Tonsils: How do  you know that you have it?
100973
Tonsils are glands in your throat. If you have not had a surgery to remove them, then you have them\n\nAre you thinking about tonsilitis? Tonsilitis is the inflammation of the tonsils. You get a very sore throat, and fever. You may feel like you have something in  your throat.\n\nIf someone looks down your throat with a light they can see them swollen into your throat.\n\nIf you think you may have it, you should see the doctor. You will probably need to be put on antibiotic. Doctors are not so quick to remove tonsils these days unless the become infected frequently.\n\nIf you are concerned with bad breath, there are different causes. Are you brushing your teeth regularly? Brushing the back of your throat? using antiseptic mouth wash?\n\nIf you are and the bad breath continues, see your phycian.
1132433
Tonsils are lymph glands which are a part of your immune system.  When there is an infection, your immune system is mobilized.  And part of the response is activation and enlargement of you lymph glands including your tonsils.  The thing to remember is that only the lymph nodes around the infection will enlarge.
951889
I had my tonsils removed when I was 18. I was constantly getting strep and my tonsils were too big. Recovery was longer, I lost about 15 lbs in 2 weeks. But it was worth it because I have only had stre 1 time since I had the taken out and I am 33 now. Be prepared though for the healing.The younger eople are the faster they bounce back.
1016339
Rip them suckers out.  No adult is authorized tonsils anyway.  I'm reporting you to the tonsil police.\n\nAnd sorry, I have no advice, my tonsils just disappeared by themselves.
138255
http://health.ivillage.com/ent/throat/0,,6715,00.html
95626
Tonsils are lymphatic tissues inside the throat to protect the body from microorganisms entering through the mouth.
736797
First, tonsils are not pulled, they are cut out.  Teeth are pulled.\n\nTonsils can be enlarged to the point where they obstruct your airway.  You may have tiredness during the day from waking up hundreds of times during the night (obstructive sleep apnea).  Tonsils can also become repeatedly infected.  You would recognize this by a recurrent sore throat.\n\nTonsils are easy to see.  Your doctor does not have to guess.  He can just look at them.
446980
Amazing what you find when you google for "tonsil cheese"...\n\nhttp://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1263329
223464
The tonsils are actually needed for immunological reasons which was discovered recently but you actually need everything in your body but if say your spleen/appendix was damaged you will not die without it. Wisdom teeth are probably the one thing that we do not need.
158278
the important question is, how do you know it's uvulitis?  that's a very specific (and, honestly, not a very common) diagnosis.\n\nthere is no association between uvulitis and the status of your hair when you go to sleep.  if you TRULY are getting an infection of your uvula every other week, you really SHOULD get some testing done.\n\nGood luck!
345960
I was a surgical nurse for a long time and I know that they usually don't take out tonsils if there is still an infection present.  I believe I have only seen one time where they actually did take out tonsils with the infection.  Usually they just drain the peritonsillar abscess and then if necessary come back and remove the tonsils.
930608
http://www.homeoint.org/hompath/articles/619.html\nhttp://www.ehealthmd.com/library/tonsillitis/TON_whatis.html\nhttp://www.tonsilfacts.com/wt/page/options\nHere are a few sites of interest. Research this thoroughly before having this procedure please.
820320
have u ever been checked for allergies. allergies can sometimes cause sore throats. is is a strep? i think the rule of thumb is if u have 4 streps in one year they take it out. anyway if it is allergies it won't do any good to remove the tonsils because your throat would still hurt. \n\ni suffer from allergies and my main symptom is a sore throat. i have not had tonsils for  over 10 years now and i still get the sore throat.
66891
Could be as simple as a virus. Does it feel sore?\nIt could also be tonsilitis. These (tonsils) can be a common problem and it is not uncommon for them to be removed. \nYou should see a physician. He or she will take a culture to see if it is a bacterial infection (Strep throat).\nIt is best to get problems that don't go away checked out. In most cases it is something simple and harmless. But if it is serious you won't know unless you see a doctor.
619196
As a medical student this is what I can think it may be:\n\n1) Have ur lymph nodes checked out.  There may be fluid in them.\n\n2) Check ur tonsils, maybe tonsilitis.... Do research on the palatine tonsils..(the 2 humps on the side of your mouth near the uvula)\n\n3) Get a baterial culture, like a strep test.  For all you know all you need is some good old penicillin.\n\n4) Do you have a fever?  IF so definitely get a strep test, and get blood work done to check for mono.\n\n5) Try and do salt + water gargles.  Salt is a good anticeptic.  Also mouthwash regualarly, it'll help to kill some bacteria.\n\nHope you feel better.... Again I'm only a medical student and not a doctor.  Sry, if my spelling is horrible... was never good at it.
70771
Only professional Ear Nose Throat (ENT) specialist can tell you. Don't make decision yourself untill you are an ENT. Beleive me they know their stuff better than anyone else. This is not a decision that one can make by reading medical books or other literature, or rely on advice of non-specialist.
619934
check with your doctor.