the main » Throat anatomy » Inflamed cause tonsils. What are the tonsils: the structure, function, possible pathology

Inflamed cause tonsils. What are the tonsils: the structure, function, possible pathology

Glands, like tonsils - both of them consist of lymphoid tissue, responsible for the destruction of bacteria and viruses. What, then, do they differ from each other?

Most of the infections in the human body falls through the oral cavity. And adenoids, which are part of the immune system, become a kind of barrier in the path of pathogenic pathogens.

However, sometimes the tonsils and glands themselves are a source of inflammation.

This happens when these bodies lose their functionality and are no longer able to cope with their responsibilities. Adenoids can infect viruses, such as influenza.

If a person’s immunity is weak, adenoids cannot withstand pathogenic microflora, as a result of which an infection develops. Foci of inflammation occur directly in the tissues of the tonsils, and a permanent source of infection is formed in the body.

Anatomy of the human nasopharynx

Adenoids are located in the oropharynx. Their structure is very similar to the structure of other tissues of the lymphatic system. Externally, the tonsils and adenoids resemble a ring (as these glands look, clearly seen in the photo), which is a functional part of the throat.

There is only one difference between the glands and tonsils - the anatomical location and the possibility of visual inspection. Adenoids are located in the upper part of the pharynx and take place behind the soft palate and nose.

Without special tools, healthy tonsils cannot be seen. The glands are located behind the pharynx (see photo), their tissue is elastic, so the size of the glands may vary. Inflammation causes their increase, which can reach such a size that will block the respiratory and digestive tracts.

In the throat of a person there are 6 tonsils:

two palatines;
nasopharyngeal;
language (there is a steam room, it can be seen on the photo);
two pipe.

Glands are called tonsils. Based on the above, it turns out that the glands and tonsils are one and the same, the difference lies only in their location.

And the separation was made by the doctors for their convenience. Simple patients have to be confused all the time.

By the way, the translation of the word "glands" means a small acorn, and the tonsils are named because of their similarity with the almond nut.

Gland inflammation - symptoms

The healthy glands of a person are not disturbed at all and he simply forgets about their existence. However, inflammation of the glands has pronounced symptoms, which are simply impossible not to notice:

sore throat;
problems with swallowing and breathing;
appearance around the abscess glands (see photo);
acute inflammations;
bad breath;
the formation of small grooves;
tumor development.

It is characteristic that inflammation of the glands can occur at any age, and this despite the fact that the structure of these organs in children and adults is different.

To the above symptoms of inflammation is sometimes added:

night sweats;
fever;
copious flow of saliva;
otitis;
gnashing of teeth;
sleep disturbance.

Adenoids, increasing in size, close the posterior nasal opening, so breathing becomes almost impossible (as the enlarged adenoids look like you can see in the photo).

Constant nasal congestion and forced mouth breathing lead to deformation facial bones and smoothing the nasolabial fold.

Moreover, the bite and anatomical location of the teeth may be impaired. All this negatively affects the facial features.

Causes that cause tonsils to inflame

A condition such as inflammation of the glands can be triggered by several factors:

respiratory infections;
hypothermia;
chronic infectious diseases;
inability to breathe through the nose.

Pathogenic microflora in a certain amount is always present in the human body. Such microbes are called opportunistic, because for the time being, they do not manifest themselves in any way.

But as soon as the immunity weakens, the pathogens begin to multiply actively and infect the body with the products of their vital activity. If bacteria (pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci) get into the oral cavity in small quantities or the person has very strong immunity, they immediately die.

But if the immune system is weakened, and many microbes, palatine tonsils immediately inflamed, then the infection enters the blood.

It has long been noted that the peak falls in the autumn and spring months. This is due to the fact that pathogenic microorganisms are especially active during this period, and the immunity of people, on the contrary, is very weak.

The cause of the disease can be:

wet feet;
cold drinks;
drafts;
long stay on the street.

All these factors weaken the human body, as a result of which it is not able to resist pathogenic microflora.

