TONSILLITIS

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils.

The tonsils are lymph nodes in the back of the mouth and top of the throat. They normally help to filter out bacteria and other microorganisms to prevent infection in the body. They may become so overwhelmed by bacterial or viral infection that they swell and become inflamed, causing tonsillitis. The infection may also be present in the throat and surrounding areas, causing pharyngitis.

Tonsillitis is extremely common, particularly in children.

Tonsillitis Symptoms

Symptoms of tonsillitis include a sore throat, (which may be experienced as referred pain to the ears), painful/difficult swallowing, coughing, headache, myalgia (muscle aches), fever and chills. Tonsillitis is characterized by signs of red, swollen tonsils which may have a purulent coating of white patches (i.e. pus). Swelling of the eyes, face, and neck may occur.

It is also important to understand that symptoms will be experienced differently for each person. Cases that are caused by bacteria are often followed by skin rash and a flushed face. Tonsillitis that is caused by a virus will develop symptoms that are flu-like such as runny nose or aches and pains throughout the body.

Acute tonsillitis is caused by both bacteria and viruses and will be accompanied by symptoms of ear pain when swallowing, bad breath, and drooling along with sore throat and fever. In this case, the surface of the tonsil may be bright red or have a grayish-white coating, while the lymph nodes in the neck may be swollen. The most common form of acute tonsillitis is strep throat, which can be followed by symptoms of skin rash, pneumonia, and ear infection. Extreme tiredness and malaise are also experienced with this condition with the enlargement of the lymph nodes and adenoids.

Chronic tonsillitis is a persistent infection in the tonsils. Since this infection is repetitive, crypts or pockets can form in the tonsils where bacteria can store. Frequently, small, foul smelling stones (tonsilloliths) are found within these crypts that are made of high quantities of sulfur. These stones cause a symptom of a full throat or a throat that has something caught in the back. A foul breath that is characterized by the smell of rotten eggs (because of the sulfur) is also a symptom of this condition. Other symptoms that can be caused by tonsillitis that are not normally associated with it include snoring and disturbed sleep patterns. These conditions develop as the tonsils enlarge and begin to obstruct other areas of the throat. A person's voice is generally affected by this type of illness and changes in the tone of voice a person normally has.

Tonsillectomy

A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed from either side of the throat. The procedure is performed in response to cases of repeated occurrence of acute tonsillitis or adenoiditis, obstructive sleep apnea, nasal airway obstruction, snoring, or peritonsillar abscess. Sometimes the adenoids are removed at the same time, a procedure called adenoidectomy. Tonsillectomy remains one of the most common surgical procedures in children.

Homeopathy medicines are effective in treating the recurrent attacks of acute tonsillitis as well as chronic tonsillitis. In a significant number of children, homeopathic treatment can help prevent recurrence of frequent tonsillitis, thus helping children avoid tonsillectomy.

Homeopathic Remedies & Homeopathy Treatment for Tonsillitis

Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions. The medicines given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each medicine may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting a remedy. To study any of the following remedies in more detail, please visit our Materia Medica section. None of these medicines should be taken without professional advice.

Homeopathic Remedies

#Baryta Carbonica. [Bar-c]
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. Belladonna is more superficial, and Apis has oedema.

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. 372 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.

Baryta iodide is preferred by Goodno, and Tooker mentions Fucus vesiculosus in chronic cases.

#Calcarea phosphorica. [Calc-p]
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. [Calc-i]
Enlargement of the tonsils similar to Baryta. They are hard, red and nodular.

#Bromine. [Brom]
Red swollen tonsils covered with a network of capillaries.

#Lycopodium. [Lyc]
Chronic enlargement of the tonsils, which are covered with small ulcers.

#Ferrum phosphoricum. [Ferr-p]
Chronic enlarged hyperaemic tonsils; smooth swelling.

#Belladonna. [Bell]
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 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. Raue says that 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. [Apis]
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. [Lach]
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. [Kali-m]
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.