Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils. The tonsils are 2 small glands on either side of the throat. When a person has tonsillitis, their tonsils become inflamed, infected and swollen.The tonsils play a key role in helping to protect the body against infection. This is especially important in young children, whose immune systems are still developing. The tonsils act as a barrier, trapping an infection and stopping it spreading to other parts of the body. The infection may stay in the tonsils, causing tonsillitis. As a person gets older their immune system becomes stronger, and the body does not rely on the tonsils as much to fight infection. That’s why tonsillitis in more common in children.

Causes :

Most cases, around 80% of tonsillitis are caused by a virus. Many types of viruses can cause tonsillitis, including cold & flu viruses. These can spread easily from person to person through coughing or sneezing, hand contact and direct contact with the virus on surfaces (e.g. door handles). Some cases of tonsillitis are caused by a bacterial infection, usually the streptococcus type of bacteria.

Symptoms :

When there is severe infection, patient feels throat pain, headache, swelling in the nearby area, difficulty in swallowing food etc, followed by fever.

Complications :

1. Disrupted breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnoea)
2. Infection that spreads deep into surrounding tissue (tonsillar cellulitis)
3. Infection that results in a collection of pus behind a tonsil (peritonsillar abscess)
4. Bacterial inflammatory disorder that affects the heart joints and other tissues (Rheumatic fever)
5. Streptococcus inflammation of kidneys results in inadequate removal of waste and excess fluid from blood (Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis)

Ayurvedic view of Tonsillitis :

In Ayurveda, tonsillitis is related to Tundikeri or Galaayu, which is mainly caused by accumulation of toxins in the body due to improper digestion and poor defence mechanism by the immune system to counter the infection. All the three doshas Vata, Pitta & Kapha get aggravated in the condition. Ayurveda considers the repeated infection and inflammation of tonsils to be a cause of different types of ailments later in life. Therefore, Ayurveda treats the entire immune system thus eliminating any risk.

Causes of Tonsillitis/ Tundikeri according to Ayurveda:

1. Intake of cold water or cold stuff such as ice cream, cold drinks
2. Cold climate
3. Exposure to cold breeze
4. Excess intake of oily food

Pathophysiology according to Ayurveda :

All the three doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha are observed here. Due to indulging in above mentioned aetiological factors, Kapha dosha will get vitiated and thus vitiated doshas circulates in Siras and get localised in Mukha Pradesha (oral cavity) as Urdhwanga is the prime seat of Kapha dosha. Thus, vitiated Kapha in association with other doshas result in the manifestation of Tundikeri.

Types of Tonsillitis/ Tundikeri according to Ayurveda :

Classification is based on predominance of dosha and characteristic pain:

Vata- Pittaja- Tundikeri is associated with Toda and Doha (Pain & fever).

Kapha- Raktaja- Tundikeri associated with Sthoola Shotha, Trishna, Shvasa & Kasa (Large tonsil swealing with cough)

Line of treatment for Tonsillitis according to Ayurveda:

1. Managing the local pain, redness and swelling (inflammation)
2. Treating the fever/ infection caused due to the infection
3. Lifestyle adjustment/ diet restrictions to avoid further damage to tonsils and to get it back to its healthy, original shape
4. Surgery- If tonsillitis is occurring very frequently, if the tonsils are so swollen that it is making difficult for the patient to breath or swallow or it there is huge pus collection.
5. In case where surgery is not necessary, treatment module of oedema (Shotha chikitsa) is applied.

Herbal formulations used are :

1. Dashamulakatutraya Kashayam
2. Indukantham Kashayam
3. Pushkaramoolasava
4. Shringyadi Choornam
5. Sudarshana Choornam
6. Talispatradi Choornam
7. Sitopaladi Choornam
8. Kanchanara Guggulu
9. Khadiradi Vati
10. Nimbadi Kashayan
11. Gorochandanadi Gulika
12. Shiva gutike
13. Mahalaxmivilas Rosa
14. Nirgundyadi oil

Self-care tips :

1. Drink plenty of warm water to soothe the throat
2. Take adequate rest
3. Eat warm & light food
4. Avoid throat irritants like smoke, dust and pollutants
5. Use herbs like black pepper, ginger, turmeric and basil in the food
6. Avoid Kapha aggravating food like milk & curd

The Ayurvedic treatment aims at treating the infection along with building up the immunity aiming to eliminate the risk for long term. The Ayurvedic herbs along with advice on diet and lifestyle help in eliminating the inflammation and infection. For expert advice contact Dr. Sandeep Kumar and Dr. Anupam Vasudeva at Life Line Ayurvedic Herbal Clinic to avoid further complicating the condition.