TONSILLITIS

The tonsils are the immune system’s first line of defense against bacteria and viruses that enter your mouth. This function may make the tonsils particularly vulnerable to infection and inflammation.

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat. Tonsillitis most commonly affects children between preschool ages and the mid-teenage years.

CAUSES

• Bottle feeding (breast feeding is protective)
• Recurrent attacks of common cold, upper respiratory tract
• Allergy
• Crowded living conditions
• Poor socioeconomic status
• Smoking by family members in the home
• Siblings having tonsilitis
• Viral infections in the home and daycare centers
• Heredity and genetic factors
• Cleft palate
• Immunodeficiency
• Ciliary dyskinesia
• Cystic fibrosis
• Down’s syndrome
• Reduced immunity
• Malnourishment,
• Poor dietary habits
• Too much physical and mental exertion
• Exposure to extremes of climate and temperatures, can affect the overall resistance of the persons and infections can occur easily
• Exanthematous fevers: Measles, diphtheria, whooping cough
• Palatal disorders: cleft palate and palatal palsy
• Allergy: Inhalants and foods
• Anatomical obstruction: Enlarged adenoids and nasopharyngeal tumors.
• Adenoiditis
• Rhinitis
• Sinusitis
• Pharyngitis.
• Swimming: Especially during diving, water enters in the nose and mouth under pressure
• Most cases of tonsillitis are caused by infection with a common virus, but bacterial infections also may cause tonsillitis.

Symptoms

• Red, swollen tonsils
• Throat pain: Dry throat, fullness in throat or sore throat. „
• Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing or odynophagia.
• Earache: It may be either referred, or due to acute otitis media.
• Headache, limb and back pain, malaise and constipation. „
• White or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils
• Sore throat
• Difficult or painful swallowing
• Fever: Temperatures 38–40°C may be associated with chills and rigors. Enlarged, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the neck
• A scratchy, muffled or throaty voice
• Bad breath
• Stomachache, particularly in younger children
• Stiff neck
• Suppuration of jugulodigastric lymph nodes.

In young children who are unable to describe how they feel, signs of tonsillitis may include:

• Drooling due to difficult or painful swallowing
• Refusal to eat
• Unusual fussiness

COMPLICATIONS

Inflammation or swelling of the tonsils from frequent or ongoing (chronic) tonsillitis can cause complications such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Disrupted breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea)
• Infection that spreads deep into surrounding tissue (tonsillar cellulitis)
• Infection that results in a collection of pus behind a tonsil (peritonsillar abscess)

PREVENTION

• The germs that cause viral and bacterial tonsillitis are contagious. Therefore, the best prevention is to practice good hygiene
• Breast-feed your baby.If possible, breast-feed your baby for at least six months. Breast milk contains antibodies that may offer protection from ear infections.
• Wash his or her hands thoroughly and frequently, especially after using the toilet and before eating
• Avoid sharing food, drinking glasses, water bottles or utensils
• Replace his or her toothbrush after being diagnosed with tonsillitis
• Take plenty of diet rich in vitamin A,C,D
• Reduce salt intake
• Avoid playing with pet animals like cat ,dog
• Avoid Body deodorant, Perfumes, Nail Polish,Talcum Powder
• Avoid Sulfites and preservatives added to some types of foods
• Clean your room with wet mop
• Clean your air conditioner filter regularly
• Maintain ideal body weight
• Reduce our air air pollution
•  Avoid chemical pesticides, chemical fertilizer for farming
• To help your child prevent the spread of a bacterial or viral infection to others
• Keep your child at home when he or she is ill
• Ask your doctor when it’s all right for your child to return to school
• Teach your child to cough or sneeze into a tissue or, when necessary, into his or her elbow
• Teach your child to wash his or her hands after sneezing or coughing

TREATMENT

HOMEOPATHY MEDICINE