Tonsils are lymph nodes found on both sides of the back of the mouth and fight infections by trapping bacteria. sometimes, however, they can become infected and in this case it is necessary to remove them. If this is the case, you can control anxiety by discussing the procedure with your doctor beforehand and putting techniques in place to manage stress.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparations for Children
Step 1. Ask your doctor how painful it will be
Many children have their tonsils removed to prevent them from becoming infected. While the idea may frighten you and make you feel uncomfortable, you will likely get sick less often once you recover from the surgery.
- Your doctor will talk to you and your parents about sleeping medications to take during the surgery; when you wake up, it's all over.
- You will also need to take medications to avoid suffering a lot later, while recovering.
Step 2. Plan to eat cold foods and tasty treats at the end of the procedure
Eating cold, soft foods after surgery helps soothe the wound that is healing. You can ask parents to provide different foods, such as:
- Ice creams;
- Icicles;
- Puddings;
- Apple puree;
- Juices;
- Yogurt.
Step 3. Plan to do quiet activities after the surgery
Most people who have their tonsils removed don't have to spend a night in the hospital. However, even if you go home, you have to stay in bed for a few days; you have to play quiet games for about two weeks. Here are some ideas for not getting too excited:
- Watch movies;
- Finding new books to read;
- Play video games;
- Draw and do manual activities.
Step 4. Talk to parents if you are worried
If there are some things about the procedure that scare you, they can help you and explain what the doctor said; they can comfort you and reassure you that they will be there when you wake up after surgery.
Many adults had their tonsils removed in childhood; ask your parents if they too had this experience and how it was
Step 5. Use relaxation techniques
These procedures help you stay in control of your thoughts, as well as help you no longer feel fear and no longer feel panic. These are simple methods that you can use when you have a few quiet minutes.
- Breath deeply. During this practice you need to focus on slow, deep breathing, so that you calm down and feel your lungs fill completely; such exercise helps you to clear your mind. Deep breathing is sometimes called "belly breathing" because it involves moving the abdomen, while when you breathe shallowly, your chest is raised.
- Meditate. To meditate, you need to sit in a comfortable position and in a quiet place; you can practice even when you are lying in bed in the evening. Try to clear your mind to avoid thoughts or worries of any kind; Sometimes, it helps to repeat a word or phrase over and over, like a mantra, until you can feel relaxed.
- View calming images. This is another meditation technique which consists of imagining a quiet place, such as a beach. You can mentally explore the imaginary environment as a whole using all the senses, such as what you feel, what you feel, what you see and the smells you smell; when you focus in this way, you can start to feel calmer.
Part 2 of 2: Preparations for Adults
Step 1. Ask your doctor why they need to be removed
The tonsils are important for fighting bacteria and viruses in the mouth. Your doctor may advise you to take them off if:
- They often get infected. For example, they may need to be removed if you have had more than seven infections in the past year, more than five in each of the past two years, or more than three in each of the past three years;
- The tonsils are infected and the bacteria are resistant to antibiotic treatments;
- You have a peritonsillar abscess. First, the doctor may try to drain it, but if this does not work, the tonsils must be removed;
- They have become so large that they make it difficult for you to swallow or breathe, especially when you sleep;
- You have tonsil cancer
- They often bleed.
Step 2. Evaluate the risks with your doctor
It is important for the doctor to know your complete medical history, so that he can define the correct procedure and subsequent treatments. Provide a full list of prescription, over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, and vitamins and supplements you take so that they can check them and make sure they don't interact with the anesthesia. You should also discuss the following risks with him:
- A negative reaction to anesthesia. Tell them if you have previously had any negative experiences and reactions to the anesthetic. Among the most common are headaches, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches. Knowing what has happened in the past, the doctor can plan an appropriate surgical procedure and make the necessary changes to prevent it from happening again.
- Swelling. The tongue and roof of the mouth may swell after surgery. If you are concerned about this, ask your doctor how you can keep the situation under control while recovering and how you can warn someone if the swelling becomes so severe that it makes breathing difficult.
