and active substances involved in the process of fighting the invasion of bacteria and viruses in the body.
However, in the process of protecting the body against harmful agents, the tonsils can become inflamed and if left untreated, pus or abscesses can form. This condition leads to tonsils that are larger than normal, swollen and painful, obstructing the airway and digestive tract, affecting health and quality of life.
2. Should large tonsils be cut?
Is enlarged tonsils dangerous and why is it necessary to cut tonsils? Although the tonsils are a part of the body's immune defenses, sometimes in some cases, they still need to be removed from the body due to their large size causing compression or reduced immune function due to infection. too many times. The tonsils are not the only part of the body that has protective immunity. Therefore, cutting tonsils for children will not affect health.
The large tonsils are cut to eliminate some of the consequences caused by the enlarged tonsils such as:
Respiratory: The tonsils are located at the intersection between the airways and the digestive tract, so if the tonsils are enlarged, it will obstruct the airway. Obstruction leads to snoring and even sleep apnea. Prolonged sleep apnea causes children to open their mouths to breathe, affecting the development of the maxillofacial region, possibly causing misaligned bite, flat nose... And if this happens continuously, it can affect to both pulmonary and bronchial ventilation. At the same time, the blockage in the respiratory system will cause a lack of oxygen to the brain, affecting the child's intellectual development, causing sleep disturbances, restless sleep, mental disorders and a some other psychological disorders...
Digestive: Due to the intersection position, the large tonsils not only affect respiration but also interfere with the introduction of food into the body through the digestive tract. Large tonsils cause difficulty swallowing, even painful swallowing. About the ear, nose and throat: Due to its role as a barrier to protect the body's gateway, the exposure of the tonsils to bacteria is relatively high, and inflammation also occurs more often in the tonsils. When having tonsillitis, the general invisible becomes a source of bacteria leading to sinusitis, pharyngitis or otitis media in children. In general, tonsillectomy is really necessary to avoid blockages, reduce the recurrence rate of upper respiratory infections and middle ear diseases..., ensure the functioning of the respiratory system. The absorption and digestive system are favorable. But the nature of tonsils is good for the body, so it is not always advisable to choose a tonsillectomy.
3. What is the best time to remove tonsils?
Circumstances in which tonsillectomy is recommended include:
A child has at least 7 tons of tonsillitis in a year, or at least 5 times a year with tonsillitis and it lasts for 2 years, or at least 3 times in a year. one year but for 3 consecutive years. The enlarged tonsils obstruct the upper airway, leading to sleep disturbances, and children have sleep apnea. The tonsils on one side are abnormally large, suspecting that the tonsils are just a small part of the body, but they also play an important role in the immune system. Take your child to the doctor immediately if he or she finds that he or she has abnormal symptoms in the upper respiratory tract and digestive tract to avoid aggravating the tonsillitis and limit possible complications for the child's health. .
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Gathering a team of leading pediatricians: including leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All are well-trained, professional, with a mind - range, understanding young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.
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