Why would a person have their tonsils removed?

Question

We were having this conversation in work today, which made me think ......I had my tonsils removed when I was 7. I got the measles, which in turn caused ear problems, I ended up getting gromits, but before the gromits I needed to have my tonsils removed, so 30 years later, can someone tell me why?

The hospital I attended then and now, is the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear hospital in Dublin, ireland.

Answer 1

Whoever did this was way ahead of his time, some studies done only 2-3 years ago suggested that results of grommet ops were much more satisfactory and long lasting, if the tonsils and adenoids were removed at the same time allowing much better drainage. This is still not common practise.

Answer 2

What are gromits? Anyway, now a days we only remove tonsils for repeated bouts of strep throat...like 6 0r 7 in a year...Documented Strep, not just a sore throat. Used to be they took em out routinely on kids. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Back then they were a bit tonsil happy and would remove them at the drop of a hat to prevent future problems. This is not necessarily a bad thing because the real reason for removing tonsils is to prevent recurring infections in those prone to them. Nowadays they are a bit more conservative about removing them, but it is defiantly a good idea if you have chronic problems.

Answer 4

Know the asteroid wellhead tonsil stones them for many years and it's been title not eventually.

Best decision I've ever made! I was shocked by the way of getting out the stones out. It was so easy, but more importantly, painless. I really liked the little trick he had for preventing gag reflex. He have one happy customer here.

Cure Tonsil Stones Permanently?

Answer 5

The outer surface of the tonsils become pitted over time (certainly by adulthood) and those little pits collect bacteria and so a person with tonsils can have a constant infection going on with the tonsils.

Answer 6

I had mine removed when I was 13, because my tonsils were enlarged & I had tonsillitis ALL THE TIME. I was having to go in every month and have penicillin shots with huge, infected tonsils.

Much better now!

Answer 7

I just had my daughter's tonsils removed. She is 5. I took her to the doc and right before we ready to leave after the appointment , the doctor asked if I had any other concerns. I just happen to mention the fact that Madelyn has been snoring really loud every nite. The doc looked in her throat and said "This is why" and showed me that there was barely a space to swallow. I couldn't believe it.
Since they were removed there is NO snoring and my daughter is getting a better nite sleep. She had sleep apnea.

Answer 8

Tonsils are usually removed when they get infected ... (tonsillitis) ... often times doctors assess the situation & conclude that the patient is getting more infections *from* the tonsils rather than prevention of infection by them.

They're not *necessary* for your body to continue to function and fight off infections.

Answer 9

It was fashionable in those days that when a child reached 6-7 he/she had their tonsils removed, at one stage children also had their adenoids removed as well.

That was when the UK health service was "differently" run and organized

Answer 10

30 years ago people thought that recurrent throat infections were down to tonsils and tonsils alone. So they whipped them out. Of course, those same people carried on getting throat infections. Pointless surgery.