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Tonsils are the oval lymphoepithelial tissues situated at the back of the throat. When the tonsils get inflamed we suffer from tonsillitis. Most of the time, tonsillitis is caused by virus, but at times certain bacteria may also cause this problem. The main tonsillitis cause is the same virus that causes a common cold. However it can also be caused by other viruses and bacteria. The most frequent tonsillitis-causing bacterium is the streptococcus pyogenes bacterium.
People with weak immune systems may also suffer from this disease. Parasites and fungi are also other causes of tonsillitis. However, common tonsillitis causes remain the common cold virus and the group A streptococcus bacterium.
There are no particular foods that can cause tonsillitis directly; however some foods are likely to irritate the throat or aggravate symptoms of tonsillitis. These are spicy, oily, astringent food items. Similarly in case of tonsillitis, chocolates, candies and items high in sugar must be avoided.
A strong immune system is essential to prevent and treat the disease and therefore it is important to avoid all foods that disturb the immune system. Age and exposure to germs are the main risk factors for this disease. Children are most likely to suffer from tonsillitis. However, in some cases adults also have inflamed tonsils.
Tonsillitis must be treated immediately. Being aware of the causes of tonsillitis, gives the individual an edge over the others when it comes to the treatment of the condition. Besides this, an awareness of the causes would also help in the avoidance of the condition altogether. Though the condition is fairly common in many individuals, a commonly asked question by many is what are the symptoms of tonsillitis? The most obvious symptom is tonsils inflammation. If you open your mouth wide, they can be easily seen at the back of the throat. Unaffected tonsils normally appear red, but in the case of tonsillitis they appear a lot redder and are swollen. In some cases, the swelling may also be apparent on the neck. For some people there is puss formation in the tonsils. Inflamed tonsils can cause a lot of pain. Apart from swollen tonsils, typical tonsillitis symptoms in adults are sore throat, fever, pain during swallowing and difficulty in swallowing, headaches and a distorted voice like the voice of a person having a throat infection. Fever is quite high and the person may even lose his voice. Sore throat is the first sign of tonsillitis. Tonsillitis symptoms in children also include painful and swollen tonsils, but kids may also experience pain in the stomach. Loss of appetite, lethargy, listlessness and fatigue are also common problems kids face. Sometimes they drool since they have trouble swallowing. Tonsillitis treatment is very important as if left untreated the complications can range from mild ones to severe ones. Respiratory problems, infection spreading to the tissues in and around the tonsils called tonsillar cellulitis and tonsillar abscess, that is, pus formation behind the tonsils are well known complications. If the tonsillitis is bacterium related and if ignored can also develop into a rheumatic fever that affects the joints and other organs of the body and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis which is severe inflammation of the kidneys that impairs kidney functions. Therefore it is important to identify this condition and get it diagnosed immediately. Your healthcare provider is the best person to diagnose tonsillitis. He will conduct a physical exam, use throat swab tests and prescribe a CBC test or a complete blood cell count test to diagnose the disease and determine whether it is caused by a virus or bacteria. Accordingly he will prescribe a treatment method. Tonsillitis treatment methods are of three types - treatment at home, medication and surgery.
Tonsillitis cures are relatively easy to follow. They must however be followed meticulously. The patient needs to rest a lot. Plenty of fluids must be consumed. Warm foods that do not irritate the throat may also be had. Broth, soups and warm water with honey provide relief from pain. A saltwater or a mint water gargle is a natural remedy for tonsillitis. Pure salt or mint leaves can be added to warm water and this mixture can be gargled and spat out. This procedure can be repeated several times in a day. Tonsillitis treatment at home also includes having fresh lime in a glass of warm water with honey. Boiled milk with a pinch of turmeric powder and honey can also be given to soothe the discomfort. Garlic is a natural antiseptic and is believed to be an effective remedy. Vegetables and fruits for tonsillitis is also a common cure. Carrot, cucumber and beetroot can be juiced to make a health drink. Orange juice is also helpful in treating this illness. Some patients are advised fruits diet after symptoms of tonsillitis subside. In case of tonsillitis, Vitamin C intake should be upped since this vitamin fights the tonsillitis-causing bacteria. Tonsillitis treatment and antibiotics also go hand in hand, more so in case of tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection. Penicillin is the most common antibiotic. The medication have to be taken on time as prescribed by the doctor and must be taken till the illness is wiped out completely. Sometimes when tonsillitis is very severe or if it does not get treated with diet and antibiotics or if it is recurrent, then the doctor may suggest removal of the tonsils also known as tonsillectomy. It is relatively quick and the patient is discharged on the same day itself. A tonsillitis diet will typically consist of non irritant foods. Water will form an integral part of the diet. After recovery from tonsillitis or after a tonsillectomy the patient is advised comfort foods and soothing foods such as ice cream. A fruit diet is also not unheard of. The patient needs to keep fried food, tobacco, alcohol, spices and hard food items away from his diet. Tonsillitis cannot always be prevented, but maintaining healthy habits will reduce the risks of getting it. Since the germs causing tonsillitis are often contagious, it is important to avoid sharing a drink or eating from the same plate, sharing spoons, forks and other utensils. It is necessary to wash hands frequently. If one has tonsillitis he or she must do everything possible to avoid spreading of the virus or the bacteria. One should cover the mouth when sneezing, coughing or yawning and washing the hands as theses these are important prevention tips that should be followed. Fortunately, tonsillitis is a disease that can be easily cured, though proper care needs to be taken.
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