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Dr. Michael Burnett Specializes in Problems of the Ear, Nose, Sinuses and Throat.

An ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) is a physician trained in the medical and surgical treatment of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. They have special expertise in managing diseases of the ears, nose and nasal passage sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity and upper pharynx (mouth and throat), as well as structures of the neck and face. ENT is the oldest medical specialty in the United States.

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Category Archives: Tonsillitis

Tonsillectomy: What You Should Know

A tonsillectomy is the removal of tonsils by surgery. It is done to treat problems while sleeping and to cure various tonsil related infections. This blog will discuss some facts you should know about tonsillectomy.

What is Tonsillectomy, and Why is This Procedure Done?

This procedure removes the tonsils, which are located at the back of your throat. Tonsils are part of the immune system, but removing them is fine as they do not decrease the immune response to an infection. The need to remove the tonsils is not related to age. Tonsil removal has benefitted both the young and adults.

All about tonsillectomy procedure | ENT doctor
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There are few reasons to remove tonsils if they create problems or are infected severely. The two most common reasons why people prefer to remove infected tonsils are:

  • Tonsils, when infected, cause trouble in breathing when sleeping. This leads to frequent snoring, which can become painful over time.
  • There is a high chance of getting a throat infection.
  • Swollen tonsils result in severe throat pain, making it difficult to eat or drink.

These are a few reasons that people tend to go for tonsillectomy.

The Procedure of Tonsillectomy

There are some methods through which tonsillectomy is carried out.

  • The most common method is the dissection of tonsils with a scalpel (known as cold knife dissection). In this method, the surgeon removes your tonsils with a steel knife.
  • Cauterization or Electrocautery is another method to remove tonsils. In this method, the surgeon burns away the tissues.
  • In some tonsillectomy procedures, ultrasonic waves, radiofrequency ablation, and microdebrider remove tonsils.

These are a few tonsillectomy procedures that surgeons use to remove the tonsils. The best ENT specialist chooses which method depending on the patient’s suitability. The surgery usually takes 20 to 30 minutes and is performed on the patient using general anesthesia so that the patient won’t feel any pain.

Home Remedies

Some people avoid tonsillectomy and prefer home remedies to treat infected tonsils and get comfort.

Some home remedies are:

  • Drinking plenty of fluids.
  • Intake of cold foods.
  • Use of a humidifier to moisten the air in your home.
  • Gargling with warm salt water comforts your throat and reduces pain and irritation.
  • Painkillers like Ibuprofen relieves pain and reduce inflammation.
  • Quitting smoking.

These are some home remedies, but these remedies won’t work in severe cases where a tonsillectomy is absolutely necessary.

How Long is the Healing Process?

The healing process differs from person to person. The age factor and severity usually decide the healing process.

  • There is a chance of bleeding in the initial days post surgery.
  • There is a discoloration near the area of tonsillectomy. It gets better after healing entirely in 3 to 4 weeks.
  • It is better to stay at home for at least 2 weeks to avoid any mishap.
  • Patients should take medicine as prescribed by their doctor.
  • The patient should contact their doctor in case of excessive bleeding, fever or pain.

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Contact the Best ENT Doctor in NYC for a Tonsillectomy

Some people think that they can treat infected tonsils at home. Sometimes this is true, but for severe conditions, it is better to get a tonsillectomy by a professional like Dr. Michael C. Burnett at Ear, Nose & Throat of New York.

Reach out to us now to get the services from our ENT specialist, and relive your throat issues.

Dr. Michael C. Burnett
115 East 57th Street
Suite 600
New York, NY 10022
212-867-4813

All About Tonsillitis

Read on to learn all about tonsilitis. The tonsils are two oval-shaped tissue pads at the back of your mouth (throat). Usually, healthy tonsils depict a pink color and are identical in size. However, in the case of tonsillitis, a medical condition that can cause pain and discomfort, your ENT specialist may notice minuscule depressions on them, i.e., crypts that have pus inside them (tonsil stones).

Tonsillitis is a discomforting condition that can affect daily life in several ways. One of the ways tonsillitis might affect you is that you may feel pain at the back of your throat when eating and drinking.

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What is Tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis occurs when your tonsils become inflamed, swollen, and extremely reddish in some instances. It is a commonly occurring medical condition that affects millions of people every year. From children to older adults, tonsillitis can affect anyone. Interestingly, it is highly common among youngsters as a childhood illness and often requires surgical treatments for a speedy recovery.

