There are two tissue masses (oval shaped) at the backside of the throat and those are known as tonsils. Tonsils trap airborne germs that enter the windpipe through the nostril and such germs can cause infections. So, tonsils don t just trap the germs, they fight the germs by producing antibodies targeted to the germs.

However, tonsils themselves can also get infected if there is an overwhelming presence of viruses or bacteria. In such a situation, the tonsils swell up and become inflamed. This condition is known as tonsillitis.

If the tonsillitis is caused due to the flu virus, it can also cause stomach infection which can lead to  Diarrhea .

Diarrhea is a watery, loose, and more frequent bowel movement problem which causes dehydration and weakness.

Sometimes, both tonsillitis and Diarrhea, are not considered an illness, but these can be symptoms of some other diseases. For example, if a person is suffering from fever, there are chances that he/she may experience tonsillitis and Diarrhea.

Causes -

What Cause Tonsillitis?

Infections from bacteria and viruses are responsible for tonsillitis. The most common bacteria that can precipitate tonsillitis is Streptococcus. And among the viruses that can cause tonsillitis, there are many, such as Influenza virus, adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Enteroviruses, Parainfluenza viruses, Herpes simplex virus, etc.

What Cause Diarrhea

Usually, Diarrhea is caused due to an infection in the gastrointestinal tract. The microorganisms that can cause this infection include:

Viruses

Bacteria

Parasites

Symptoms -

Symptoms of Tonsillitis -

Symptoms of tonsillitis include swelling and inflammation of the tonsils. If the swelling is severe, it may even block airways causing severe distress. Other symptoms include:

Throat tenderness or pain

Redness of tonsils

A yellowish or whitish coating on tonsils

Painful blisters in throat

Headache

Loss of appetite

Ear-ache

Fever and chills

Symptoms of Diarrhea

Stomach ache

Bloating

Abdominal cramps

Weight loss

Vomiting

Fever

Thirst

How Diarrhea is Associated with Tonsillitis? 

Since both, Tonsillitis and Diarrhea can be caused due to the attack of virus or bacteria, so both of these can be associated with each other. This case or condition is most common in young children. Young children who suffer from tonsillitis due to the flu virus may also experience the problem of Diarrhea. They can also experience stomach infection which causes vomiting, stomach ache, dehydration, nausea, etc.

Treatment -

To treat any problem, doctors first identify the cause. In most cases, limiting the causes can help to get rid of the problem. This is also true in the case of Diarrhea associated with Tonsillitis. Doctors first diagnose the problem performing different tests and if both the conditions are caused by the flu virus, doctors will prescribe a few medicines. If the condition is not too severe, then within a week you can see the changes and results.

Take Away -

Though the problem of having both tonsillitis and Diarrhea at the same time might not seem to be associated, it is possible. If this happens due to the attack of the flu virus or any other disease, it is advisable to consult a doctor as soon as possible and get rid of it.

Diarrhoea - Is It Associated With Tonsillitis!

Doctors believe that tonsils and adenoids have a hand in helping the body fight infections. A common problem children face is enlargement of these organs.

Even though most cases of adenoid and tonsil enlargement subside naturally after a few days, in some instances of the disorder, severe symptoms may force you to seek treatment for your child. Here is a look at some complications from an enlarged adenoid and tonsils.

Complications:

  Hearing loss and chronic infection in the ear is a common complication. This occurs when the enlarged lymph tissue blocks fluid transfer in the ear.
  Sinus infections that recur over time
  Sleep apnoea is a common side effect of adenoid and tonsil disorders. This leads to difficulty in breathing while your child sleeps.
  Weight loss is an indirect consequence of enlargement in these lymph tissues. Your child may not be able to eat properly due to the pain experience while swallowing

In case of severe complications, doctors will recommend getting the adenoid and tonsils removed from your child s body. Coblation is the best option in such a case.

What is coblation surgery?

Coblation stands for controlled ablation. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where an electrical handpiece is used to  burn  the affected tissue in the throat of children. Extremely low temperatures rectify the problem by  burning  the affected tissue. When the coblation method is used to remove both the tonsil and the adenoid lymph tissues, the procedure is known as Coblation Adenotonsillectomy.

