Tonsillitis is an inflammatory process in the palatine tonsils, which is characterized by hyperemia, redness and pain, in some cases the appearance of purulent contents in the lacunae or all tonsils. The palatine tonsils belong to the peripheral organs of the immune system and are designed to protect the body from the penetration of various bacteria and viruses into the human body. When a pathological agent penetrates to neutralize it, active production of leukocytes begins in the tonsils, but with severe infection, the immune system cannot cope and inflammation occurs.
Structure of the tonsils
The palatine tonsils, or tonsils, are an important organ of the human immune system. The tonsils are located in the oral cavity on both sides of the pharynx. The tonsils are shaped like an almond (hence the name “almond”) and range in size from one to four centimeters in diameter. The tonsils are endowed with a protective function. They are a kind of barrier to bacteria entering the body through airborne droplets, as well as through food intake. The structural features of the tonsils and the functions they perform are directly related to the appearance of tonsillitis plugs in the throat.
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On the surface of the tonsils, winding canals and openings are visible - lacunae and crypts.
When viruses from the outside enter the mouth, leukocytes in the tonsils are activated and begin an intensified process of forming antibodies that fight the “enemy.” At the same time, a signal is sent to all organs of the immune system, and the body comes into “combat readiness”.
What is tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is an inflammatory process in the tonsils. The disease can be acute or chronic. The acute form is better known as tonsillitis. In chronic cases, periods of exacerbation (inflammation of the tonsils) are replaced by a period of remission (calm). Most often, the disease occurs in children 5-15 years old, although adults are also susceptible to the disease. The tonsils in children are larger than in adults. The palatine tonsils reach their maximum size by the age of 7, and then begin to shrink. Constant viral attacks on the tonsils lead to tonsillitis. Chronic tonsillitis most often acts as a complication after an infectious disease (sore throat, caries, etc.). The chronic form of the disease, according to statistics, occurs in 5% of adults and 11% of children. That is, chronic tonsillitis is a common disease. Tonsillitis plugs on the tonsils often appear with chronic tonsillitis.
Tonsillitis. Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of pathology
The site provides reference information. Adequate diagnosis and treatment of the disease is possible under the supervision of a conscientious doctor.
Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of pathology.
Tonsillitis is an infectious-allergic disease manifested by inflammation of one or more tonsils of the lymphatic pharyngeal ring. In 90% of cases, the palatine tonsils , also known as tonsils, are affected; much less often - the lingual tonsil or the lateral ridges of the posterior wall. An increase in incidence is observed in the autumn, when after holidays and vacations people return to groups. Tonsillitis is transmitted by airborne droplets from sick and asymptomatic carriers or by ingestion through contaminated foods. The infection can also be introduced into the tonsils from other foci of inflammation during sinusitis, sinusitis, gingivitis, and dental caries. The risk of developing the disease increases with impaired nasal breathing, hypothermia, fatigue, and prolonged nervous tension.
Manifestations of tonsillitis: dryness and pain in the throat, aggravated by swallowing, putrid breath, dry obsessive cough, increased body temperature, enlarged and painful submandibular and anterior cervical lymph nodes when palpated, general malaise. In chronic tonsillitis, the pathological process is not limited to the tonsils. It has been proven to be associated with over 100 diseases, mainly damage to the heart, joints and kidneys. In men, this pathology leads to impaired potency, and in women, to changes in the menstrual cycle. Due to the prevalence of tonsillitis and the risk of complications, it is important to promptly identify and treat this disease.
Factors that weaken the immune system contribute to the occurrence of tonsillitis
- local and general hypothermia;
- acute stress reactions;
- high dust and gas content in the air;
- monotonous food with a deficiency of vitamins C and B;
- injury to the tonsils from rough food;
- chronic inflammatory processes in the oral and nasal cavities;
- reduced adaptation to environmental changes
Diagnosis of tonsillitis
Examination by an ENT doctor
In acute tonsillitis, patients turn to an ENT specialist with complaints of sore throat and fever. People suffering from chronic tonsillitis complain of frequent sore throats, recurring from 1 to 6 times a year. To identify their cause, a specialist examines the oral cavity - pharyngoscopy , during which he identifies a number of symptoms characteristic of tonsillitis.
