Tonsillitis: Causes, symptoms and treatment

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Van Quang - Ear, Nose Throat Doctor - Department of General Surgery - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital. BSCKI. Le Van Quang is an expert in the field of ENT with 15 years of experience.

Tonsillitis is quite common caused by many factors, tonsil stones are the main cause of some problems in patients, especially bad breath. However, there are many ways to treat tonsil stones.

The tonsils are lymph nodes in the pharynx, which protect the body from the invasion of pathogens. Tonsillitis, also known as tonsils, is a condition in which white or yellow masses appear on the tonsils, usually appearing in the palatine tonsils.
Due to the structure of the tonsils, there are many small cavities, irregular protrusions, so when eating, it is easy to get stuck in food, creating conditions for bacteria to grow, depositing residues that combine to form tonsil stones. When having tonsil stones usually does not cause danger to the body, such as the patient often feels uncomfortable, the breath is very bad... Some cases have many stones that need to be treated before the stones grow too big to cause discomfort. for the patient.

Causes of tonsil stones include:
Chronic rhinosinusitis: When you have sinusitis, fluid from the sinuses often flows down the throat, this mucus often contains bacteria trapped in the cavities of the tonsils, contributing to the formation of tonsils. tonsil stones. Due to chronic tonsillitis: When the tonsils are often attacked by pathogens, chronic inflammation leads to an overgrowth of the tonsils, when the tonsils are enlarged, food is also easier to get stuck. In addition, when chronic infection is caused by microorganisms that often reside in the tonsils, it is the causative agent of stone formation.

Due to diet: Diet is also a factor related to the formation of tonsils. Regular use of dairy products, these products contain a lot of calcium involved in the process of stone formation. Smoking and drinking are also risk factors for stone formation. Poor oral hygiene: Part of the cause of stone formation is because food is stuck in the cavities in the tonsils, if not cleaned properly, this food will accumulate, creating conditions for bacteria to grow from That causes stone formation. Due to allergic agents: On a person with atopic dermatitis, when exposed to an allergen, the body reacts, increasing secretions of these fluids, which accumulate in the tonsils, causing stones.

When you have tonsil stones, the following symptoms may appear:
Bad breath: This is considered one of the most common signs of tonsil stones. Because when bacteria enter the body, encountering tonsil stones, the stone is considered a food for bacteria. Here bacteria thrive, resulting in inflamed and swollen tonsils. In the process of growing some bacteria, when digesting gravel, it will release sulfur gas with a characteristic rotten smell, causing bad breath. Sore throat: Tonsillitis can cause pain and discomfort in the throat, pain at the site of the tonsil stones. Changes in tonsils: White dots appear on the tonsils, white dots may be tonsil stones. However, there are also cases where the stone is not seen because the stone is hidden in the fold of the tonsil. At that time, tonsil stones were detected with the help of imaging tests. The tonsils become enlarged due to the growth of stones and the attack of microorganisms that cause inflammation. Difficulty swallowing: Depending on the location and size of the stone, especially large stones, it often makes it difficult or painful for the patient to swallow. Ear pain, tinnitus: Although stones have nothing to do with the ear, but due to the connection of nerves together, it causes reflexes of ear pain and tinnitus. Especially in the case of large stones.

When tonsil stones are small, causing no symptoms too uncomfortable, you can use some measures to help remove stones at home such as:
Regularly gargle, gargle with physiological saline When gargling with natural saline Treating the agglomerate components is not deposited anymore, also limiting the growth of bacteria. In addition, when gargling with salt water helps people with sore throat to reduce symptoms of sore throat, reduce bacterial infection.
Drink lots of water Drinking lots of water is a pretty effective way to treat stones. Drinking a lot of water helps to reduce tonsil stones and avoid the accumulation of stones in the tonsils.
Increase vitamin C Increase eating and drinking foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin C can help remove tonsil stones.
However, some cases of stones are too big, causing uncomfortable symptoms for the patient, are having tonsillitis and need to be examined and treated at a medical facility, treatment measures include:
Using antibiotics : Antibiotics are often used to prevent bacterial growth associated with increased stone size or when tonsillitis is associated with a bacterial infection. However, antibiotics have many undesirable effects, so they should not be used for a long time. Interventional methods to remove tonsil stones such as: Using tools to pick up stones, cut tonsils to remove stones... Tonsillectomy surgery: Indicated when tonsil stones are too large and have symptoms that make the patient very uncomfortable. Tonsillectomy surgery is usually quite simple, patients recover quickly

We can actively prevent tonsil stones, tonsillitis by the following measures:
Avoid getting upper respiratory tract infections by: Avoid contact with pathogens, limit exposure to pollutants in in the environment, fully vaccinated. Regularly clean your throat and mouth every day with physiological saline. When there are suspicious signs, it is necessary to seek medical attention for early treatment. Exercising every day, eating healthy helps strengthen the body's resistance to limit the risk of disease. When tonsil stones cause symptoms that affect the patient's quality of life, they should go to a medical facility to examine and treat stones. Avoid long-term complications.

Vinmec International General Hospital examines and treats common nasopharyngitis diseases, head and neck tumors, congenital malformations of the ear, nose and throat area with the most optimal internal and surgical methods for patients, both children and adults. Coming to Vinmec International General Hospital, patients will receive a direct, dedicated and professional examination from a team of qualified and experienced medical staff.

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