Enlarged tonsils are a temporary or permanent swelling of the palatine tonsils or even the adenoids. This can occur as an accompanying symptom of a disease such as an infection. As this subsides, so do the tonsils; separate treatment is only necessary if the swelling itself causes discomfort.
What are enlarged tonsils?
Medical professionals refer to enlarged tonsils as a marked swelling of the tonsils (tonsils) located in the throat. Enlarged tonsils is what doctors call a marked swelling of the tonsils (tonsils) located in the throat. This can be both the palatine tonsils, which are clearly visible when the mouth is wide open, and the pharyngeal tonsils, which are located further back. Swelling or inflammation of the tonsils occurs very frequently, especially in childhood. Especially between the third and seventh year of life, swollen tonsils often occur due to infections and the development of the child’s own immune system. In the course of puberty, the tonsils recede by themselves, so that swellings become less frequent. In principle, swollen tonsils do not pose a health risk and do not always need to be treated. However, if they cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing or middle ear infections, appropriate therapy should be initiated. In severe and/or chronic cases, the adenoids can be surgically removed to prevent further discomfort.
Causes
The tonsils are part of the human immune system and contribute to the body’s defense against infections and other diseases. They are made of lymphoid tissue and contain a large number of white blood cells. For this reason, they are able to produce antibodies and protect the body from invading pathogens. When the tonsils are active in this way, swelling occurs, but it goes down again when the respective disease subsides. Thus, enlarged tonsils can be caused by various infectious diseases such as common flu germs, but also by serious diseases such as HIV infection. In the same way, Pfeiffer’s glandular fever can also cause swollen and inflamed tonsils. But not only viruses, but also bacteria cause temporarily enlarged tonsils. Thus, scarlet angina can also be the trigger for the unpleasant symptoms. Tonsillitis can occur acutely or become chronic, for example, if there is a chronic primary disease or if the tonsils have to become increasingly active again and again due to frequent infections.
Diseases with this symptom
- Angina tonsillaris
- Pfeiffer’s glandular fever
- Chronic tonsillitis
- Infectious diseases
- Scarlet fever
- HIV infection
Diagnosis
If there is a suspicion of enlarged tonsils, the attending otolaryngologist can make a corresponding diagnosis comparatively quickly. To do this, he examines the ear, nose and throat with special equipment. Small endoscopes are inserted into the throat, nose or ears to detect irritations, swellings and infections. A detailed discussion with the patient, in which the nature and occurrence of the symptoms are discussed, further supports the diagnosis. Further examinations are only necessary if an underlying disease is to be determined. Enlarged tonsils often go down again on their own when the infection subsides. However, if they remain chronically inflamed, it is not uncommon to experience sleep disturbances, breathing difficulties and accompanying inflammation of the sinuses, middle ear or bronchi. Permanently enlarged tonsils can also form abscesses, which are painful and can permanently impair the immune system. In childhood, swollen tonsils are very common and are usually not a cause for concern; only in cases of chronic tonsillitis leading to severe symptoms should tonsillectomy be considered.
Complications
Enlarged tonsils are usually harmless; however, they sometimes lead to problems and serious complications. First, excessively large tonsils can make breathing difficult and cause nighttime breathing cessations. If left untreated, this can lead to high blood pressure and heart problems. It can also cause nosebleeds, pulmonary hypertension and sinusitis.Infection can rarely spread to the ears and cause a middle ear infection that affects hearing. This can be accompanied by obstruction of the ear canals and temporary hearing loss. Furthermore, enlarged tonsils increase the risk of chest infections and laryngitis. Typical complications of a severe course are vomiting, dry or mucous cough, and in the further course a complete blockage of the nasal airway, causing, among other things, shortness of breath and pain. If left untreated, enlarged tonsils in children can also lead to deformities; an elongated face with protruding teeth and a malpositioned tongue result. If the tonsils are surgically removed, there is a risk of inflammation or infection of the wound. In addition, the tonsils can grow back and lead to hormonal disorders and other problems without being noticed. However, early clarification of large tonsils can reliably prevent the development of serious complications.
When should you go to the doctor?
