Tonsillitis

Tonsils are an accumulation of lymphoid tissue located in the oral cavity and in the nasopharynx. They are part of the immune system, protect the body from various bacteria and viruses that can penetrate the nasopharynx. With a decrease in immunity caused by this or that reason, the protective function of the tonsils weakens. Microbes settle on their surface, accumulate and as a result there is inflammation of the tonsils.

Kinds of an inflammation of tonsils

There are six tonsils in the throat of a person:

1. Palatine tonsils (tonsils). Located on the inside of the throat, behind the tongue and visible if you open your mouth wide. Inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis) occurs most often and can be both acute (primarily angina) and chronic.
2. Tubular tonsils. They are also paired, but are located deep in the pharynx and are not visible.
3. Pharyngeal tonsil. It is located in the region of the arch and posterior wall of the pharynx. Inflammation of this amygdala is called adenoiditis, and the tubular tonsils are often involved in the inflammatory process. Adenoids are most often observed in preschool and primary school children.
4. The lingual tonsil. It is located at the root of the tongue. Inflammation of the lingual tonsil is less common, usually in middle-aged and elderly people, but it is difficult.

Symptoms of inflammation of the tonsils

In acute tonsillitis (inflammation of the palatine tonsils), the following symptoms are observed:

• strong (from 38 and more) increase in temperature;
• a sore throat;
• pain when swallowing;
• headache;
• general weakness;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• hoarseness or loss of voice.

Acute tonsillitis in everyday life is often called angina. However, it should be noted that angina is a tonsillitis caused by a streptococcal infection, and to separate it from a viral tonsillitis.

Chronic inflammation of the tonsils ( chronic tonsillitis ) occurs either with regular recurrences of angina (relapsing form), or in the form of a protracted sluggish inflammatory process without pronounced periods of exacerbation.

Chronic inflammation is characterized by the following symptoms:

• increased tonsils in size;
• the presence on the tonsils of purulent "stoppers";
• bad breath ;
• hyperemia and edema of the palatine arch.

Symptoms of inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsil:

• difficulty breathing with the nose;
• mucous or mucopurulent discharge from the nasopharynx;
• temperature increase;
• there may be pain in the ears.

Symptoms of inflammation of the lingual tonsil:

• temperature increase;
• difficulty swallowing;
• difficulty in speaking;
• sharp pain when sticking out the tongue;
• a sore throat.

How to treat inflammation of the tonsils?

Acute forms of inflammation of the tonsils are treated in the same way as any ARVI:

1. Rinse throat with a solution of soda, iodine (3-5 drops per glass), furacilin, sage broth, chamomile, eucalyptus tincture.
2. Reception of antipyretic drugs.
3. The use of warm drink in large quantities.
4. Warming compresses on the neck.
5. Steam inhalation.
6. At the diagnosis - a tonsillitis, reception of the antibiotics appointed by the doctor and preparations for maintenance of a microflora of an intestine.
7. Reception of vitamin preparations and immunomodulators.

In chronic inflammation of the tonsils, they are washed (since rinsing does not give the required degree of purification), lubrication with solutions of iodine, lyugol, ultraviolet irradiation and other physiotherapeutic procedures.

If conservative methods do not give an effect, frequent relapses occur with a significant temperature increase, abscesses form in the area of ​​the glands, the infection spreads beyond the nasopharynx, then the treatment of chronic tonsillitis is performed surgically, by removing the glands. Also, surgical intervention is used in the treatment of adenoids.