The most common disease of the upper respiratory tract is tonsillitis, inflammation of the palatine and / or pharyngeal tonsils. Most often it is a consequence of angina or other infectious diseases that occur with inflammation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity( measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria) or in general without the preceding acute period. Despite the severity of the disease, tonsillitis can be treated at home.
- Causes of
- Types of
- Symptoms of
- Treatment of
- in children
- In pregnant women
- Folk remedies
- Prevention of
Tonsillitis requires timely and correct treatment, depending on the form of the disease, the causes that provoked it, and the characteristics of the patient's body. The launched stages of the disease can exacerbate chronic diseases, as well as provoke the development of rheumatism, heart failure, nephritis, pneumonia and other pathologies.
Causes of
Most commonly tonsillitis is provoked by various infections. These are:
- Bacteria of varieties of staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus, gram-negative hemophilic rod, moraxella, anaerobic and mycoplasmic bacteria, chlamydia, etc.
- Viral lesions: adenovirus, enterovirus, herpes, acute respiratory infections, etc.
- Fungal formations: candida, sporotrichium, imperfect moldsmushrooms.
Not the last role in the development of tonsillitis is a violation of the functionality of the nervous system( especially vegetative), hereditary factors( histological and anatomical features of the structure of palatine tonsils).
In addition, contribute to the development of the disease:
- frequent general or local hypothermia;
- chronic inflammation of the oral cavity( stomatitis, periodontal disease, caries, etc.), paranasal sinuses( rhinitis, sinusitis);
- traumatic or congenital difficulty breathing through the nose;
- permanent intoxication of the body with chemicals;
- adverse climatic conditions and radiation background;
- unfavorable living conditions, labor, inadequate and inefficient nutrition.
Species
Tonsillitis can manifest itself in acute and chronic form, the latter occurring most often. In this case, the patient's body constantly has a focus of inflammation, which does not cause any special discomfort, except for minor pain in the throat, perspiration and swelling. It can be accompanied by persistent cervical lymphadenitis, pharyngitis, a slight increase in body temperature( up to 37.5 ° C), changes in heart rate, general weakness and aching pain in large joints, especially after hypothermia or overfatigue. This form of the disease is also called toxic-allergic.
Acute tonsillitis or tonsillitis is a local infectious disease of the tonsils with pathogenic bacteria, viruses or fungi. Usually occurs in combination with inflammation of the pharyngeal lymphatic ring.
The compensated stage of the disease is a dormant focus in which no visible reactions are observed on the part of the body, the barrier functions of the tonsils, reactive properties and immunity are not violated. Decompensated stage is characterized by often recurrent angina, complications in the form of abscesses( tissue suppuration), inflammation of the ears, nasal sinuses, larynx.
Symptoms of
The chronic form of tonsillitis has the symptoms:
- unpleasant sensations in the throat( perspiration, dryness, coughing), mild pain when swallowing;
- unpleasant odor from the oral cavity;
- , when pressed from the tonsil, there are purulent plugs or a liquid with an unpleasant odor;
- enlarged cervical lymph nodes, there is a slight pain when they are probed;
- fast fatigue and low working capacity;
- decreased appetite and sleep disturbance;
- in the evening is low-grade( small) temperature.
Acute tonsillitis is characterized by symptoms:
- high temperature( 40oC and above) with chills and fever;
- severe sore throat when swallowing, feeling of suffocation;
- tonsil bright crimson, increased in size, often covered with curd fumes, purulent plugs or yellow dots;
- enlargement and inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes;
- joint pain;
- general weakness;
- headache.
Treatment of
The method of therapy is determined by an otolaryngologist only after necessary tests( smears to identify pathogenic flora and its sensitivity).
Conservative method of treatment of tonsillitis suggests:
- washing of tonsils with antiseptic means( Dekasan, Chlorhexidine, Iodinol, Furacilin solution, hydrogen peroxide, herbal tinctures and decoctions);
- irrigation of the throat with aerosol medicines: Angilex, Inhalipt, Proposol, Bioparox( contains antibiotic), Chlorophyllipt, etc.;
- lubrication of the tonsils with softening and disinfecting solutions: Lugol, glycerin, sea buckthorn oil;
- specialized inhalation in fizkabinetah, UHF( ultrasound treatment), quartz or the use of a nebulizer for home treatment;
- resorption of antiseptic, analgesic or softening lozenges( Pharyngosept, Lizak, Septefril, Sebidin, Strepsils, etc.);
- complex antibacterial, antifungal and immunomodulating therapy( the antibiotic is selected individually depending on the causative agent of the disease).