Enlarged tonsils usually indicate inflammation, which should be treated by a doctor as soon as possible. If the affected person does not seek medical treatment, then further complications are to be expected. It is not uncommon for other accompanying symptoms to occur in connection with inflamed tonsils, such as increased temperature, headache, difficulty swallowing, nausea or even vomiting. If these individual symptoms worsen, then the patient’s own family doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. If medical and medicinal treatment is dispensed with at this point, the individual clinical pictures are likely to worsen. However, if you consult a doctor early on in such a case, you can counteract the symptoms very well and effectively with anti-inflammatory medication. The following therefore applies: With inflamed tonsils, a visit to the doctor should not be put off for a long time. Otherwise, the affected person must expect significant complications, which may require mandatory medical treatment. However, those who decide early enough for treatment will be able to feel a significant improvement after only a few days.
Treatment and therapy
Enlarged tonsils do not always necessarily require medical treatment. For example, if the swelling has occurred due to a flu-like infection, it will subside on its own along with the cold. However, throat tablets can be sucked as a supportive measure, which inhibit the inflammation and alleviate the symptoms. Gargling with chamomile tea also disinfects and helps with healing. If fever also occurs, this can be reduced with paracetamol, for example. A bacterial tonsillitis can be treated by the doctor with broad-spectrum antibiotics. These kill the pathogens and thus ensure that the symptoms quickly subside and the swelling goes down. If the swollen tonsils occur more frequently and/or cause severe discomfort such as shortness of breath or high fever, it should be considered to have them surgically removed. This procedure is usually performed on children. It can be done on an outpatient basis, provided there are no other medical conditions and there are no complications. On average, the routine procedure takes only 10 to 15 minutes. In its course, the tonsils are peeled out with a special instrument. Both the adenoids and the palatine tonsils can be removed in this way. After the operation, patients may experience slight discomfort for a few days, such as pain when swallowing, nasal passages, and secondary bleeding, but these symptoms quickly subside in most patients. Nevertheless, the patient should take it easy for a few days and refrain from physical exertion, especially to avoid more severe postoperative bleeding.
Outlook and prognosis
In the case of enlarged tonsils, the prognosis is generally positive. In most cases, no major symptoms occur and the tonsils do not need to be removed. If treatment is necessary, it also usually proceeds without serious complications. Enlarged tonsils are usually removed under general anesthesia and the patient can leave the hospital immediately after the procedure. An inpatient stay is only necessary in case of certain pre-existing conditions, blood clotting disorders or if the palatine tonsils are removed at the same time. Provided that the adenoids do not grow back, no further complaints or risks are to be expected.Only typical complications such as secondary bleeding or pain when swallowing can minimally delay the healing process. The prospect of a rapid recovery is therefore given with enlarged tonsils, provided that the patient takes it easy for a few days after the operation. If enlarged tonsils are not treated, complaints such as middle ear infections or even severe respiratory diseases may occur. Rarely, speech development disorders also occur, which in turn require therapy. The outlook and prognosis are therefore good, but also depend on the size of the tonsils, the timing of treatment and the patient’s constitution.
Prevention
Enlarged tonsils cannot always be prevented, as they usually occur due to viral or bacterial infections. However, a general strengthening of the immune system can help to fight off pathogens faster and better, which also means that tonsillitis occurs less frequently and the symptoms are less severe. A healthy lifestyle supports the immune system and also improves general well-being and health. If the first symptoms appear, children in particular should be presented to a doctor to be on the safe side, so that he or she can initiate the appropriate therapy. Adults should then see a doctor if the symptoms are very severe or last longer than usual.
What you can do yourself
Enlarged tonsils should always be treated medically to avoid complications. A number of home remedies and tips help against the typical accompanying symptoms. First of all, it is recommended to take it easy on the throat until the medical examination and to drink enough. Warm compresses and inhaling natural remedies (sage, chamomile, fennel, etc.) relieve the pain and have a decongestant effect. Alternatively, a decoction of cloves, horseradish and honey or a few drops of propolis also helps. For external use, ointments made from essential oils (peppermint, eucalyptus or camphor) are a good choice. An effective remedy from the pharmacy is also ibuprofen. Suitable home remedies from homeopathy include Schüssler salts No. 3 and No. 4 and belladonna. The remedies Lachesis and Lycopodium have a pain-relieving effect and have proven particularly effective for enlarged tonsils with coughing irritation and watery sputum. Suppurated tonsils can be treated with Hepar Sulfuris and Mercurius Solubilis. Apart from these measures, enlarged tonsils should be clarified by a doctor and treated if necessary. A complaint diary provides information about the type and intensity of the complaints and facilitates the diagnosis for the physician.
