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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: TONSILLITIS
Description: Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils, small organs composed of lymphatic tissue located on either side of the entrance to the throat.
Symptoms: Swelling of the tonsils, pain in the throat, particularly painful on swallowing, coughing, hoarseness and redness. Often the pain radiates to the ears. Other symptoms may be high fever, abscesses on the tonsils, temporary hearing loss, headache, vomiting and general ill feelings and fatigue. In very young children the main symptom may be refusal to eat.
Incidence: This is mainly a childhood condition, occurring most frequently in children under nine years of age. Most children experience at least one episode. It can, however, occur in older people, but it is more rare.
Causes: Caused by streptococcal organisms and less commonly, viral infection.
Treatments: Throat cultures are necessary to rule out strep throat. Treatment includes bed rest, lots of liquids, agents to reduce pain, and antibiotics if the infective organism is strep.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Vitamin C |
5000-10,000 mg. daily. |
To fight infection and boost the immune system. |
|
Zinc lozenges |
One 15 mg. lozenge every 2-3 waking hours for 3 days, then reduce to 1 lozenge 4 times daily until healed. |
An immunostimulant that aids healing. |
Herbs:
 | Echinacea fights infection and boosts the immune
system. Make echinacea tea and drink as much of it as you can.
| For sore throat, take alcohol-free extract of
goldenseal or St. Johnswort. Place 6 drops or l/2 dropperful of extract under
your tongue and leave it there for a few minutes before swallowing. Do this
four times daily for three days.
| A hot infusion made from equal parts of dried elder
flower, peppermint, and yarrow eases the pain of tonsillitis. Drink this
throughout the day. | |
Recommendations:
| Use a warm saltwater gargle. Dissolve l/2 teaspoon of
salt in 1 cup of warm water and gargle three times a day to help reduce
swelling, relieve pain, and remove mucus.
| Do not smoke and avoid secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke
irritates the throat.
| If you have a sore throat that does not improve within
one week, consult your health care provider to determine what type of sore
throat you have.
| Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
| If your physician prescribes antibiotics for bacterial
tonsillitis, eat yogurt and take an acidophilus supplement to replace the
"friendly" bacteria. Do not take the acidophilus at the same time as
the antibiotic, however. | |
Considerations:
| If an abscess develops, surgical drainage may be
required.
| If tonsillitis becomes recurrent or chronic,
tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) may be recommended. In the past,
doctors removed tonsils on a very frequent basis. Today we know that the
tonsils are important for the proper functioning of the immune system, and
they should not be removed unless absolutely necessary. | |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No. 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
970-12 |
Vitamin C 1000 mg. with rose hips tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$5.75/60 |
|
223-15 |
Zinc (chelated) lozenges |
As directed on label. |
$4.95/100 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide
Compiled by The Burton Goldberg Group
