Tonsillitis is a painful infection of the tonsils (two small, oval-shaped organs sitting at the back of the throat). The function of the tonsils is to help your immunity fight off viral infections and bacteria. This function can make the tonsils especially susceptible to inflammation and infection.
Tonsillitis can affect any person at any age. However, it most commonly affects small children and teenagers aged 5-15.
Depending on the causes of tonsillitis and the number of times a person may get tonsillitis, this condition can be classified into several types:
In 70 percent of cases, tonsillitis is caused by flu or common cold.
Group A Streptococcus bacteria are responsible for approximately 15-30 percent of cases of tonsillitis.
When symptoms of tonsillitis last longer than ten days, this is known as chronic tonsillitis. A person with this type of tonsillitis can also get tonsil stones (small, hard lumps that form when saliva, dead cells, and food accumulate in the nooks and crannies of the tonsils).
When symptoms of this condition last approximately ten days, it is known as acute tonsillitis. This type of tonsillitis can be treated with antibiotics, but home remedies may also improve its symptoms.
When a person gets tonsillitis 5 to 7 times, or more, in one year, they are diagnosed with recurrent tonsillitis.
Of course, it’s always better to consult your doctor if you have tonsillitis so as to make sure you treat the condition safely and effectively. However, some home remedies can be quite helpful in treating tonsillitis or relieving its symptoms.
Gargling and rinsing with salt water for 5 seconds can help ease pain or relieve itching on the back surface of the throat. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of water and stir the mixture well. Gargle with the mixture for several seconds and then spit the water out. You can repeat this process every few hours.
Additionally, many people choose to use Betadine Sore Throat Gargle in order to treat tonsillitis and temporarily relieve irritation of the throat, but this solution must not be used without medical supervision since it contains ingredients that you may be hypersensitive or allergic to.
Consuming warm drinks, such as teas, broths, and soups can help alleviate the symptoms of a sore or swollen throat. Teas that contain glycerine, pectin, herbs, or honey can help relieve the discomfort and irritation that tonsillitis can cause.
Instead of drinking hot tea, consume it warmly and add raw honey to it. Raw honey is known for its antibacterial properties, which may be helpful in treating the viral infections that cause tonsillitis. Many herbal teas can help alleviate symptoms of tonsillitis, but types of tea that certainly stand out are fennel, chamomile, and ginger tea as they have anti-inflammatory nature.
When your throat is irritated and your voice becomes hoarse, you might be easily tempted to raise the voice so as to get rid of the problem. But, know that straining your voice may cause additional discomfort in the throat and further irritate it. So, instead of doing this, rest your voice for as long as you can. It is also recommended that you consult your physician if besides having a hoarse voice, you have trouble speaking so as to ensure that there are no other complications.
Yes, you read that right. You probably think that consuming cold foods can cause an achy throat, but this can actually numb the pain in the throat and temporarily relieve it. Ice cream, popsicles, frozen yogurt, water with ice, milkshakes, or cold smoothies can all have this effect. In addition to these, chewing gum or candies containing menthol or mint can have a numbing, soothing, and cooling effect on the throat as well.
Humidified air may help people having tonsillitis. If you happen to be one of them, know that dry air can cause a sore throat to get more irritated. To lessen the discomfort in the throat and reduce the irritation, you should use a mist humidifier to moisturize the air. We also recommend that you clean humidifiers regularly in order to stop bacteria and mold from accumulating.
Sucking on lozenges made with menthol or benzocaine may help reduce irritation, numb pain, and cause swelling to subside. One good characteristic of medicated lozenges is that they directly bring relief to the part that is inflamed.
Nevertheless, young children should not use throat lozenges since they run the risk of choking.
Consuming hard foods can irritate even more an already irritated, scratchy throat and even cause further inflammation. So, if you’re struggling with this problem, avoid eating hard foods, such as toast, French fries, dry cereal, apples, crackers and chips, and carrots. Instead, eat soft, smooth foods, such as broths, soups, juices, and smoothies, which are easy to swallow, until the throat gets less irritated or inflamed.
Getting a good rest daily can help your body gain strength to combat bacterial or viral infections. If you have tonsillitis and you keep going to work, not only will this prolong this condition, it can also make other people contract the infection.
Medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen, can ease throat discomfort and pain. But, be careful when it comes to aspirin since it’s not recommended for children.
Swollen tonsils, a sore throat, and tonsil stones are three of the most common symptoms of tonsillitis. So, let’s take a look at how you can treat them effectively:
In addition to all of the above-mentioned remedies, to get rid of throat pain, you should:
Besides, lemons are rich in vitamin C which can improve your immune system and give it strength to combat the infection.
It’s no wonder this is on the list since hot peppers contain capsaicin which can be helpful in relieving pain and reducing inflammation.
Maybe you don’t like the way it smells, but garlic has antibacterial nature. It can combat infections and alleviate symptoms of sore throat.
If you’re allergic to mold, pollen, and dust mites, your throat is likely to get inflamed since allergies commonly lead to postnasal drip that may in turn cause pain in the throat.
Because in addition to its antibacterial nature, it may suppress cough.
This liquid can help loosen and clear mucus and prevent bacteria from accumulating. Just mix 1 or 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water and gargle with the mixture. You can do this once or twice an hour.
If you have a sore throat as a result of bacterial infection, your toothbrush can be prolonging the condition as the bristles collect germs, which can easily enter your system if you injure the gums while brushing your teeth.
We emphasize again that you should consult your physician if besides having a sore throat, you also have trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing, or fever or you can’t drink liquids. These symptoms could indicate a more serious condition.
Tonsil stones don’t usually cause grave complications, but they can be quite annoying to deal with. And some complications they can cause are: difficult breathing, swelling, unpleasant breath, difficulty swallowing or eating, and feeling like something is obstructing your throat.
Tonsil stones can be removed with a medical procedure, but you can get rid of them at home too.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic.org - Symptoms & Causes Diagnosis & Treatment
Health Line.com - Home Remedies For Tonsillitis
Medical News Today.com - How To Treat Tonsillitis Symptoms At Home
