I have been told by doctors that sometimes children out grow their enlarged tonsils by age 12. What has anyone found that has helped a teenager reduce tonsils that have been enlarged since toddlerhood? Thanks.
I would look into doing an IgG food allergy panel . Chronic low grade food allergies can cause swollen tonsils, fatigue, muscle aches, sinus congestion, etc. Most pediatric allergists only recommend IgE testing for acute allergies and often miss the more subtle ones.
T. Rubio L.Ac.
After years of "she'll grow out of it", we finally found a doctor who "shaved" her tonsils. They were not removed, just shaved. She went into the operating room at 9:30, we was in recovery at 10:15 (and I heard the doctor was late!) I am not sure of the whole procedure all I know is no more sore throats, no more storing, no more chewing with her mouth open so she can breathe...it is HEAVEN!
Hello, I don't know if this is a success story or not, but my seventeen year old's tonsils are smaller now. Still very large. If I had it to do over, I would have had them out when she was 4 or 5. She suffered a lot over the years with them, though not as much now. Good Luck!!
Sorry, I don't have a success story. I'm here to play devil's advocate! I didn't really have problems with tonsils as a child. My problem began after I turned 18! Now that I have a preschooler, my tonsils have been acting up big time! I researched on the internet regarding removing them, but as an adult, the surgery is pretty awful--in fact, down-right dangerous. Everywhere I read, it said that it's better to get them removed as a child. So, there are no guarantees your child will grow out of the problem (it may happen, but you can't count on it). And if the problem is really bad, they'll probably have to come out eventually. Sooner may be better than later! Just something to consider.
I had enlarged tonsils and got sick at least one to two times a year with tonsillitis and strep throat. Finally had them removed when I was 19 and haven't been sick like that since. I wish I had had them removed when I was younger. The surgery is pretty tough when you get older. Get them taken out - the problem won't go away until they're gone.
hi...
my tonsils never shrunk...i was 24 when they were removed...problem solved. funny thing...my grandmother also had hers removed at 24.
i wanted to make a joke & say "feed him meat" but i am also a vegetarian...became one at 20 & i am now 48. good luck hope holistic works for you!
Hi S.:
My 10 yr. old daughter has a large left tonsil and has had it ever since I can remember. She has some allergies as well. We have not opted to take her tonsils out but we have used holistic approaches to help her. I use a homeopath (Willow Tipton in Del Mar, CA) and also several supplements. I use a probiotic religiously because a healthy gut is the key to good health. I also have her gargle with Tahitian Noni Juice (2-4 ounces her day). I do believe there is a purpose to the tonsils - they are one of the body's first line of defense. So, if I were you I would explore these avenues and, in case these don't work, find out from your doctor when is the latest you should get the tonsils out if needed. Good luck!
Try goldenseal... $12 at longs. For young children break the capsule and sprinkle a little powder in juice, but it is very bitter. It is great topically as well on infections, even staph. It is natures antibiotic.
try googling "serrapeptase" you can get it cheap at www.vitacost.com and cheaper if u also go thru ebates.com
My daughter had the surgery and I never regretted it. However, I have read of people using chiropracters to solve the problem, so it might be worth investigating.
Yes! I have a friend who took her daughter off ALL dairy and gave her PB8, as well as therapuetic dosages of vitamin A&D. Within 2 months, they were normal and have remained that way for the past year. She was super close to having them removed - I mean, had the appt scheduled and found an alternative way of caring for her daughter.
S.,
I don't know that you can reduce the size of the tonsils that are enlarged. However, if the issue is that you're trying to avoid a tonsilectomy, just opt not to do the surgery. Unless, of course, the issue is that he has a really bad case of strep where the bacteria is eating away the flesh. I had a friend who had permanent perforations in the back of her throat as a result of a case of strep.
I had enlarged tonsils as a child and had chronic sore throats. My pediatrician, at the time, recommended that the tonsils be removed, but my parents opted against it.
Today at 34, I don't have any problems, lest the occassional sore throat that accompanies a cold. I'm actually glad that my parents didn't go ahead with what the doctor suggested. In fact, when my mother had a tonsilectomy in her 30s, she developed allergies to all kinds of things (i.e. grass, chocolate, beans, milk). I think tonsils are really important even though we don't completely understand their purpose. My tonsils still seem kind of large to me, but they aren't problematic.
If you do find something, let me know. I would love to hear of suggestions should my daughter one day develop my chronic sore throat.
Good luck!
E.
My daughter suffered from Sleep disturbance and other illnesses relating to chronically large tonsils. We finally agreed to take them out and life has become so much better. It is not an easy surgery but it can change your life and their's too.
Dont wait-They have good pain medication and you can live with anything for 3 weeks.
Good Luck,
L.
Hi! I had my tonsils out at 26 years of age for the same reason. I could barely speak because of them. My sister tried to talk me out of it, but I was desperate. I wish I would of listened. I now know that they are part of the immune system and were overburdened with toxins and candida. Taking them out did not help me. It just took part of my defenses away.
If you are interested in learning about chinese food herbs that have helped me immensely, please let me know. The foods are a blessing.
God Bless!
J.
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Tonsils are a first line defense of the body against "bad stuff" like bacteria, viruses, pollen, etc. When they are swollen it means that they are defending the body. Treat the infection. The most common kind of infection seen in children is generally strep or a virus. Do a throat swab and if it is strep or a treatable bacteria, then TREAT IT. If it is a virus, you just have to wait it out. When you see strep infections more than 8 times a year in one 12 month period, it is time to consider surgery. This was the minimum requirement for the HMO I belonged to. Generally you start to see a lot of tonsil issues when children first go into day care or school when they are exposed to other children. If your family has a history of allergies, then I suggest you hang onto those tonsils as long as possible because sometimes removal of tonsils leads to an increase in allergies as you have removed a front line filter. In my family, those of us that had our tonsils removed for frequent strep throat and or ear infections, etc etc, all developed allergies. Only one of my siblings kept his to adulthood and he is relatively allergy free. My own children kept their tonsils as they did not meet the HMO's minimum requirements and I really did not want to put my kids through it. Two of my three children have their tonsils and allergies. That is my experience with tonsils. If it is a serious bacteria infection we treated it with antibiotics and if it was viral we waited it out. If the tonsil is swollen for some other reason, then I would get another opinion because that just doesn't sound right. My guess would be allergies. Think about the function of the tonsil. It is a filter. It might have filtered something that needs to be seriously investigated.
