Any chronic inflammatory diseases should not be ignored. If untreated, the pathological process is aggravated, the risk of serious complications increases. Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, which is accompanied by a violation of the voice and sore throat. With proper therapy, recovery occurs within 7-10 days. Refusal of treatment leads to the development of a chronic form of the disease.
Description of the pathological process
Palatine tonsils are an important component of the immune system. It is they who repulse pathogenic microorganisms that enter the body from the environment. It is no coincidence that sore throat is the first sign of a cold. Tonsils are an accumulation of lymphoid tissue and are part of the pharyngeal ring.
If pathogenic microflora enters the body, tonsils become inflamed, acute tonsillitis develops. Timely and correct therapy makes it possible to cope with the disease in a few days. But refusal of treatment leads to the development of chronic tonsillitis. Reviews of experts show that in 30% of cases, therapy is carried out incorrectly at home. Patients are in no hurry to seek qualified help and start the pathological process.
Patients may also develop dangerous complications of chronic tonsillitis. Sore tonsils are the focus of infection in the body. This, in turn, can provoke the development of diseases in other organs and systems.
The causes of the disease
Through the tonsils, along with food, water and food, many pathogens can enter the body. However, unpleasant symptoms do not always develop. Acute inflammation can develop only with a combination of several factors. This can be a sharp temperature drop or stress. Often, acute tonsillitis develops in the summer with the use of ice cream or cold drinks. Work in an air-conditioned room is another unfavorable factor.
If angina is treated incorrectly and is periodically repeated, the disease takes on a chronic form. The risk of developing an ailment increases with immune disorders. After transferred infectious diseases, the body's resistance is significantly reduced. Incorrect use of antibacterial drugs will also affect protective functions.
Complications of chronic tonsillitis can develop against a background of diseases in the oral cavity. So, ordinary caries often provokes the development of a pathological process. In the tonsils of a sick person, more than twenty types of various pathogens can be detected.
Simple form
In this form, chronic tonsillitis most often develops . Reviews of experts show that most patients develop local signs of inflammation. In rare cases, regional lymph nodes increase, the voice may slightly change.
With a simple form of the disease, slight reddening of the arches is observed. During periods of exacerbation, the patient feels pain.
Toxic-allergic form
With this form of the pathological process, signs of intoxication of the body join the general signs of the inflammatory process. Allergic reactions may also occur. The patient periodically suffers from malaise, in the evening the body temperature may slightly increase (to subfebrile indicators).
With an exacerbation of the disease, pain appears in the joints and in the region of the heart.
This is the most dangerous stage of the disease. Complications of life-threatening chronic tonsillitis may develop. Functional disturbances in the activity of the heart muscle also join the manifestations listed above. In this case, the pathological process can already be detected on the electrocardiogram. In most cases, heart rhythm disturbances are diagnosed.
Pathological changes can also be detected in the work of the kidneys, liver, and vascular system. The risk of developing other chronic diseases, such as rheumatism, arthritis, is increasing. Pathological changes in the endocrine system can also be observed.
General symptoms
The simplest form of chronic tonsillitis is most insignificant. A photo of a sore throat during remissions is almost impossible to distinguish from a photo of a healthy option. In rare cases, the patient may be disturbed by the sensation of a foreign body in the throat, discomfort when swallowing. Tonsils slightly enlarged. The patient has to deal with frequent exacerbations of the disease. Angina develops more than four times a year.
In toxic-allergic forms of the disease, periods of exacerbations develop with inflammation in neighboring organs. Against the background of tonsillitis, otitis media or sinusitis can develop. Other complications of chronic tonsillitis are often present. Even during periods of remission, the patient feels weakness and constant fatigue. During the day, body temperature can periodically increase to 37.5 degrees.
Diagnosis of the disease
Treatment is prescribed depending on the form of chronic tonsillitis. The specialist can make a preliminary diagnosis already according to the patient's complaints. However, this is not enough to start the right therapy. The otolaryngologist examines the patient's throat. Additionally, pharyngoscopy is performed. Inspection of the pharynx is carried out in special lighting conditions. Be sure to use a special spatula and mirrors.
Hyperemia, thickening of the edges of the tonsils, and their loosening will testify to the development of tonsillitis. During exacerbations, pus may be contained in the gaps. In this case, an unpleasant odor emanates from the throat.
With the toxic-allergic form of the pathological process, a comprehensive examination of the patient is carried out, aimed at identifying concomitant diseases. The patient may require consultation with an endocrinologist, neurologist, cardiologist, orthopedist.
