1. Treat with Medication
There are several variations of tonsillitis: acute, recurrent and chronic. All of the variations refer to an inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils. Tonsils, themselves are lymph nodes that are located on both sides of the throat. The clinical term tonsillitis refers to the inflammatory, reddening or tenderness that ensues during an infection. A bout of tonsillitis can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, strep throat or glandular fever.
If bacteria is the cause of the recurrent tonsillitis, then treatment entails giving the individual a course of antibiotics. Your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for you that he or she feels is able to stop the infection. It is necessary to complete the entire course of antibiotics even if the symptoms of tonsillitis disappear
2. Treat with Old-Fashioned Home Therapies
Some of the most effective ways to treat tonsillitis and ease the symptoms associated with this uncomfortable condition can be found right in your own home. Drinking plenty of liquids, including soups and teas made with honey, will help to ease the discomfort of a painful throat. In addition, sucking on throat lozenges and frozen popsicles will also help to temporarily relieve pain. Adults can pop a few aspirins for their recurrent tonsillitis, while children should take acetomenophin after consulting with their pediatrician. Both of these will help to numb the throat for a few hours.
3. Treat with Herbal Remedies
There are a number of herbal remedies that can be used to treat recurrent tonsillitis. According to Nikhil Jain, founder of the company Home Remedies, the following herbal treatments can help to relieve some of the discomfort of recurrent tonsillitis.
Gelsemium 6C: It is a well-known herb for the treatment of tonsilitis. It is mainly used for the healing process of tonsils.
Belladonna 30C: A Homeopathic remedy used for fast relief of acute fever, pain, headaches, sore throat, swollen tonsils and dry cough.
Gallium aperine (also known as Cleavers): It is an excellent cleansing tonic and has a beneficial effect on all the lymph glands, including the tonsils. Gallium aperine is effective in relieving swollen tonsils and other lymph glands and is also recommended for glandular fever.
Salvia officinalis: It has a beneficial effect on all conditions of the mouth and throat and has well-known herbal astringent, antibiotic and antiseptic properties.
4. Opting for a Tonsillectomy
For individuals whose recurrent tonsillitis is reducing their quality of life, a tonsillectomy, which is a procedure that removes the tonsils, might be recommended by the individual's physician.
In the January 2008 issue of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, the journal reported that tonsillectomies to treat recurrent tonsillitis significantly improved the quality of life in both children and adults who were studied. Among the findings were substantial decreases in the number of sore throats, antibiotic courses, days missed from school, doctor visits and chronic halitosis or bad breath.
The current clinical guidelines produced by the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), recommend tonsillectomy for children with three or more documented tonsil infections in the span of a year.