In addition, you should know that it is a contagious condition that occurs due to bacterial or viral infection. One of the general symptoms includes sore and/or strep throat. However, it is highly treatable, and symptoms can vanish within a week or ten days.

Are There Different Types of Tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis comprises two different types, which range in severity and harshness of symptoms. Additionally, different types of tonsillitis have varying levels of recovery time. Here are the three different types of tonsillitis:

  • Chronic Tonsillitis
  • Recurrent Tonsillitis
  • Acute Tonsillitis

Your ENT surgeon will have to diagnose to learn what kind of tonsillitis you may be experiencing to suggest the most effective treatment options.

Common Symptoms of Tonsillitis

As tonsillitis has three major types, the symptoms vary in range from mild to severe. Below are some of the most common symptoms that can affect your health throat condition.

  • Reddish tonsils
  • Swollen tonsils
  • High-fever
  • Neck pain (neck stiffness)
  • Sore throat (sometimes chronic)
  • Foul mouth smell
  • Muffled or scratchy voice
  • Headaches
  • Stomachache
  • Tender glands (lymph nodes in the neck)
  • Painful swallowing
  • White/Yellowish patches on tonsils

Because tonsillitis can also affect children from a young age, it is best to know how children react to its symptoms. Here are some pointers to help you identify this condition in your child:

  • Refusing to eat or drink
  • Painful swallowing
  • Drooling excessively
  • Unusual irritation

General Causes of Tonsillitis

Tonsils stand as the first line of defense against many types of infections and bacteria. Thus, they are likely to get affected by such infections at some point. Here are some of the bacterial and viral causes of tonsillitis:

Bacterial causes

  • Fusobacterium
  • Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
  • Staphylococcus Aureus
  • Mycoplasma Pneumonia
  • Bordetella Pertussis
  • Chlamydia Pneumonia

Viral causes

  • Flu
  • Influenza
  • Coronavirus
  • Rhinovirus
  • Adenovirus
  • Herpes (HSV)

Best Tonsillitis Doctor NYC
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Treatment Options of Tonsillitis

Prescription Drugs

If the results of the diagnostic tests reveal the presence of bacteria at the back of your throat and on the tonsils, your ENT specialist might prescribe antibiotics. These antibiotics can consist of a one-time injection or a course of medication that you may take for several days until you start feeling better.

Surgical Treatment

Surgical procedures are highly invasive methods of treatment, but there is no need to worry. This is because ENT specialists possess the right skills and knowledge of conducting tonsils removal procedures. Besides, you will be under the effect of general anesthesia.

Surgeries become a viable option when you have difficulties breathing, eating, and drinking. Tonsils can swell and become the major obstruction in your throat, leading to sleep apnea at some chronic stage. The surgery, tonsillectomy, refers to the use of special equipment to remove the excessive reddish tissues from the tonsils only to leave a thin membrane that protects the sensitive parts of the throat. Other than scalpels, your ENT surgeon might use ultrasonic energy, lasers, electrocautery, and radio waves to remove the enlarged tonsils.

All About Tonsillitis: Conclusion

Are you suffering from tonsillitis? Do you wish to acquire the services of the best ENT specialist to get rid of inflamed tonsils or any other ear, nose, and/or throat condition? You should get in touch with Ear, Nose & Throat of New York for early treatment.

Dr. Michael C. Burnett, MD, can help you identify the cause of tonsillitis at the back of your throat and provide effective treatment.

EAR, NOSE & THROAT OF NEW YORK
115 East 57th Street
Suite 600
New York, NY 10022

Call us at 212-867-4813 for an appointment today. 

 

Reference Links:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156497#types
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tonsillitis-symptoms-causes-and-treatments
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tonsillitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378479
https://www.healthline.com/health/tonsillitis

Tonsillectomy Surgery

If you deal with chronic throat infections, you are probably desperate for relief. While medication can help treat infections, people who deal with these infections on a regular basis might need a tonsillectomy to fix their issues. Fortunately, tonsillectomies (or tonsil removal surgeries) are very common and easy for your doctor to perform. In this article, we will discuss the tonsillectomy procedure and recovery process so you can book your surgery with confidence.

Who Needs a Tonsillectomy?

