Milk, Phlegm, and Tonsils
I had my tonsils out when I was 20. On spring break from college, I came home for a tonsillectomy. I wanted to be in the Bahamas with my girlfriends, but I had a running case of strep throat that I couldn’t shake. Doctors told me removing my tonsils and adenoids was the only way to get better.
Immediately, I thought, “Yea! Ice cream!” But my doctor nipped that in the bud. He said ice cream was no longer recommended for tonsillectomy patients because the milk fat generated phlegm. I was bummed, but thought I would power through anyhow.
Now, for those unfamiliar with the procedure on an adult, let me tell you first hand that the recovery is rough. Really rough. I’ve never, ever felt so awful. By comparison, first trimester “morning” (really all-day) sickness and labor/delivery were a breeze. While convalescing, my doctor told me to drink water all the time to keep the throat moist. Guess what, buddy? My throat hurts! Water didn’t feel good, but ice cream sure would have. It was a long two weeks before I felt marginally better.
A friend recently told me that her son was having his tonsils out. She said she’d already stocked up on a load of ice cream for him. I felt a Helpful Mommy urge I couldn’t suppress. “Did you check with his pediatrician on that? Because when I had my tonsils out, they told me to avoid ice cream because it makes mucus.” Then she laid a bomb on me. “Oh, our pediatrician said that’s a wives’ tale. Milk doesn’t make mucus.” What?! Even my husband, as hard a skeptic as they come, said, “Really? I’ve heard my whole life that milk creates phlegm.” My friend stuck to her story, and I had to investigate.
Turns out, she’s right. The cardinal rule of avoiding milk when you have a cold isn’t necessary. Milk does not create phelgm. However, milk thickens mucus that is already present. So, if you have a respiratory issue where phlegm is present, avoid dairy. But dairy does not generate mucus on its own.
So all ye tonsillectomy suffers, get thee some ice cream! I sure hope you recover easier than I did.
Laurie T. Said,
December 21, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
You poor thing! That’s terrible that they did that to you. The least they could have done was give you popsicles and fruit sorbet.
Bob Kowalski Said,
December 21, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
I was brought up similarly to your physician. Milk makes phlegm.
When I was living in Poland, I was rather surprised to discover that conventional wisdom there had that milk was recommended because it produced phlegm (or seemed to) thus helping to rid bad stuff. And not just my girlfriend’s mother, but doctors as well.
So, there you go.
Liz Said,
December 22, 2008 @ 3:05 am
This is very timely, as I was just diagnosed with my third strep infection in 3-4 months and I need to go see an ENT now. Thanks!
jessiemarion Said,
December 22, 2008 @ 10:50 am
Good to know. I never questioned that particular myth either.
Nancy Said,
December 22, 2008 @ 11:00 am
Speaking of irrational moms, I tried to leave my strep throat over a long weekend when my sons were one a three and ended up being hospitalized! One of the more embarrassing episodes of my life.
Don’t do what I did. Go get it sorted out. And have some ice cream while you’re at it.
Julie Said,
December 22, 2008 @ 6:43 pm
Okay, any article that makes ice cream allowable when ill gets an A+. So far, we’ve tackled sugar and ice cream. I’m so happy!
What other treats can we make okay?
Milk, Phlegm, and Tonsils | www.tonsils.ca Said,
January 30, 2009 @ 6:10 pm
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