The sore throats, swollen glands and high fever that result from infected tonsils can cause great distress, and in some cases quite severe weight loss and a general failure to thrive.
How does tonsillitis affect the body?
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat — one tonsil on each side. Signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include swollen tonsils, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and tender lymph nodes on the sides of the neck.
What causes sore throat and weight loss?
These symptoms can be part of many medical conditions, including viral and bacterial infections. Strep throat can be diagnosed with a throat swab. Antibiotics may be needed to treat a bacterial infection.
Can tonsils cause loss of appetite?
Decreased appetite is a common symptom that accompanies many illnesses including sore throat and tonsillitis. If you experience these symptoms and they do not improve, seek your doctor’s advice so that you can receive appropriate treatment.
Do tonsils have anything to do with weight?
Of the 668 children in those studies, the researchers found that at least 46 percent gained more weight after having their tonsils removed than would be expected for children of their age.
How long does it take to recover from tonsillitis?
Symptoms will usually go away after 3 to 4 days. Tonsillitis is not contagious, but most of the infections that cause it are, for example, colds and flu. To stop these infections spreading: stay off work or keep your child at home until you or your child feel better.
What happens if you leave tonsillitis untreated?
If tonsillitis is left untreated, a complication can develop called a peritonsillar abscess. This is an area around the tonsils that’s filled with bacteria, and it can cause these symptoms: Severe throat pain. Muffled voice.
Can throat problems cause weight loss?
The sore throats, swollen glands and high fever that result from infected tonsils can cause great distress, and in some cases quite severe weight loss and a general failure to thrive.
Why do I lose weight without trying?
Unexplained weight loss is a noticeable drop in body weight that occurs even if the person is not trying to lose weight. Unexplained weight loss can be a symptom of a serious illness, including cancer or diabetes. Treatment involves identifying the underlying cause of the weight loss.
What tests are done for unexplained weight loss?
Tests that are commonly done include:
- Complete blood count (CBC): A CBC can show evidence of infections, anemia (a lack of red blood cells that can be caused by many conditions), and more.
- Thyroid panel.
- Liver function tests.
- Kidney function tests.
- Blood sugar (glucose)
- Urinalysis.
Can tonsils affect eating?
Large tonsils can ‘catch’ foods – the resulting gagging alarms young children, and can cause them blacklist entire food groups. Families may see a gradual narrowing of their previously ‘good eater’s’ range of accepted foods.
Does tonsillitis make you hungry?
If your child has tonsillitis, make sure they have plenty to eat and drink, even if they find it painful to swallow. Being hungry and dehydrated can make other symptoms, such as headaches and tiredness, worse.
Should I eat with tonsillitis?
What foods and drinks should you have? Foods that are soft and very easy to swallow are usually safe to eat when you have a sore throat. The soft texture will help limit the amount of irritation to your throat. Warm foods and beverages can also help soothe your throat.
Does removing tonsils make you fat?
Summary: Tonsillectomy is the most common major surgical procedure performed in children. Children who undergo the surgical removal of their tonsils (tonsillectomy), with or without the removal of their adenoids (adenoidectomy), are at increased risk for becoming overweight after surgery, according to new research.
Can large tonsils cause weight gain?
Especially during the first postoperative year, the weight and height gain exceeded the expected in 75% of the patients. The accelerated weight gain increased with tonsil size, but there was no relation to the extent of difficulties in swallowing or sleeping disruptions.
Do tonsils affect your voice?
How Do Tonsils and Adenoids Affect Speech? Speaking with a sore throat can not only be painful, but it changes the quality and tone of your voice. If you or your child has enlarged tonsils, often due to an infection, it can make your voice sound hoarse or muffled and affect the resonance.