Treatment tactics
Therapy is based on the elimination of unpleasant symptoms of the disease, as well as the general strengthening of immunity. If the throat hurts with chronic tonsillitis, special sucking tablets can be used. With their help, it is possible to eliminate discomfort, soften the mucous membrane. Widely used funds are Strepsils, Grammidin. For a general strengthening of the body's defenses, multivitamin complexes can be prescribed. Aromatherapy with the use of essential oils of tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus shows good results.
In periods of exacerbation of the disease, when a bacterial infection joins, antibiotics are prescribed. It is possible to stop the inflammatory process with the help of drugs with a wide spectrum of action, such as Azithromycin, Amoxicillin, Ceftriaxone. Symptoms of body intoxication are eliminated with the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Nurofen, Paracetamol.
Surgical intervention is indicated if chronic tonsillitis is started. Removal of affected tonsils is performed under local anesthesia in a hospital setting.
How to rinse chronic tonsillitis?
In the pharmacy you can find many high-quality antiseptic solutions that can be used to wash the affected tonsils. Good results are shown by the chlorophyllipt agent. The medication is based on an extract of eucalyptus leaves and has virtually no contraindications. It can also be used during pregnancy. Eucalyptus extract accelerates wound healing, fights with purulent infection.
Actively fight against pathogenic microflora with the help of the drug "Yoks." It is based on iodine. It is possible to cope with a purulent infection in a matter of days. However, the medication is not prescribed for pregnant women, children under 8 years of age, as well as patients suffering from thyroid diseases.
Washing of chronic tonsillitis can also be carried out using the solution "Furacilin". The medication is also safe and can be used during the period of gestation. If you start using an antiseptic when the first symptoms appear, the acute inflammatory process will be able to quickly stop.
Folk remedies for chronic tonsillitis
In the old days, when there were no medicines, people successfully coped with a sore throat with the help of products and plants. Many recipes are truly effective and can be used today. Quickly stop the inflammation will help freshly squeezed onion juice. It is recommended to use the product for a teaspoon four times a day. Such treatment cannot be called pleasant, but it is very effective.
Bee products will help to remove the inflammatory process and achieve stable remission. To eliminate the pain, gargle with a honey solution. Dilute a teaspoon of the sweet product in warm water. You can also add a few drops of fresh lemon juice to the solution. Propolis will also help cope with chronic tonsillitis. Small pieces of the product are recommended to be chewed throughout the day.
To stop the inflammatory process in a matter of days, a decoction of chamomile will help. A tablespoon of dry shredded plants must be poured with a liter of water, bring to a boil and cook for another ten minutes. Then the broth is cooled and filtered. Gargling with the use of such a remedy is necessary up to ten times a day.
Massage
In chronic tonsillitis, acupressure shows good results. It is advisable that all manipulations are carried out by a qualified specialist. In combination with traditional treatment and folk remedies, such therapy will give an excellent result.
Complications
Chronic tonsillitis should not be ignored. The recommendations of a specialist should be followed, otherwise the risk of dangerous complications increases significantly. Inflamed tonsils create in the throat a reservoir for pathogenic microflora. Tonsil infection can spread throughout the body. The pathological process also affects the protective function.
Lupus erythematosus is a chronic systemic disease that is often the result of improper treatment of tonsillitis. The pathological process is characterized by severe manifestations on the skin. Due to pathological autoimmune disorders, antibodies to healthy cells begin to be produced in the body. Pathologies are more susceptible to middle-aged women.
The development of lupus erythematosus will be indicated by red spots on the cheeks. Rashes are located symmetrically. At the advanced stage of the disease, inflammation of large joints (knee, elbow) is observed.
Scleroderma is another dangerous complication of chronic tonsillitis. This is a pathology of connective tissue, characteristic of which are fibrous changes in the skin and joints. Under stress or hypothermia, the skin becomes numb, becomes cyanotic. Then the skin turns red, there is a feeling of aches in the joints. When refusing therapy, complications develop that threaten the patient's life.
Prolonged intoxication with chronic tonsillitis is a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders. Young patients may develop heart failure, arrhythmias, ischemic diseases.
Treatment prognosis
In the early stages, chronic tonsillitis responds well. The health consequences will be negative if the patient does not pay attention to the symptoms, prefers to conduct therapy on their own at home.
Prevention
A healthy lifestyle will help to avoid any chronic diseases. It will be possible to strengthen the body's defenses with the help of proper nutrition, moderate physical exertion, quality rest and good mood. Adults and children should spend more time outdoors, to avoid stressful situations and unrest.
Cold diseases, of course, cannot be avoided. However, the correct and timely treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections will prevent the development of chronic inflammation on the tonsils.