Lab tests
In most cases, examination of the oral cavity ( pharyngoscopy) is sufficient to diagnose tonsillitis.
1. Bacteriological examination of a throat smear to identify the pathogen and determine its sensitivity to antibiotics. This allows you to choose effective treatment.
2. Clinical blood test. Changes in blood tests indicate an infectious disease accompanied by an inflammatory process. In some patients, especially with chronic tonsillitis in remission, blood tests remain normal.
3 . Serum C-reactive protein. An increase in the level of C-reactive protein in the blood serum reflects the activity of the inflammatory process in the tonsils.
4. General urine analysis.
5. Determination of the titer of antibodies in the blood to streptococcal products (antistreptolysin-O). This study is advisable to carry out only for chronic tonsillitis, since antibodies to streptolysin appear in the blood on the 7th day of illness.
6. ECG . For early detection of cardiac disorders.
Treatment of tonsillitis. The basic principles of treatment for chronic tonsillitis are an integrated approach and cyclicality. Courses of treatment for chronic tonsillitis are repeated 2 times a year (spring and autumn), accompanied by a clinical and laboratory examination of the patient and an examination by an ENT doctor.
Main directions of therapy:
1.Treatment of tonsillitis with medications using immunomodulators
2. Physiotherapy: UHF, microwave, laser therapy on regional lymph nodes in the submandibular zone, UVR (ultraviolet irradiation) of the tonsils through a tube (physiotherapeutic treatment improves blood circulation in the tonsils, has a biostimulating effect, activates the production of antibodies and accelerates phagocytosis (absorption of bacteria by phagocytes))
3. Local antiseptic treatment and drainage of lacunae: - washing of the lacunae of the palatine tonsils with antiseptic solutions (Iodinol, Stomatidin, Chlorophyllipt, Dioxidin); - lubricating the palatine tonsils with antiseptic solutions (Lugol, Fukortsin, Stomatidin); - antiseptics in the form of a spray, lozenges (Ingalipt, Hexasprey, Gramicidin, Hexaliz, Lizobakt, Septolete, Faringosept, etc.); - gargling with antiseptic solutions.
4. Sanitation of all purulent foci and treatment of concomitant diseases of the ENT organs. Correction of somatic pathology.
It should be noted that the development of chronic tonsillitis is not always preceded by a previous sore throat, when the patient knows exactly the day of the onset of the disease. Often the disease develops unnoticed (nonanginal form of chronic tonsillitis), masked by frequent acute respiratory viral infections, adenoiditis, stomatitis, periodontal disease, i.e. in fact, the palatine tonsils in these cases, carrying out active protective work, are secondarily involved in the inflammatory process.
Chronic tonsillitis is a focal infection, the elimination of which is extremely important for maintaining overall health, as well as for the successful treatment of concomitant diseases.
Causes of chronic tonsillitis
The chronic form of tonsillitis often develops as a complication after a sore throat. Many patients try to cure a sore throat on their own and take medications uncontrollably. Some, having received doctor’s recommendations, do not follow the instructions and finish the course of taking antibacterial drugs earlier than expected, noticing an improvement. This is a huge mistake! Untreated sore throat causes the disease to enter the chronic stage and the formation of tonsillitis with purulent plugs. The main causative agents of the disease are streptococci and staphylococci.
Exacerbation of tonsillitis is favored by:
- chronic inflammatory process (sinusitis, caries, sinusitis, etc.);
- proliferation of adenoids;
- deviated nasal septum;
- damage to the tonsils;
- hypothermia;
- weak immunity.
Why do traffic jams occur with tonsillitis?
The main factor in the formation of purulent plugs on the tonsils is the constant presence of a focus of inflammation, provoked by viruses. There are always bacteria in the human mouth - they are not dangerous to health. Once in the gaps, they are killed by immune cells. The tonsils of a healthy person are capable of self-cleaning - dead microorganisms are removed from the lacunae and enter the stomach with saliva, where they are destroyed under the influence of gastric juice.
But as soon as dangerous viruses enter the body, a large number of leukocytes are sent to fight them, the mucous membrane of the tonsils swells, and self-cleaning of the lacunae under such conditions becomes difficult. Dead bacteria and leukocytes begin to accumulate in the tonsils - purulent-caseous formations appear. If you do not consult an otolaryngologist in time and do not begin treatment for purulent tonsillitis plugs, the process can become irreversible and lead to the destruction of the tonsils.
