Glands have another name - tonsils, the Latin name Tonsillen. From this Latin name comes the name of their main disease - tonsillitis. They are located in the posterior pharyngeal cavity and consist of two pharyngeal, two palatine and one reed tonsils. Together with the lymph nodes of the glands, they create a lymphatic pharyngeal ring that protects our body from infection.
Tonsils, in the first place, neutralize the infection that enters the body in various ways through the oral cavity. This is the body’s immunity, since it contains immune cells that deliberately destroy pathogens trying to penetrate. Therefore, healthy tonsils are very important for the normal functioning of the body's immune system. When the human body is weakened, and many bacteria enter the mouth, the tonsils may not be able to cope with their function. Inflammation begins, redness occurs. If the gland is swollen - this is the first sign of a sore throat, or acute tonsillitis.
The palatine glands are most susceptible to disease, clearly visible if you open your mouth. Their outer part faces the oral cavity and pharynx. The glands have a porous structure penetrated by gaps - special "tubes" that are, directly, traps for viruses and microbes. Each amygdala connects with its internal part to the pharyngeal tissue and the lymphatic duct that connects the amygdala to the entire immune system. Thus, the removal of the glands is a serious blow to the protection of the human body.
What diseases do glands hurt? What are the reasons?
- Angina. Acute infectious and allergic disease. Inflammatory processes affect mainly the palatine tonsils. The main pathogens are staphylococci and streptococci, as well as bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. The causes of the disease are general or local hypothermia, overwork, vitamin deficiency, and infectious diseases. The onset of angina is acute. There is perspiration, dry mouth, sore throat when swallowing food or liquid, and, of course, glands hurt. Depending on the reaction of the body, body temperature can range from 37 ° C to 40 ° C.
- Chronic tonsillitis. Inflammation of the tonsils can develop due to repeated tonsillitis, various infectious diseases (diphtheria, measles, scarlet fever). Other causes: local chronic inflammation, such as caries and periodontal disease. Symptoms are neuralgic pains with a return to the neck or ear, bad breath, sore throat, slight increase in temperature in the evening, lethargy, headache.
- Pharyngeal (retropharyngeal) abscess. It is formed during suppuration of the tissue of the pharyngeal space and lymph nodes. Infection from the auditory tube, middle ear, nasopharynx and nasal cavity is transmitted through the lymphatic tract. An abscess can be a complication of measles, flu, scarlet fever. Symptoms of the disease: a sharp sore throat, impaired nasal breathing, shortness of breath, high fever.
- Chronic pharyngitis. With prolonged irritation, a sluggish inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa occurs. Manifestation: redness of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, accumulation of mucus in it, and, as always, the glands hurt.
- Infection with influenza viruses and colds. You can get infected from another person when he sneezes or coughs when you inhale particles with bacteria and viruses.
- Allergy. It manifests itself in a reaction to various irritants in the form of redness, swelling of the face, runny nose and sore throat.
- Dry air. Pain in the glands, sore throat occur due to low humidity in the room, especially during the heating period.
- Polluted air, tobacco smoke. They cause constant irritation of the throat and upper respiratory tract. Passive smoking, in this case, does much more harm than active.
- HIV infection. The reasons are not the HIV infection itself, but the infection in general, which is dangerous for people with impaired immune systems.
- Tumors Smokers and alcoholics suffer mainly. The voice becomes hoarse, swallowing is difficult, pain in the glands.
With all the variety of treatment methods, doctors periodically make decisions about removing tonsils. A logical question arises: why remove tonsils?
The main reason here is the spread of tonsil infections throughout the body. It is known that tonsils are associated with approximately 97 organs, including the most important - the heart, liver, kidneys ... Chronic tonsillitis can affect the development of serious diseases: cardiac, bronchopulmonary, it also adversely affects blood coagulation, metabolism. Allergic conditions can occur - bronchial asthma, microbial eczema.
Therefore, in cases where the tonsils hurt, the attending physician after a thorough examination, having weighed all the pros and cons, makes the only right decision and, if necessary, prescribes an operation.