People with tonsils suffering from a post nasal drip, risk to develop the white calcified lumps on the tonsils which are called tonsil stones. Tonsil stones may vary in size. They could range from a minuscule tonsil stones to one that occupies the entire tonsil. In this article, we will talk about tonsil stones and post nasal drip treatment options you can try at home. We have outlined the best natural remedies that are safe and have negligible adverse effects.
Contents
Tonsils Demystified
Tonsils are best defined as tissues of glandular origin which are located at the back of the throat. The primary function is filtration and protection of the respiratory passage from dust, bacteria and virus.
Protection is best ensured by adopting a filtration process wherein the tonsils trap these incriminating agents. Thus, it no surprise that experts have now concluded that the function of these glands is not merely mechanical. This is further validated by the fact that they contain specific type of cells known as lymphocytes which can fight infection.
About Tonsil Stones
Tonsils have innumerable crevices and cracks which may contain food, debris and mucus. When the debris gets calcified, hardened, irregular or white structures; they are better connoted as tonsil stones.
Post Nasal Drip
In a state of normal health, the inner lining of the nose, throat and the respiratory airways produce and secrete a thick and moist substance better known as mucus. Experts are of the opinion that the primary function of this mucus is to wet these areas and help trap the dust, bacteria and viruses. This invariably prevents their entry into the body.
As the mucus from the nose subtly mixes with the saliva and then harmlessly drips down the throat, it rarely results in any discomfort. On the contrary, when the amount of mucus secreted increases and the consistency is thicker than normal, running down the throat can be intimidating and the secretion is then better connoted as a post nasal drip.
Tonsil Stones and Post Nasal Drip
Post nasal drips are typically an outcome of excess secretion or production of mucus which then runs down the posterior wall of the throat. A post nasal drip can be diverse, ranging from bacteria and viruses to relatively innocuous respiratory tract infections such as flu and even common cold.
The Cause
Statistics indicate that when one has a post nasal drip and enlarged tonsils, the probability of contracting tonsil stones is high. On visual inspection tonsil stones present as white protuberances limited to the tonsil tissues. Some of the common causes may well include:
Seasonal
Seasons are a trigger and this is more than evident from historical data. If numbers are any index, data shows that winter seasons and post nasal drips are closely interrelated; thus it is not surprising that symptoms tend to aggravate during the winter months.
When mucus secretion increases, it invariably accumulates in the posterior region of the throat and the lower part of the tongue. This then is known to lead to the formation of tonsil stones and early onset of a post nasal drip.
Respiratory Triggers
Experts believe that while post nasal drips are a natural outcome of upper respiratory infections such as flu and common cold, tonsil stones can only form in those who have tonsils and do not have a history of previous removal of these glands.
A post nasal drip can ten times increase the probability of developing tonsil stones.
Sinusitis
Sinus cavities are typically air filled cavities. However, they may be filled with fluids and could even get infected with incriminating organisms such as viruses and bacteria.
The swollen mucosal lining may trigger a blockage of the sinus.This is one of the common causes which can cause a post nasal drip first and tonsil stones later.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is associated with high estrogen levels. These hormonal imbalances trigger off a persistent irritation of the throat.
30 percent of all pregnant women experience throat irritations and a post nasal drip at some point of time. Post nasal drips are common in first trimester.
Dead Cells and Mucus
Tonsil stones or tonsilloliths are common problem many face daily. One of the causes which can be attributed to the formation of tonsil stones is their ability to trap foreign material.
The tonsil tissue is marked with innumerable crevices and cracks. Dead cells debris and mucous secretions tend to get accumulated in these crevices or pockets.
Over duration of time, the trapped foreign material solidifies and concentrates into solid white formations better known as tonsil stones.
Thus, it is scarcely surprising that repeated attacks of tonsillitis or even chronic inflammation of the tonsil tissue results in the formation of tonsil stones.
Mechanics
Researching and understanding post nasal drips is incomplete without concurrently understanding tonsil stones.
When one suffers from an attack of flu or upper respiratory tract infection, increased mucus is secreted which then drips into the throat. Chronic or long standing dripping of mucus into the posterior part of the throat results in the formation of tonsil stones.
Mucous is essentially a protein which is secreted when one suffers from a bacterial infection. This invariably results in the mucus dripping into the throat and the posterior part of the tongue.
This constant drop of mucous onto the tonsils results in accumulation of the mucus in the crevices present in the tonsil tissue. Over a period of time, these accumulated secretions are consumed by sulphur bacteria and form what is more familiarly known as tonsil stones.
Tonsil Stones and Post Nasal Drip Treatment Relief
Cautions and Precautions
Naturalists believe that alcohol and dairy products are best avoided because they can trigger or aggravate onset of tonsil stones and post nasal drips.
