Dr. Sayeed Ahmad D. I. Hom. (London)
WHAT IS TONSILLITIS.
Tonsils play a very important role in the body defence against allergic diseases. They are situated at the base of the mouth at the junction of opening of pharynx and oesophagus. These collections of lymphoid tissues are of three types :
- Pharyngeal Tonsil/Adenoids.
- Palatine Tonsils.
- Lingual Tonsils.
Both Tonsil and Adenoids serve to fight and collect micro-organisms from entering in the chest through the throat.
THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE TONSILLITIS.
Tendency for repeated attack of cough and cold e. g. in 10-15 days. These attacks may be accompanied with high fever. Pain in the throat which sometimes extends to the ear. Unpleasant smell and taste in the mouth. Hoarseness. Snoring and breathing through the mouth. Deafness.
The tonsils which are like two guards fighting and preventing the diseases from spreading ; over a period of time become enlarged and unhealthy leading to a condition calledChronic Tonsillitis.
THE SIGN AND SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC TONSILLITIS.
Recurrent cough. Increases susceptibility to other respiratory infections e. g. Sinusitis, Bronchitis, Bronchial Asthma etc. Poor health and growth. Lack of usual vigour. Development of changes in temperament such as tantrums and bouts of crying for little reason. Difficulty in speech and swallowing. Enlarged cervical lymph nodes.
The homoeopathic treatment helps in curing tonsillitis by :
- Reducing the size of the tonsils thus converting enlarged, unhealthy tonsils to healthy ones.
- Increasing the resistance (immunity) to repeated infections/exposure to allergens.
- Reducing the intensity and frequency of recurrent attack of cough and cold.
It is an erroneous idea that the surgical removal of tonsils decreases the individual’s susceptibility to catch infection.
Experience shows that such a drastic measure increases the susceptibility and the allergic patients suffer from allergy all the more especially in diseases like Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis and Bronchial Asthma.
PRECAUTIONS IN DIET.
The following foods should be strictly avoided during the period of homoeopathic treatment :
- Cold Foods And Drinks.
- Cold Drinks.
- Ice Cream.
- Other cold foods.
Curd. Fruit Juice. Tomato Soup. Vinegar. Pickle. Sambhar. Rasam. Ketchup. Fruits – Orange, Lemon, Sour Grapes. Oily Foods.
Fried foods e. g. foods prepared in oil, butter, ghee.
It is one of the chief remedies at the beginning of Acute Tonsillitis especially in children, with high fever and all the symptoms of congestion. The tonsils are enlarged and inflamed, throat is dry as if glazed, especially on the right side. Dry cough with foreign body sensation in the throat associated with difficulty in swallowing liquids. There is hoarseness and the throat feels constricted.
This is perhaps the most useful and unfailing remedy for Acute Tonsillitis especially in repeated attacks when the tonsils inflame, smell and suppurate repeatedly leading to chronic hypertrophy. As per Dr. Burnett this remedy is the biggest tonsil remedy and when tonsils are enlarged due to repeated vaccinationsThuja or Silicia should be used. Similarly when it is due to Tubercular Diathesis, Bacillinum should be used first and then Baryta Carb.
Inflammation and swelling of left tonsil, velum elongated causing cough, next day both tonsils involved (left to right). Painful swelling of tonsils and sub-maxillary glands.
Tonsils excessively swollen ; stringy, tough mucus. Swallowing excessively painful, even water or the softest bread ; must twist his neck to get it down. One of the best remedies for Follicular Tonsillitis. Tonsils are inflamed and enlarged so much that the patient can hardly breathe. There are grayish-white spots/deposits on the tonsils.
Tonsils swollen and ulcerated. Drinks find a passage through the nostrils. Stinging soreness in throat only when swallowing.
Pain in left tonsil, with swollen feeling. Quinsy, intense pain to ears on swallowing, profuse, offensive saliva ; tough mucus in throat, must hawk continually ; tendency to quinsy.
Heat and burning in throat, at times, chiefly in tonsils, with lancinations. Swelling, redness and pain in tonsils, as if raw.
Tonsillitis, on swallowing a stitch runs up from throat into ear. Both tonsils inflamed and swollen.
Left tonsil enlarged, congested, dark reddish, right painful on swallowing at 2 p. m. ; left painful at 9 p. m. ; next morning congestion of left extending along Eustachian Tube and causing pain in ear. Lancinations in right tonsil.
When suppuration is inevitable. It is used afterBell. When the sharp, sticking, lancinating pains with throbbing and chill indicate the beginning of suppuration – it may even then prevent suppuration, and abscess formation when given in the incipiency of that process. The tonsils are large, hearing poor and there is sensation of fish-bone in the throat. It is followed by Mercurius when pus has already formed.
It is indicated when the disease starts in the right side and extends to the left with high temperature, crying out during sleep and awakening from sleep, cross and irritable. The tonsils become large and are apt to be studded with small indurated ulcers.
It is indicated afterHepar and is suited to a more advanced state when pus has been formed and you wish it evacuated. The tonsil is enlarged and encroaches on neighbouring parts and the breathing is labored. Mercurius given at this stage, low and repeatedly, will cause a quick-breaking of the abscess, relieving all the symptoms.
Note of Warning :If given earlier the case will be spoilt and the course of the disease will be greatly lengthened.
As per Dr. Burnett, to completely cure the case,Bacillinum 200, 1M, 10M and even higher is often required. This remedy not only helps the tonsils and adenoids, but cures a tendency to chronic colds, sinusitis and most conditions pertaining to nose, throat and chest.
In addition to above remedies, any indicated remedy can be used and most probablySulphur, Calc-c., Calc-p. and Sil. are often needed.
Any information given in this Article is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice. Any person with a condition requiring medical attention should consult a well qualified classical homoeopath. If homoeopathic treatment is needed, the Author of this Article can offer his best services and he can be contacted by e-mail for further details.
Copyright © Dr. Sayeed Ahmad 2004