Table of contents:
- What are the tonsils?
- What causes the tonsils to become infected?
- When should you have tonsillectomy?
- How to deal with pain after tonsillectomy?
- How to prevent tonsillitis?
When talking about tonsils, what you often remember is your parents' permission to eat all you can of ice cream after the operation is over. Have you had tonsillectomy? How does it feel? Naturally, if you still experience pain after tonsillectomy, here's how to deal with tonsil pain.
What are the tonsils?
The tonsils or tonsils are two glands located at the back of our throat. The function of the tonsils is the body's defense that helps fight infection. These two glands produce antibodies that will be used to fight infections in your respiratory tract. The tonsils are usually small, and will continue to grow until you are 8 or 9 years old. But then it will get smaller, when you are 11 or 12 years old.
However, when your tonsils are infected or inflamed, this is what is known as tonsillitis, aka tonsillitis. Inflammation of the tonsils is common between 3 and 7 years of age. This is because as you get older, you will get smaller in size so that there is less chance of an infection that will occur ..
What causes the tonsils to become infected?
Most tonsillitis occurs due to viral activity. These viruses are often the same viruses that cause you to have both a cold and a cough. This virus is usually spread through contact with other people, such as through the air when you sneeze. When your tonsils try to block bacteria and viruses from entering both your mouth and nose, this effort actually causes them to become infected. This is what then causes tonsillitis.
When should you have tonsillectomy?
Surgery to remove the tonsils is commonly known as a tonsillectomy. A tonsillectomy is usually done if you already experience symptoms such as:
- Can no longer swallow or breathe normally as usual.
- Sleep is disturbed and starts snoring.
- Inflammation of the tonsils begins to irritate the teeth.
When you experience these symptoms, you should immediately see a doctor.
How to deal with pain after tonsillectomy?
You may know that children who have recently had tonsillectomy are often invited to eat as much ice as they can. This method is indeed effective for relieving pain after tonsillectomy, but there are several other efforts you can also do:
- Gargle with warm salt water. This can clear any mucus that remains in your throat.
- Drinking cold or warm drinks such as tea and juices to relieve pain.
- Using pain relievers, such as aspirin. But you should use it according to the guidelines listed on the package, and do not use aspirin if you are not at least 20 years old.
- Resting also sometimes can help you forget the pain after waking up.
- Use aromatherapy in your room. This can make you feel calmer.
How to prevent tonsillitis?
- Avoid people who you know are infected.
- Get used to washing your hands and it's best not to share utensils with other people.
- Cover your mouth whenever you cough and sneeze, or when someone coughs and sneezes around you.
