Chronic snoring results from a variety of issues, but one cause of snoring is large tonsils. Located in the back of the throat right beside the tongue, tonsils are part of the lymphatic system. Tonsils filter bacteria and viruses, helping keep you healthy, and produce antibodies to fight disease.
So how can they contribute to snoring? Whenever the tonsils become inflamed and swollen, a condition known as tonsillitis, they can obstruct the airway and cause pain, discomfort, and even snoring. When this happens once, it’s called acute tonsillitis. If the condition is persistent, it becomes chronic tonsillitis.
A variety of treatment options are available to treat chronic tonsillitis, one of which is a laser tonsillectomy provided by The Snoring Center.
Chronic Tonsillitis Defined
Tonsillitis usually occurs due to a bacterial or viral infection. What makes it considered chronic is the swelling occurring frequently or if the tonsils remain inflamed over a long period of time.
Chronic tonsillitis should be treated in order to prevent the spread and recurrence of infection.
Causes and Symptoms of Tonsillitis
Infections may be either bacterial or viral, and include:
- Streptococcus (strep)
- Influenza (flu)
- Parainfluenza
- Adenoviruses
- Epstein-Barr
- Herpes simplex
- Enteroviruses
Once infected, the tonsils swell, causing discomfort and pain. Other symptoms of chronic tonsillitis include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Fever
- Chills
- Bad breath
- Snoring
- Blisters or ulcers in the throat
- Redness of the tonsils
- Yellow or white coating of the tonsils
- Headache
- Ear pain
- Lost appetite
Children may also experience stomach pain or vomiting along with tonsillitis. If left untreated, tonsil stones may develop, which are hardened deposits of debris that build up in the pits of the tonsils. Also called tonsilloliths, they can cause bad breath, discomfort, and soreness. They can also be seen.
If you notice a number of these symptoms occurring at the same time and often, seeking treatment can bring swift, lasting relief.
Treatment Options – Contact The Snoring Center
Tonsillitis that is caused by bacteria can usually be treated by prescription antibiotics. However, viral tonsillitis won’t respond to antibiotics and may need other courses of treatment in order to be cured.
Traditionally, chronic tonsillitis is treated with a tonsillectomy, a surgery in which the tonsils are removed. A patient is put under general anesthesia, and the tonsils are cut out. The surgery can be painful and requires a few days of recovery before normal activity and eating can be resumed.
But modern laser technology has made treating chronic tonsillitis much faster and more comfortable. The Snoring Center provides a laser tonsil ablation procedure in which a laser vaporizes the outer surface of the tonsils. This reduces the size of the tonsils, smooths the surface and removes any infection. Recovery from a laser tonsillectomy is quick—most of our patients go back to their normal lives the day after the procedure.
If chronic tonsillitis is causing you grief day and night–contributing to snoring–contact the dedicated doctors at The Snoring Center today to discuss your treatment options.
