Tonsillitis is an illness that commonly affects children under the age of 15, but it still affects plenty of adults in the UK too. Painful and irksome, tonsillitis can lead to days and weeks off school or work, and recurrent cases even lead some to consider removing their tonsils altogether. Tonsils actually function to protect us from illnesses such as the common cold, reacting with our immune system and housing white blood cells to fight off these bacteria. When they become affected by tonsillitis, however, they seem like our worst enemy. When should you consider a tonsillectomy?
What is a tonsillectomy?
A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils. Sometimes, the swelling can go away on its own. In other cases, antibiotics or a tonsillectomy might be necessary. Tonsillitis and the need for tonsillectomies are more common in children than adults. However, people of any age can experience trouble with their tonsils and require surgery. Mr Hughes performs a tonsillectomy using one of two superior surgery methods he’s trained in: coblation or laser. Coblation uses charged plasma energy for precision cutting, and laser technology comes with minimal downtime.
Who should have a tonsillectomy?
To undergo a tonsillectomy, its recommended that this is only considered after multiple recurrent cases of tonsillitis. Because your tonsils’ first priority is to protect you from common illnesses, it’s always best that they aren’t removed too prematurely or unnecessarily. However, if you have experienced seven cases in the last year, or five over the last two years, then a tonsillectomy could give you the relief you need. Recurrent tonsillitis is when most children or teenagers opt for having their tonsils removed, but there are non-tonsillitis-related indicators that you could benefit from removal as an adult. Breathing problems related to your tonsils, frequent and loud snoring, sleep apnoea or stopping breathing when asleep, or bleeding tonsils are all perfectly sound reasons for adult tonsil removal.
Recovering from your tonsillectomy
The surgery techniques that Mr Hughes uses are advanced with less downtime than traditional surgery, but you should still allow yourself a little rest time. You could still have a sensitive throat following your procedure, so sip on cold water through a straw or even treat yourself to an ice pop to stay hydrated. Lukewarm, clear broth or soups will become your best food friends because of their ease of eating, and you can even add ice cream, yoghurt, and other soft foods after a couple of days. Steer clear of anything spicy, hard, or crunch for several days after your tonsillectomy, because these will irritate your throat.
Why Mr Jonathan Hughes?
As well as using some of the latest surgical advancements, Mr Hughes is also a well-recognised and well-respected ENT specialist. Mr Hughes completed two Royal College of Surgeons of England accredited fellowships in head and neck surgery, and voice/airway/ swallowing disorders, and also learned some of the latest minimally invasive techniques at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, a pioneering medical centre. If you’d like to find out more about a tonsillectomy for you or a family member, enquire online or call 020 3897 0667 to receive Mr Hughes’ expert advice.