Tonsilitis

January 14, 2021Articles6

Tonsilitis can occur at any age and but it is a common childhood illness. Tonsils are the two lymph nodes located on each side of the back of your throat.They function as a defence mechanism by acting as fillers, trapping germs that could otherwise enter your airways ,thus ,help prevent your body from getting an infection. They also make antibodies to fight infection. But sometimes, they get overwhelmed by bacteria or viruses. This can make them swollen and inflamed ,this condition is known as Tonsilitits.

This condition is contagious and can be caused by a variety of common viruses and bacteria. Tonsilitis can occur at any age and but it is a common childhood illness.

Types-

• Acute tonsilitis – These symptoms usually last 3 or 4 days but can last up to 2 weeks.

• Recurrent tonsilitis- This is when you get tonsilitis several times in a year.

• Chronic tonsilitis- This is when you have a long-term tonsil infection.

Symptoms-

Tonsilitis most commonly affects children between preschool ages and the mid teenage years.

The main symptoms of tonsilitis are inflamed and swollen tonsils,sometimes severe enough to make it hard to breathe through your mouth.

Other symptoms include –

• white or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils

• Fever

• Enlarged tender glands in the neck

• Sore throat

• A scratchy or throaty voice

• Difficult or painful swelling

• Neck pain or stiffness in neck

• Bad breathe

• Headache

• Stomachache

In young children, Who are unable to tell about their feeling,signs of tonsilitis may be –

• Drooling due to difficult or painful swallowing

• Refusal to eat

• Unusual fussiness

Causes –

Bacterial and viral infections cause tonsilitis.A common cause is Streptococcus (Strep) bacteria,which can also cause strep throat.

Other common causes are –

• Adenoviruses

• Influenza virus

• Epstein-Barr virus

• Parainfluenza viruses

• Enteroviruses

• Herpes simplex virus

Risk factors –

• Young age-

Tonsilitis most often affects children and tonsilitis caused by bacteria is most common in children ages 5 to 15 years.

• Frequent exposure to germs-

School-age children are in close contact with their peers and frequently exposed to viruses or bacteria that can cause tonsilitis.

Complications-

• Obstructive sleep apnea – Disrupted breathing during sleep

• Tonsillar cellulitis – Infection that spreads deep into surrounding tissue

• Peritonsillar abscesses – Infection that results in a collection of pus behind a tonsil

If you have strep bacteria and don’t get treatment,your illness could lead to a more serious problem, including-

• Rheumatic fever

• Scarlet fever

• Sinusitis

• Glomerulonephritis

Diagnosis –

• Physical Examination to see enlarged tonsils

• Throat Swab to test for bacteria

• Blood test to check CBC count

Treatment-

Homecare strategies-

• Encourage rest

• Provide adequate fluids

• Provide comforting foods and beverage like caffeine free tea or warm water with honey

• Prepare a saltwater to gargle

• Offer lozenges to your child if he is older then 4 years

• Avoid irritants like of Cigratte smoke and dust at home

• Treat pain and fever with using Ibuprofen or acetaminophen

Medication –

If your test find bacteria, you will get antibiotics.These drugs may be in the form of one time injection or in pills.

Surgery –

If tonsilitis keep coming back or won’t go away and make you feel trouble even to breathe or eat, you might need to have your tonsils taken out,This surgery is known as Tonsillectomy.

Prevention-

The bestway to prevent tonsillitis is through good hygeine,including-

• Wash your hands often

• Not sharing food, drink,utensils or personal items like toothbrushes with anyone.

• Staying away from someone who has a sore throat or tonsilitis

Ayurvedic Perspective –

In Ayurveda, tonsillitis is related to Tundikeri or Galaayu, which is mainly caused by accumulation of toxins in the body due to improper digestion and poor defence mechanismby the immune system to the counter the infection. All the three doshas Vata, Pitta & Kapha get aggravated in the condition.Due to indulging aetiological factors,Kapha doone will get vitiated and thus vitiated doshas circulates in Siras and get localised in Oral Cavity as Urdhwanga in the prime seat of Kaptha dosha.Thus, vitiated Kapha in association with other doshas result inthe manifestation of Tundikeri.

Beneficial Herbs-

• Holy Basil –

• Black Pepper-

• Ginger-

• Turmeric–

Effective medications-

• Talispatradi Churnam

• Sitopladi Churnam

• Kanchnar Gugglu

• Khadiradi Vati

• Mahalaxmivilas Ras

• Abharak Bhasam

• Sanjivani Vati

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