If I remove my tonsils will that help my sleep apnea?

Question

One of my tonsils look sorta normal from the pics I have seen but my left one is shaped like a heart and is huge like a quarter

Answer 1

Yes...my son had SEVERE sleep apnea and had to had his tonsils removed when he was 5. They were so big they were obstructing his airway and it was even worse when he was lying down trying to sleep. The doctor who removed them said they were huge and the size of an adults and it was no wonder he had severe sleep apnea. After the removal, all symptoms of sleep apnea dissapeared.

Answer 2

Usually they do a procedure called an Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.........
*** Notice at the end of that ridiculously huge word is says 'plasty'.... that is another way of saying that "insurance will not cover this procedure". Most insurance companies will not cover this because they consider it an elective procedure. Although, it does work to reduce the sleep apnea.


http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=15736
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: A type of operation designed to tighten up flabby tissues and enlarge the upper air passages. The operation involves reshaping the uvula (uvulo-), soft palate (-palato-) and throat (-pharyngo-).

The uvula is a small piece of soft tissue that can be seen dangling down from the soft palate over the back of the tongue. The uvula is described variously shaped like a U, a tear or a grape. (Its name comes from the Latin word for "grape," uva.) The uvula has its own little muscle, the musculus uvuae, to help it stiffen and change shape, so it helps fill in the space at the back of the throat. It helps keep food from going down the wrong way down the breathing passage when one swallows. Singers credit the uvula with letting them produce a vibrato, a wavy up-and-down sound.

The uvula is one of the soft-tissue structures commonly blamed for snoring and for sleep apnea (a break in breathing during sleep). Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is a treatment for these conditions.

Answer 3

It is very possible, tonsils and adnoids create many different problems with sleep. I have also heard that the older you are the worse it is to have your tonsils removed as far as the pain goes. I would talk to my doctor and see what the other options are as far as the sleep apnea is concerned. Best wishes to you.

Answer 4

Hi;
First of all probably your sleep apnea is not about your tonsillas. It's usually about your weight. So if you see a doctor she/he will say you to loose weight if you are overweight. Another reason to sleep apnea is deviation on nose. You must look for those first but if this won't result well about your problem your tonsillas could be the ones that couse it. To couse sleep apnea tonsillas must be hiperemic and very large. And also I forgot to say quit smoking if you are.
Get well soon.

Answer 5

If the doctor has determined you have "obstructive sleep apnea", yes, it will help to have them removed. "Central sleep apnea" is a whole other story.
Talk to your doctor about it, then see an ENT about those tonsils.

Answer 6

Maybe, but a somewhat more drastic surgery called UPPP is more likely to do the trick. It isn't particularly pleasant, but if it works (which is likely), you're good to go. Discuss the matter with a specialist in throat surgery.

Answer 7

Maybe but not for sure. Usually they will recommend other treatments like a breathing machine or losing weight before suggesting surgery.

Answer 8

It might!