In the autumn-winter period, the risk of infection with various infections increases, since at this time there is a tendency to a decrease in immunity. In this regard, processes aimed at protecting it are activated in the body. Palatine tonsils, which can also be called glands, are an important part of the human immune system. It is this organ that is the first barrier for microbes to enter the body. So what is the importance of palatine tonsils for human health?
Definition of tonsils and their structure
Palatine tonsils are an accumulation of oval-shaped lymphoid tissue, which is located in the form of a ring at the border of the pharynx and oral cavity. Here, the production of lymphocytes and antibodies occurs, which determines their protective role. These cells prevent the penetration of pathogenic viruses and other infections into the body from the external environment. If immune cells have been able to cope with the onslaught of bacteria, a person does not get sick. But if the microbial attack was very strong, and the immunity is not strong enough, inflammation of the tonsils occurs.
In newborns and infants, tonsils are practically invisible. Their growth begins a little later, when the body needs additional protection - with more frequent walks, visits to kindergarten and playgrounds. Also, the growth of the tonsils is affected by the common colds, that is, when the infectious load on the body increases. Palatine tonsils are inflamed more often in children than in adults.
Tonsil function
Currently distinguish the following functions that perform tonsils:
- Protective. Microbes, getting into the human body by airborne droplets or already in it in the form of a chronic course of the disease (for example, caries or tonsillitis), are primarily found in the tonsils, which destroy them or cause serious damage. It is also worth noting the ability of the body to remember information about pathogenic cells and transmit it to other systems involved in the formation of immunity.
- Voice Palatine tonsils also participate in the formation of human speech, along with teeth and tongue. It must be remembered that the glands give the voice a certain timbre and tone of speech. People whose activities are related to the vocal apparatus should take this into account if the question arises of removing this organ.
It is worth noting that in the case when the palatine tonsils can not cope with the infection, it can affect the organ itself. As a result, immunity decreases, and tonsils become a hotbed of pathogenic bacteria that can affect the functioning of the human heart.
Causes of tonsil disease
In general, diseases of the tonsils provoke pathogenic microorganisms, which, with reduced immunity, multiply very quickly. Among the main causes of inflammation of the glands:
- viral infections - causative agents of acute respiratory viral infections, herpes, adenovirus;
- bacterial infections, most often caused by streptococcus;
- fungal infections;
- chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma;
- scarlet fever, syphilis;
- noncommunicable diseases - radiation sickness, leukemia;
- It can also be caused by mechanical damage - for example, an injection of fish bone.
Provoking factors for the development of inflammation can be:
- drinking cold water;
- smoking;
- hypothermia;
- severe stress;
- inhalation of frosty air by mouth.
Types of inflammation and disease
Since, when pathogenic microbes enter the body, tonsils are one of the first to begin to fight them, with an insufficiently strong response of the immune system, the organ itself can undergo various diseases. The most common diseases of the tonsils are:
- inflammation of the tonsils - tonsillitis (sometimes called acute tonsillitis);
- chronic tonsillitis;
- hypertrophy (increase);
- traffic jams in tonsils;
- benign or malignant tumors.
Angina
Angina is an acute inflammatory process in the tonsils, which has a bacterial origin. This disease provokes streptococcus. As a rule, bilateral organ damage occurs. With angina, timely treatment is very important, since pathology can provoke serious complications.
Types of sore throat
In medicine, several varieties of angina are distinguished, the following are most often found:
- Catarrhal. A mild form of the disease in which there is a superficial lesion of the tonsils. Symptoms will be sore throat, slight swelling, pain when swallowing and at rest are minimal or completely absent.
- Follicular. Symptoms with this type of tonsillitis are very pronounced. There is fever, severe sore throat, which can give to the ears, weakness, lack of appetite, sore lymph nodes. There is a general intoxication of the body. Sometimes pain occurs in the limbs and lower back. In children, vomiting and diarrhea are possible. A distinctive feature is the appearance of pustules on the surface of the tonsils.
- Lacunar form of inflammation. This is a severe type of tonsillitis, in which there is an accumulation of pus in the gaps of the glands. Due to severe swelling of the tonsils, hoarseness and sometimes complete loss of voice are observed.
- Fibrinous inflammation. It manifests itself as a continuous coating of pus on the entire surface of the tonsils. If untreated, this form can cause brain damage.
- Phlegmonous inflammation is the rarest kind of sore throat. It manifests itself as acute sore throat, slurred speech, enlarged lymph nodes, bad breath, disturbed sleep and appetite, fever, general weakness. A feature is that pus is localized only on one side of the tonsils.
Chronic tonsillitis
This is an insidious disease in which a stable inflammatory process occurs in the tonsils. As a rule, such a condition appears from an untreated sore throat, therefore, inflammation is constantly present in the organ, and the healing processes are delayed. Moreover, purulent plugs on the tonsils are also present in remission. This form of the disease may not manifest itself for a long time, exacerbating only in the presence of provoking factors - a decrease in immunity, hypothermia, with a change in environmental conditions. Exacerbation of symptoms in chronic tonsillitis happens several times a year, it all depends on the work of human immunity.
