Tonsillectomy - Nutrition Tips

Author: Maryam Ayres Time for reading: ~2 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

In this article, learn more about Tonsillectomy - Nutrition Tips. Meals after tonsillectomy should be several times a day..

Tonsils, also called tonsils, are lymphoid organs that are a collection of lymph tissue. They are several - two palatal, which are located laterally on the pharynx; a nasopharyngeal or so-called "third tonsil" - adenoid; and a lingual tonsil located at the root of the tongue. Their main function is to protect the body from various external stimuli that trigger the immune response.

Tonsillectomy is a significantly more common intervention in childhood . At this age, their activity is significantly increased and this may explain their larger size, which is considered physiological.

Common pharyngitis, recurrent inflammatory processes in the throat, the presence of respiratory disorders during sleep, local streptococcal , propensity to frequent peritonsillar abscesses, tumors and others are common causes of tonsillectomy .

In place of the removed tonsil remains a wound that heals gradually and imposes some restrictive rules regarding nutrition. Abstinence from hot, hard and coarse foods is generally recommended .

Drinking liquids by mouth is allowed in the first hours after the operation. Seven to eight hours after the operation, liquid food can be started and continued for the next two days. With good recovery and no complications, the diet is gradually expanded and on about the seventh day after surgery the patient can switch to a common diet.

The avoidance of roughage means the temporary cessation of consumption of whole grains , fruits or vegetables with flakes or covered with hairs (peaches, strawberries, raspberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn).

It is important to avoid irritating foods - spicy, sour or adding spicy spices to dishes. The daily salt intake should not exceed 3-5 g.

The food is prepared mainly in the form of puree, porridge. Meat intake is not reduced, the only requirement is at the beginning - the first days after surgery to be taken in pureed form. In addition, the valuable proteins that are obtained from the consumption of meat products provide faster recovery. Consumption of fried foods is temporarily suspended.

Within 2-3 weeks after the operation, it is recommended that the food be at room temperature - neither too hot nor too cold. Meals should be several times a day - up to 5-6 and in small portions.

During the period of healing of the operative wound, all inappropriate foods that can injure the site are limited. To stimulate the recovery process, some experts recommend gargling with a decoction of chamomile or an aqueous solution of glutinous tincture. 2739

Tonsillectomy - Nutrition Tips

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