Tonsillitis Treatment and Its Homeopathic Medicine

What Is Tonsillitis?  

Tonsillitis is a condition where an inflammation of the tonsils occurs. Tonsils are two oval-shaped pads of tissue which are present at the back of the throat. They are collections of lymphoid tissue that form a part of the immune system, hence they act as filters trapping the germs that could otherwise enter your airways and cause infection. They produce antibodies to fight infection. 

A viral or bacterial infection can cause tonsillitis. 

Homeopathic Treatment For Tonsillitis

• Homeopathy offers excellent treatment for both acute and chronic tonsillitis. 
• Frequent attacks of tonsillitis suggest low immunity. Hence, internal immune correction is necessary which is possible with homeopathy.
• Since tonsillitis is common among children, homeopathy is very safe and highly effective in treating most cases of tonsillitis.
• Unnecessary surgical removal can be avoided by going for homeopathic medicines.
• Certain homeopathic remedies which are useful in tonsillitis are Belladonna, Calcarea carbonica, Mercurius solubilis, Hepar sulphuricum, Lachesis, and Tuberculinum. These medicines should not be taken without a prescription.
• The exact remedy is selected based on the individual case analysis

Many patients inquire can tonsillitis be cured by homeopathy. While it offers holistic relief, individual responses differ, highlighting the necessity of personalized consultations for best outcomes.

Here are the descriptions of the specified homeopathic medicines for tonsillitis:

1) Belladona: Belladona tonsillitis homeopathic medicine suits individuals when there is a sudden onset of complaints. The tonsils are enlarged, highly inflamed, and angry red appearance with high fever. The throat feels constricted or a feeling of tightness in the throat. The fever develops rapidly. There is soreness of the throat with dryness and raw painful sensation. Also one finds difficulty swallowing liquids and despite fever, the individual may not feel thirsty. Belladonna is a right-sided remedy; the pain in the throat may be felt more on the right side tonsil. There is the sensation of burning and heat in the throat. In fever spikes, there could be delirium or confusion. They do feel restless and agitated making them difficult to sit still in one place.

2) Hepar sulphuricum: Hepar sulphuricum is suited to individuals who exhibit extreme sensitivity to cold air. The pain in the throat may extend to the ears with a persistent sensation as if something is stuck in the throat, A sticking sensation causes constant discomfort and this obstructed feeling in the throat causes swallowing difficulty. It is the best homeopathic medicine for tonsillitis when accompanied by a tendency to suppuration or pus formation in the tonsils. The patients are highly sensitive to touch; slight pressure or touch on the throat can exacerbate the pain. The pain in the throat is better with warm drinks.

3) Calcarea carbonica: Calcarea carbonica is considered when one tends to recurrent tonsillitis.  The tonsils are swollen and enlarged with whitish or yellowish spots on the tonsils indicating pus accumulation with a raw or burning sensation in the throat. The individuals are highly chilly and prone to get easily tired. Calcarea carbonica individuals who are overweight tend to gain weight easily with cravings for eggs.

4) Mercurius solubilis: Mercurius solubilis a tonsil homeopathy medicine is often prescribed when tonsils appear enlarged and have small ulcerations and painful lesions. The pain in the throat is severe and tends to worsen at night disturbing the sleep. There is a tendency to drool and a noticeable increase in saliva production. The odor from the mouth is fetid and putrid. The individuals who need Mercurius solubilis experience heightened sensitivity to temperature changes.

5) Lachesis: Lachesis is indicated medicine in homeopathy for tonsillitis when pain throat is better with cold drinks and worse with hot liquids. The pain in the throat is more on the left side with the sensation of constriction or tightness in the throat. The pain in the throat radiates toward the left side ear. The symptoms are worse in the morning and the individual feels agitated and restless. The slightest touch to the throat increases the pain and discomfort.

6) Tuberculinum: Tonsillitis homeopathic treatment, is indicated in individuals who have a history of recurrent respiratory infections or a family history of tuberculosis. Indications may consist of enlarged tonsils, persistent sore throat, and fragile constitution.

Scope Of Improvement Using Homeopathy:

• The frequency of the episodes of tonsillitis reduces after taking homeopathic treatment.
• You may experience a reduction in the severity or intensity of the pain resulting during the episode of tonsillitis.
• The dependence on antibiotics reduces when on homeopathic treatment.
• Preventing the surgical removal of tonsils may become possible in more than 70% of the cases of tonsillitis.
• Immunity of the child improves with homeopathy. There occurs a change in the appetite and one can even observe weight gain in underweight children. This is possible because the child does not fall ill often.

Duration Of Homeopathic Treatment: 

• The duration of treatment depends on the time since when the individual is suffering from tonsillitis.
• Most individuals suffering from tonsillitis show a remarkable improvement in health in about six months. 
• Most kids, who may have been recommended a surgery, would reach to the stage, whereby the surgery may no longer be advised by the ENT surgeon, in about 10 to 14 months.

Pathogenesis

Our immune system helps protect our bodies from viruses and bacteria. When the body’s immunity is low, it can lead to infection of the tonsils by micro-organisms. Certain bacteria (most commonly the streptococcal group of bacteria), allergens, and viruses are known to cause tonsillitis. This may give rise to an inflammation of the tonsils with hoarseness of the voice. Acute tonsillitis may occur due to allergens, change in the weather, preservatives, or crowded areas, and all these factors contribute to lowering the immunity of the body. Chronic tonsillitis may result due to a genetic tendency. Recurrent tonsillitis is frequent in children whose parents have also suffered from the same condition during their childhood or adolescence. 

