Tonsillitis

There are a total of four tonsils in the throat:

1. The two palatine tonsils, which are inflamed in classic tonsillitis
2. The pharyngeal tonsil, which causes pharyngitis
3. The lingual tonsil, which cases lingual tonsillitis
4. The lateral tonsils, which show inflammation in the surrounding lymphatic tissue and are known as lateral tonsillitis.

The symptoms depend on which tonsils are inflamed. Clarification of the exact localisation of the inflammation in the throat is a prerequisite for correct treatment.

The classic sign of tonsillitis is a foreign body sensation caused by swelling of the tonsils. Swollen, thick tonsils feel uncomfortable and can lead to difficulty swallowing.

Reddened tonsils with a whitish or yellowish coating and pus are mainly caused by a bacterial infection. The tonsils can be colonised by oral bacteria and become inflamed, particularly in the case of immunodeficiency. Those affected also complain of pronounced swallowing difficulties and possibly fever.

This is a clear indication to consult a doctor so that prompt treatment can be initiated and the spread to other structures can be prevented.

Fissured tonsils can have deep cuts and bumps on the surface and can develop during the course of a chronic infection due to scarring.

The problem with these irregularities is that food debris and bacteria can accumulate in the grooves, increasing the likelihood of a chronic infection.

Tonsil stones are small, hard deposits that can form in the recesses of the tonsils. They consist of food debris, bacteria and dead cells.

In most cases, they are harmless and can be easily removed by rinsing.
Nevertheless, they cause unpleasant accompanying symptoms such as bad breath, a foreign body sensation or a sore throat.

Fever is a common symptom of tonsillitis. The body’s reaction to invading pathogens is completely natural and helpful. Mild tonsillitis usually does not require any treatment at all.

However, if the fever is unusually high and accompanied by other severe symptoms, you should consult a doctor.

Bad breath is also a common and unpleasant symptom of tonsillitis. It can also be caused by tonsil stones, but usually occurs in conjunction with coated, inflamed tonsils.

A biofilm of bacteria and food residue forms, which emits unpleasant odours.

Earache is a rather rare symptom of angina tonsillaris. Typical signs are pain, a feeling of pressure or hearing problems.
They can occur if the infection spreads towards the ear canals or if structures for pressure equalisation are swollen.

If earache occurs in conjunction with the symptoms of tonsillitis, it is important to get a precise diagnosis.

Tonsillitis can be categorised according to duration and intensity (acute or chronic). However, the presence of pus should also be mentioned, as there may be a risk of it spreading.

Acute tonsillitis is the most common form of tonsillitis. It is usually triggered by a viral or bacterial infection and usually subsides within one to two weeks. The acute form is characterised by pronounced symptoms with pain, swelling and discomfort.

Chronic tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils that lasts for a long period of time (months or years). In many cases, it is accompanied by structural changes in the tonsils, which further exacerbate the chronicity.

If left untreated, chronic tonsillitis places a permanent strain on the body and can cause a variety of physical problems in the long term.

Chronic tonsillitis can be treated effectively by restoring the immune system and general bodily functions to an improved state.

Purulent tonsillitis is a classic indication of bacterial infection of the tonsils. It is characterised by severe pain and a tendency to spread. However, the spread to surrounding structures should be avoided at all costs.

If you suspect you have tonsillitis, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
This is usually treated with antibiotics.

In unilateral tonsillitis, the symptoms only occur on one side. Those affected therefore complain of a sore throat on one side. Such symptoms can occur, for example, with the onset of angina.
Here, it is also worth seeking medical advice in order to recover quickly and avoid an infection on the other side.

Classic acute tonsillitis usually heals within one to two weeks. With mild symptoms and a healthy immune system, complete healing is possible without any treatment at all.

The chronic form can drag on for months and years and cause considerable suffering for those affected. In the case of chronic tonsillitis, the underlying immunological causes should be investigated.

Tonsillitis can also lead to serious complications if it does not heal and the immune system is additionally weakened.

One possible complication is a peritonsillar abscess (also known as a tonsillar abscess), an encapsulation of pus in the area surrounding the tonsils, which must be opened and drained through an incision. If the abscess remains untreated, the infection can spread and, in the worst case, lead to septicaemia or in short ‘sepsis’ (blood poisoning or bloodstream infection). Sepsis poses a significant risk of death and should be treated professionally.