Complications of tonsillitis
By ignoring the symptoms of tonsillitis and refusing to see a doctor in favor of home treatments, the patient is at serious risk. The spread of infection throughout the body and tissue inflammation can cause a peritonsillar abscess on the tonsils. This condition is dangerous due to its similarity to a sore throat, the symptoms of which can be ignored or you can try to cope with them using traditional methods. Without appropriate treatment, the tissues of the throat and tonsils swell during an exacerbation of tonsillitis, making breathing and swallowing difficult, and the pain becomes more severe. The problem can only be dealt with in a hospital setting.
Further development of the infectious process can affect the internal organs and tissues of the body. Diseases caused by chronic or acute tonsillitis include psoriasis and eczema, endocrinological problems, joint inflammation and the development of arthritis, tissue damage to the heart muscle and urinary tract.
Purulent formations and chronic tonsillitis
In the chronic form of the disease, inflammation in the tonsils does not completely disappear, but only subsides for a while. Bacteria are always present in the lacunae of the tonsils, and the increased formation of a large number of leukocytes does not stop. Since the chronic form is characterized by the absence of pronounced signs of the disease, the appearance of purulent plugs goes unnoticed by the patient. White blood cells surround the bacteria, and a purulent formation appears. Over time, substances containing calcium and magnesium accumulate in them. As a result, the plugs harden.
Among the reasons for the formation of traffic jams are:
- diseases of the nasal cavity that are chronic (for example, sinusitis) - some of the bacteria from the nose certainly gets into the throat;
- lack of proper oral hygiene - here bacteria are constantly present and when immunity decreases, they enter the tonsils; food debris can also get stuck in the gaps and become “material” for the hardening of purulent masses;
- weak immunity - a person is unable to cope with the infection on his own, and the disease becomes protracted or chronic;
- damage to the tonsils - infection can easily get into the wound. Often it is the site of injury that becomes the location of a new purulent formation.
Treatment of purulent sore throat in adults and children
A doctor should treat tonsillitis. He will determine the form of the disease and prescribe the necessary medications. Self-medication can lead to a protracted course of the disease and complications.
In order not to infect others, a patient with acute tonsillitis must be isolated and given separate dishes and a towel1.
During the period of fever, strict bed rest is indicated, and after the temperature drops, semi-bed rest and home rest1,3.
Plenty of warm drinks and gentle nutrition are recommended, which does not irritate a sore throat. Typically, doctors recommend a dairy-plant diet with a limited amount of carbohydrates and a high content of vitamins1,3.
Drug treatment includes general and local drugs.
To fight infections and inflammation and relieve the symptoms of tonsillitis, your doctor may prescribe the following medications:
- antibiotics;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antiallergic;
- antipyretics1,3.
Local treatment of follicular and lacunar tonsillitis includes gargling or irrigating the throat, as well as the use of absorbable tablets with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The goal is to mechanically cleanse the tonsils of pus, fight the pathogen, sore throat and inflammation2.
Up to contents
Symptoms of purulent plugs in the throat
Traffic jams are a factor by which chronic tonsillitis can be recognized. Therefore, when traffic jams appear, all the signs of this chronic disease are present. The following symptoms can be identified during an exacerbation of tonsillitis.
Constantly recurring sore throats - if there is inflammation in the tonsils, then this is not an indicator of chronic tonsillitis. But if a person is susceptible to the disease more than two or three times a year, then we can confidently say that we are dealing with a chronic form of the disease.
Friends! Timely and correct treatment will ensure you a speedy recovery!
The next symptom is redness and swelling of the palatine arches, to which inflammation from the tonsils can spread. Adhesions can form between the palatine arches and the tonsils - they seem to stick together with each other.
Enlarged lymph nodes are another sign of the disease. The manifestation of tonsillitis is accompanied by elevated body temperature. In the chronic form, a temperature of 37°C can last from several days to several weeks. The patient feels constant fatigue, lethargy, and performance decreases. All these are signals of adverse changes occurring in the body.
