Most children with snoring or sleep apnea have enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids. In 75% of cases, surgical removal of these tissues cures sleep breathing problems.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has endorsed removal of the tonsils and adenoids as the initial treatment of choice for sleep breathing problems in children.

Tonsillectomy may help some adults, too, if the tonsils are large.

Treatment options more commonly used in adults, such as weight loss, oral appliances, and non-tonsil surgery, are discussed elsewhere.