do i really need my tonsils?

Question

my left tonsil has become huge...well to me anyway. I'm not usr eif its an infection or something else. How bad do we really need our tonsils anyway?

Answer 1

The tonsils are areas of lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat. As with other organs of the lymphatic system, the tonsils act as part of the immune system to help protect against infection. In particular, they are believed to be involved in helping fight off pharyngeal and upper respiratory tract infections.

A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed. Sometimes the adenoids are removed at the same time.

Enlarged tonsils are being removed more often among adults and children for sleep apnea (airway obstruction while sleeping), snoring, and upper airway obstruction.

Tonsillectomy in adults is perhaps more painful than in children, though everyone's experience is different.

In children and teenagers it may be the case that there is a noticeable change in voice after the operation

Answer 2

The tonsils and adenoids are composed of tissues that are similar to the lymph nodes or "glands" found in the neck or other parts of the body. Together, they are part of a ring of glandular tissue (Waldeyer's ring) encircling the back of the throat. The tonsils are the two masses of tissue on either side of the back of the throat. Normal tonsils are usually about the same size and have the same pink color as the surrounding area. On their surfaces are little depressions, called crypts, which may appear deep and contain pus pockets or stones. The adenoids are located high in the throat behind the nose and soft palate (or roof of the mouth) and, unlike the tonsils, are not easily visible through the mouth. A tonsillectomy and an adenoidectomy (commonly referred to as a T & A) are surgical procedures performed to remove the tonsils and adenoids, respectively.
Most people lost their tonsils to this type of surgery in childhood and have no illafter effects. Some have even said their voices changed after the surgery, and they speak of these changes positively.

Answer 3

Tonsils are like lymph nodes in that they help modify and modulate the immune system's response to infection. You don't necessarily need them but they are there for a reason. If one is enlarged, it is worth getting checked out. If they get enlarged often, then maybe it is time to get rid of them.
If only one is enlarged, it may be worth seeing a doctor sooner than later as may not be a normal cold but the sign of an infection deeper in the body and therefore harder to get over.

Answer 4

i still have my tonsils too. if you keep having tonsillitis i bet your doctor will opt to take them out. there is as new procedure for taking out tonsils now that is much better than the way it used to be. the doctors use a laser and cut out your tonsils so the pain is reduced and the recuperation time is much easier on you. my daughter had her tonsils out using the laser method and she was fine.

Answer 5

no