Many people talk about their tonsils but have no idea what they are or what they do. Tonsils are essentially tissue. They are a part of the lymphatic system and are designed to help fight infections. They are found on the right and left of the back of your throat.
Tonsils are positioned there to stop germs from entering the body. Basically, they do not allow infection to enter in the mouth or nose. Tonsils are great when they are healthy but they can easily become infected.
Tonsils become infected because they are the initial first stop for germs making them very susceptible. Infected tonsils cause all sorts of problems. They can cause breathing and nasal obstructions and sleep problems. These problems can be serious enough to require tonsil surgery.
So, what can we do to prevent tonsil infections like tonsil stones or tonsillitis?
How to Prevent
Like most infections the best defense is prevention. Make sure that you wash hands many times a day. This is especially important before you eat as your hands will touch the food spreading germs into your mouth.
Boost immune system
Another way to prevent tonsil infections is to boost your immune system. If you have a poor immune system your tonsils are far more likely to be affected by bacterial or viral infections.
A good way to boost your immune system is by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat. Vitamin C has been proven to help strengthen your immune system. Try eating foods that are high in Vitamin C such as oranges, guavas, peppers, strawberries, and kiwis.
Practice good oral hygiene
Another way to prevent tonsil infections is by practicing good hygiene. It is important to keep your mouth clean. Proper teeth brushing and gargling are very important in preventing tonsil infection.
An oxygenated toothpaste may be used to make sure all the germs found in your mouth, especially on your tongue are destroyed. Another important aspect is making sure your body gets the rest it needs. This strengthens your immune system and allows it to be able to fight bad germs.
Poor oral habits such as smoking or drinking are unhealthy and can lead to tonsil infection and even worse diseases like cancer.
If you do think you have a tonsil infection it is important to catch it early. Make sure you see your doctor quickly especially if you have a high fever. Antibiotics are usually the course of action taken by doctors when presenting these symptoms.
Another remedy some people swear by is apple cider vinegar. It is an anti-viral and anti-bacterial solution that may be able to get rid of the virus or bacteria causing the tonsil discomfort.
Some natural ways to comfort sore or swollen tonsils is to drink very warm fluids or very cold fluids. These can soothe painful throats and ease discomfort. It is also recommended to eat smooth foods that will not bother the tonsils. These can be ice cream, yogurt, applesauce, and anything that will slide down the throat with ease.
Last Resort – Surgery
If tonsils are continually getting infected and it is obstructing your daily life surgery may be a last resort effort. The surgery is relatively easy only taking around 45 minutes. The recovery can be painful especially for adults. It can take up to 10 days for pain to dissipate.
Tonsillectomies used to be very common especially amongst children. Now, a tonsil removal is only done if absolutely nothing works for solving the tonsil problems.
Tonsils are an essential part of our immune system. They help scare away bacteria and germs that can make us sick. It is very important to take good care of our tonsils and our bodies.