Taste after tonsillectomy or sense of taste are subjects of much discussion on the tonsillectomy forum. The experience of tonsillectomy has rippling effects upon individuals, beginning with the anticipation of surgery and, hopefully, extending long after surgery in improved quality of life. During the first two weeks of recovery, tonsillectomy patients’ daily lives are turned upside down. The daily diet is often limited to liquids and very smooth, soft foods like gelatin. Narcotic pain medications are usually taken several times per day. Sleep is erratic and often fitful. Activity levels are greatly reduced. When the fog of pain, fatigue, and disruption lifts, one of the first irregularities patients complain of is an altered sense of taste. Let’s take a moment to look at tonsillectomy and its effect on sense of taste.

The American Academy of Otalayngology- Head and Neck Surgery describes how taste sensation works as,

Gustatory (taste nerve) cells are clustered in the taste buds of the mouth and throat. They react to food or drink mixed with saliva. Many of the small bumps that can be seen on the tongue contain taste buds. These surface cells send taste information to nearby nerve fibers, which send messages to the brain.

I suggest that several factors contribute to disturbances in a person’s sense of taste after tonsillectomy. Firstly, tonsillectomy surgery itself can cause bruising to the tongue, where taste buds reside. Most patients complain of tongue pain after surgery.

It’s also likely that the post tonsillectomy diet has an impact on the patient’s sense of taste for some time after recovery. Many experts point out that taste buds are in a constant state of growth. As people eat various rough textured foods, small amounts of tissue scrape off and are replaced by new growth. Many believe that the almost liquid diet of most tonsillectomy patients disrupts this process and thus, affects their sense of taste.

Tasting After Tonsillectomy

Still another camp holds that deficiency in zinc after tonsillectomy contributes to these taste disruptions. JOSEPH M. BICKNELL, MD and ROBERT V. WIGGINS, MD published in the Western Journal of Medicine in October of 1988. [Bicknell JM, Wiggins RV: Taste disorder from zinc deficiency after tonsillectomy.West J Med 1988 Oct; 149:457460] They followed two tonsillectomy patients who complained of unpleasant taste sensation after tonsillectomy. The patients complained of changes in their sense of taste after tonsillectomy. They used descriptions like, coppery, or metallic when interviewed. Both had these complaints two months after tonsillectomy surgery. The doctors tested liver and thyroid function, as well as hepatitis. All were normal, but serum zinc levels were low in both patients. They were given 220mg zinc supplements twice per day. Within three weeks, the zinc levels were normal. They reported tastes improving after ten days, and after 22 days, the metallic sensation had ended. I’ve read anecdotal accounts on the tonsillectomy forum from people having success with zinc supplements after tonsillectomy. Ask your doctor before trying the zinc supplement for tonsillectomy and sense of taste.

Considering all the variables, one must also consider the effects of both antibiotics and narcotic pain killers over a two week period on the sense of taste. The FDA does not list taste disturbance as a side effect of either penicillin or hydrocodone. (the two most commonly prescribed medications after tonsillectomy in the U.S.) There has been a connection between the use of oral antibiotics and oral thrush, (Fungal infection – mouth; Candida)

It is very common to experience an altered sense of taste after tonsillectomy. Most people feel that their taste returns to normal within three to six weeks. However some may experience unpleasant taste sensation for several months.

Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are fairly common in adults. Tonsil stones are caused by the accumulation of bacteria and debris that become lodged in tonsils, particularly in the crypts or crevices of the tonsils. This usually leads to bad breath. I’ve had so many questions on the topic lately, I felt that it was worth digging into.

The composition of these tonsilloliths is a mix of calcium, debris and bacteria. High sulfur content is probably the cause of the associated bad breath, or halitosis. Tonsil stones not always readily apparent. Many people that suffer from halitosis don’t realize that the source of their bad breath might be tonsil stones. They are not always visible, since they become logged in crypts within the tonsils. Sadly, many of the people around tonsil stone sufferers are more aware of the problem than the affected individual.

tonsil stone

Researching the subject on the internet will likely yield several pages of home remedies for treatment and removal of tonsil stones. You can even find videos of individuals picking them out of their throats with foreign objects. Reliable information about the causes, symptoms, and treatments is like tip-toeing through a neighborhood park where people come form miles away to walk their dogs. No one seems to be cleaning up after these information dogs. The level of spam is overwhelming.

I’ve consulted with Otolaryngologists and researched reputable sites like the Journal Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Shoving things down your throat, squeezing your tonsils and expensive gadgets were not recommended once. Tonsil stones can go away on their own in many cases. Good oral hygiene seems to be the preferred approach to minimizing or eliminating tonsilloliths. Gargling with salt water a few times per day can go a long way to removing and preventing the tonsil stones.

