0
Definition
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. (See also sore throat.)
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
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.
Symptoms
* Sore throat
o Persisting longer than 48 hours
o Possibly severe
* Difficulty swallowing
* Headache
* Fever, chills
* Tenderness of the jaw and throat
* Voice changes, loss of voice
Signs and tests
The health care provider will look in the mouth and throat for enlarged, visible tonsils. They are usually reddened and may have white spots on them. The lymph nodes of the jaw and neck may be enlarged and tender to the touch.
A culture of the tonsils may show bacterial infection. A culture for the streptococcus bacteria (strep) may be taken because it is the most common and most dangerous form of tonsillitis. A rapid strep test may also be performed by your physician by taking a throat swab for a quick diagnosis.
Treatment
If the cause of the tonsillitis is bacteria such as strep, antibiotics are given to cure the infection. The antibiotics may be given as a one-time injection, or by a 10-day course of antibiotic pills.
If antibiotic pills are used, they must be taken for the full course. They must not be stopped just because the discomfort stops, or the infection will NOT be cured. Some health care providers will treat all tonsillitis with antibiotics to prevent the chance of strep-related complications. Others treat only known bacterial and strep infections to minimize the chance of reaction to the antibiotic.
Rest to allow the body to heal. Fluids, especially warm (not hot), bland fluids or very cold fluids may soothe the throat. Gargle with warm salt water or suck on lozenges (containing benzocaine or similar ingredients) to reduce pain.
Over-the-counter medications may be used to reduce pain and fever. Do NOT use aspirin in children if the infection could be viral, because this may be associated with Reye's syndrome.
Surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be necessary for some people.
Expectations (prognosis)
Tonsillitis symptoms usually lessen in 2 or 3 days after treatment starts. The infection usually is cured by then, but may require more than one course of antibiotics. Complications of untreated strep tonsillitis may be severe. A tonsillectomy may be recommended if tonsillitis is severe, comes back, or does not respond to antibiotics.
Complications
* Pharyngitis - bacterial
* Pharyngitis - viral
* Dehydration from difficulty swallowing fluids
* Blocked airway from enlarged tonsils
* Peritonsillar abscess or abscess in other parts of the throat
* Rheumatic fever and subsequent cardiovascular disorders
* Kidney failure
* Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
Hope this helps, F.E
What else can I help you with?
What are the smelly solids formed in the throat called?
These smelly solids formed in the throat are called tonsilloliths, more commonly known as tonsil stones. They are typically small, whitish or yellowish calcified formations that can cause bad breath and discomfort.
What are the white chunks I cough up?
The little white particles that you are coughing up are called tonsilloliths and except for their bad smell are not a condition to be worried about. Tonsilloliths form when mucus, bacteria, and debris condense into small particles on the surface of the tonsils. These odorous balls of material are sometimes coughed up. Having tonsilloliths does not automatically mean that your breath is offensive as tonsilloliths contribute very little to bad breath. Additional information - I get these 2-3 times a year now for 22 years. My "chunks" are slightly larger than a pea and seem to come from deep in the chest after an extensive coughing spell (with awful breath and a low grade fever). One I coughed up was an off white color and unusually large so I chose to section it on a piece of glass. I found a core in the middle of a soft white folded coating. The odor was absolutely unbearable cutting into the chunk. My thought was perhaps I was inhaling small pieces of nuts into my lungs where the body formed the mass to get them out by coughing so I quit eating nuts but they persisted. You can definitely tell from the awful smell that one is "growing" and that smell goes away after it has been expelled, often at high velocity Years ago, I asked my MD about them and she gets them too but had no idea what they were. Its nice to know I'm not the only one with this and it has a name.
What are the little things that drop out of your sinuses into your mouth that look like week old cottage cheese and smell worse?
This commonly called "tonsilloliths" or "tonsil stones" check out google or wikipedia for more information. LIKE CRAPPPPP HEHE i like cheese rember tony the tiger (its great!!!!!!!!!!!)
What does toncil stones mean?
Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are small, hard, white or yellowish deposits that form on the tonsils. They are caused by a buildup of food particles, bacteria, and mucus that calcify over time. Tonsil stones can lead to bad breath, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing.
How do tonsil stones start?
Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are formed when bacteria, mucus, dead cells, and food particles become trapped and calcify in the crevices of the tonsils. Over time, they can harden and develop into small, white or yellowish stones that can cause discomfort or bad breath. Regular oral hygiene practices can help prevent their formation.
What is the name of the stinky white things you cough up sometimes from your throat?
A tonsillolith (also called tonsil stone or calculus of the tonsil) is a piece (or more commonly, a cluster) of calcareous matter which forms in the rear of the mouth, in the crevasses (called crypts) of the palatine tonsils (which are what most people commonly refer to as simply tonsils). Tonsil stones, it is theorized, are the result of a combination of any of the following[1]: * food particles * dead white blood cells (a.k.a. leukocytes) * oral bacteria, possibly from mouth breathing * overactive salivary glands They are described as having a pungent odor[2]: halitosis concentrated into a small solid object. Visually, they may resemble sesame seeds or cottage cheese in color and texture. Protruding tonsilloliths have the feel of a foreign object, lodged between the outside of wisdom teeth and the temporomandibular joint region of the fleshed jaw. They may be an especially uncomfortable nuisance, but are not often harmful.
