Tonsilitis, also referred to as acute tonsillitis (meaning that it is limited in duration), is a condition that affects the tonsils. This is described as chronic tonsillitis should the condition prove to be persistent, or if it should frequently flare-up. This can lead to tonsil stone formation.
Tonsils and adenoids are tissues that are similar to lymph nodes or glands, and which are located in the mouth. When these become infected, they can swell up, making it difficult to swallow, and causing pain in the area.
This condition is common among young children but can also affect adults. In this post, we will look at some of the most common symptoms of tonsillitis to help you more easily diagnose and treat the condition.
1. Obstruction
One of the most common symptoms of tonsillitis is an obstruction to breathing. This is caused by the enlargement of the tonsils and the adenoids, which leaves less space for air to travel through the airways.
If you find it very difficult to breathe, then you should always see a doctor immediately, as this can be a very dangerous symptom. However, a little obstruction is conversely not necessarily something that you need to be very worried about.
If you find this painful, then an inhaler may prove useful. This works by combating inflammation in the airways specifically, which in turn allows more space for air to pass through.
Also useful is to use other treatments that can combat inflammation. These include the use of analgesics such as ibuprofen, as well as a number of different herbs and remedies.