- Bleeding. Occasionally, some people experience significant bleeding during or after the procedure if the scab comes off before the cut is completely healed. Talk to your doctor if you are taking any over-the-counter acetylsalicylic acid medications (such as aspirin), as they can interfere with normal blood clotting mechanisms. Your doctor will also want to know if you have bleeding disorders or if any of your family members have similar problems.
- Infections are rare, but they can occur. Ask your doctor what procedures to follow during your recovery to make sure you heal properly; let them know if you have any drug allergies, especially antibiotics.
Step 3. Ask your doctor what to expect
In most cases, tonsillectomy is an outpatient procedure. This means you probably don't have to spend a night in the hospital; you will be given anesthesia, so that you cannot wake up during the surgery. The surgeon can remove the tonsils with a scalpel or use an instrument that uses heat, cold, laser or ultrasound to remove them; usually, let the wound heal on its own without applying sutures. Make sure you understand the doctor's instructions regarding preparation for the operation; he might tell you to:
- Avoid taking medications such as aspirin for 14 days before surgery; the active substance in this medicine may increase the risk of bleeding;
- Do not eat anything from midnight on the day before the operation; it is important that the stomach is empty for anesthesia.
Step 4. Prepare for convalescence
Most people need 10-14 days to heal. Make sure you have enough time, especially if you are an adult, as adults tend to heal more slowly than children. There are a few things you can plan ahead to make the recovery process as easy as possible.
- Plan ahead to find someone willing to drive you to the hospital and take you home. This is an important aspect to consider in advance, as you may be too nervous to drive safely, while after the operation you are already in full recovery.
- Ask your doctor what pain relievers you can take. Many people complain of sore throats, ears, jaws, or necks. Buy enough medications and put them in a place where you can find them easily.
- Buy light, soft foods. Make sure the refrigerator is full of foods such as apple puree, broths, ice cream and puddings; you will probably feel less discomfort ingesting these foods. Avoid crunchy, hard, acidic or spicy ones, as they can irritate the wound or injure the sensitive area that is healing.
- Buy some ice cream and put them in the freezer. It is important to ensure that you have an adequate amount of fluids, even when you feel discomfort with swallowing. If you have a hard time drinking water, you may find it easier to suck on ice cubes or popsicles, as the cold numbs your throat.
- Cancel commitments. Make sure you have time to sleep as much as possible after the operation. Keep a certain distance from other people to avoid coming into contact with those who are sick, as you are much more vulnerable to infections while you are recovering. Don't go back to work or school until you resume eating normally, get a good night's sleep, and no longer feel the need to take pain medication. Do not engage in sports such as basketball, football, running, or cycling for two weeks after the procedure.
Step 5. Ask your doctor what symptoms you can expect during the healing process
He will likely tell you to go to the emergency room if you experience any of the following complications:
- Hemorrhage. You don't have to worry if you have small blood residues in your nose or mouth; However, if you have fresh bright red blood which indicates active bleeding, you should go to the emergency room.
- Fever of 38.8 ° C or higher.
- Dehydration. Symptoms include less frequent urination, thirst, weakness, headache, nausea, dizziness, cloudy or dark-looking urine. Babies can be dehydrated if they urinate less than three times a day or don't produce tears when they cry.
- Difficulty in breathing. If you snore or breathe loudly, that's fine; but if you have trouble breathing, you need to call an ambulance.
Step 6. Reduce anxiety by getting enough sleep
If you don't sleep properly, you have more difficulty managing and coping with stress and tend to worry more. By getting enough sleep, you can improve the efficiency of the immune system.
- Adults must sleep seven to nine hours a night; if you feel stressed, you should sleep even more.
- Try to get more sleep than usual the night before the surgery so that you are well rested.
Step 7. Find support from family and friends
They can offer you love, distraction, and pay attention to you when you need to let off steam; when you have to go through surgery, you get a lot of benefit from the love of loved ones.
If your closest friends and family live far away, you can keep in touch with them through email, telephone, letters, Skype calls and social networks
Step 8. Take advantage of stress management techniques
These are methods designed to help you control emotions and take a mental break from worries. Try these various techniques until you find the one that best suits your needs:
- Self-massage;
- Deep breathing;
- Meditation;
- Tai Chi;
- Music therapy;
- Yoga;
- Viewing calming images.