What is the solid foul-smelling discharge from tonsil crevices?
The waxy solid foul smelling discarges from tonsils are called tonsilliths (tonsil lith) or more commonly "tonsil balls or tonsil stones." They form when the crypts of the tonsils capture a food particle and it starts to "fester."
What is the yellow greenish smelly ball people cough up?
The little white particles that you are coughing up are called tonsilloliths and except for their bad smell are not a condition to be worried about. Tonsilloliths form when mucus, bacteria, and debris condense into small particles on the surface of the tonsils. These odorous balls of material are sometimes coughed up. Having tonsilloliths does not automatically mean that your breath is offensive as tonsilloliths contribute very little to bad breath. Additional information - I get these 2-3 times a year now for 22 years. My "chunks" are slightly larger than a pea and seem to come from deep in the chest after an extensive coughing spell (with awful breath and a low grade fever). One I coughed up was an off white color and unusually large so I chose to section it on a piece of glass. I found a core in the middle of a soft white folded coating. The odor was absolutely unbearable cutting into the chunk. My thought was perhaps I was inhaling small pieces of nuts into my lungs where the body formed the mass to get them out by coughing so I quit eating nuts but they persisted. You can definitely tell from the awful smell that one is "growing" and that smell goes away after it has been expelled, often at high velocity Years ago, I asked my MD about them and she gets them too but had no idea what they were. Its nice to know I'm not the only one with this and it has a name.
How are tonsil rocks formed?
Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are caused by an accumulation of sulfur-producing bacteria and debris that become lodged in the tonsils. The debris, which can include mucus from post nasal drip, putrifies in the back of your throat and collects in the tonsil crypts (small pockets which appear on the surface of the tonsils).
What causes white chunks in tonsils?
These are called tonsilloliths (or tonsilliths, as I so affectionately nicknamed them). They are the result of bacteria and food particles that get stuck in the pockets of your tonsils. This condition is totally harmless and commonly occurs in children and young adults, but also in adults. The only real cure is to have your tonsils removed, but this is costly, often unnecessary and can be a threat to your health, since your tonsils help to guard the body against bacteria. They stink. But you can live with it. I just push them out with my finger or the blunt end of my toothbrush. Here is the best medical/scientific explanation I've found: "What are tonsil stones? The tonsils usually appear like small, dimpled golf balls set on either side of the back of the throat. Children with large tonsils and deep crypts often get food particles trapped in there. Because saliva contains digestive enzymes, trapped food begins to break down. Particularly, the starch or carbohydrate part of the food melts away, leaving firmer, harder remains of food in the tonsils. This does not look like the food that went into the mouth. There is more to these hard lumps than just food. The tonsils also trap other mouth debris such as bacteria and old cells from the surface of the mouth's lining. Some of these cells contain small amounts of keratin, the same substance found in fingernails and rhinoceros horns. Whatever the nature of the debris, it is then attacked by white blood cells. The aftermath of this battle leaves the crevices of the tonsil strewn with hardened remains. Most people swallow this material without ever noticing it, while it is still tiny. In those whose tonsils are large, however, the particles can lodge in the deep crypts, where they continue to grow. The enlarging lumps are called calculi of the tonsil, or tonsilloliths (tonsil stones). These stones are most common during adolescence. Microscopic studies of these tonsilloliths have shown them to contain a combination of food particles, bacteria, oral debris, and white blood cells in a concentrically laminated pattern -- rather like a pearl. Usually they are small gritty particles found in the center of soft, cheesy flecks. Sometimes, however, they become quite large, appearing as rough, yellow or gray, round stones. At times they reach an extraordinary size. Affected people usually have a history of repeated attacks of tonsillitis in earlier years. Alan Greene MD FAAP
Why would someone need Tonsillectomy?
Well, when people have tonsilits, and tend to get sick off of tonsils, they get their tonsils removed. The surgery is quick and painless, (because you will be under anesthesia!), and only takes about 20-30 minutes! The aftermath is pretty painful ( because i had mine done), and takes about a month or 4 weeks to recover!
What is a cryptic tonsil?
Cryptic Tonsillitis is...Tonsils contain many crevices called "crypts". In some patients, these crevices become full of white debris that has a foul odor; this debris is made up of bacteria, food particles, dried mucus and dead white cells. The debris is referred to as tonsil stones or "tonsillolith". Occasionally in some people a low-grade sore throat will accompany the presence of tonsillolith.Cryptic tonsillitis will come and go, although the removal of the tonsillolith will improve the condition.Medications work only for a short period of time. The sole longterm cure for cryptic tonsillitis is a tonsillectomy.
