Glands - clusters of lymphoid tissue, which are important in the formation of immune defense, acting as a kind of "defensive shield" against the passage of infection through the mouth or nose. Normally they are light pink in color, have small sizes (slightly protrude towards the tongue), without plaque and redness. If it is found that the glands are swollen, this indicates their inflammation, more often due to infectious processes.
Why do swollen tonsils?
Swelling of the glands in many cases is caused by the influence of unfavorable factors, in which the resistance of the organism decreases and the microflora that inhabits the surface of the glands, the mucosa of the oral cavity becomes more active. It can also be associated with the penetration of viral, bacterial or fungal pathogens from the outside or from their neighboring foci of infection. Inflammation of the glands sometimes occurs under the influence of non-infectious factors: injury by food or various objects, dry dusty air, allergens. If the swelling is observed only on one side, this indicates the localization of the pathological process in one of the glands.
How to treat swollen glands?
Regardless of whether the glands are swollen from one or both sides, the first thing to do is to consult an otolaryngologist or a therapist. It should be understood that some infections that develop in the tonsils can quickly give complications, including internal organs. Therefore, immediately it is necessary to find out the cause of inflammation, which will help to choose the right treatment.
Having found out that the tonsils swelled up, before the appointment of a doctor, it is recommended to treat pathology at home. The most elementary thing that can be done in this case is to conduct throat rinses that can reduce inflammation and pain, wash out pathogenic microorganisms and their toxins, moisten the mucous membranes. For this, infusions of herbs, solutions of antiseptics, soda-salt solutions are used.