To prevent the ingress of bacteria from the nasal sinuses and oral cavitytreatment chronic sinusitis and caries should be carried out on time.

If a person has a stuffy nose, he has to breathe through the mouth during the cold season, as a result of which the adenoids and glands are instantly supercooled, and low immunity contributes to an increase in the inflammatory process.

Treatment of inflamed glands

Treatment of the inflammatory process has two goals: first, the need to eliminate the cause, and second, the effect on the symptoms of the disease. It is this kind of therapy that requires tonsilitis.

Treatment drugs consists of:

hourly rinses with antiseptic solutions;
taking antipyretic and analgesic drugs;
antibiotic therapy.

For rinsing, you can use a solution of ordinary salt or purchase a special antiseptic liquid in a pharmacy:

Chlorophilipt.
Iodinol.
Dioxidine.
Furacilin.
Boric acid.

You can get rid of severe sore throat with absorbable lozenges. However, treatment with these drugs should occur according to the instructions. It is impossible to abuse candy and pastilles - it is still a medicine.

The most popular drugs of local exposure today are:

Faringosept.
Strepsils.
Dr. Theiss Angi Sept.
Septolet Neo.
Septolete D.

Antibiotic treatment should be carried out very carefully, because the drugs in this series have a lot side effects. However, with bacterial inflammation, antibiotics are indispensable.

If a patient has a purulent plaque on the glands, as in the photo, the doctor usually prescribes a five-day anti-bacterial course. Penicillins are very effective in this regard, but staphylococci to them quickly develop resistance. Therefore, in the course of treatment, drugs sometimes have to be changed.

Local treatment of inflamed tonsils is carried out with special medications that are available in the form of aerosols and sprays:

Bioparox.
Tantum Verde.
Hexasprey.
Anti-angina formula.
Ingalipt.
Kameton.

When inflammation of the throat (especially in the early days of the disease), it is important to observe bed rest. Nutrition of the patient should be light, and the food itself - soft. Meals should not be hot or cold.

Treatment of fungal tonsillitis, in addition to antibiotics, includes the prescription of antifungal drugs and drugs that stabilize the intestinal microflora.

Antiviral should be taken with ARVI or flu. drugswhich besides should possess also the immunomodulatory action.

If the patient clearly observes all the instructions of the doctor and takes the drugs strictly according to the scheme, and there is no improvement, then he needs to go to the hospital.

The organs of the immune system protect people from a variety of microbes that fall outside. The tonsils are such an organ. They are located in the pharynx and consist of lymphoid nodules and tissue in which lymphocytes are produced. AT lymphatic system a person gets only a part of lymphocytes, the other part neutralizes fungi, bacteria and viruses that enter the oral cavity. Inflammation of the tonsils occurs if the lymphoid tissue of the cause cannot cope with airborne infection.

Tonsil functions and their location

Tonsils - a collection of lymphoid cells located in the nose and oropharynx. Their main functions are protective and hematopoietic. Glands prevent the penetration of harmful microorganisms into the body. Lymphoid tissue produces antibodies that "fight" against pathogenic microbes.

In addition, the tonsils are involved in the regulation of blood formation, forming lymphocytes.

In man 2 paired and 2 unpaired tonsils. They are located at the junction of the nasopharynx in the pharynx, forming a pharyngeal ring.

Tonsils pink. They are about the size of a walnut.

The appearance of healthy tonsils

Every person at least once experienced pain and discomfort in the throat. When appearing unpleasant symptoms, the patient is independently trying to find the cause of their occurrence. However, many take healthy tonsils for pathology and begin to drug treatment without consultation. In order not to make such a mistake, it is important to know what a healthy throat looks like.

The tonsils are small. They do not go beyond the palatine arches (however, such a description is not absolute. In some people, enlarged tonsils are the norm, a feature of the organism);

the glands are not fused with the palatine arches;
tonsils have a pale pink color, there is no redness and plaque on them;
small elevations visible on the surface of the glands;
in other parts of the pharynx (soft palate, posterior mucous wall, tongue, tongue) there are no signs of inflammation;
if you put pressure on the tonsils with a spatula, no liquid pus and caseous plugs are released;
mucous neotechnaya, without pronounced follicles and vascular pattern.

