Do not prematurely remove almonds

When should the almonds be removed??

23.03.2012

While almonds (tonsils) used to be removed with the slightest suspicion of recurring ailments, medicine today knows that these play an important role in the development of the immune system, especially in children. An operative removal therefore wants to be well considered.

For recurrent suppurative inflammation of the tonsils, however, an intervention is urgently required, which should also be considered about a removal of the lymphatic organs. However, the almonds are the first immune system against invading bacteria through the mouth and throat of particular importance for the immune system. Experts such as Prof. Werner Hosemann of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the University Medicine Greifswald explain that the palatine tonsils like a kind „filter“ act of all harmful substances that „swallowed or inhaled through the mouth“ be recognized.

Almond removal causes impairment of the immune system
Therefore, a removal of the palatine tonsils usually brings with it an impairment of the immune defense, which is quite critical in children, in particular, whose defenses are not fully developed anyway. A corresponding intervention would therefore be meaningful only if the adolescents suffer from frequently recurrent or chronic tonsillitis (tonsillitis). This is not uncommonly due to the direct food contact and the ragged surface of the palatine tonsils, with the tonsillitis manifested mainly in symptoms such as sore throat and fever. However, the complaints can usually be treated relatively well, and home remedies for sore throats can also show a clear effect. For example, in the case of recurrent sore throats caused by tonsillitis in natural medicine, it is recommended to take a teaspoon of beaver hellebore, which should be drunk three times a day. Only when the therapeutic measures are unsuccessful should surgical removal of the palatine tonsils be considered. This is what most medical professionals have come to understand and are therefore far more reluctant to remove almonds today than was the case a few years ago.

Almonds as an early warning system against pathogens
The palatine tonsils are constantly in contact with bacteria, fungi and viruses, whereby the disease germs are not only directly controlled by the tonsils, but the lymphatic organs also act as a kind of early warning system that prepares the organism for the penetration of the pathogens. Also note the almonds, the germs and „thus contribute to the development of immunological memory - and thus also to build up the body's defenses“, emphasized immunologist Werner Solbach from the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein in Lübeck. As soon as the immunological memory has completed its development - which according to the expert at the age of about six years is the case - the removal of the almonds bring no more far-reaching disadvantages for the immune defense with itself. In a mature immune system is „the guardian function of the palatine tonsils is not so important anymore“, also explained Winfried Goertzen of the Bavarian State Association of the Professional Association of Otolaryngologists to the news agency „dpa“.

Removal of tonsils in recurrent purulent inflammation
A removal of the almonds is also recommended, according to Winfried Goertzen, „when the tonsils are so large that they interfere with breathing“. Because constant air shortage can cause a lack of oxygen, which in turn can cause symptoms such as headaches, tiredness, tinnitus and a limited capacity. Also, with frequent tonsillitis, pathogens could travel across the blood and cause secondary infections such as otitis media or potentially life-threatening valvular insufficiency, the experts explained. It is also urgent to advise to remove the almonds. Otherwise, according to the medical experts, the number of tonsillitis per year provides a good indication of the operation that may be necessary. As an upper limit, from which it is recommended to remove the tonsils, in children four to six tonsillitis per year, in adults, three or more severe infections annually. (Fp)

Image: Claudia Hautumm