Chronic tonsillitis
Chronic tonsillitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the palatine tonsils. It continues for a long time and alternates with periods of abatement and exacerbation of symptoms. The palatine tonsils are structures that are clusters of lymphoid tissue. They take a direct active part in the formation of immune protection.
The highest functional activity of these glands is characteristic of childhood. Inflammatory processes occurring in the tonsils subsequently contribute to the formation of general (non-specific) immunity. In this regard, timely and adequate treatment of tonsillitis in children is of great importance.
In clinical practice, there are 2 main forms of the course of the pathology:
- compensated tonsillitis;
- chronic decompensated tonsillitis.
Causes and symptoms of the disease
Among the main reasons for the development of pathology:
- frequent sore throats;
- difficult nasal breathing;
- purulent sinusitis;
- presence of chronic infectious foci (including carious teeth);
- inflammation of adenoids.
Bacterial tonsillitis is caused by microorganisms, mainly hemolytic streptococci. Their active reproduction begins against the background of a general weakening of immunity. Viral tonsillitis is caused by influenza, parainfluenza, measles viruses, as well as enteroviruses, rhinoviruses, and adenoviruses.
Characteristic symptoms of chronic inflammation of the tonsils are:
- itching and pain in the throat (the intensity of the pain syndrome varies from moderate to high);
- cough;
- increase in general body temperature;
- headache;
- swelling in the nasopharynx (detected during examination);
- formation of purulent plugs;
- bad breath;
- general malaise;
- increased physical fatigue;
- increase in cervical lymph nodes.
The appearance of such symptoms indicates an exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis. The temperature usually does not rise above subfebrile values, but it lasts for a long time.
In a number of cases with this disease, aches and pains are noted in the large joints of the upper and lower limbs (more often - knee and carpal joint).
Children and adolescents are often diagnosed with purulent tonsillitis, which usually accompanies inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, that is, pharyngitis. This form of the disease can be provoked by infectious agents of both bacterial and viral nature. Traffic jams with tonsillitis are quite common, especially in children. Accumulation of pus is the cause of bad breath.
Complications
Aggravations and complications most often lead to self-medication and the lack of preventive measures, which consist in the timely remediation of chronic foci of infection and strengthening of general immunity.
Aggravation of the protracted inflammatory process often occurs against the background of general hypothermia of the body or after taking cold drinks or ice cream.
Chronic tonsillitis during pregnancy can cause disorders of the intrauterine development of the child.
Probable complications include:
- pyelonephritis;
- pericarditis or endocarditis;
- rheumatic lesions of the joints;
- pneumonia;
- significant decrease in immunity.
Treatment of chronic tonsillitis
Therapy of tonsillitis should be comprehensive. It involves remediation of chronic foci of infection, treatment of inflammatory diseases in adjacent tissues, cleansing of tonsils, removal of edema and improvement of local immunity. Clinics practice gland remediation with ultrasound and laser therapy.
Conservative treatment of chronic tonsillitis is carried out in a compensated form. When decompensated, it is resorted to if there are contraindications to surgical intervention (removal of tonsils).
How to treat tonsillitis at home can only be advised by a doctor after an accurate diagnosis. Self-medication is not recommended! In the case of bacterial genesis of the pathological process, antibiotics of the penicillin series are prescribed (usually for oral administration). In case of individual intolerance to drugs of this group, erythromycin is prescribed. The duration of the reception is in most cases from 1.5 to 2 weeks. Tonsils are recommended to be treated with Lugol's solution or sea buckthorn oil.
In case of viral tonsillitis, antibiotics are ineffective. Ibuprofen or Paracetamol will help to cope with high temperature and pain syndrome (it is better to give Acetaminophen to children). In addition to symptomatic therapy, the use of immunomodulators is indicated.
Patients are often interested in what to gargle with tonsillitis. A decoction of chamomile (2 tablespoons per glass of boiling water), a solution of baking soda (1 tablespoon per 200 ml) and garlic infusion (200 ml of boiling water per 2 chopped cloves) are recommended.
Furacilin solution, Hexoral, Miramistin and Chlorhexine are the most effective pharmacological preparations.
The minimum volume of liquid for each procedure is 200 ml. The optimal temperature for rinsing is 36°C (plus or minus 2 degrees).
Chronic tonsillitis in children
Treatment of tonsillitis in children should be started as soon as the first symptoms or complaints appear. It is necessary to contact the district pediatrician or ENT doctor. One of the most frequent causes of the disease in children is the anatomical features of the structure of the palatine tonsils - the presence of slit-like passages and branched lacunae in the glands that make drainage difficult.
Chronic tonsillitis in a child often contributes to sensitization of the body
You can make an appointment with a doctor and find out how to cure chronic tonsillitis forever on our website Dobrobut.com.
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