The tonsils and adenoids are part of the lymphatic system and together these glands protect us against inhaled and ingested contaminants. Sometimes, however, the glands themselves become infected with viruses or bacteria.
Symptoms of tonsil stones
Tonsillitis can cause many identical or similar to other symptoms ear, nose, and throat conditions (eg - strep throat, ear infections, colds, etc). These symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Pain or difficulty swallowing
Swollen lymph nodes or tonsils
Sudden, inexplicable pain in ear
A sore throat with a fever of 101 or higher
Episodes of unexplained cough
The vast majority of symptoms of tonsillitis simply cause discomfort and disease itself is rarely serious. Complications of bacterial tonsillitis (angina caused by bacteria) can in some cases lead to more serious threats such as peritonsillar abscess, glomerulonephritis or rheumatic fever, to name a few.
The treatment of tonsillitis
The treatment of tonsillitis is largely dependent on factors such as the age of the individual with the disease, the severity of the condition, and because - if viral or bacterial. There is no standard treatment for tonsillitis. Many of the measures taken during treatment will aim to alleviate discomfort symptoms - sore throat, headache, fever, ear pain, etc.
If the infection is caused by bacteria or viruses, the immune system of the body is generally clear the infection within four to seven days. If the infection is bacterial in nature a 10-day course of an antibiotic such as penicillin, erythromycin, roxithromycin or may be prescribed to get rid of the infection. Because antibiotics can cause unpleasant side effects such as upset stomach, rashes or diarrhea; and because their use presents a risk of development of antibiotic resistant bacteria, they will not always be prescribed in children. Because of this potential risk, antibiotics should always be taken exactly as prescribed throughout the course of treatment, regardless of how you or your child may feel
Other antibiotic treatment, palliative measures would probably be the same for both a bacterial or viral infection, and may include the following:
Ensure that children have a lot of soothing liquids and soft foods to prevent dehydration and easy to swallow
Using over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (especially for children), lozenges, sprays and oral fight against sore throat
Gargling with salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of water) or a mild antiseptic solution
The use of humidifiers or vaporizers
Precautions related to the age of observing involve giving some over-the-counter medications for children under 16 generally they should not be given aspirin during this period due to the possibility of contracting Reyes Syndrome, which can be fatal. Also be careful when giving children over-the-counter cold remedies and pain relief in the form of doses should be the age - and sometimes the weight - appropriate. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving these medicines.
Tonsil Stones
A common consequence of tonsillitis is the development of tonsilloliths, tonsil stones as they are commonly called. Although the exact mechanism of their formation is often debated, tonsil stones develop in an environment that includes a bacterial infection, food particles, mucus, and other contaminants inhaled or ingested. These particles are trapped in the folds and crevices of the tonsils and they calcify, forming small white stones. Bacterial action on food particles produced sulfur byproducts that are responsible for bad breath (halitosis) that often accompanies tonsil stones.
Treatment of tonsil stone
Although harmless in themselves, tonsil stones can be problematic on several levels. Their presence leads to bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth, and, as they grow in size and number, they can cause physical discomfort. As tonsil stones are a product of infection, good oral hygiene is the first place to start in the treatment or prevention
Many home remedies exist to deal with tonsil stones. These treatments center around either neutralize the symptoms of tonsil stones or removing the stones them selves. Much of the treatment is to the fight against bad breath around with tonsil stones. There are many products on the market that offer help in this area, including oral sprays, lozenges, toothpastes special oxygenated extract, grape-seed, oral antiseptics, tonsils stone "kits" products of post nasal drip prevention, and even gargle with plain salt water. Again, the goal is to eliminate many of the infectious agents that can promote a healthy and clean oral cavity.
Tonsil stone removal is often done by professionals and consumers at home. If the stones are a recurring problem or size is an issue, you can opt for removal. Do-it-yourself methods to remove tonsil stones usually involve using tools such as cotton swabs or long range water (oral irrigators) to manually remove the tonsils formations. Working in a confined space and dealing with the gag reflex are obstacles to this method, if the stones are removed successfully by many that way.
If your tonsillitis is sufficiently severe or recurs more than four times a year, you can choose to have the tonsils removed. This obviously represents a definitive solution to the question of tonsil stones. Your tonsils perform important immunological functions, however, and it would be best to keep them as far as possible. Most stones will dissipate tonsil infections tonsillitis and do not need to be physically removed.
Post a Comment