In most cases, tonsillitis is caused by viral or bacterial infections. However, fungal infections or anatomical variations can also be a possible trigger. Other important aspects in this context are the immune system, the condition of the intestines (e.g. leaky gut, intestinal dysbiosis), intolerances (e.g. lactose intolerance) and possible deficiencies in vital substances.

For a precise clarification, you should consult an experienced doctor and have possible pathogens and the condition of your general health checked if they occur repeatedly.

Viral tonsillitis is often triggered by adenoviruses, influenza viruses, EBV or CMV. Treatment is aimed at alleviating the symptoms.

Symptomatically, the fever can be reduced, the body can be provided with sufficient rest and fluids and painkillers can alleviate the symptoms.

Viral tonsillitis usually subsides on its own in one to two weeks with the above measures, but if symptoms persist, a visit to the doctor may be advisable to rule out other causes.

Bacterial tonsillitis is usually caused by streptococci, pneumococci or staphylococci. An infection occurs when the body’s own immune defence fails and the physiological oral flora causes an infection.

To diagnose bacterial angina tonsillaris, a throat swab is taken to identify the pathogen and an appropriate antibiotic is administered. It is important to adhere to the doctor’s treatment plan in order to prevent the development of resistance and more serious complications such as abscess formation.

If you suffer from bacterial tonsillitis, it is advisable to stay at home until appropriate treatment is initiated, as you may be highly contagious.

Tonsillitis can be caused by oral thrush, where the yeast Candida infects the tonsils and causes an infection. White patches are recognisable on the reddish tonsils and the coating is difficult to remove.

Such a fungal infection can occur after a course of antibiotics or in patients with a defective immune system.

An allergic reaction can cause the throat to become inflamed and swollen. The inflammation is also noticeable in the tonsils. Tonsillitis caused by an allergic reaction is rather rare and requires a completely different therapeutic approach. The triggering allergens should be found and the immune system balanced.

In the case of an immune disorder, the immune system may be weakened or excessively aggressive. In both cases, tonsillitis can occur more frequently. The immune disorder should be confirmed by a full diagnosis and treated in a cause-oriented manner. Immune disorders can often be a cause of chronic tonsillitis in particular. Deficiencies in vital substances and intestinal health play a decisive role here.

People with lactose intolerance are more likely to suffer from tonsillitis. Lactose intolerance affects the intestines and unbalances the immune system. Precise clarification using special laboratory parameters provides the therapist with valuable information for targeted therapy.

Yes, tonsillitis can be contagious, with transmission usually occurring through droplet infection when coughing, sneezing or speaking. Viral and bacterial tonsillitis in particular harbour the risk of infection.

It is important to note that the likelihood of transmission depends not only on contact with infected persons, but also on your own immune status. If you already feel somewhat weakened or if you know people who are ill in your immediate environment, it is all the more important to ensure appropriate hand hygiene and social distancing.

There are a number of risk factors that favour tonsillitis. These include immune disorders, poor oral flora, fissured tonsils and smoking.

To optimise the immune system, you should ensure that you lead a healthy lifestyle with a wholesome diet, sufficient exercise and enough time in the fresh air. Causative factors that compress the immune system should be identified and eliminated.

Poor oral flora can also be a possible risk factor for tonsillitis. It is therefore advisable to build up the oral flora and keep it stable in the long term.

If tonsillitis occurs frequently despite a healthy lifestyle, a precise diagnosis is worthwhile in order to uncover underlying causes.

Tonsillitis should always be treated depending on the causes. Consequently, a correct, cause-oriented diagnosis is crucial before treatment.
If severe symptoms are present or there is a risk of complications, medication may be necessary.

If bacterial tonsillitis is present, it is usually treated with antibiotics. A swab is taken by the doctor to determine the pathogen so that the appropriate antibiotic can then be prescribed. This diagnostic procedure is known as an antibiogram and is recommended if treatment is not possible without antibiotics.

The antibiogram provides information about the individually effective antibiotic. A penicillin (e.g. amoxicillin) is often used here.

Due to the side effects of antibiotics, antibiotics should be avoided if possible. Tonsillitis can often be treated without antibiotics using natural alternatives and strengthening measures.

