TONSILLOLITHS/ TONSIL STONES EXPLAINED

There are many Tonsils in the human body. The ones we commonly refer to the Tonsils are the palatine Tonsils which are paired organs in the throat, just behind our teeth.

The Tonsils are one of the body’s primary organs for maintain immunity.

They are strategically located at the entrance of the food and air passage and so work against both airborne particles as well as food antigens – thus performing a regional immune function.


Since they are directly involved in catching and killing viruses and bacteria, they need as large a surface area as possible. In order to increase the effective surface area of the tonsils there are deep crevices in the palatine tonsils called crypts. These narrow channel mucosal surfaces have an immunogenic function.

FORMATION OF TONSILLOLITHS

Sometimes food particles, saliva, along with bacteria getting trapped inside the crypts of the tonsils.

The usual cause of tonsilloliths to form are –

  •          Previous recurrent tonsillitis

  •          Poor oral hygiene
  •          Not rinsing the mouth well after a meal.

FEATURES OF TONSILLOLITHS

  •           Throat discomfort/ soreness
  •           Appearance of white spots on the tonsils
  •           Halitosis – bad smell from the mouth. The action of bacteria on the organic matter in food causes a bad odour to emanate
  •           Dysphagia- when they become very large they may interfere with swallowing
  •           Otalgia- same sided ear pain in the presence of a secondary infection.

HOW TO PREVENT/ HOME REMDIES

  •         Thorough oral rinse after every meal, even snacks – to prevent food particles from getting stuck in the tonsils.
  •          Drink some aerated water – the gas in aerated water can sometimes dislodge a Tonsillolith
  •          Gargle with hydrogen peroxide- under medical guidance and supervision – one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide in half a glass of water can be used
  •          Reassurance- usually patients are worried and reassuring them and telling them about the cause helps them to cope better

Though I have read about it I would not recommend putting in buds or applicators on the tonsils in an attempt to remove the stones physically - many patients come with bleeding from the local area in such situations because the procedure is practically blind.

SURGICAL OPTIONS

1.       COBLATION CRYPTOPLYSIS – Using a Coblation wand the Crypts are shaved off/ reduced so that the stones dop not form

2.       TONSILLECTOMY - The final solution to persistent, painful Tonsilloliths, which cause foul odour orally and which cause the patient intense discomfort is surgical removal of the Tonsils.

 DANGER SIGNS

There are certain situations in which you must visit your ENT Specialist at the earliest.

These are:-

  •           Spontaneous bleeding from the Tonsil
  •           Unilateral Tonsil enlargement - One Tonsil larger than the other
  •           Ipsilateral neck node (Jugulodigastric node) is enlarged
  •           Increasing dysphagia
  •           Change in voice

These are features of a malignant Tonsil and should be looked into immediately.



 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Navigating Winter Health: A Comprehensive Guide for the Elderly

Image
As the winter season descends upon us, the risk of winter-related illnesses, especially among the elderly, becomes more pronounced. Understanding the causes and adopting preventive measures is crucial to ensure a healthy winter. The onset of winter often brings an increase in Upper Respiratory and Lower Respiratory tract infections, attributed to factors such as poor air quality, seasonal transitions, the emergence of winter viruses, and the chilling temperatures. The current scenario highlights a significant prevalence of these respiratory infections, with the elderly population, particularly those with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, being more susceptible. Safeguarding against winter illnesses involves a combination of proactive steps: Vaccination: Ensure you have received your flu vaccine, providing added protection against prevalent winter viruses. Layered Clothing: Dressing warmly with layered clothing is essential. Pay attention to warm innerw
Read more

Turbinoplasty Surgery - explained by Dr. Rajesh Bhardwaj

Image
Turbinoplasty Surgery Turbinoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at addressing nasal congestion and breathing difficulties caused by enlarged turbinates. The turbinates are bony structures covered in soft tissue located inside the nose, responsible for filtering, warming, and humidifying the air we breathe. When the turbinates become swollen due to allergies, chronic sinusitis, or other nasal conditions, it can lead to nasal obstruction and reduced airflow. Turbinoplasty involves the reduction or repositioning of the turbinates to improve nasal airflow and alleviate breathing problems. MedFirst ENT Centre, located in Delhi, India, offers top-quality turbinoplasty surgery performed by highly skilled ENT surgeon and their professional medical team. Turbinoplasty - Benefits and Risks Benefits of Turbinoplasty Surgery: Improved Breathing: Turbinoplasty can significantly enhance nasal airflow, leading to better breathing and reduced nasal congestion. Relief from Nasal Obstruction: Patients
Read more

Testing for Vertigo and Balance Disorder

Image
Vertigo, Dizziness, Giddiness are common symptoms that are poorly understood by the patient as well as physicians. It has been my experience that patients who suffer from a sudden episode of Vertigo reach the emergency unit of hospitals where they are admitted and subjected to a whole range of investigations, including a cardiac evaluation and an MRI of the brain. After a few days, the patient is discharged without reaching a conclusive diagnosis. It is well known that sudden episodes of Vertigo that incapacitate a patient usually arise out of an Ear pathology.  The cause has to be determined. For a patient suffering from Giddiness , a detailed history is very important - when do the giddy spells happen,  how long do they last,  any accompanying symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headache, or visual disturbances, what precipitates the attack - like turning in bed, going out in the hot sun, after a period of viral infection?   what medicine do you take to make it better? For patients in w
Read more