The tonsils play an essential role in the prevention of infections in the body. The tonsils acted as the first line of a defense system for the body. However, the tonsils swell and become painful quite often.
Inflammation of the tonsils is known as tonsillitis. Here are 5 common factors that can blush and ignite your tonsils.
5 causes of tonsillitis
Viral infection
There are various viruses in the air that can enter the body through the mouth. These viruses can infect the tonsils and cause inflammation. According to Pristyn Care otolaryngologists, viral infections are the most common cause of tonsillitis. Some of the virus strains that prevent the risk of infection are cold viruses
Flu virus
Herpes simplex virus
Adenovirus
Epstein Barr Virus
Cytomegalovirus
Measles virus
The viral infections that cause tonsillitis heal on their own over time. To alleviate the symptoms, the person can try certain home remedies because the antibiotics do not work.
Sore throat
Sore throat is a bacterial infection caused by the Streptococcus bacteria. Sore throat is more common in children than in adults. As a result, bacteria can easily attack the tonsils and cause inflammation. As a result, the person suffers from bad breath, difficulty swallowing and a sore throat. In addition, white spots on the neck may be visible to the naked eye.
Fortunately, after diagnosing a sore throat, doctors recommend antibiotics to help fight the infectious agent.
“You should avoid delaying the treatment of sore throats. In later stages, pus can accumulate from the infection and lead to a peritonsillary abscess, “explains Dr. Siddharth Vashisht, ENT specialist at Pristyn Care. He added that peri-tonsil abscess can make a person feel that something is in the Neck collapses.
Acid reflux
Due to poor nutrition, gastric acid reflux may occur. The acid rises and almost enters the throat, causing a burning sensation and irritation. In addition, irritation can also affect the tonsils and lead to inflammation. Here are two things to consider:
Avoid eating acidic or spicy foods, caffeine and alcoholic beverages
If you sleep at night, put extra pillows under your head to prevent the acid from waning.
The allergies
5-Reasons-for-tonsillitis-why-tonsils-infected-2
There are various allergens such as dust and pollutants that enter the body through the mouth and nose. As soon as the body can determine that there are foreign bodies in the body, it triggers an allergic reaction. Because of this, the sinuses become inflamed and cannot drain the mucus properly. As mucus accumulates, it infects bacteria and viruses that enter the body. This ultimately leads to sinusitis. Over time, the infection can spread to the tonsils and cause infection.
Some sexually transmitted diseases
Tonsillitis is one of the symptoms of transmission of certain sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis or gonorrhea. In the early stages of syphilis, the infection can infect the throat and possibly the tonsils. So look for the symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease that can be treated as soon as possible. To diagnose whether a sexually transmitted disease is responsible for the swelling of the lymph nodes, the doctor performs a throat test.
What are the risk factors for tonsillitis?
There are mainly two factors that increase the risk of tonsillitis. First of all, be a child from 5 to 15 years old. The second factor is exposure to germs that can cause bacterial or viral infections.
The presence of an infected person can also increase the risk of tonsillitis because it is contagious. Therefore, the patient with tonsillitis should wash their hands regularly and keep their utensils, towels and clothing separate.
How to diagnose tonsillitis?
The diagnosis of tonsillitis is easy. The doctor checks the patient’s symptoms and medical history. The doctor also looks for spots on the neck and neck to confirm the type of infection.
5-Reasons-for-tonsillitis-why-the tonsils-become infected-3
The ENT doctor recommends one or more tests to check for a sore throat. Some of these tests include a throat culture, a fast sore throat, or both.
In both diagnostic tests, the doctor takes a cotton swab and takes a sample of fluid from the tonsils and throat. The streptococcal test takes only a few minutes to display the results. The neck culture is sent to a laboratory and it takes a few days to get results. Of these two, neck culture offers better results.
How to treat tonsillitis permanently?
Treatment for tonsillitis depends on the underlying condition. If the contributor is a bacterial infection, antibiotics can be effective. If it is a virus, no other drug can effectively cure the same.
Home remedies for tonsillitis – There are home remedies that are helpful if a person is suffering from tonsillitis. Gargle with salt water, eat soft foods, get plenty of rest, avoid smoking with irritants like smoke, drink cold drinks, etc. are remedies that can provide immediate relief.
In severe cases where tonsillitis occurs repeatedly and causes difficulty in breathing or swallowing food, the patient should consider a tonsillectomy. This is the surgical removal of the tonsils. It is an outpatient procedure where the patient can go home the same day. It is a permanent solution for people suffering from any type of tonsillitis. You can also contact the ENT specialists at Pristyn Care for more information. Make an appointment today for permanent relief.