What are tonsils? Why do I always have a sore throat? Let's find out exactly!

Most of us have had a problem with our tonsils at least once in our lives, right? When we have a sore throat or have difficulty swallowing food, the first thing we suspect is that our tonsils are swollen. Sometimes this pain comes with a slight fever. So what exactly are the tonsils that everyone is talking about? What is their role in our body? Why do some people get them so often? Let's talk about all this in a simple and straightforward way today.

What are these tonsils? Where are they located in the body?

Simply put, your tonsils are two lumps of flesh on either side of your throat, at the back of your throat. If you open your mouth wide and look in a mirror, you can see them on either side of your tongue. They are like the sentinels of our immune system. To be precise, they are two lymph nodes in our body, or as we usually call them, 'tonsils'. In medical terms, they are also called ``Palatine tonsils''.

The main function of these is to filter germs that enter the body through our nose and mouth. That is, they catch germs and protect them from passing on to other parts of the body. However, sometimes these guards get infected with germs and become sick. That is when the tonsils become red, swollen, and painful. If this problem persists, or if medication does not help, your doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy. But don't worry, even after the tonsils are removed, our body can still fight germs without any problems. Because there are many other ways to fight germs in the body.

What do the tonsils look like and how big are they?

Healthy, normal tonsils are a pinkish color. They look like two oval-shaped lumps of flesh on either side of the throat. However, when they become infected, they can become dark red, swollen, and sometimes have white pus-filled spots on top .

As for size, it varies greatly from person to person. On average, one tonsil is a little bigger than a marshmallow. The tonsils of young children are relatively large. That's normal. But if they are unusually large and make it difficult to breathe, you should be concerned.

What are the common diseases that affect the tonsils?

There are several conditions that can affect the tonsils. Let's take a look at the main ones. To understand this information clearly, see the table below.

How does a doctor diagnose a tonsillitis problem?

If, after listening to your symptoms and examining your throat, your doctor suspects a problem with your tonsils, he may refer you for several tests.

• Throat swab: This involves taking a small sample of the surface of your throat and tonsils with a cotton swab. It is then sent to a lab to see what type of bacterial infection you have. This test is very important for diagnosing conditions like strep throat.

• Blood tests: If you suspect you have a viral infection like mononucleosis, your doctor may order a blood test. For example, a monospot test can detect antibodies that have been produced in the body against the virus. This can help confirm the disease.

What are the treatments for tonsillitis?

Treatment depends on the cause of your condition. Not every sore throat is treated with the same medicine.

• If it's a bacterial infection: Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for you. The most important thing is to take the medication for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor. It's not a good idea to stop taking it just because the pain has subsided. Doing so may cause the infection to return.

• If you have a peritonsillar abscess: In this case, your doctor may drain the abscess to stop the infection from spreading further.

• If you have tonsil stones: Sometimes laser treatment can remove them. However, if that is not successful or they occur frequently, your doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy.

• Chronic tonsillitis: If you have recurring tonsillitis several times a year and it bothers you, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your tonsils as the best solution.

How to keep tonsils healthy and not get sick often?

In fact, there is no way to completely avoid tonsil infections, as their function is to trap germs. But there are things we can do to reduce the risk.

• Wash your hands frequently: Washing your hands thoroughly with soap can help prevent many bacterial and viral infections.
• Stay away from sick people: Do not share food, drinks, or utensils with someone who has a sore throat or cold.
• Maintain good oral health: If you are prone to tonsil stones, you can reduce their formation by brushing your teeth daily and flossing.

However, even with these measures, some people may be more prone to tonsil infections due to their genetic makeup. In such cases, removing the tonsils may be the best solution rather than continuing to take medication.

When is it necessary to have tonsils surgically removed?

This is a problem that many people have. Tonsillectomy is most often performed on young children who have frequent tonsil infections. However, there are cases where this surgery is performed on adults as well.

A doctor usually recommends this surgery in the following cases:

• If you have had tonsillitis several times (e.g. 5-7 times) in the past year and had to seek treatment.
• If you have been getting tonsil infections several times a year for the past two to three years.
• Enlarged tonsils can cause breathing difficulties, especially if you have sleep apnea.
• If a pus-filled abscess (`peritonsillar abscess`) has formed in the tonsils.

Tonsils are a small part of our body, but they serve a great purpose. However, if they are constantly bothering you, it is important to talk to your doctor about it and decide on the best solution.

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