The coblation method has replaced the older method where metallic surgery instruments were used for the removal of these tissues. Such crude methods often resulted in post-operative complications, especially in children.

Here are some benefits of Coblation Adenotonsillectomy:

  Less bleeding during the surgical procedure, limiting dangers to the child s health
  Less pain and discomfort post the surgery for the child, which leads to faster recovery
  Decreased risk of haemorrhage post-surgery

Consult an ENT specialist to know more about Coblation Adenotonsillectomy. They will be able to clarify any doubts you have regarding your child s safety during the procedure as well.

Adenoid & Tonsil Problems In Chlidren!

Are you suffering from a sore throat that is prolonged in nature? Although, a sore throat is not very severe, being prolonged in nature indicates that it is chronic. You should not ignore a sore throat that does not heal over a long period of time. This might be an indication of a serious problem, and you will require proper diagnosis.

When is a sore throat termed as chronic?

A sore throat may take various forms. It can be itchy, burning, scratchy in nature, and can also cause difficulty in swallowing food.
It is likely for a sore throat to be accompanied by a form of pesky cough that leads to further irritation of the throat.
Sore throats can also occur from common colds and several viruses. These usually resolve on their own.
However, when your sore throat is persistent and you cannot find relief, it is referred to as a chronic sore throat. The primary cause of sore throat includes strep throat, allergies, tonsillitis or the infection of your tonsils, inhaling air pollutants, influenza, cigarette smoking, and inhaling via the mouth.
Among these conditions, strep throat and tonsillitis may turn into severe problems, if not treated properly.
Smoking is a major cause of chronic sore throat. You should control your smoking to eliminate these sore throat symptoms.
Snoring is also a major cause for sore throat.
Relief from chronic sore throat
No matter what is the cause of your chronic throat pain, or sore throat is, you should follow some steps and undertake simple home remedies for soothing your scratchy, itchy and painful throat. Some of them include the following:

Do hot water steam inhalation daily, which will help
You must stay well hydrated and should moisten your throat by drinking lots of fluids throughout the day. You should add honey to warm drinks and hot tea.
You may take over the counter pain relievers.
You should install a humidifier in your home for preventing dry air that causes irritation to your throat.
You may try gargling regularly with warm water and salt, at least twice a day.
It is difficult to diagnose the exact cause of a sore throat, but when it worsens or does not tend to leave, something serious is indicated. You must consult a doctor and undertake a physical examination of your throat in order to detect the cause.

Prolonged Sore Throat - Can It Be Chronic?

Vertigo is marked by a feeling of dizziness and disorientation. This feeling could be so bad that even standing up makes a person feel lightheaded. Vertigo can even make a person feel nauseous. 

The five most common causes of vertigo are:

Meniere s disease: Meniere s disease is a condition that affects the inner ear. It is marked by a buildup of fluid in the inner ear as a result of a viral infection, allergies or an injury to the ear. Along with dizziness, it can also cause a ringing noise in the ears, the feeling of having plugged ears and hearing loss. Vertigo caused by Meniere s disease can last for months.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This is one of the most common triggers of vertigo. This condition is caused by small crystals that break free and float in the inner ear canals. These canals are known as semicircular canals. Vertigo caused by BPPV is usually short-lived and relieves itself is a few minutes. Moving the head in a certain way or jerky movements can trigger vertigo in such cases. The exact cause of this condition is not clear but it has been often associated with severe head trauma.
Labyrinthitis: This condition is also known as vestibular neuritis. It is marked by swelling and irritation of the two vestibular nerves in the inner ear canal. Labyrinthitis may be caused by a viral infection or an inner ear infection. In such cases, vertigo may be accompanied by hearing loss. Older adults are at the highest risk of this condition.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A simple vitamin deficiency can also cause vertigo and dizziness. Vitamin B12 helps prevent anaemia and keeps nerves and blood cells healthy. Low levels of this vitamin can cause neurological problems that in turn cause vertigo. This is because vitamin deficiencies reduce blood pressure and blood flow to the brain. A simple blood test can help check Vitamin B1 levels and identify a deficiency. Some of the best sources of vitamin B12 are dairy products, meats and fortified cereals.
Dehydration: 60% of the human body mass is water. Water plays a number of roles in the human body. One of the most important functions of water is the circulation of nutrients in the body and blood flow. Thus, even mild dehydration can make a person feel dizzy and nauseous. This type of vertigo may be relieved by drinking copious amounts of fluids. 

