Tonsillitis is caused by an excess of micro-organisms that stock to the tonsils and causes a bacterial or viral infection. It can be quite painful, and it also causes bad breath. There are different ways to solve this health problem, which we will describe below. Keeping a good oral hygiene can prevent tonsillitis, but if it is too late, here is what you can do.
Tonsil Stones
Tonsils are located at the back of the mouth, one on each side. They serve as filters to germ and they also produce antibodies that fight bacteria. However, if they are not cleaned properly, food and other organisms may end up accumulating around them, creating tonsil stones, also known as tonsillitis. There are ways to get rid of these stones, although the best solution is to keep your mouth clean so that the problem doesn’t happen in the first place.
The streptococci bacteria, which also causes strep throat, is usually the cause of the infection. But there are other bacteria, microbes and viruses which can be involved in tonsillitis, such as Adenoviruses, Epstein-Barr virus and enteroviruses, among others. But no matter which one of them is causing the health issue, tonsil stones are always related to a bacterial or viral infection.
How to Detect Tonsillitis in Adults?
There are many symptoms which will indicate that you may have tonsillitis. If your tonsils become hard, swollen and cause you difficulty to breathe, then you most probably have tonsillitis. Since it is an infection, you may find yourself feverish and with chills. Other symptoms which may appear and help you to identify it are:
- Having a sore throat
- Feeling pain in your throat
- Having difficulty to swallow
- Ulcers or blisters appearing on the throat
- Presence of bad breath
- Feeling pain in your ear(s)
You can also find yourself losing appetite. If your voice starts to have a scratchy sound, look also into it. In worst cases, tonsillitis will even give you headaches. If you feel any of these symptoms, don’t wait and treat the issue as soon as possible, so that there are no complications in the future.
How to Detect Tonsillitis in Children?
This health condition is much more common in children of all ages than in adults. It can be caused by a cold or brought on by a cough or a runny nose. The symptoms that they will show are somewhat different than with adults. They might include drooling, stomach pain, Vomiting and loss of appetite. Stay alert if any of these symptoms show up, and look inside their mouth to see if the tonsils are inflamed. If it is the case, make sure to see a doctor so he can prescribe medicine to solve the problem.
How to Prevent Yourself from Getting Tonsillitis?
One little known fact is that tonsillitis is actually contagious. Therefore, if you come into contact with the virus, you will catch it and will have to treat it. There are many ways to protect yourself from getting tonsillitis which include these various actions:
- Clean your hands regularly, especially before eating.
- Avoid touching your nose and your mouth.
- Change toothbrush regularly and keep the head inside a cap, to keep germs away.
- Use a mouthwash to remove any food particles that could cling to the tonsils.
- Brush your teeth and floss regularly.
How to Treat Tonsillitis?
Treatment of Tonsillitis will depend on the gravity and the stage of development it has reached. If it is quite mild, increase your oral hygiene until it goes away. However, if it is severe, you need to choose one of the solutions below to solve the issue.
Using Antibiotics
The first solution you should try is to remove tonsillitis through antibiotics. This health issue is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, so it should be treatable that way. The most common antibiotic given in cases of tonsillitis is penicillin. Note that this treatment will not work if the infection is viral; so see a doctor before starting such a treatment. If you are prescribed antibiotics, even if the tonsils seem to have fully recovered before the treatment is complete, you still need to take the full dosage. Otherwise, the problem could return.
Through Cryptolysis
Before envisioning the removal of the tonsils, you should try cryptolysis. It acts as biotopes for bacterial growth by removing tissues around the tonsils through a laser, radiofrequency or coblation. It may not solve the problem forever, but it is a lot less expensive than having the operation to permanently remove the tonsils.
Through Tonsillectomy (Tonsils Extraction)
This surgery will remove the tonsils forever. It is a radical measure that should be applied only to individuals who keep having tonsillitis, over and over again. Remember that tonsils have a role to play inside your mouth and if you remove them, there won’t be anything to play their role and take care of their function.