Symptoms of purulent plugs in the throat
The first sign is a feeling that there is something in the throat: like a lump; A dry cough may accompany these unpleasant sensations. The patient has difficulty swallowing and has a sore throat.
Severe pain in the throat is accompanied by a putrid odor from the mouth, which cannot be muffled even with the help of toothpastes. This smell is the result of the activity of bacteria accumulated in traffic jams. Caseous formations are also visible upon visual inspection - curdled tubercles of a white-yellow hue are immediately noticeable on the tonsils. It happens that the pustules are not immediately visible, but as soon as you press on the surface of the tonsil, for example, with your tongue, these white-yellow tubercles begin to appear.
Blockages in the tonsils can bring a lot of unpleasant and even dangerous consequences to the patient: if the infection travels with the blood or lymph flow further through the body, it can cause problems with the heart, kidneys and joints. In order not to have to treat complications from tonsillitis, it is necessary to get an appointment with an otolaryngologist in a timely manner and begin treatment for tonsillitis with purulent plugs.
Prevention of chronic tonsillitis in adults
Preventive measures to prevent chronic tonsillitis include:
- proper hygiene;
- hardening;
- balanced diet;
- maintaining cleanliness in the home and workplace, eliminating dust;
- timely treatment of inflammationSource: Treatment and prevention of chronic tonsillitis. Atagulova G. Zh. Medicine and ecology, 2012.
Chronic tonsillitis is a very common disease that causes a lot of inconvenience to the patient. But is it possible to cure chronic tonsillitis? If your tonsils often become inflamed, then do not self-medicate, but consult a doctor who will select the optimal treatment regimen for you and determine how to get rid of chronic tonsillitis. You can make an appointment with a medical specialist in St. Petersburg by calling the phone number listed on the website.
Article sources:
- Treatment and prevention of chronic tonsillitis. Atagulova G. Zh. Medicine and ecology, 2012
- Chronic tonsillitis in the practice of an otolaryngologist and cardiologist. Yalymova D.L., Kostyuk V.N., Vishnyakov V.V., Yalymov A.A., Shekhyan G.G., Zadionchenko V.S. Cardio Somatics, 2014. p. 60-65
- Choice of antibiotic for exacerbation of tonsillitis. Karpishchenko S.A., Kolesnikova O.M. Medical Council, 2015. p. 40-43
- Modern methods of treating chronic tonsillitis. Ryazantsev S.V., Eremina N.V., Shcherban K.Yu. Medical Council, 2021. p. 68-72
Treatment of tonsillitis plugs
The appearance of plugs indicates long-term inflammation occurring in the body, so the removal of purulent plugs must be combined with measures to treat chronic tonsillitis. Chronic tonsillitis should be treated by a competent otolaryngologist. Only an ENT doctor knows how to treat tonsillitis plugs effectively and safely. There is no need to try to get rid of pustules on your own at home. Many patients begin to put pressure on the tonsils, scraping off the “plaque” with a spoon and other improvised means. But this measure is ineffective - pus is removed only from the surface, but this is only the tip of the iceberg, the main problem is inside. Such inept actions often lead to injury to the tonsils, which will only provoke the appearance of new caseous formations.
Treatment of tonsillitis
Complex treatment of tonsillitis is carried out under the supervision of an otolaryngologist; self-medication in this case is unacceptable. During the treatment period, the patient is prescribed bed rest, a gentle diet, and plenty of warm drinks. It is necessary to gargle with antiseptic solutions, carry out antibacterial therapy, and take antihistamines to reduce swelling of the throat. At temperatures above 38°C, it is recommended to take antipyretic drugs. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat tonsils. To free the tonsils from accumulated pus, lacunae are washed using the Tonsilor apparatus. Injections into the tonsils, injection of medicinal substances into the lacunae, and lubrication of the tonsils with antiseptics are also used.
For severe pain, it is recommended to use painkillers. To treat tonsillitis, various physiotherapeutic procedures are used: ultraviolet irradiation on the tonsil area, laser and magnetic laser therapy, electrophoresis, UHF, ultrasound, oil and alkaline inhalations.
When treating chronic tonsillitis, treatment can be either conservative or surgical. surgical treatment is used in the absence of positive dynamics in treatment, or the pathology has led to serious complications. During the operation, the tonsil is removed completely or only part of it. New methods of surgery are being used - laser lacunotomy or tonsillectomy using a surgical laser.
