Believe it or not, but if you are having trouble with your sinuses, you are also probably having issues with your tonsils. Located behind the tongue, tonsils serve a limited number of purposes. People can live perfectly normal lives with and without tonsils, which is why tonsillectomy remains a common treatment method for tonsillitis.

What is Tonsillitis?

When you get a sore throat, you might gargle with salt water or take over the counter cold medicine to make your symptoms go away. While you might seek to treat the entire throat area, inflammation in the throat may occur in the tonsil region. These two fleshy pieces of tissue move as you talk, sing, eat and drink. Anything can lead to their irritation, which is commonly referred to as tonsillitis.

Causes

The main cause of tonsillitis is sinus infection or congestion. When you get a stuffy nose, the mucus comes out when you blow it, but it also impacts the tonsils. Remember, mucus is a waste product that your body wants to get rid of. It contains dirt and germs that can lead to a bacterial infection – which is exactly what tonsillitis is. When your tonsils get infected, your entire immune system is at risk.

Signs and Symptoms

The easiest way to tell if you have tonsillitis is to feel for swollen lymph nodes. Gently apply pressure to the outside of your neck, at the point located just below the jaw bone. If the area feels tender, swollen and sore when you touch it, you likely have tonsillitis. Additionally, tonsillitis symptoms include lethargy, sore throat, and sometimes low-grade fever.

Treatment

Most of the time you won’t need to take antibiotics in order to get rid of tonsillitis. The bacterial infection generally resolves itself naturally in less than a week. If your doctor does order a round of antibiotics, it is likely because you have a weak immune system. Those who repeatedly come down with tonsillitis might need to have them fully removed in order to feel better permanently.

Experiencing swollen, sore tonsils is never fun but most infections only last a matter of days. You can try wearing facemasks out in public if you are susceptible to these kinds of infections. Otherwise, consult with an ENT for more options. Take care of your tonsils and you will have a much stronger immune system, leading you to have fewer illnesses. Schedule your consultation today with a world class NYC ENT.