What is Tonsillitis and Causes of Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis means inflammation of tonsils. It occurs frequently up to the age of 15yrs. Predisposing factors for tonsillitis.
- Pre-existing chronic tonsillitis.
- Pre-existing upper respiratory infection.
- Post-nasal discharge.
- General lowering of resistance.
Exogenous factors include
- Ingestion of cold-drinks or food may directly cause infection.
- Contagion- i.e. infection may be contacted from other individual having infection.
- Pollution and crowded ill-ventilated environment.
Commonly responsible causative organisms for tonsillitis are
- Respiratory gram positive cocci like, streptococci, staphylococcus and pneumococcus. Of these hemolytic streptococcus has a special predilection for tonsils.
Tonsillitis is the term given to a condition wherein there is an infection of the tonsils.
Symptoms of Tonsillitis
- Raw sensation in throat.
- Pain in throat which is aggravated by swallowing.
- Voice may become hoarse.
- On examination tonsils are swollen and congested. Foul breath or halitosis may be present.
- General symptoms like malaise, fever and headache may be present.
Signs of Chronic Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is classified as chronic when it is recurring. It is commonly caused by bacterial infection. In terms of duration, it may last for several days especially if left untreated. Chronic tonsillitis is the most severe type of tonsillitis as it causes the most extreme pain.
The following are the signs of chronic tonsillitis:
- A severe sore throat that causes great difficulty in swallowing.
- Coughing, fever, headache. In some cases, patients may experience chilling, especially during at night.
- The tonsils become swollen and red. The tonsils are also dotted by white patches that represent the infection. In rare cases, pus may be expelled from these white patches.
- There is a severe pain in the neck area when the person opens his mouth.
How to Prevent
- Avoid foods like cold foods and drinks, curd, buttermilk, pickles, fried foods, spicy foods.
- Eat foods that are soft and easy to swallow.
- Drink plenty of warm liquids like tea, coffee or soup.
- Crowded and ill ventilated places should be avoided.
- Wear a scarf or cover the mouth with handkerchief to avoid smoke and air pollution.
- Avoid frequent head baths and rain showers especially during acute phase.
Home Remedies for Tonsillitis
- Apply hot fomentation on front of neck externally.
- Gargling should be done after every four hours with a pinch of salt in a glass of warm water.
- Garlic cloves are crushed and a paste is made out of it and mixed with honey and applied to the inflamed tonsil with a cotton swab.
- Add turmeric powder (one teaspoon) in a glass of a warm milk and sugar to taste and should be taken twice daily for five days.
- Dry gingerpowder boiled in a cup of water can also be used for gargling for relieving congestion and hoarseness of voice.
Chronic Tonsillitis Cures
Because tonsillitis is an ailment that is fairly common among people, there are plenty of home remedies for tonsillitis treatment. Aside from being easy to make and find, these are all cheap and easily available. The following are some of the most common tonsillitis home remedies:
- Lime: Mix lime with lukewarm water sprinkled with salt and sip slowly. The lime and salt combination produces a soothing sensation as it passes by the affected tonsils.
- Prepare a mixture of freshly boiled milk and a sprinkle of turmeric powder and pepper powder. The mixture should be drunk before going to sleep for three consecutive nights.
- Prepare a mixture of juices from fresh carrots, beet, and cucumber. The juice should be taken regularly until the ailment is cured.
- For others, there are various lozenges available from drugstores that provide a soothing relief. These lozenges are technically medicines in themselves, although they are flavored. The flavoring makes them easy to chew, especially when they contain menthol.
- Related Topics
- Chronic Tonsillitis In Adults: Causes, Treatment for Tonsillitis In Adults
- Tonsillitis Cure at home: Sore Tonsils Natural Remedies
- Natural Home Remedies for Tonsils Stone | Get Rid of Tonsillitis
- What is Tonsils | Natural Home Remedies To Cure Tonsillitis
- Tonsils during Pregnancy | Natural Remedies for Tonsillitis Prevention
The remedies sound very good, the only problem in my case is that my 3 years old daughter can not gargle yet, she is also very difficult where I am trying to convince her to drink/eat warm food or drink something what does not taste pleasant. any remedies for children, which do not need their understanding/cooperation? my daughter loves drinking milk- is milk safe for someone who has recurrent tonsillitis?
My tonsil is very critical, white spots around my tongue. It is very difficult and painful to swallow. Doctor says it is due to growth of bone in the right side of nose. I gargle with warm water mixing tea powder, take medicine and spray nasal liquid ointment. What other treatment do I need?
Tonsillitis refers to the inflammation of the tonsillar lymphoid glands.
Homoeopathic treatment:
Take phytolacca 30, a homoeopathic remedy, every hour. Phytolacca will ease the pain, check the spread of the infection, and reduce the swelling and inflammation in the glands. The results are instantaneous.
Management:
1. Gargle your throat several times a day with neat lime juice. Limes are packed vitamin C which gives a huge boost to the immune system, and fight infection and toxicity.
2. Also, a concoction made out of fenugreek seeds is highly beneficial as a mouth and throat gargle. Let the seeds simmer in a glass of water for 15-20 minutes. Then cool.
3. Gulp 2 spoons of honey every morning. Honey soothes the throat of irritation and pain.
4. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Consume 1 spoon in hot water or hot milk.
5. Embark on a diet, which comprises of fresh fruit and fruit juices. Gradually start eating soft foods. Avoid foods that are heavily seasoned or which irritate the throat.