May also be called: Enlarged Tonsils Tonsillar hypertrophy, or enlarged tonsils, can be caused by an ongoing (chronic) condition or be a temporary effect of an infection. More to Know Tonsils are small glands on either side of the back part of the throat. Their main job is to help stop bacteria from getting farther down the throat. Enlarged tonsils can be an ongoing (chronic) condition or a temporary effect of an infection. Doctors aren't sure what causes chronically enlarged tonsils, but secondhand tobacco smoke and air pollution can make them larger. If the tonsils are very large, a person may snore or have trouble swallowing certain foods. Some people with enlarged tonsils have obstructive sleep apnea (pauses in breathing during sleep) because the tonsils partially block the airway. A test done overnight in the hospital — called a sleep study — can help determine if someone has sleep apnea by looking for these pauses. Tonsils enlarged from an infection usually return to a normal size when the infection gets better. Chronically enlarged tonsils may also shrink as kids get older. Keep in Mind Enlarged tonsils are common. Treatment depends on the size of the tonsils and whether they interfere with eating, sleeping, or breathing. Most of the time treatment is not necessary. But sometimes, the doctor might recommend a medicine to shrink the tonsils or surgery to remove them (a tonsillectomy). Occasionally, someone with sleep apnea may need to wear a special mask at night that helps with breathing. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles Mononucleosis (Mono) Mononucleosis - or "mono" - is an infection that causes flu-like symptoms. It usually goes away on its own in a few weeks with the help of plenty of fluids and rest. Read More Adenoids and Adenoidectomy Often, tonsils and adenoids are surgically removed at the same time. So, what are adenoids exactly? Read More Tonsillectomy Everybody's heard of tonsils, but not everyone knows what tonsils do in the body or why they may need to be removed. Find out here. Read More Tonsillectomy A tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the tonsils. It's one of the most common surgeries kids and teens get. Find out more. Read More What's Mono? Kissing is just one of the ways that someone can spread mononucleosis. Most people who get mono are teens or young adults, but kids can get it too. Read More Mononucleosis (Mono) It's sometimes called "the kissing disease," but kissing is just one of the ways that someone can catch mono. Read More Peritonsillar Abscess A peritonsillar abscess is an area of pus-filled tissue at the back of the mouth, next to one of the tonsils. Find out how it happens and what to do. Read More Peritonsillar Abscess Older kids and teens with tonsilitis sometimes develop this painful abscess, a pus-filled tissue at the back of the mouth. Read More Strep Throat Strep throat is a common cause of sore throat in kids and teens. It usually requires treatment with antibiotics, but improves in a few days. Read More Strep Throat Strep throat is a common infection that usually needs to be treated with antibiotics. Find out how to recognize the signs of strep throat and what to expect if you have it. Read More Tonsillitis If your tonsils get infected, it can make your throat feel very sore. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More Tonsillitis You wake up and your throat is swollen and you have a fever. Could it be tonsillitis? Find out what tonsillitis is, how to treat it, and how to prevent it. Read More Tonsillitis Tonsillitis is an infection that makes tonsils swollen and red. It can cause a sore throat, fever, swollen glands, and trouble swallowing. Read More Adenoids and Adenoidectomy Enlarged adenoids are normal some kids, but others need surgery. Often, tonsils and adenoids are removed at the same time. Read More Strep Throat Strep throat gives you a sore throat and makes it hard to swallow. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.