The criterion of a healthy throat is the presence of all the listed symptoms together.

Glands and tonsils. What is the difference?

A person has 6 tonsils in his throat. Photo: Nasopharyngeal,

language,

Glands and tonsils are one and the same, the only difference is where the glands are located. This is the tonsils. The separation was done by the doctor for convenience.

Types of throat diseases

First symptoms sore throat are discomfort and pain. After examining the appearance of the oropharynx, you can see certain changes:

puffiness and redness back wall pharynx and soft palate . This indicates the presence of pharyngitis caused by bacteria and viruses;
sore throat, redness and swelling of the tonsils without a certain plaque talks about the onset of sore throat; a yellow-white bloom appears later;
herpangina characterized by the additional presence small bubbles. Opening, they turn into sores;
purulent thick mucus running down from the nasopharynxand, is a sign of inflammatory adenoids, rhinitis or sinusitis;
if throat appears caseous traffic jams or pus is excreted when pressed with a spatula on the tonsils - It speaks of chronic tonsillitis.

Caseous plugs are dense, ball-like formations that make the process of swallowing painful. They look like white spots on the back of the throat and on the glands. They cannot always be seen immediately, since they are “hidden” in the almond folds;

chronic cough in combination with enlarged follicles on the pharyngeal wall may signal chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis;
white bloomcovering the entire mouth (gums, tongue, back wall of the pharynx, glands), speaks of a fungal infection that can occur with a decrease in immunity or after long-term antibiotic use.

Signs of sore throat

Symptoms of the sore throat appear several hours after the penetration of germs. Attention should be paid to the following signs:

With inflammation of the pharyngeal or lingual tonsils, the symptoms of inflammation may vary.

Signs of inflammation of the tonsils, which are in the root of the tongue are:

discomfort and sore throat;
swallowing disorder;
gain pain sensations when sticking out the tongue;
difficulty pronouncing words;
heat.

With inflammation pharyngeal tonsil symptoms are expressed:

difficulty in nasal breathing;
mucous membranes purulent discharge from the nose;
possible pain in the ears;
temperature rise.

If you do not start to treat acute inflammation tonsils at the first sign, the disease can become chronic. Chronic tonsillitis may escalate several times a year. This has a negative effect on mental activity and performance. It also increases the risk of infection of the tissues of the kidneys, heart and joints.

Acute inflammation of the sore throat can be cured in 7–10 days with timely treatment, while treating chronic sore throat can take up to several months.

How to inspect the throat

The basic rules for examining the throat when signs of inflammation of the tonsils appear:

it is very important for the examination of the throat to find the right lighting. In order to see well the distant parts of the throat, sunlight will not be enough. You can use the usual flashlight, which does not give a blue cold glow, which can affect the wrong perception.
to inspect the throat, use a wooden disposable spatula or the back side of a teaspoon. To assess the state of the soft palate, glands, back wall, without causing emetic urges, it is necessary to press on the center of the tongue closer to its tip.
in some cases, the signs are quite obvious, so the patient can be examined without a spatula. He can just open his mouth wide, pressing his tongue down.
in order to increase the viewing area and eliminate the gagging urge, when viewed from the patient it is recommended to breathe deeply through the mouth

Treatment of sore tonsils

With the appearance of severely expressed pain and an increase in temperature, bed rest is necessary.

The first task is get rid of the infection and eliminate the cause of the disease. Do not self-medicate, the correct diagnosis can only be delivered by a specialist. Depending on him, medication will be prescribed.

Important comply with sanitary standards (mask mode, separate dishes, hygiene rules) to avoid infection.

One of the main treatments for throat disease is rinsingduring which the activity of pathogenic organisms is suppressed.