There are a few different situations that will cause a doctor to order a tonsillectomy. The most common reason for a tonsillectomy is chronic tonsillitis, or recurring sore throats caused by tonsil inflammation. Tonsillitis is most common in pre-pubescent children but can affect people of all ages. Tonsillectomies are also recommended for patients who have bacterial tonsil infections that do not improve with antibiotics.

Occasionally, other issues will require tonsillectomies as well. These include breathing problems or sleep apnea related to swollen tonsils, frequent snoring, tonsil bleeding, or even cancer affecting the tonsils. These problems are less common that tonsillitis, but can be very serious. Your doctor will likely try other treatments before ordering a tonsillectomy. 

Tonsillectomy Procedure and Preparation

You will need to fast the night before your tonsillectomy. This will mean avoiding all food and liquids, including water. Some patients may feel nervous fasting, so it can help to schedule your tonsillectomy early the next morning. Before you go in for your procedure, make sure you have a comfortable place set up in your home for recovery. You’ll also need to find someone to take you home from your appointment as you will not be able to drive.

During the procedure, there are a few different methods your doctor can use to remove your tonsils. Some doctors will use a scalpel to cut your tonsils out, known as a cold knife dissection. Other doctors will use a special device to cauterize (or burn) your tonsils. Both are very safe. Because you’ll be under general anesthetic, you won’t feel any pain while your tonsils are removed.

Tonsillectomy Recovery

After your surgery, you will most likely deal with a sore throat as you recover. While eating and drinking might be painful, it’s important to stay hydrated. Water and ice pops will help with this. You might also want to stick to a diet of soft, bland foods like mashed potatoes or applesauce while your throat heals.

During recovery, it’s also important to rest. Stay in bed for the first few days of your recovery, and avoid strenuous activities and exercise for two weeks while you fully heal. It’s also important to take any medications that your doctor prescribes, as these will help prevent future infections and reduce your pain. Like any surgery, a tonsillectomy can seem intimidating. Talk to your doctor about any fears you might have, and they will put your mind at ease. After you recover, you’ll be glad you had the surgery.

If you think you need a tonsillectomy, don’t put it off. Contact Dr. Michael Burnett at 212-867-4813 to schedule an ENT appointment today.

What is Tonsillitis?

Believe it or not, but if you are having trouble with your sinuses, you are also probably having issues with your tonsils. Located behind the tongue, tonsils serve a limited number of purposes. People can live perfectly normal lives with and without tonsils, which is why tonsillectomy remains a common treatment method for tonsillitis.

What is Tonsillitis?

When you get a sore throat, you might gargle with salt water or take over the counter cold medicine to make your symptoms go away. While you might seek to treat the entire throat area, inflammation in the throat may occur in the tonsil region. These two fleshy pieces of tissue move as you talk, sing, eat and drink. Anything can lead to their irritation, which is commonly referred to as tonsillitis.

Causes

The main cause of tonsillitis is sinus infection or congestion. When you get a stuffy nose, the mucus comes out when you blow it, but it also impacts the tonsils. Remember, mucus is a waste product that your body wants to get rid of. It contains dirt and germs that can lead to a bacterial infection – which is exactly what tonsillitis is. When your tonsils get infected, your entire immune system is at risk.

Signs and Symptoms

The easiest way to tell if you have tonsillitis is to feel for swollen lymph nodes. Gently apply pressure to the outside of your neck, at the point located just below the jaw bone. If the area feels tender, swollen and sore when you touch it, you likely have tonsillitis. Additionally, tonsillitis symptoms include lethargy, sore throat, and sometimes low-grade fever.

Treatment

Most of the time you won’t need to take antibiotics in order to get rid of tonsillitis. The bacterial infection generally resolves itself naturally in less than a week. If your doctor does order a round of antibiotics, it is likely because you have a weak immune system. Those who repeatedly come down with tonsillitis might need to have them fully removed in order to feel better permanently.

Experiencing swollen, sore tonsils is never fun but most infections only last a matter of days. You can try wearing facemasks out in public if you are susceptible to these kinds of infections. Otherwise, consult with an ENT for more options. Take care of your tonsils and you will have a much stronger immune system, leading you to have fewer illnesses. Schedule your consultation today with a world class NYC ENT.

Contact us at 212-867-4813 to schedule a consultation.

Michael C. Burnett, MD

115 East 57th Street
(Between Park + Lexington Ave.)
Suite 600
New York, NY 10022

212-867-4813