Question
My tonsils have been inflaming continuously, and previous treatments with both Chinese and Western medicine have been ineffective. In the end, surgery was recommended. Later, I visited a traditional Chinese medicine clinic, and the doctor said it was “large tonsils” that were inflamed, and prescribed both Chinese and Western medicine for me to take.
Answer
Tonsillitis can be categorized as acute or chronic, with main symptoms including throat pain, fever, and discomfort in the throat, which may lead to complications in the ear, nose, heart, kidneys, and joints, so it needs to be taken seriously. The common pathogens are hemolytic streptococci, and other pathogens such as staphylococci, pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae, and viruses may also cause inflammation.
- Tonsils are larger between the ages of 3 to 10 years and gradually shrink after 10 years old, so childhood is a key period for preventing and treating tonsillitis.
- Strengthen physical exercise, especially during winter, increase outdoor activities, improve the body’s adaptability to cold weather, and reduce the chance of tonsillitis.
- Maintain good oral hygiene; rinse your mouth after eating.
- Acute tonsillitis is often caused by bacterial infection, particularly hemolytic streptococci. Therefore, antibiotics are required; penicillin is most effective. Depending on the severity of the inflammation, choose oral or intravenous injection.
- For chronic tonsillitis or enlarged tonsils, tonsillectomy can be considered. Now, most procedures use rapid tonsillectomy. Before surgery, a surface anesthetic spray is applied in the patient’s mouth. After waiting for a moment, a tool called a “squeeze knife” is used to quickly remove the tonsils. The surgery is quick, and patients remain conscious, allowing them to eat cold food immediately after.