Enlarged Tonsils – Causes, Treatment & Prevention

When to the doctor?

Enlarged tonsils should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as they are noticed. In most cases, there is a flu-like infection that leads to further symptoms within a few hours or days. They include a sore throat , gastrointestinal complaints, exhaustion, tiredness, cough, runny nose or headache. A doctor should be consulted, as the state of health will continue to deteriorate in a short time and there is also a risk of infection.

The enlarged tonsils often lead to difficulty swallowing. If this leads to reduced food intake over several days, a doctor must be consulted, as unwanted weight loss can occur. If you drink little or no liquid over the course of a day, you urgently need to see a doctor. There is a risk of dehydration of the body, which can lead to a life-threatening condition.

If the enlarged tonsils are responsible for the fact that articulation can no longer take place, the symptoms must be examined by a doctor. If pain occurs or if the surrounding regions of the tonsils also swell, a doctor’s visit is necessary. A doctor must be consulted if hearing impairments or complaints such as headaches occur. If the person notices an unusual taste in the mouth or has a sensation of fluids flowing down the back of the throat, further medical examinations should be carried out.

diagnosis and course

If enlarged tonsils are found, a doctor is often consulted. Visual diagnosis usually helps to diagnose swelling. In addition, further examinations are ordered, such as a nose and ear mirroring. On the one hand, the suspicion can be confirmed in this way, on the other hand, any organic consequences can be determined. Such an examination therefore often requires tympanometry and various hearing tests .

The course of enlarged tonsils ultimately depends on the underlying cause. Disease -related swelling usually disappears after the infection has subsided. In the case of chronically recurring infections, these must first be treated so that the enlargement is reduced. Once chronic enlargement is established, further complications can develop.

So it cannot be ruled out that the ventilation of the middle ear is obstructed. The basis here is the displacement of the tube between the middle ear and the oral cavity due to the swollen tonsil. On this basis, a disturbed pressure in the middle ear can often be diagnosed. At the same time, the risk of invading bacteria and viruses, which can cause inflammation in the ear, increases. The course of enlarged tonsils is therefore very different. It depends on the one hand on the cause and on the other hand on the duration of the persistence of the swollen condition.

complications

There are a number of complications associated with enlarged tonsils. Enlarged tonsils can make breathing difficult and cause nocturnal breathing pauses. As a result, sufferers can develop high blood pressure and heart problems. Nosebleeds and pulmonary hypertension may occur. The ventilation of the middle ear and the equalization of pressure in the middle ear can be disrupted by enlarged tonsils. Pathogens can penetrate the middle ear and trigger an acute or chronic middle ear infection. As a result, secretion can accumulate and eardrum damage can occur. The auditory ossicles can be destroyed and conductive hearing loss can occur. As a result, children and young people can suffer from language development disorders and poor school performance.

Enlarged tonsils are often associated with chronic purulent inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, the nose and throat area and the bronchi. Since the mouth is usually open when the tonsils are enlarged, the teeth and jaw can be misaligned because the opposing bite is not present. People with enlarged tonsils often sleep poorly and snore. As a result, they may be tired and lethargic during the day. They may also have difficulty swallowing. If the enlarged tonsils become inflamed, they become even larger and lead to even more shortness of breath . In addition, the jaw angle lymph nodes can also swell.

treatment and therapy

Therapy depends on the underlying cause. The treatment can be differentiated into conventional and complementary medicine. Conventional medicine initially relies on drugs, especially antibiotics . If there is no chronically recurring inflammation, a single treatment is usually sufficient.

However, if the infection returns regularly, surgery is an option. However, surgical intervention with the aim of removing the tonsils is only performed on children who have reached the age of three. This is the only way to avoid health consequences, as the tonsils are an element of the immune system. The function of the tonsils for the defense against pathogens is more important than the pharyngeal tonsils. Accordingly, these in particular are initially increasingly treated with medication.

If an operation is performed, it can be performed on an outpatient basis. Complementary medicine for enlarged tonsils can consist of different elements. It includes homeopathy , for example, but also a change in diet. In order to avoid recurring infections, a diet without animal fats and sugar is recommended .Dairy products in particular should be avoided. Certain tea cures can also be used as part of phytotherapy. These contain plants that have a positive effect on the metabolism and strengthen the immune system. However, complementary medicine is not an independent, closed area. It can be used in addition to conventional medicine.

prevention