Prevalence Of Tonsillitis

WHO has estimated that over 600 million people suffer from tonsillitis annually i.e. 30% of the world’s population is affected by the symptoms of tonsillitis. In India, it is estimated that approximately there are 20-30 million cases of tonsillitis every year.

Causes Of Tonsillitis

• Since the tonsils are the immune system's first line of defense against bacteria and viruses that enter your mouth, it may make the tonsils particularly vulnerable to infections and inflammation. 
• 50%-80% times the cause of tonsillitis is viral. But, certain bacteria may also cause tonsillitis. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) is known to be the most common bacterium causing tonsillitis. 
• Allergens: Certain allergens may also trigger this condition. They are usually in the form of certain food items, such as artificially colored sweets, sour fruits, bananas, preservatives added to certain drinks, cold food or drinks, ice-creams, and similar others. 
• Environmental Factors: These may trigger an attack of tonsillitis on the exposure to excessively cold weather, damp climate, or change in the weather. 
• Overcrowded Areas: Bacteria and viruses tend to flourish in crowded areas and hence children who are prone to tonsillitis can easily catch the infection in schools, parks, theaters, and other crowded places. 

Risk Factors For Tonsillitis:

Here are some of the risk factors for tonsillitis that you should be aware of.

• Young age: This condition most commonly affects children between preschool ages and the mid-teenage years. The tonsil's immune system function declines after puberty — a factor that may account for the rare cases of tonsillitis in adults.
• Frequent exposure to germs can lead to tonsillitis: For instance, school-going kids, who are in close contact with their peers, are at a greater risk of suffering from tonsillitis.

Symptoms Of Tonsillitis Include:

• Swollen tonsils
• Difficult or painful swallowing
• White or yellow patches or coating present on the tonsils
• Fever – Moderate or high rise in the temperature of your body may occur due to an acute infection of the tonsils.
• Redness of tonsils
• Sore throat
• Enlarged, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the neck
• A scratchy, muffled, or throaty voice
• A headache
• A loss of appetite
• Ear pain
• Difficulty in breathing through the mouth
• Bad breath

Along with these, some kids may also experience nausea, fatigue, voice changes, and a loss of appetite.

In some cases, tonsilloliths, also called tonsillar calculi or tonsil stones, may occur. This condition occurs when a calcified build-up of material occurs in the crevices of the tonsils.

Occasionally, the tonsils may get enlarged to an extent that they may touch each other, and they are known as 'kissing tonsils'.

Complications Due To Tonsillitis:

Inflammation or swelling of the tonsils due to frequent or chronic tonsillitis can lead to complications listed below.

• Difficulty in breathing
• Obstructive sleep apnea (Disrupted breathing during sleep)
• Tonsillar cellulitis (An infection that spreads deep into surrounding tissue.)
• Peritonsillar abscess (Infection that results in a collection of pus behind a tonsil)

Diagnosis Of Tonsillitis:

Tonsillitis can be diagnosed by the examination of the throat; one would find red and enlarged tonsils. A physical examination would also reveal enlarged lymph nodes.

Occasionally, a bacterial swab test can also be done to diagnose tonsillitis. 

Conventional Treatment For Tonsillitis:

Conventional treatment for tonsillitis may include these medicines and treatments.

1) Painkillers: These may include acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

2) Antibiotics: If the tonsillitis is caused by a bacterial infection, an antibiotic like penicillin is generally prescribed. 

3) Steroids: In certain recurrent cases, steroids may also be prescribed.

4) Surgery: Surgery used to be a relatively common approach. Today, tonsillectomies are not used unless the condition is chronic and recurring. 

Supportive Measures For Tonsillitis (Diet, Lifestyle Changes, & Others): 

Tonsillitis can be viral or bacterial. These germs are airborne and contagious, hence practicing good hygiene is necessary to prevent tonsillitis. These are some effective ways to reduce symptoms of tonsillitis.

• Wash hands properly and frequently, particularly after using the toilet and before eating any food.
• Drinking plenty of fluids will prevent the throat from drying out and becoming your condition more
• uncomfortable. Warm fluids, preferably caffeine-free drinks, tend to soothe the throat and ameliorate the relief from the symptoms.
• Gargling with salt water might help obtain relief from the discomfort.
• Steam inhalation may help.
• Avoid irritants, such as tobacco, and avoid smoky locations.

Our Experience In Treating Tonsillitis At Life Force:

At Life Force, under the guidance of Dr. Rajesh Shah, we have been treating cases of recurrent tonsillitis for over 30 years. We have expertise in treating over 2000 cases of recurrent tonsillitis which have been carefully documented. Patients from over 180 countries are treated at Life Force, by using the online model. Many patients also visit our various centers across Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore. 

At Life Force, we help patients save their tonsils, as they are the first line of defense, they are precious, and we need not remove them. Most ENT surgeons do not advise tonsillectomy unless it is recurrent, and homeopathy helps wonderfully in recurrent cases of tonsillitis.

Based on our significant and vast experience, we strongly recommend homeopathy for the treatment of recurrent tonsillitis.

Related Disease:

• Adenoids
• Upper Respiratory tract infection
• Pharyngitis
• Laryngitis
• Cold