Chronic tonsillitis is a common disease that is believed to be experienced by many people. According to a survey, the presence of chronic tonsillitis in the population is about 22%, with a higher incidence among children. The thought that tonsils have a role in helping the body fight infection, some people do not want to remove their tonsils even if they suffer from chronic inflammation for a long time, is this really good? Doctors suggest that there are five conditions in which you can consider having your tonsils removed.
Tonsillitis can involve the whole body
The actual fact is that you can find a lot of people who are not able to get a good deal on a lot of things. The tonsils are generally referred to as the palatine tonsils, which are visible to the naked eye. It is located in the lateral wall of the pharyngeal isthmus, between the lingual-palatal arch and the pharyngeal-palatal arch, and is flat and oval in shape, covered with mucosal epithelium on the surface and covered with fibrous perithelium on the bottom, and is easily separated from the muscular layer of the pharyngeal wall; there are also pharyngeal tonsils and lingual tonsils.
Like other glandular tissues, the tonsils are part of the immune system and are the largest of the pharyngeal lymphoid tissues, which are part of the endolymphatic ring of the pharynx. The tonsils may become enlarged when the lymphoid tissue proliferates in children between the ages of 6 and 7 years, which is a physiological enlargement that gradually shrinks and becomes smaller after middle age. The main function of these glands is to help the body fight infection.
When tonsillitis occurs, it is when the tonsils become infected. This is usually due to a bacterial infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract that has lost its guard. In addition to this, chronic tonsillitis tends to form foci in the event of changes in the internal and external environment of the body, and metamorphosis occurs, producing various complications, such as rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, heart disease, nephritis and other systemic diseases.
The difference between acute and chronic tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is divided into acute tonsillitis and chronic tonsillitis, which we will introduce in detail below.
Acute tonsillitis Acute non-specific inflammation, often secondary to upper respiratory tract infection, is a very common pharyngeal disorder. It occurs in children and young people, and is prone to develop when the seasons change and the temperature changes.
The main causative agent: Streptococcus hemolyticus type B, but non-hemolytic streptococci, staphylococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae, H. influenzae or adenovirus, rhinovirus, herpes simplex virus, etc. can also cause this disease. Mixed infections of bacteria and viruses are also not uncommon. The above pathogens exist in the normal oral cavity and tonsils and do not cause disease. When certain factors lead to a decrease in systemic or local resistance, the pathogens invade the body, or the original large number of bacteria multiply and cause disease. The disease can be triggered by cold, humidity, fatigue, excessive smoking and alcohol, and harmful gases. The pathogens of acute tonsillitis are transmitted by droplets or direct contact.
Symptoms: Systemic symptoms include acute onset, headache, chills, high fever up to 39℃ to 40℃, especially in young children who may have convulsions and vomiting due to high fever. The local symptoms of pharyngeal pain are obvious, and when the pain is severe, it can cause difficulty in swallowing, and can also radiate to the ear, resulting in tinnitus, stuffy ears and hearing loss.
Chronic tonsillitis is mostly due to recurrent attacks of acute tonsillitis or poor drainage of the palatine tonsils, and bacterial and viral infections in the fossa become chronic inflammation. It can also be secondary to scarlet fever, diphtheria, influenza, measles, nasal and sinus infections.
Main causative agents: streptococci and staphylococci.
Symptoms: Recurrent acute tonsillitis attacks with pharyngeal discomfort and blockage. Some patients also have no obvious history of acute attacks and present with frequent pharyngeal discomfort, foreign body sensation, dryness, itching, irritating cough, and bad breath. Excessive tonsillar hypertrophy may cause dysphagia, slurred speech, breathlessness, or snoring during sleep. The pus plug often enters the digestive tract with swallowing, and some patients may suffer from indigestion, headache, weakness of limbs, easy fatigue or low fever.
Five types of cases Consider removing tonsils
Should the tonsils be removed or preserved? Many people only see the immune effect of tonsils and prefer to suffer from repeated tonsillitis rather than having tonsillectomy. This view is incorrect. When the tonsils have repeated inflammatory attacks and seriously affect the normal physiological function of the body, surgery can be considered. Removal of tonsils can be considered when the following conditions occur.
1. recurrent episodes of acute tonsillitis, with fever, sore throat and congestion of the mucous membrane of the throat with each infection, as well as purulent tonsillitis, manifested by the appearance of pus spots on the surface of the tonsils, with more than 4 to 5 episodes per year and 2 consecutive years.
2. Excessive enlargement of tonsils, which hinders swallowing, breathing and vocal functions, and snoring in sleep.
3. Repeated infection of tonsils leading to rheumatic heart disease, myocarditis, arthritis, glomerulonephritis and skin disease should be considered for removal of tonsils.
4. When conservative treatment is ineffective for diphtheria carriers.
5. Various benign tonsil tumors can be removed together with the tonsils.
It is important to note that the development of each person’s condition and their own physical condition are different, and the need for surgery should be determined by going to a regular hospital and being diagnosed and guided by a professional doctor.
How to prevent recurrent chronic tonsillitis? Prevention is always the best treatment. To protect your tonsils, you can try doing the following.
Exercise more to strengthen the body and improve immunity and resistance to disease.
Rest more and do not overwork the organism.
Avoid catching cold and prevent colds.
Drink more water to keep the throat moist.
Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth carefully to create a good oral environment for your tonsils.
Eat less spicy food