To rinse the throat use, diluted according to the instructions with water means:

To relieve the symptoms of inflammation of the throat and eliminate the pain also use lozenges, antiseptic pills:

Strepsils - lollipops that contain amylmethacreazole ( local antibiotic) and lidocaine as an anesthetic;
Decatilen is a bactericidal drug with a wide range of action;
Neoangin - tablets with amylmetacresol, used for simple inflammation;
Faringosept is an antibacterial topical containing active substance amazonmonohydrate.

In some cases, antibiotics should be used to treat the throat. They are necessary in the presence of follicles or plaque pus. These antibiotics include:

Amoxicillin - effective antibioticused against numerous strains of pathogenic bacteria. It should be borne in mind that in parallel with this medication it is necessary to take drugs that normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
Amoxiclav is an antibiotic that contains clavulanic acid and others besides amoxicillin.

Sore throat is further treated folk remedies. This is a rinse saline With salt.

To reduce the pain using a solution of lemon juice. A decoction of sage, chamomile, calendula, eucalyptus will help reduce inflammation. You can add a spoonful of honey.

In the inflammatory processes of the tonsils, compresses from cabbage, onion inhalations, and salt dressings will help to improve the condition.

Throat disease prevention

To warn inflammatory processes It is necessary to maintain the protective functions of the body and strengthen the immune system. It is necessary to give up bad habits, balance the diet, try to minimize the possibility of damage to the tonsils:

do not drink cold liquid;
avoid hypothermia;
cure, if necessary, the sources of infection (rhinitis, caries, sinusitis, sinusitis, sinusitis).

Having noticed the first signs of infection, it is important to immediately consult a doctor who will prescribe a treatment. Late treatment may lead to irreversible effects such as rheumatism and cardiovascular diseases.

With the onset of cold weather, adults and children begin to get sick with colds and acute respiratory diseases. One of the most common symptoms of these ailments is inflammation of the tonsils in the throat.

The gland is an organ located in the oral cavity and nasopharynx, it consists of lymphoid tissue and nodules that produce lymphocytes. Some of these cells enter the bloodstream, while the rest remain in the tonsils and create local immunity. In infancy, the glands also perform a hematopoietic and enzymatic function.

There are four types of tonsils:

palatine
nasopharyngeal;
pipe;
lingual.

Independently, you can only see the first, to do this, rather wide open mouth.

Causes of tonsil inflammation

When an infection enters the body, the glands first begin to resist it. When immunity reserves are reduced, a pathological process occurs, called tonsillitis or sore throat.

Most often, this disease is provoked by streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci and meningococci. They enter the body upon contact with a sick person. Pathology can occur as a result of a decrease in the protective function; in this case, the conditionally pathogenic flora becomes the causative agent of the disease.

In the presence of a chronic focus of infection in the nasopharyngeal tonsillitis will be a common occurrence. Sinusitis, rhinitis, caries, gum disease provoke them.

Serve as a cause of sore throat can also mushrooms and various viral infections (herpes, adenovirus). They are transmitted by contact-household and airborne droplets.

Contribute to the development of tonsillitis can such states:

Most often, a sore throat occurs as an independent disease, but there are cases when it accompanies other infectious diseases: scarlet fever, measles, diphtheria. Most often, children have tonsillitis; an unstable immune system causes this.

Symptoms of the disease

The first manifestations of the disease can occur within a few hours after hypothermia, or contact with the carrier of the infection. It all depends on the general state of the body at the time of infection.

Main symptoms acute tonsillitis are such:

increase and hyperemia of visible tonsils;
sore and sore throat;
lymph node change;
malaise;
loss of appetite;
hyperthermia;
chills;
intoxication of the body;
loss of performance.

After the infection drops below airwayreaching up vocal cords, hoarseness of voice may appear, it becomes difficult for the patient to speak, especially after a long silence.

In small children, symptoms typical for a sore throat are the rejection of the breast (bottle), a sharp rise in temperature, moods, crying, an increase in the submandibular and parotid lymph nodes. This disease is especially dangerous for babies, as it has a lightning current. As a result, the bloodstream infection spreads very quickly throughout the body and pathological lesions in other organs may appear.

Forms of tonsillitis

There are four types of tonsillitis, in their symptoms they differ among themselves.

