User:KOMF/Wiki4Cam Backups/Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis, in simple term, refers to the inflammation of a tonsil, which causes the tonsils to become swollen and painful. Tonsils are the large, fleshy, oval masses of tissue of lymph nodes that lie in the lateral wall of the oral pharynx on either side of the throat. They help to filter out bacteria and other microorganisms to prevent infection in the body. They also produce antibodies that are helpful in fighting infection.

Tonsillitis is a common childhood ailment. It is mostly caused by virus and less commonly by bacterial infection. The infection may be present in the throat and surrounding areas, causing pharyngitis.

Causes
In modern terms, tonsillitis is caused by microorganisms, but this statement is often denied by some group of people like homeopaths, immunologists, etc., who argue that it is mainly due to weak defence system. Because tonsillitis is often found in people with low defence activity. However, the following are the usual causative organisms.


 * Streptococcus (commonly referred to as "strep") bacteria (the most common cause of tonsillitis)
 * Adenoviruses
 * Influenza virus
 * Epstein-Barr virus
 * Parainfluenza viruses
 * Enteroviruses
 * Herpes simplex virus

Symptoms
The set of symptoms of tonsillitis vary from individual to individual. However, following symptoms are commonly seen in tonsillitis patients.
 * Sore throat more than 48 hours
 * Swollen and red tonsils
 * Yellow, gray or white coated tonsils
 * Difficulty swallowing
 * Blisters in the throat
 * Ear pain
 * Ulceration in the throat
 * Fever and chills
 * Headache
 * Tender jaw and throat
 * Loss or change of voice
 * Loss of appetite
 * Malaise
 * Nausea
 * Vomiting
 * Abdominal pain

General managing measures
By doing certain measures, the pain and other difficulties can be alliviated. Such measures are drinking more fluids, especially warm liquids, gargling with warm salt water, drinking honey and lemon mixture, humidifing the air (to reduce throat irritation), avoiding smoking and other air pollutants and giving rest to the voice.

Prevention
Tonsillitis can be prevented by certain activities. Some distance should be maintained from people with tonsillitis or a sore throat. Utensils, drinking glasses, toothbrushes, etc., of the infected people should be avoided. It is also adviced to wash the hands frequently, bacause the infection may spread through hand shake, touching the utensils, etc. The affected person should always cover the mouth whenever he/she coughs or sneezes.

Complication
A tonsillitis can turn into any of the conditions including viral or bacterial pharyngitis, dehydration due to less intake of fluids, difficulty in breathing due enlarged tonsils, peritonsillar abscess, abscess in other parts of the throat, rheumatic fever and subsequent cardiovascular disorders, kidney failure and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture points like LU 10, LU 11, GB 14, LI 4, LI 11 and K 13 are useful.

Ayurveda
Chamolin Tea, honey and lemon are helpful in tonsillities. Carrot, beet, and cucumber juices can be taken in the ratio of 3:1:1 combination. Kanchanara guggulu with varunadi quatha is prescribed by ayurveds along with nasya, gandusa, prathisarana therapies. Banafsha flower boiled with milk is also helpful.

Homeopathy
Following medicines are helpful in tonsillitis.

Baryta Carbonica

Hughes places this remedy among the most prominent ones for acute tonsillitis, saying that, in his hands, it has been of almost unfailing efficacy; he uses the 6th. It is especially of use when the trouble is in the parenchyma of the glands, and suppuration rarely follows its use. It suits comparatively mild cases, who have an attack from any exposure. it removes the predisposition to attack. It is very useful in cases where every cold settles in the tonsils, especially in children who have a chronic enlargement of those glands. The chief use of Baryta has been, however in chronic enlargement of the tonsils and it undoubtedly has been very often wrongly prescribed here, as it corresponds to comparatively few cases. In a tendency to tonsillitis in scrofulous children with enlargement of other glands it will be found useful. Like Belladonna it seems to have an affinity for the right side. Children requiring Baryta are backward and bashful.

Calcarea phosphorica

In chronic enlargement of the tonsils in strumous children this remedy stands well in typical Calcarea cases. The tonsils are flabby, pale, there is a chronic follicular inflammation and impaired hearing. It efficacy in adenoid hypertrophy is well known and attested.

Calcarea iodata

Enlargement of the tonsils similar to Baryta. They are hard, red and nodular.

Bromine

Red swollen tonsils covered with a network of capillaries.

Lycopodium

Chronic enlargement of the tonsils, which are covered with small ulcers.

Ferrum phosphoricum

Chronic enlarged hyperaemic tonsils; smooth swelling.

Belladonna

This remedy is the chief one at the commencement, it the case has passed the stage where Aconite or Ferrum phosphoricum would be indicated. There is redness and swelling, but the deeper the redness and the more the swelling, the less is Belladonna indicated. At the commencement of an attack it exceeds Apis in value, as Apis only involves the mucous surface. The neck is swollen and stiff externally, ulcers form rapidly and the right side is worse. In the acute paroxysms of the chronic from Belladonna is very useful.

Gelsemium

Painful spot deep in tonsil, hurting out of proportion on swallowing, red, inflamed throat, pain streaking to ear, rapid progress. The 2x will often abort, when in the chilly stage.

Amygdala Persica

It has dark injection of the fauces, sharp pains, and difficult swallowing.

Phytolacca

Especially in the follicular form, with pain at the root of the tongue or extending to the ears when swallowing. The parts are dark blue; the tonsils are large and blue, and there is intense dryness, smarting and burning and in the throat.

Ignatia

Ignatia is almost specific in follicular tonsillitis. Small superficial yellowish white ulcers; plug in throat, worse when not swallowing.

Guaiacum

One of the most useful remedies at the commencement of an attack, especially of catarrhal tonsillitis. The characteristics are violent burning, headache, throat hot, chill and aching in back and limbs; abscesses form quickly. In the 1x frequently repeated it will often abort.

Hepar sulphur

Where there are lancinating pains, splinter-like and much throbbing with rigors showing that abscess is on the point of forming and it is desired to hasten it Hepar will be well indicated. Parts extremely sensitive to touch. Pain shoot into ears.

Silicea

When the abscess has broken and refuses to heal, especially in rachitic children. Fistulous cases.

Mercurius

This remedy is rarely of service at the onset, but later in a more advanced stage than that calling of Hepar, when pus has formed; great swelling; whole fauces deep red; the tonsils darker than any other part; ulcers form; saliva tenacious; breath foul; pains less than Belladonna, but the general health is worse. Stinging pains and difficult breathing from the swelling. Pseudo membraneous deposit on tonsils and pharynx.

Apis mellifica

Oedema is the watchword of this remedy. Useful in the simple form, not in the parenchymatous form, the throat is swollen both inside and outside. The superficial tissues alone are involved, not the parenchyma, which calls for Belladonna. Numerous points of beginning follicular secretion are present.

Lachesis

Dark angry looking parts. Swelling is very great and there is much tenderness extremely. Left tonsil with tendency to go to right, pains shoot to ear on attempting to swallow, aggravation from hot drinks. Peri-tonsillar abscess. It is also a very useful remedy for a severe from of rheumatic pain following tonsillitis. The pus degenerates and becomes thin and offensive.

Kali muriaticum

Almost a specific in follicular tonsillitis. No remedy has given the writer such satisfaction. The throat has a gray look spotted, with white. It is a valuable remedy in acute or chronic tonsillitis with much swelling. The 6x trituration is a reliable preparation.

Naturopathy
Naturopaths often recommend only water and orange juice for first few days till the acute symptoms subside. After that juicy fruits like apple, orange, pineapple, grapes, watermelon, etc. can be taken.