no tonsillitis, but... huge highly tonsils

[JeanCallisti]

Hi,

I've never dived before and I'm considering taking the beginners class (some swimming pool followed by some sea).

My issue is this: I've seen that a big no-no in scuba diving is anything that can block the respiratory system.

My tonsils have gone through a lot in my life and they are now both permanently swollen and riddled with craters.

Please note that they're NOT infected. I DO NOT have tonsillitis. I simply have an ugly, oversized mess of meat on each side of my throat. It DOESN'T prevent me from breathing normally at all. 30 years ago I would have been a perfect candidate for tonsillectomy when it was still the default practice.

So, what do you say about that? Issue or no issue?

 

[maadJurguer]

I'm not a MD, but have suffered from sinus and eustacheon issues all my life...and am familiar with swollen tinsels as a consequence. It does not stop me from diving - but I do have to take active and preventative measures to ensure I'm healthy and not blocked prior to dives. Sometimes it takes me a bit longer to equalize, especially after a lot of up-down trips...but it's manageable.

 

[uncfnp]

It sounds like you are describing large cryptic palatine tonsils. No issue.

@doctormike ?

 

[FreeFlyFreak]

Hi,

I've never dived before and I'm considering taking the beginners class (some swimming pool followed by some sea).

My issue is this: I've seen that a big no-no in scuba diving is anything that can block the respiratory system.

My tonsils have gone through a lot in my life and they are now both permanently swollen and riddled with craters.

Please note that they're NOT infected. I DO NOT have tonsillitis. I simply have an ugly, oversized mess of meat on each side of my throat. It DOESN'T prevent me from breathing normally at all. 30 years ago I would have been a perfect candidate for tonsillectomy when it was still the default practice.

So, what do you say about that? Issue or no issue?

You say you can breathe normally. Normally is through the nose.
How can you breathe mouth breathing only?

I had my tonsils out at about age 21, best thing I ever did, those things made my life a misery

 

[JeanCallisti]

Yes, I'm describing "large cryptic Palatine tonsils".
I can breathe both through the nose or through the mouth, on demand.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

@JeanCallisti , can you swallow normally? Any problems moving air during heavy exercise?

Best regards,
DDM

 

[JeanCallisti]

No, no issue moving air. Heavy exercise had a tendency to free my air conduits rather than block them. It's just that I don't know if everything swells when underwater.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

No, no issue moving air. Heavy exercise had a tendency to free my air conduits rather than block them. It's just that I don't know if everything swells when underwater.

Given that information, I don't see where your enlarged tonsils would be a barrier to diving. Of course the best person to make this determination would be someone who could examine you in person.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[doctormike]

Large tonsils can cause problems breathing at night (obstructive sleep apnea), or in rare cases can cause problem with swallowing. In such cases, tonsils are sometimes removed for obstructive symptoms. The other main reason for removing tonsils is chronic infection with significant recurrent or chronic symptoms.

If you don't have either of these problems, I'm not sure what sort of diving related issues there would be.