As a sore throat is a common symptom of tonsillitis and causes discomfort, especially when eating and swallowing, many patients resort to painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
Taking painkillers can also have a toxic effect, which is why the dosage should be strictly adhered to and should not be overused.
It is important to consult your doctor before taking painkillers.

Lozenges can be an option to make tonsillitis more bearable.
There are lozenges with herbs that have a soothing and decongestant effect and variants with painkillers that have a pain-relieving effect.

Nevertheless, they are no substitute for conventional therapy and should not be consumed in excess.

Tonsillectomy is often the last resort in cases of recurrent and chronic tonsillitis.
The tonsils are surgically removed under general anaesthetic. The procedure is completed in less than an hour and heals, usually without complications, within one to two weeks.

Before considering a tonsillectomy, it is important to clarify all causative factors in order to find an atraumatic solution. In most cases, the affected person can be helped by treating the causes completely.

The healing power of plants has been used for thousands of years to combat inflammation, heal wounds and strengthen the body.

Herbs such as camomile and sage are also very helpful for tonsillitis, as they have an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect.

In addition, the bee product propolis is a popular remedy that can provide effective relief, especially for mild inflammation.

Angocin, a herbal medicine made from the roots of nasturtium, has antibiotic effects and can be taken in tablet form to promote the recovery process.

Even with herbal remedies, it is important that an experienced doctor supervises the therapy in order to avoid imbalances and overdoses.

Even if the effectiveness of homeopathy for tonsillitis is difficult to study in an experiment and thus not considered evidence based, there are many patients who have experienced good results with homeopathy.

In order to find the right remedy, it is important that the therapist knows the patient’s medical history and background.

Classic remedies are belladonna (deadly nightshade), phytolacca (pokeweed) and Apis mellifica (honey bee), which are said to have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Nowadays, there are a variety of complementary medical approaches that have been proven to provide therapeutic help for tonsillitis. Procedures such as ozone therapy, hyperthermia, sanum therapy, infusion therapy and intestinal rehabilitation offer valuable support for long-term recovery. Moreover, acupuncture and cupping have also shown success with tonsillitis.

It is always important that the methods support each other and are embedded in a complete therapy concept.

There are many home remedies for tonsillitis. Before resorting to chemical substances, it is always advisable to support the body with natural measures. Throat compresses, soothing teas and gargling with salt water are some home remedies that have proven effective for tonsillitis.

A throat compress is a popular home remedy to promote blood circulation, loosen mucus and stimulate healing. Take a cloth soaked in warm water and wrap it around the irritated throat.

Sage tea has an anti-inflammatory effect and stimulates blood circulation. With plenty of rest and sleep, it can help to relieve symptoms quickly.

Chamomile tea is also excellent for tonsillitis due to its antimicrobial effect. Its additional calming, sleep-promoting effect can improve regeneration.

Honey or Manuka honey has a number of anti-inflammatory components and is considered effective for sore throats and tonsillitis.

Either dissolve the honey in tea or consume it directly.

Lemon juice can relieve pain, loosen mucus and fight inflammation. It is therefore a very popular home remedy for mild tonsillitis and can speed up recovery. Always use lemon juice from freshly squeezed lemons and add it to tea with honey.

Salt water can kill bacteria, loosen plaque and support healthy oral flora.
To do this, use a solution with sea salt and gargle for a few seconds or even minutes.

Ice is often recommended as a home remedy for tonsillitis as it can provide mild pain relief and make swallowing less painful. A little ice is generally unproblematic.

However, increased consumption of ice is counterproductive for a quick recovery, as cold reduces blood circulation and lymphatic drainage and, as a result, the removal of waste products is reduced.

In addition, icing of the tissue leads to a downregulation of the immune response, as immune cells work less effectively at low temperatures. As a result, the immune system is weakened.

To prevent (prophylaxis) tonsillitis, the immune system, intestinal health and vital substance supply are of central importance. Possible dysregulations and imbalances should be identified and eliminated by an experienced therapist. Such an approach offers long-term and sustainable prevention of sore throats and tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis is a common health problem these days. Many questions arise among those affected, which we would like to answer in this section of the article.

The information listed contains relevant topics and serves to improve understanding.