If you have symptoms of a sore throat or if you have a long-term, indolent sore throat, contact a medical professional. Modern equipment and the latest treatment methods allow us to provide the most effective care to patients with chronic and acute tonsillitis. Complex treatment of tonsillitis allows you to achieve excellent results and avoid surgical treatment or complications of the disease. You can make an appointment by calling the center or leaving a request on the website.
Conservative method of removing tonsillitis plugs
Conservative treatment consists of:
- Treatment with medications (antibiotics and the duration of treatment is prescribed directly by the ENT doctor. Treatment of chronic tonsillitis should begin at the time of exacerbation, not remission. As a rule, the patient is prescribed the drugs “Amoxicillin”, “Amoxiclav”, “Summamed”, “Azithromycin”, etc. .).
- Gargling (solutions of furatsilin, soda, decoctions of chamomile, St. John's wort, string, from pharmaceutical products - Miramistin, Rotokan, etc. are excellent).
- Inhalations (as agreed with the doctor).
- Rinsing the lacunae of the tonsils (the most effective method for removing purulent accumulations. Performed only by an otolaryngologist. Rinsing is carried out using a syringe or a TONZILLOR device.
When carrying out a course of rinsing, the patient's condition significantly improves, the tonsils look healthier, and are cleared of purulent accumulations.
With chronic tonsillitis, the period of remission of the disease increases.
Clinical manifestations
Symptoms of exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis can be pronounced: severe pain in the throat when swallowing, significant hyperemia of the pharyngeal mucosa, with purulent elements on the palatine tonsils, febrile body temperature (38-39 ° C), intoxication, pain, body aches, etc. .
Often, an exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis occurs without a pronounced severity of all symptoms: the temperature corresponds to low subfebrile values (37.2-37.4 ° C), the pain in the throat when swallowing is insignificant, there is a discharge of purulent plugs or liquid pus from the lacunae, bad breath, weakness, fatigue, decreased mental and physical performance.
In other cases, the patient complains only of discomfort, slight soreness in the throat when swallowing, and a moderate deterioration in health.
The unexpressed clinical picture of exacerbations of chronic tonsillitis does not in any way reduce the aggressiveness of the pathological process in relation to the occurrence of toxic-allergic complications.
Surgery
Tonsillectomy - removal of the tonsils - is the most radical way to get rid of the problem. It is used in the most extreme cases, when conservative methods do not bring the desired relief, and the indications for surgery must be quite serious. Before removing tonsils, you need to carefully weigh everything and first try a full range of conservative treatment measures. By removing the tonsils, you are deprived of a natural natural barrier against viruses and infections. You need to fight to preserve your tonsils to the last!
Tonsils are removed using a scalpel, laser or liquid nitrogen. Your ENT doctor will definitely tell you about all the intricacies and consequences of tonsillectomy.
Traditional medicine and preventive measures
Treatment with folk remedies for removing accumulated pus is not entirely effective - plugs located deep in the tonsil cannot be removed. With their help, you can only soften the surface of the plugs to facilitate their rejection and use herbal decoctions when gargling and disinfecting it.
To reduce the risk of traffic jams, you need to follow some simple tips:
- carefully monitor oral hygiene;
- treat sore throat and inflammation in the nose and mouth in a timely manner: sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, caries, stomatitis;
- avoid hypothermia;
- for chronic tonsillitis, follow the recommendations of your ENT doctor, do not forget about preventive complexes of physiotherapy and tonsil rinsing;
- Strengthen your immune system and try to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Treatment at the ENT Clinic of Doctor Zaitsev
Many years of experience of our doctors allows us to say with confidence that treating chronic tonsillitis is our specialty. The modern equipment of the clinic allows for effective and safe manipulations to treat tonsillitis and remove purulent plugs. Washing of the tonsils is carried out using all methods known in practice, including using a modified TONSILLOR nozzle, which has no analogues in other medical institutions. This is the know-how of our clinic. The modified attachment is much more effective than the usual one, completely safe, its use does not cause pain to the patient and is suitable even for small children.
Please make an appointment and come. We will be happy to help you.