Catarrhal sore throat

This form of the disease is the easiest to follow. It is characterized by an increase in the tonsils, hypertrophy and hyperemia of the mucous membrane. The patient is disturbed by discomfort in the throat when swallowing, scratchy, increased body temperature.

If you go to the hospital in time and start treatment, the pathology disappears quickly and does not go into a more difficult stage.

Lacunar angina

This disease is difficult and more difficult to treat. It manifests itself more often in people with chronic infections in the mouth and nasopharynx. The first signs are noticeable 5 days after hypothermia or contact with a sick person. This form is characterized by acute course and education purulent plugs in gaps of glands.

The patient feels general weakness, body aches, hyperthermia, severe pain in the throat, symptoms of intoxication.

On examination, the doctor notes a significant increase in the tonsils, they are hyperemic (red), covered with a whitish bloom. For lacunar tonsillitis, the presence of purulent islands on the glands is typical. The process involved and bow.

In children, this form of tonsillitis is quite difficult and can cause many complications. With frequent remissions, the disease becomes chronic. If you start treatment in time, relief will come in 3-4 days.

Follicular sore throat

Such tonsillitis is also characterized by an acute course, when it inflames the follicles of the tonsils.

On examination, the doctor will identify changes in the glands and larynx, they will be enlarged and covered with mucus and plaque. The lymph nodes grow and become painful on palpation.

The difference of this form from lacunar is that the intensity of pain is much less and there is no high temperature.

Quinsy

This is the most difficult and dangerous course of tonsillitis. It can inflame the tonsils, larynx, tissues located nearby. In most cases, only one gland is affected.

In addition to the general symptoms, the following manifestations are typical for the phlegmonous stage:

swelling and hyperemia of the soft and hard palate and surrounding tissue;
hoarseness;
fetid odor from mouth;
violation of the jaws.

If such signs appear, it is impossible to delay in going to the doctor; complications can be very serious.

Treatment of tonsillitis

The tactics of patient management in different forms of angina is slightly different. Mild stages can be treated at home under the supervision of a doctor. In more severe cases, when there is edema of the mucous membrane, necrosis, severe symptoms of intoxication in a patient, it is necessary to carry out treatment in a hospital.

The main principles in therapy are as follows:

bed rest;
rinsing;
taking antipyretics;
irrigation of the throat with antiseptics;
abundant warm drink;
resorption of anti-inflammatory tablets.

Soda-salt solutions with the addition of iodine droplets, decoctions of herbs, chlorhexidine-based medicines are well suited as rinses. To reduce the temperature using drugs Paracetamol, Ibuprofen.

In case of severe intoxication, various fruit drinks, wild rose tea, herbs, warm tea with lemon help. In more severe cases, intravenous infusion therapy is prescribed.

Treatment of angina with purulent foci is carried out with antibacterial drugs. The exception is the catarrhal form, in this case, the doctor looks individually according to the degree of neglect of the disease. The most commonly used antibiotics are Amoxiclav, Sumamed, Ceftriaxone. The course of treatment is at least 7 days.

If a drug therapy it does not help, or there are large areas of tissue necrosis, they resort to surgical intervention. This may be the excision of dead areas, and the complete removal of the tonsils.

In order to cure the disease as soon as possible and much faster, the patient should immediately consult a doctor when the first symptoms appear.

Medicine of the last century solved the problem of frequent inflammation of the tonsils by removing them. However, the glands take part in protecting the body against infection, becoming the first obstacle in the path of microbes.

By the general term "tonsils" is meant the palatine glands. Where are the tonsils? They are located in the throat, in the middle between the arms of the palate, on the sides of small tongue. They are easy to see in the mirror, if you try to conduct an independent examination without a doctor.

For most people, the amygdala has any changes caused by transferred or chronic diseases, the wrong treatment. Completely healthy tonsils can be found very rarely. On the next photo glands are healthy. With proper inspection, you can easily notice the existing pathology by comparing the healthy tonsils in the photo with your own.

