What are the symptoms of enlarged tonsils?
Dec 02, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
Enlarged tonsils can cause symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, breathing difficulties, and trouble sleeping. When tonsillar hypertrophy reaches moderate or grade 3 or higher, the airway becomes obstructed, narrowing the upper respiratory tract lumen and easily leading to respiratory distress. This often manifests as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and dyspnea. In severe cases, it may even lead to asphyxiation and hypoxemia.
Tonsillar hypertrophy can cause symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, breathing difficulties, and trouble sleeping.
1. Difficulty Swallowing
Tonsillar hypertrophy is often caused by recurrent infections. When tonsils become enlarged, some children may eat slowly and have trouble swallowing. In such cases, liquid or semi-liquid foods—such as porridge or well-cooked noodles—are recommended to assist eating. Eating too quickly may also trigger nausea.
2. Breathing Difficulties
When tonsillar enlargement reaches moderate or grade 3 (severe) levels, it can obstruct the airway and narrow the upper respiratory tract, leading to breathing difficulties. Symptoms often include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and dyspnea. In severe cases, it may even lead to suffocation and hypoxemia.
3. Trouble Sleeping
In severe cases of tonsillar hypertrophy, patients may experience a noticeable foreign body sensation in the throat and narrowing of the upper airway, resulting in loud snoring and episodes of sleep apnea (breathing interruptions during sleep). Patients should be advised to undergo sleep breathing tests at a hospital promptly. If moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed, surgical removal of the tonsils is recommended.
In addition, tonsillar hypertrophy may also cause mouth breathing and a persistent sensation of something stuck in the throat.
