Deep in the throat of the human body, there is a pair of organs called the tonsils, which are not only an important part of the immune system, but also a health issue that many people have to face as they grow up. The tonsils, which are on both sides of the mouth, are cylindrical, consisting mainly of lymphoma tissues, and are the first line of defence against external pathogens. When pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and others enter the body through the mouth or nasal cavity, the lentils first play a role in identifying and devouring these foreign invaders through their rich lymphocytes, thus preventing further spread of infection. However, tonsils are not always “faithful guards”, and in some cases they can also be a source of disease, causing repeated inflammation, septization and even affecting breathing and sleep. Thus, the issue of the health of the tonsils, in particular “when should it be cut? Does it matter?” has become a central concern for many patients and parents. This paper will explore in depth the physiological function of tonsils, common diseases, surgical indications and post-operative effects, and will help readers to understand the health choices of this important organ。
The physiology of tonsils goes beyond a simple “immunity barrier”. They are part of the human lymphoma, which is an important component of waldeyer's ring and, together with gland samples, the lymphoma of the tongue, etc., constitute a ring-like immune defence network. The tonsils contain large numbers of b and t cells that produce antibodies, activate immune reactions and help to identify and remove pathogens. In particular, the immune function of tonsils is particularly active during childhood, when the child's immune system is not fully mature and the body has taken on additional immunization tasks. Studies have shown that tonsils play a key role in immunisation responses during childhood, effectively preventing upper respiratory infections. However, as the age increases, the immune function of the tonsils diminishes and its relative importance decreases in adulthood. Nevertheless, tonsils still play an unnegligible role in maintaining the immune balance of the throat. It is worth noting that the body is not the only immune organ and that the body also has multiple immune tissues working together, such as spleen, lymphoma and bone marrow, so that even if the body is removed, the body's immune system can maintain normal functioning by other means。
However, the “loyalty” of tonsils is not impeccable. In some cases, they can become hotbeds of disease. The most common of these is acute tonsilitis, usually caused by bacterial infections (such as streptococcus) or viruses (such as gland viruses). Patients have severe pain in their throats, difficulty in swallowing, fever, tremors and even sepsis. Acute tonsil inflammation can normally be mitigated by antibiotics or treatment, but may develop into chronic tonsilitis if treatment is not timely or repeated. Chronic tonsilitis is characterized by the chronic inflammation of the body, with patients often feeling infirmity in their throats, aerobics, breath and prone to repeated colds. Worse still, repeated tonsil inflammation can lead to high levels of tonsils, especially among children, which can block airways, cause snoring, suspension of sleep breathing, and affect sleep quality and growth. In addition, tonsils can also become localized, i. E. Pathogens are infested in tonsels for long periods of time, releasing toxins that can cause systemic complications, such as rheumatism and kidney inflammation. These complications, although relatively rare, have serious consequences when they occur, so that doctors are extremely alert to the potential risks of repeated tonsilitis。
Faced with the problems of the tonsils, the most important concern for patients and parents is undoubtedly “when to cut”. Tonillectomy is a common surgical procedure, but not all tonsil diseases require surgical intervention. The doctor usually makes a comprehensive assessment of the patient's circumstances to determine whether an operation is required. According to clinical guidelines at the international and national levels, the following are the main indicators of the practice: first, repeated acute tonsilitis is the most common cause of surgery. It is generally accepted that if the patient has had more than seven cases in one year, or five in two years or three in three years, each of which is accompanied by symptoms such as heat, ingest, tonsilosis, etc., which seriously affects the quality of life, the doctor recommends the operation. Second, obstructive sleep breathing (osa) due to the fatty of tonsils is also an important sign of surgery. The procedure is the preferred method of treatment when a child patient suffers from the symptoms of snoring at night, breathing pauses, open breath, sleep disorder, etc., due to the fattening of tonsils, which may have a long-term impact on mental development and facial bone growth (i. E., “problem glands”). The procedure should also be considered for adults who have severe suspension of their sleep breathing due to the weight of their tonsils, which affects daytime function and cardiovascular health. In addition, anesthesia around tonsils (a serious complication, manifested in severe pain in one-sided throats and difficulty in opening mouths) requires surgical removal when chronic infections still occur after repeated onset or treatment. Finally, if there is a suspicious tumour pathologies in the tonsils, such as increased sexuality, irregular appearances, haemorrhaging or pain on one side of the body, they must be surgically removed and pathologically examined in order to be clearly diagnosed。
In deciding whether to perform a hysterectomy, the patient and the doctor have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the operation. The potential benefits of surgery are obvious: the total elimination of recurrent tonsilitis, the improvement of breathing and sleep problems caused by the fattening of tonsils and the reduction of the risk of full-body complications. For children, improved quality of sleep after surgery may lead to increased mental state, attention and learning achievement during the day. However, there is a risk of any operation, and the removal of tonsils is no exception. The most common risk is post-operative haemorrhage, especially 5-10 days after the surgery, which may occur at the onset or after-surgery when the epidural face of the operation is removed, and in serious cases requires another operation to stop the bleeding. The second is pain, which usually lasts one to two weeks after surgery and affects feeding and speech, requiring good pain management and nutritional support. In addition, the operation may cause infection, anaesthesia risk and, in very few cases, damage to neighbouring tissues. While modern medical technology has significantly reduced these risks, patients still need to be fully informed and psychologically prepared。
So, after the tonsils are removed, does it affect the body? This is a major concern for many patients, especially parents. The answer is that while there may be minor effects in the short term, in the long run the body's immune system is well compensated and does not lead to a decrease in immunity. As noted earlier, tonsils are only one of the many immune organs of the human body. When removed, other lymphoma tissues (e. G. Lymph filters in the back wall, neck lymph nodes, etc.) will gradually assume some of the immune functions. Numerous clinical studies have confirmed that tonsil hysterectomy does not increase the risk of subsequent respiratory infections or other immuno-related diseases. In fact, many patients with repeated cases of tonsilitis have undergone surgery, but instead have been released from chronic infections, improving their overall health and reducing the number of flu. For children, post-operative growth and development are usually not affected, but may instead contribute to healthy growth through improved sleep quality. Of course, in the short term after the operation, the patient may feel dry or mildly ill, but this is usually temporary. In general, tonsil hysterectomy is a safe and effective means of treatment and its benefits are far greater than potential risks, especially when it meets the surgical indications。
Before making a surgical decision, the patient should communicate fully with an ear, nose and throat practitioner to understand his or her condition, the necessity of the operation, the expected effects and the possible risks. Doctors make professional judgements based on detailed medical history, medical examination (including endoscopy) and necessary laboratory examinations (e. G. Blood protocol, aso drops, etc.). For patients who hesitate, doctors may recommend that conservative treatments be tried first, such as increased immunity, avoidance of induced factors, etc., to observe changes in the condition. Ultimately, decision-making should be based on scientific evidence and individualized assessments, rather than hearsay or excessive concern. In short, as part of the human immune system, the body of tonsels has important defensive functions and may become a health burden in specific circumstances. Understanding the physical and pathological aspects of the tonsils and proper understanding of the signs and effects of the surgery will help us to make informed health choices and maintain the throat and even the whole body。
Submitted by: zhang mu feng, deputy director of ear, nostrils and throat section, police district hospital, sutze city