Recurrent tonsillitis may also increase the risk of tonsil stones. A study in the British Dental Journal found that in all, 75 patients that had tonsillitis had tonsil stones. The question of cause or effect comes into question. Do these bouts of tonsillitis make people more susceptible to the stones? Do these stones make tonsils more vulnerable to inflammation and infection of the tonsils? It’s the old chicken or the egg question. I would suggest that, in many cases, both tonsil stones and tonsillitis are a factor of the anatomy of the tonsils. Large tonsils with many crevices or crypts are simply more apt to become infected by a number of bacterial, viral, and or organic invaders. While good oral hygiene may reduce these problems, sometimes removal of the tonsils is necessary. Obviously a throat without tonsils is less likely to succumb to tonsil stones or tonsillitis. Also obvious is the fact that surgery is more invasive, expensive, and carries more risks. Other methods of combating tonsil stones are usually recommended as a first line treatment.

If you think that you have tonsilloliths, try gargling with warm salt water three times per day. If this doesn’t help see your doctor or, better yet, an Otolaryngologist. Hope this helps. Take care, Greg

Symptoms and Causes of Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is one of the most common causes of sore throat. At the back of the throat are two masses of tissue called tonsils. These tonsils act as filters to germs entering the body through the mouth. Their function is primarily to fight off infection and virus. However, occasionally the tonsils themselves become infected. This leads to a painful inflammation called tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis occurs more commonly in children. Some children and adults are more susceptible to tonsillitis and suffer recurrent bouts of the inflammation. Many believe that the anatomic configuration of the tonsils can contribute to recurrent tonsillitis. Tonsils which are larger than normal, or more cryptic, (have multiple large crevices in which germs and other matter can accumulate), may become infected and inflamed more frequently.

Symptoms of Tonsillitis

Symptoms of tonsillitis usually include soreness at the back of the throat, a redness in the tissues of the tonsils and surrounding area. Hoarseness of voice is also common. Many patients with tonsillitis also develop a white film or blisters on the tonsils. Other common symptoms include; headache, loss of appetite, ear pain, difficulty swallowing or difficulty in breathing, swollen glands in the neck area, fever, chills, and bad breath.

Causes and treatments of Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is typically caused by either viral or bacterial infection of the tonsils. Treatment for viral tonsillitis is primarily treatment of symptoms. Over the counter pain relievers, salt water gargle, throat lozenges, and use of a cool mist humidifier are useful treatments to relieve symptoms of viral tonsillitis. Tonsillitis caused by bacterial infection is treatable with antibiotics like penicillin. The most common bacterial infection causing tonsillitis is strep throat, or streptococcal bacterial infection Patients suffering from recurrent tonsillitis, especially children, are sometimes referred for tonsillectomy surgery. Tonsillectomy is usually not indicated unless more than five or six incidents of tonsillitis occur within one calendar year. Recovery from tonsillectomy, especially in adults, can be quite painful. However most tonsillectomy patients feel that two weeks of discomfort is worth saving the trouble of tonsil problems like recurrent tonsillitis.

Please post here for tonsillitis OR tonsillectomy recovery questions and concerns. -Greg

Throat with Tonsillitis

 Tonsillectomy Recovery and tonsillectomy planning can be daunting experiences. The days leading up to your tonsillectomy surgery can be frightening. If you haven’t read up yet, you can find information on tonsillectomy methods, tonsillectomy risks, tonsillectomy costs, adult tonsillectomy, sleep apnea, and numerous tips for tonsillectomy recovery on the other pages of this site.   I’ve even added pictures of a post tonsillectomy throat by each day, and a shopping list of things you’ll need before your tonsillectomy recovery.  Study, talk with your doctor and consult with your friends about the decision to undergo tonsillectomy surgery.  Explore the pages created here to aid in your journey.  If you should decide to have a tonsillectomy, let us help you through the entire process, including tonsillectomy recovery.

Tonsillectomy recovery can be pretty rough too, especially if you are unlucky enough to be an adult!  It takes longer for an adult to recover from most things.  Tonsillectomy is no exception. There are many things you can do to make it go more smoothly. I’ve published numerous tips here on various pages.  I encourage you to read up BEFORE you are in the throws of tonsillectomy recovery.


 

Talk with your doctor, friends, family, and work as you prepare.  You are not alone in this. Like you and like me, many others are facing or have faced a tonsillectomy or a tonsillectomy recovery. I created this forum for you. The community of adults or parents of tonsillectomy patients will amaze you and warm your heart.  I read these comments every day and every day I am humbled by everyone’s tonsillectomy story.  Please join in.  Hundreds of other people, perhaps in your same situation, have shared their wisdom and questions about tonsillectomy, as well as their tonsillectomy recovery.

If you don’t own a humidifier, get one.  You will not regret it.  The model in this picture is a good quality Honeywell that I own.  Click on the image to learn more. -Greg

Relax and be yourself. Ask questions, share concerns, and offer support. It’s our community. Thank you for joining the

Otolaryngologist Dr. Doug Hoffman has been a valuable resource to me as I’ve built and maintained this Tonsillectomy Recovery Site. He writes a blog called the Eustachian Project where he answers questions relating to ear, nose, and throat issues. I highly recommend it.
-Greg

If you’re have any trouble posting here on the tonsillectomy recovery forum, try posting to my tonsillitis post.

tonsillectomy recovery forum..

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