Tonsils – Enlarged

Tonsillar hypertrophy is the medical term for persistently enlarged tonsils. The tonsils are two small glands located on either side of the back of the throat. They’re part of your immune system and help to fight off infections that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and other germs that enter your body through your nose and mouth.

Enlarged tonsils can be a sign of infection or irritation from things like smoke or polluted air. Some people just naturally have larger tonsils. In other cases, there’s no known cause.

Tonsillar hypertrophy is particularly common in children, though it can also affect adults. Children commonly get enlarged tonsils, but the condition can affect adults too. Children’s tonsils are generally larger than adult’s because their bodies are busy fighting off the frequent colds and other viruses of childhood. Large tonsils often get smaller on their own as children age.[1]

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, typically of rapid onset. It is a type of pharyngitis. Symptoms may include sore throat, fever, enlargement of the tonsils, trouble swallowing, and large lymph nodes around the neck. Complications include peritonsillar abscess.[2]

Tonsillitis is most commonly caused by a viral infection, with about 5% to 40% of cases caused by a bacterial infection. When caused by the bacterium group A streptococcus, it is referred to as strep throat. Rarely bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, or Haemophilus influenza may be the cause. Typically the infection is spread between people through the air. A scoring system, such as the Centor score, may help separate possible causes. Confirmation may be by a throat swab or rapid strep test.[2]

Symptoms

• Severe sore throat
• Red / enlarged tonsils
• Fever
• Headache
• Malaise
• Difficult / painful swallowing
• Earache
• Tender / enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
• Insomnia
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Irritability

Causes:

There are several factors that may contribute to tonsillitis including:

• Bacterial or viral infection – usually associated with common cold and flu
• Lowered immune function
• Children are more susceptible
• Chronic cases may have an allergy component
• Attendance at daycare, school, work
• May accompany Scarlet Fever
• Chronic sinusitis
• Exposure to cigarette smoking
• Family history

We use various naturopathic principles to treat the cause and look for the disharmony in your body and mind to bring your body back to balance. Please see below a brief treatment (Rx) protocol and reference guide, with choices to help improve your health and wellbeing. Click on the headings and links within for more treatment information.

Herbal Medicine:

Herbal Remedies are chosen individually created for you after a consultation. Some of the excellent herbals we consider for this condition are listed below.

• Echinacea for immune support, pain relief, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions
• Astragalus for immune support particularly in chronic infections
• Andrographis immune enhancing and particularly effective in acute infections
• Eyebright helps restore mucous membrane function, helps reduce phlegm and excessive mucous with anti-inflammatory actions
• Golden Seal helps restore mucous membrane function with antimicrobial actions
• Elder Flower helps dry up and reduce excessive mucous, restore mucous membrane function, reduce fever and has anti-inflammatory actions
• Poke Root assists immune function helps improve lymphatic function for enlarged tonsils and has an anti-inflammatory action
• Clivers enlarged or inflamed lymph glands
• Baptisia immune enhancing, helps reduce fever and for enlarged lymph glands
• Pelargonium for immune support with antibacterial actions