How to understand that the throat is healthy:

The glands are small in size - do not go beyond the arches. It can be considered the norm if the large glands are not the result of the disease, but a feature of the anatomical structure.
In the throat and on the tonsils there should be no red areas, their color is smooth, everywhere the same - pale pink.
Tonsils by nature have a rough surface, but tuberosity should not be overly pronounced.
Palatine arches do not overlap the tonsils during the inspection.
Other areas of the pharynx also do not carry signs of inflammation: neither the back wall, nor the tongue, nor the palate.
Pus, plaque, traffic jams are not observed on the surface of the glands.
No traced vascular pattern on the posterior fornix of the pharynx.

Consider the listed parameters can only be together, and not separately, in order to understand how healthy tonsils look. Almond-shaped glands in babies are not much different from adults. But diseases of the throat often manifest themselves in different ways.

How to do a throat examination correctly

How to make sure your throat is healthy? It is necessary to remember simple rules how to inspect the mouth correctly. For some people, the gag reflex is so elevated that any touch foreign objects to the tongue, make nausea roll up. It is especially difficult to persuade babies to open their mouth.

To inspect the neck or adult, it takes a lot good lighting. If the light from the window is small, then you should highlight the usual flashlight, which does not give a blue tone (so as not to distort the picture).
Try to examine not only the tonsils, but also the condition of the back wall of the throat, tongue, palate and arches.
To make the review wider, the back of the spoon presses down the tongue.
If you can show the throat without a spoon, then just push the tongue as far as possible, open your mouth wider and say a long “A” on the exhale.
The inspected should breathe through the mouth to avoid gagging and calm down.

Attention! In order not to cause discomfort to the patient, do not put a spoon on the root of the tongue. Such an action can cause a gag reflex. This is especially pronounced in babies. Instead, press the tongue in the middle.

Tonsils increased - reason?

There are several reasons why the tonsils start to hurt. Consider the inflammation of the tonsils in the throat in the photo. Such a picture can be seen if microbes that cause deviations settle in the throat - streptococci, staphylococci and others. Another reason may be the invasion of viruses or fungi in the oral cavity.

Almond-shaped glands consist of large concentration lymph nodes. Their product is lymphocytes, which fight all infections that have penetrated into us. If there were not enough lymphocytes, or they could not overcome the infection themselves, then the tonsils become inflamed.

In which cases it is necessary to fear the painful reaction of the tonsils:

If immunity is lowered - it can be not only in the offseason. A rather long stressful condition is enough for the body to stop protecting itself from enemies.
The presence of inflammation that has turned from chronic.
Irritation with allergens, chemicals, spicy foods or drinks.

Glands are inflamed, how to understand it?

If it is not a matter of allergy and not irritation with too caustic substances, but of bacteria and viruses, then the symptoms of the anomaly can be noticed far from immediately. Incubation period infection lasts a few days, only after that symptoms appear.

How to use an independent tonsil examination to understand that a problem exists and it’s time to go to see a doctor?

Signs of the inflammatory process:

The first is the redness of the arches of the palate, tonsils and posterior wall of the pharynx.
Then the glands grow in size and become loosened.
Gray to bloom yellow color, and in the body of the glands clots of pus plugs are formed.
During a prolonged process, adhesive joints are formed between the tonsils and the arms.
In addition to visual signs, the patient experiences pain and the temperature rises and all symptoms of intoxication appear.

An adult is able to understand himself and explain to the doctor what disturbs him. At this time, babies can only react in a certain way to their sensations.

Note! If a pussy refuses to eat, does not want to drink and is nervous, then it may have sore throat.

As a result discomfort in the nasopharynx, small child may cough, sometimes with vomiting. When the tonsils in the throat are inflamed in children - a photo will help to understand that it is time to immediately contact your doctor. All processes in children develop in a matter of hours. If your throat turned red in the evening, then by morning the child may be already sick.

What diagnosis can be heard?

If you or your children have a red throat, do not delay your visit to the doctor! In itself, redness does not pose a danger, but it is only a symptom of more formidable problems requiring prompt treatment.