Vertigo - 5 Most Common Problems That Can Lead To It!

Tonsils are the two oval-shaped tissue pads at the back of your throat, which function as a mechanism to protect you from diseases. Any infection of the tonsils is referred to as  tonsillitis .

You can suffer from tonsillitis at any age, but it is more commonly diagnosed in children. Tonsillitis is highly contagious.

There are two types of tonsillitis:

Chronic tonsillitis Longer episodes of acute tonsillitis
Recurrent tonsillitis Recurrent episodes of tonsillitis in a year
Causes

Tonsillitis can cause viral and bacterial infections. The  Streptococcus (strep) bacteria  is a common cause. Some other causes include:

Adenoviruses
Influenza virus
Epstein-Barr virus
Parainfluenza virus
Enteroviruses
Herpes simplex virus
Symptoms

Since tonsillitis has various causes, symptoms too tend to differ. Some symptoms include:

An extremely sore throat
Painful or difficult swallowing
Scratchy-sounding voice
Bad breath
Fever
Chills
Earaches
Stomach aches
Headaches
Stiff neck
Neck and jaw tenderness due to inflamed lymph nodes
Tonsils that become swollen and red in colour
Yellow or white spots on the tonsils
In children, symptoms such as excessive drooling, increased irritability or poor appetite are usually noticeable.

Treatment

If the tonsillitis is mild, especially caused by a virus, it usually doesn t require any treatment. More critical cases of tonsillitis might require treatments such as tonsillectomy (a surgical process used to remove the tonsils) or administration of antibiotics.

Penicillin is the most commonly administered antibiotic. Once commonly performed, tonsillectomy (surgical removal of tonsils) is now reserved for extremely critical cases. 

Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Tonsillitis

Common ear infections: What you should know about them

The most common ear infections happen because of bacterial or viral growth in the middle ear, the part which lies just behind the ear drum. Middle-ear infections can be very painful and children are most commonly reported in children. Most of these infections are caused by the blockage of the Eustachian tube, which connects the ear and the throat, causing the build-up of fluids and swelling. Here is a guide to the most common forms of ear infections and their symptoms, ranging from the acute to the chronic.

Acute infections have intense symptoms but can be cured with time and treatment. They generally last for shorter durations.

In Chronic cases of infections, the patient complains of recurrent symptoms multiple times. Chronic ear infections have the potential of causing permanent damage to the ear.

Symptoms reported by most patients with Ear infections:

1. Pain in the ear (Mild to severe):

This is caused due to increased pressure owing to the blockage of the Eustachian tube. Collection of fluid inside the ear would increase the intensity of pain in most cases. Children will keep tugging at their ear and most likely be cranky.

2. Redness and swelling:

Both of these are inevitable accompanying symptoms in case of any infection in the body.

3. Oozing of the fluids:

The blockage leads to the fluid being released from the ear which can be watery, thick yellow or mixed with blood depending on the severity and type of infection.

4. Fever

5. Difficulty in sleeping.

6. In some cases when the infection spreads, difficulty in balancing the body is experienced as body balance is maintained by ears.

7. The patient might also experience increased irritability.

8. Ear infections can also cause a hearing problem if the condition continues to go untreated.

Ear infections should be promptly dealt with to prevent long-term damages. So here is what should be done when you have ear pain symptoms.

1. Consult an ENT who will prescribe pain medication as the first line of treatment.

2. After the necessary tests are done, antibiotics are prescribed in most cases by the doctor. Other medications for palliative treatment (to ease the symptoms) are administered. However in a few rare cases, the infection might be because of non-bacterial causes in which antibiotics might not cure the state.

3. In case the problem keeps recurring, one must visit the doctor again and get further tests and treatment done.

As prevention is always better than cure, care should be taken to avoid all chances of carrying the infection to your ear. Maintain cleanliness in and around, especially in the case of children.

For further queries; we'd be happy to help!

Common ear infections: What you should know about them

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