The importance of the tonsils for the normal functioning of the human body cannot be underestimated. They have the ability to block and destroy harmful microbes that enter with food or air. Also, the tonsils maintain the level of immunity within the normal range and perform a hematopoietic function.
Infections that enter our body in the process of breathing or eating are localized primarily on the surface of the tonsils. It is for this reason that in the case of diseases of the pharynx and oral cavity, accumulations of lymphoid tissue increase and become inflamed.
Let's consider the most common types of ailments in which the tonsils can be enlarged.
Angina, or tonsillitis
If you have a fever and enlarged tonsils, then most likely the body is affected by a sore throat. It is easy to recognize, for this it is enough to look into the mouth. Inflamed red tonsils can be seen in the throat. Often they have a white coating, and in the lacunae (depressions near the tonsils) there are purulenteducation. A similar inflammatory process in medicine is called tonsillitis. In addition to enlarged and inflamed tonsils, chills, fever, swollen lymph nodes under the lower jaw and under the ears are observed with the disease.
Chronic tonsillitis
This is an inflammatory disease of the palatine tonsils, which has acquired a chronic form. If the process is sluggish, the symptoms are not particularly pronounced. But
nevertheless, pathology can reduce the quality of human life. Enlarged tonsils, tickling and periodically sore throat, rapid fatigue sets in, general malaise is felt - this is a list of unpleasant signs of the disease.
Tonsil cyst
In this case, we mean a benign formation in the form of a small cavity, which is filled with mucus or liquid. The cyst is located either inside or on the surface of the tonsil. Education may occur due to infection, failure in the hormonal background. This phenomenon can be a signal of the development of chronic tonsillitis. In most cases, the cyst is not accompanied by unpleasant symptoms, but causes discomfort. In addition to the fact that the tonsils are enlarged, there is also bad breath.
Hypertrophy
In this case, there is no inflammatory process. At the same time, the palatine tonsils are enlarged. Hypertrophy may occur as a result of an infectious or catarrhal disease, disorders in the vegetative-vascular system, reducedimmunity. Usually, the tonsils tend to grow in children - an incompletely formed and not strengthened body constantly encounters unknown bacteria and thus protects itself.
Adenoiditis
Meaning hypertrophy of the nasopharyngeal tonsils. The disease occurs due to infections and inflammatory processes in a chronic form. Most often, the disease is observed in childhood. If the tonsils (adenoids) are enlarged in the nasopharynx, there is a genetic predisposition to hypertrophy, a deviation in the functions of the immune system, manifested in the form of an allergic reaction.
