The tonsils are an integral part of the body’s immune function. They are the body’s first defense mechanism against germs and viruses that enter the body through your mouth, per Mayo Clinic.

No matter how well you brush your teeth or how many breath mints you pop, you can’t quite seem to shake that stubborn case of bad breath. What’s going on? Many things can cause bad breath, but one of ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My brother had lingering hoarseness and a sore throat. When he finally went to the doctor, he was diagnosed with tonsil cancer. He's in treatment, but it's been tough. Chemo makes ...

With winter upon us and cold and flu season in full swing, tonsillitis is likely to follow. If you or someone you know has recently battled a sore throat, it’s likely been caused by this common ...

Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are calcium debris deposits that form on the tonsils. While tonsil stones are usually not a health concern, they are often an indication of poor oral ...

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. This story first appeared in Healthy You - July 2025, The Gazette’s quarterly health publication. If you ...

Beccy holds a PhD in Biological Science, a Master’s in Molecular Biology of Parasites and Disease Vectors, and a Bachelor’s in Human Biology and Forensic Science.View full profile Beccy holds a PhD in ...

Tonsillectomies are among the most common medical procedures that children undergo. A recent article from the National Institutes of Health estimates more than 500,000 tonsillectomies are performed on ...

The late great Dr. Frank Billings of Chicago persuaded the doctors of the world that focal infections were often the cause of systemic diseases like rheumatism, arthritis, heart disease, kidney ...

A tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the palatine tonsils on either side of the throat. An adenoidectomy removes the adenoid glands at the back of the throat behind the nose. Tonsillectomy and ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My brother had lingering hoarseness and a sore throat. When he finally went to the doctor, he was diagnosed with tonsil cancer. He's in treatment, but it's been tough. Chemo makes ...