Tonsils refer to masses of lymphoid tissues lying in the back of the throat, one on either side. Tonsils have a protective role and act as the first line of defence against bacteria and viruses that might get inhaled or ingested. Inflammation of tonsils, on one side or on both, is known as tonsillitis. Homeopathic medicines are highly effective for acute tonsillitis as well as for cases of recurrent tonsillitis. The primary aim of homeopathic medicines is to build a child’s immunity and prevent recurrent infections that lead to tonsillitis.
Types Of Tonsillitis
Acute Tonsillitis: In this type, the symptoms remain for 3 to 4 days but in some cases may linger for 2 weeks.
In some cases, acute tonsillitis may progress to follicular tonsillitis in which the crypts (tube-like invaginations from the surface epithelium of tonsils) get filled with debris and pus. It presents as yellow or white spots at the opening of the crypts on the tonsils which gives a follicular appearance. In the case of chronic follicular tonsillitis, the crypts get filled with infected cheesy matter.
Chronic Tonsillitis: A person suffers from acute tonsillitis multiple times in a year for short periods of time
Recurrent Tonsillitis: The symptoms last for a longer time, more than two weeks.
Symptoms Of Tonsillitis
The main signs and symptoms include red, swollen tonsils along with pain in the throat which is the first indicating feature of tonsillitis. The pain usually gets worse while swallowing. The pain may be one-sided or appear on both sides depending upon which tonsil is involved. The other symptoms that may attend are difficulty swallowing, fever, bad/fetid breath, headache, scratchy voice, ear pain and neck pain. White/yellow pus spots may also appear on the tonsils. The glands in the neck may be swollen and tender. In chronic cases, tonsil stones (debris collection on tonsils) may form. In young kids, excessive drooling of saliva, increased irritability/fussiness, vomiting, low appetite and stomach pain can be observed.
Causes Behind Tonsillitis
Viral infections: Tonsillitis mainly arises from viral infections, like the influenza virus, adenovirus (responsible for causing the common cold and sore throat), rhinovirus (that commonly causes the common cold), parainfluenzavirus, enterovirus, Epstein – Barr virus.
Bacterial infection: Tonsillitis may also be the result of a bacterial infection. The most common bacteria that cause tonsillitis is Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Infection of the tonsils with these bacteria popularly called strep throat leads to inflammation and pain in the throat and tonsils. Strep throat is highly contagious and spreads quickly from one person to another through cough, touch or sneeze. It is very common in school-going children and among teenagers. Major complications may arise in strep throat infection if not treated properly well in time. These include rheumatic fever (inflammatory condition affecting joints, heart nervous system and skin) and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation).
Bacteria other than this however can also cause tonsillitis, for example, staphylococcus aureus, chlamydia pneumonia, mycoplasma pneumonia, etc.
Home Remedies Along with Medicines
1. Take proper rest
2. Drink plenty of warm fluids
3. Adults can gargle with warm salt water
4. Eat soft food and avoid hard ones
Top Homeopathic Medicines for Tonsillitis
The medicines prominently indicated for tonsillitis treatment in homeopathy are Belladonna, Merc Sol, Hepar Sulph, Calcarea Carb and Psorinum.
1. Belladonna – For Acute Tonsillitis with Red Swollen Painful Tonsils
Belladonna is the top recommended medicine for treating acute tonsillitis. The key indication for its use is red, swollen enlarged tonsils with marked pain. The pain is worse while swallowing mainly liquids and the throat remains dry. Fever with intense heat in the body accompanies the above symptoms. Heat, constriction (tightening) and the lump in the throat may also be felt.
2. Merc Sol – For Pain in Tonsils Extending to Ears
Merc Sol is an extremely effective medicine for treating tonsillitis with pain in the tonsils extending to the ears especially when swallowing. The nature of pain is mainly stitching type. On examination of the throat, the tonsils look dark red and ulcers or white spots on the tonsils can be present. Excessive salivation is also observed. A foul odour from the mouth is present.
3. Hepar Sulph – For Infected Tonsils and Quins
Hepar Sulph proves very successful in treating infected tonsils with pus points on tonsils and Quinsy (also known as peritonsillar abscess in which pus accumulates behind the tonsils). The symptoms to look out for using it are stitching pain in the throat and pain from the throat radiating to the ear. There is intense pain while talking or swallowing. A sensation of a lump or splinter (a sharp piece of glass or wood) stuck in the throat is felt. The person may hawk up yellow mucus.
4. Calcarea Carb – To Treat Recurrent Tonsillitis
Calcarea Carb is an excellent medicine for treating recurrent tonsillitis. After recovery from the acute tonsillitis phase, this medicine can be used as an intercurrent remedy (treatment for some chronic disease that is hindering the cure of some other ailment) to treat the tendency to have recurrent tonsillitis. An indicative symptom of the use of Calcarea Carb is the tendency to catch colds frequently. Even slight exposure to cold air affects the throat and tonsils in cases needing this remedy.
5. Psorinum – To Treat Tendency to Recurrent Infected Tonsillitis
Psorinum is very effective in boosting immunity to prevent recurrent infected tonsillitis (tonsillitis with pus points on tonsils) and Quinsy (pus accumulation behind tonsils). These medicines reduce susceptibility to recurrent throat infections. Those needing it have markedly swollen tonsils, pain with swallowing, and thick mucus in the throat. Along with this, there is foul-smelling salivation and hawking of cheesy mucus bits having a bad smell and taste. There is recurrent pus formation behind the tonsils.
