The tonsils can become infected and become inflamed, leading to a condition called tonsillitis. This condition has been known since ancient times. One of the first medical texts to describe the tonsils was written by the ancient Greek physician Galen (second century AD) who believed that the tonsils were important to the health of the body and wrote that they could swell and swell due to a variety of causes, including infection, injury, and exposure to cold air.

Tonsillitis and other problems

“The most common problem of the tonsils is tonsillitis. It occurs in people of all ages, but is more common in children than in adults. Its symptoms include a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, swollen glands in the throat and a whitish coating on the tonsils. In most cases, tonsillitis is caused by viruses, but it can also be caused by bacteria such as strep.” points out Mr. Stylianos Maganaris Director Otorhinolaryngologist Metropolitan Hospital.
“It is classified into acute and chronic tonsillitis,” he continues, describing the symptoms and treatment of the problems that may arise.

“Acute tonsillitis is the most common form of tonsil problem. It is an acute infection of them, which can be viral or bacterial. Its symptoms usually come on suddenly and are severe and may include a sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing, swollen tonsils and swollen glands in the throat. Acute tonsillitis, if caused by bacteria, can be treated with antibiotics, while viral infections usually clear up on their own within a week.

Chronic tonsillitis is a long-term inflammation of the tonsils that can cause repeated episodes of acute tonsillitis. Chronic tonsillitis is usually caused by bacterial infections that are not treated or completely eliminated with antibiotics. It can also be caused by factors such as smoking, pollution as well as allergies. Symptoms of chronic tonsillitis are similar to those of acute tonsillitis but are less severe and may persist for several weeks or months. Chronic tonsillitis can be treated with antibiotics and sometimes requires surgical removal of the tonsils.

Besides tonsillitis, other tonsil problems are:

Tonsillitis: According to her, the tonsils develop stones, which are formed by debris, such as dead cells, mucus and bacteria, that become trapped in the tonsil fissures and become calcified by calcium salts, such as hydroxyapatite or calcium carbonate, oxalates and other magnesium salts or radicals that contain ammonium. They are white or yellowish in color, and are usually small-sized hard formations that can cause bad breath, difficulty swallowing and ear pain.

Tonsil hypertrophy: It is the enlargement of the tonsils, which can cause problems such as difficulty breathing, snoring and sleep apnea. Tonsil hypertrophy occurs most often in children, but it can also occur in adults. Treatment options for enlarged tonsils include medications such as corticosteroids and surgical removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy).

Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy is usually recommended in patients (children or adults) who present with recurrent tonsillitis or have hypertrophic tonsils causing difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a history of peritonsillar abscess as well as in cases of suspected malignancy or suspected involvement of the kidneys and heart. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia and involves removing the tonsils through the oral cavity, without external incisions and scars. The duration of the operation is approximately 30 minutes. The patient can return home the same day or the next morning.

The procedure can be carried out with various techniques such as:

Classic tonsillectomy: Tonsils are removed with a scalpel.

Electrocautery tonsillectomy: Removal is done by diathermy.

Laser tonsillectomy: Removal is done using a laser.

Coblation tonsillectomy: Removal is done with controlled radio frequency energy.

After the tonsillectomy, the doctor may recommend pain medication and a special diet for a few days. It is also important for the patient to rest and avoid strenuous activities for several days after the procedure. During this time, the doctor will closely monitor the patient to ensure that there are no complications”, emphasizes the specialist.

In conclusion: “Tonsils can be a source of both acute and chronic problems for adults and more so for children. However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, these problems can usually be treated and resolved effectively. If you’re experiencing symptoms related to your tonsils, it’s important to seek medical attention right away to ensure you receive appropriate care,” concludes Mr. Maganaris.