$Unique_ID{BRK00699}
$Pretitle{Respiratory System}
$Title{Just What Do the Tonsils and Adenoids Do?}
$Subject{tonsils adenoids function treatment}
$Volume{H-22}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Just What Do the Tonsils and Adenoids Do?


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QUESTION:  Although not sickly, my 12 year old son comes down with throat
infections very frequently.  His doctor now is advising that he has his
tonsils and adenoids removed.  Just what do these glands do, and is removing
them in a youngster considered to be the right thing to do?

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ANSWER:  Although these glands have an important health role in infants, they
probably have accomplished all they ever will by the time the child is three
years of age.  In the first few years of life, these glands are responsible
for sampling the incoming air and catching some of the germs and viruses that
may be present.  An infection may then develop in this tissue, causing the
body to develop antibodies to help combat the infection.  In this manner an
immunity to similar infections is developed that protects the individual
against future infections.  You can easily see the state of your son's tonsils
for yourself by looking in his mouth.  The tonsils are the glands located just
behind a fold of tissue at the back of the mouth, and may be filled with small
pockets (crypts) that are filled with cheesy like material, resulting from
infections and abscess formation.  They may be causing a bad breath, but more
important are the reason for repeated infections and possibly breathing
difficulties as well.  You can't see the adenoids without special instruments,
as they are located high in the throat behind the nose, but they probably
would look similar to the tonsils if you could see them.  There is nothing
unusual about removing tonsils in a child the age of your son, and
tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T & A) is the second most common operation
performed for children, numbering about 400,000 operations per year.  When
symptoms of frequent and recurrent sore throats, fever and chills, bad breath,
nasal congestion or obstruction occur frequently and can not be permanently
relieved with antibiotics, a T & A is considered sound therapy.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