Signs of chronic tonsillitis
The main symptoms of tonsillitis are the following:
- enlargement of the tonsils;
- swelling in the throat;
- loose tonsils;
- unpleasant odor;
- the presence of pus on the tonsils.
- fever and sore throat do not always manifest quite clearly.
Tonsils on tonsils
The presence of so-called plugs - deposits of calcified matter that accumulate in the depressions of the tonsils - is observed both in people with tonsillitis and in completely healthy people. They may not bring any discomfort, but sometimes they are manifested by pain when swallowing and bad breath. Such plugs must be removed in a hospital setting.
Tonsil hypertrophy
Hypertrophy of the tonsils is their pathological increase without the participation of the inflammatory process. The causes of this pathology are still not fully understood. It is believed that frequent colds, low immunity, endocrine and upper respiratory diseases, allergic reactions, and poor environmental conditions can contribute to this condition. In most cases, hypertrophy of the tonsils is diagnosed in children 5-15 years old.
Symptoms of this pathology will be:
- swelling and softness of the tonsils;
- friability of the organ;
- respiratory failure;
- snore;
- voice change;
- discomfort in the throat.
Particular attention should be paid to unilateral hypertrophy, as this may indicate the presence of a fungal infection, tuberculosis or tumor.
Specialists distinguish three degrees of hypertrophy of the tonsils, depending on how much space they occupy in an enlarged state:
- 1 degree - the gland occupies a third of the space between the midline of the pharynx and the edge of the anterior palatine.
- 2 degree - the gland occupies 2/3 of this space;
- Grade 3 - the organ almost completely covers the space, and in the more advanced stages of the gland, they can touch each other.
Tonsil hypertrophy is often a reversible process. But due to the fact that such a condition, especially in the 2nd and 3rd degrees, makes breathing difficult and changes speech, it is worthwhile to consult a doctor at the first symptoms.
Diagnosis of tonsil disease
Diagnosis of diseases of the tonsils is performed by a doctor (ENT). To begin with, the patient's complaints are heard, and then a pharyngoscopic examination and papation of the lymph nodes are performed. In most cases, the doctor can make a diagnosis based on a visual examination. If there are some doubts, additional diagnostic measures are carried out, including the following procedures:
- blood and urine tests;
- ultrasound examination of the pharynx;
- throat swab;
- if necessary, the ENT directs the patient to other narrow-profile doctors.
Treatment for angina
Inflammatory processes in the tonsils are treated not only with medications, but also with more traditional ones, which include rinsing and inhalation.
The main treatment for angina will be antibiotic therapy. Before taking medications, it is recommended to take an analysis of the sensitivity of microorganisms to the prescribed medicine. The penicillin preparations are mainly used - Flemoxin Solutab, Amoxicillin and others.
It is very important to gargle to flush germs from the surface of the glands. For this, soda-salt and antiseptic solutions are used, decoctions of herbs - chamomile, eucalyptus, calendula. You can also irrigate the throat with antibacterial agents (for example, Miramistin).
If treatment does not bring the desired effect, and the patient's condition worsens, the doctor can decide on the need for a surgical method of getting rid of the pathology.
Treatment of chronic tonsillitis
With this disease, a very effective method is washing the tonsils in a hospital. In this case, under strong pressure, a therapeutic solution is injected into the lacunae with a special syringe, thereby purifying it from pus and bacteria.
After this, it is advisable to use physiotherapy - heating, ultrasound therapy, in which traffic jams are broken on the tonsils.
Tonsil hypertrophy treatment
If this pathology does not bring serious inconvenience, then local treatment is applied - treatment of the tonsils with astringent and cauterizing solutions, as well as rinsing, herbal or mineral inhalations, ultrasound treatment.
In addition, antimicrobial and antiviral drugs are prescribed.
Tonsillectomy
The decision to remove the tonsils should be taken only as a last resort, when the main therapy has not yielded results or serious complications are observed.
There are two methods of surgical intervention:
- tonsillotomy - a special tool in the form of a loop cuts off the enlarged part of the tonsil.
- tonsillectomy - complete removal of the organ.
The operation in most cases takes place without complications and has a short rehabilitation period.
Tonsils are an important organ of the immune system, so often after their removal, a decrease in general immunity is observed and diseases of the upper respiratory tract become more frequent.
Prevention
Preventive measures are aimed primarily at strengthening the immune system. These include:
- walks in the open air;
- hardening;
- protection against hypothermia;
- proper nutrition;
- full treatment of chronic diseases;
- gargling with decoctions of herbs;
- it is also necessary to control nasal breathing, especially in winter.
Conclusion
The value of the tonsils in the human body is not exaggerated. This is an important organ that helps us fight pathogens and viruses. Therefore, it is necessary to protect it and prevent the development of inflammatory processes. You also need to remember that with the first symptoms you need to see a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe the appropriate treatment. And with timely therapy, the risk of chronic manifestations of the disease will be minimized.