Tonsils & Adenoids in Tarzana
Tonsils & Adenoids
Tonsils and adenoids are an integral part of your immune system as they trap and kill germs that attempt to enter your body via the nose and mouth. However, they can become infected and become a major nuisance to your health and wellbeing by obstructing the airway or causing repeated bacterial infections. When this happens, you should visit an ENT specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Problems affecting tonsils and adenoids
Tonsils comprise two round lumps located in the back of the throat. Adenoids are situated behind the nose, such that they're not visible through the nose or mouth unless you use special instruments. Tonsils and adenoids stop growing between the ages of 3 and 7 years, and begin to shrink in your teenage years until they almost completely disappear.
Tonsils and adenoids tend to become inflamed and enlarged when fighting pathogens. However, can enlarge for no reason. Some of the common problems affecting tonsils and adenoids include:
- Considerable enlargement - which leads to nasal obstruction, difficulty breathing and swallowing, and sleep problems
- Recurrent nose and throat infections
- Chronic tonsillitis
- Abscesses around the tonsils
- Infections of tiny pockets within the tonsils - produce white deposits and cause bad breath
- Cancers of the tonsil
Treatments
Bacterial infections are first treated with antibiotic therapy. But if the infections are recurrent, Dr. Cohen may recommend surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy) and/or adenoids (adenoidectomy) in a simple, outpatient procedure. This should not have any noticeable impact on the immune system of an adult.
The treatment for children and adults are the same. If you suspect that you or your child has tonsil or adenoid infections, please visit Dr. Cohen for proper diagnosis and treatment.