As a rule, the conservative course of treatment is designed for 7-14 days. In the chronic form of the disease, it is carried out twice a year in the off-season( spring and autumn), but four-time repetition is allowed.
Surgical treatment methods( partial or complete tonsillectomy) are considered only if the long-term ineffectiveness of conservative therapy, the development of serious complications from the internal organs or the transition of the disease to the stage of decompensation, when the palatine and pharyngeal tonsils cease to function, and become the focus of constant infection.
Recently, it has become especially popular to use liquid nitrogen, laser or radio waves to treat chronic forms of tonsillitis. In this case, you can do as a local one-time cauterization, and complete removal of tonsils. After some time after the procedure, the mucosa begins to exfoliate and go out in the form of sputum, causing the patient a small discomfort. To completely remove the tonsils with nitrogen, 4-5 procedures are needed, only 1 laser is needed.
Another alternative to classical therapy is homeopathy. These drugs: Tonzilotren, Tonzipret, Gepar Sulfur, Mercurius Solubilis, Phytolacca, etc. They differ more sparing effect on the whole organism and purposeful on the disease itself, that is why they are considered more acceptable for the treatment of children and pregnant women.
to the table of contents ^Children
Symptoms of chronic and acute tonsillitis in adults and children are the same. Also similar is treatment( correction for children's dosages is done).Acute cases, accompanied by high body temperature, difficulty breathing require immediate hospitalization of the child. In this case, the doctor must take into account the increasing resistance( resistance) of various microorganisms, causative agents of the disease to prescribed antibiotics. In parallel, immunostimulatory therapy is performed.
to the table of contents ^In pregnant women
Chronic tonsillitis is rarely the cause of difficulty in conceiving or intrauterine infection of the fetus, but it can cause a toxicosis in the early or late stages in a pregnant woman, a threat of breakdown, early childbirth or inactive labor. The body, weakened by infection with the affected heart muscle, joints, kidneys, thyroid and immune system during pregnancy is forced to work in a strengthened mode.
Holders of chronic forms of the disease must tell the doctor about it. In the early stages it is desirable to conduct a full sanation of the oral cavity and regularly carry out preventive measures( rinses, lubrication of tonsils with medicines, irrigation with aerosols, etc.), antibiotics are prescribed rarely( only in severe cases).
It is recommended that pregnant women take less frequent visits to crowded places, avoid hypothermia, rest more often, walk more outdoors and eat properly, then the birth itself will pass easily and the baby will not be affected by tonsillitis.
to the table of contents ^Folk remedies
- camomile and lime flowers;
- oregano and althea root;
- rhizome of althea, sage leaves and elderberry flowers;
- leaves peppermint and sage, fennel fruits and chamomile flowers;
- leaves of eucalyptus;
- leaves and flowers of St. John's wort, calendula, burdock, plantain.
Rinses are also effective:
- With ascorbic acid. To prepare the solution, take 5-6 tablets of the drug or 3 ampoules for 0.5 glasses of warm water. Rinse at least 3 times a day after meals.
- With honey and propolis. In 0.5 glasses of warm water, dilute 1 tablespoon of honey and 0.5 tablespoons of 10% propolis tincture. Gargling is done every hour or two and after eating.
- With hydrogen peroxide. The solution is prepared from 0.5 glasses of warm water and 1 tablespoon of peroxide.
- Saline. A glass of warm water takes 0.5 teaspoons of salt, a teaspoonful of soda and 1-2 drops of iodine. If you want to use sterile drugs for rinsing, you can buy a 9% isotonic solution( sodium chloride) in the pharmacy.
- With apple cider vinegar.1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar should be added to 1 glass with warm water and rinse.
- With aloe juice. Cut a large leaf of aloe, squeeze out juice from it( about 1 tablespoon) and dissolve it into 0.5 glasses of warm water.
After rinsing, it is recommended to lubricate the tonsils with sea-buckthorn, basil, fir or eucalyptus oil, diluted with grape or apricot kernel oil, Lugol or a solution of potassium permanganate with iodine. After this procedure, it is advisable not to drink or eat food for half an hour.
to contents ^Prevention of
In order to prevent recurrences of chronic and acute tonsillitis, as well as for disease prevention, it is recommended:
- to comply with generally accepted standards of personal and workplace hygiene;
- try to avoid places of mass congestion during epidemics of influenza, SARS, etc.;
- try to avoid places with dusty, contaminated or contaminated chemical compounds with air;
- to increase immunity( swimming, hardening, walking outdoors, physical activity, annual visit to sanatorium establishments, etc.);
- fully and correctly eat;
- regularly sanitize the oral cavity( treat teeth, gums, remove tartar);
- promptly treat otitis media, sinusitis, eliminate nasal breathing difficulties.