Throat

Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are surgeries to remove the tonsils or adenoids. They are:

• Used to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children.
• Rarely used to treat snoring in adults.
• Not used to treat snoring in children.

The surgeries almost always require a stay in the hospital.

Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)

Difficulty swallowing is also called dysphagia. It is usually a sign of a problem with your throat or esophagus-the muscular tube that moves food and liquids from the back of your mouth to your stomach. Although dysphagia can happen to anyone, it is most common in older adults, babies, and people who have problems of the brain or nervous system.

There are many different problems that can prevent the throat or esophagus from working properly. Some of these are minor, and others are more serious. If you have a hard time swallowing once or twice, you probably do not have a medical problem. But if you have trouble swallowing on a regular basis, you may have a more serious problem that needs treatment.