On the contrary, drinking plenty of water can help flush out the toxins and the incriminating bacteria. Concurrently, maintaining a good oral hygiene by brushing regularly and visiting the dentist periodically, can definitely minimize the presence of bacteria.
Mechanical Options
One of the amazingly simple, yet effective option, is to simply open your mouth wide and then observe your reflection in a mirror. Take a swab piece and manually apply pressure to remove the tonsil stone without the need to use medical equipment or instruments.
The Toothbrush
Use a toothbrush to scrape out the tonsil stones. On the contrary, where the tonsil stone is still larger in size, you could simply take a cotton swab and use the fingers to remove the stone.
Nevertheless, caution should be exercised so that the surrounding tissue is not irritated or bruised, as this could result in a sore throat.
Lemon
Simply add a pinch of iodized salt to five tablespoons of lemon juice and dissolve the mix in a glass of warm water. Gargle with the mix and repeat the process thrice a day for optimal results.
Lemon juice is particularly rich in ascorbic acid and when combined with iodized salt, the mix has the inherent ability to dislodge and dissolve tonsil stones.
Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is great for treating tonsil stones. The oil is strongly anti-inflammatory and when added to a glass of lukewarm water, it can prepare the perfect mix against tonsil stones.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is best defined as the perfect gargle mix for those who have been diagnosed positive with tonsil stones. The condition is best alternated with extra virgin olive oil gargles for optimal results.
Honey
Tonsil stones are a function of a chronic sore throat and is best reversed using honey and water gargles. Experts have opined that gargling with the mix three or four times a day could work wonders.
The stones are known to clear quickly, because honey has particularly strong anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties.
Hydrotherapy
There is more to hydrotherapy than mere relaxation, as i tis evident from the fact that taking a warm water bath or a hot shower helps thin out the mucous secretions, minimizing the probability of contracting a post nasal drip.
Conversely, those diagnosed with the condition also show a significant improvement with hydrotherapy.
While some have found a cup of hot tea laced with honey as the perfect antidote for this potentially irritating problem, others have found drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day equally effective.
Neti Pot
The process of pouring several cups of warm water into one nostril and running it out from the other may sound far more intimidating than in real time. Although, it may require practice before one actually gets used to using the neti pot. Once you adept to it, the process can work wonders.
When the fluid runs through the nostrils, it can clear out the cruds that form within the nasal cavities.
Black Pepper
This is one therapeutic spice which needs no introduction. Black pepper has been known to help recover from an array of medical conditions.
Black pepper has multiple mechanisms of action:
It can decrease the production of mucus significantly, helping swallowing of mucus without any significant adverse effects.
It is rich in antimicrobials, anti-oxidants, minerals and vitamins. Thus, it is no surprise that black pepper can reverse the condition and control the symptoms.
Garlic
Garlic is yet another natural option which has strong antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties which makes it particularly effective therapeutically. Garlic can inhibit the production of mucus and can also dislodge the mucus.
Add garlic in a glass of warm lemon water and consume it every morning and every night. It can work wonders with people suffering from post nasal drip. Garlic can also minimize the probability of contracting tonsil stones in the future.
Vinegar
Vinegar gargles are known to be effective for treating tonsil stones. Tonsil stones are primarily composed of calcium and vinegar dissolves the calcium.
The mix for vinegar gargles is best prepared by dissolving a tablespoon of vinegar in a cup of hot water. The recommended regime is to gargle once a day. What makes it even more effective is the fact that vinegar gargles can be preventive as they even prevent the reformation of tonsil stones.
Conclusion
Although, there are some very diverse causes for the formation of post nasal drips and tonsil stones, there are great treatment options available which can help both conditions.
Natural remedies are the pick of options for many sufferers. However, if any of these remedies won’t reduce your symptoms, you need to speak to your doctor.
References:
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/postnasal-drip
http://www.getridofthings.com/health/symptoms/get-rid-of-postnasal-drip
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tonsil-stones-tonsilloliths-treatment-and-prevention
http://tonsilstonesadvisor.com/home-remedies-for-tonsil-stonestonsilitis
http://tonsilstonesadvisor.com/
Black pepper caused my post nasal drip.
Three years ago, I began producing copious quantities of phlegm out of nowhere. It got worse when I ate dairy but it was always present in different degrees. A few months later, I began developing tonsil stones. Within the year, I began experiencing bloating of my formerly perfectly flat belly. Then, for the flrst time ever in my 58 years, I developed a kidney stone. I read every board, visited doctors, etc. etc. etc. I was literally driving myself and my family crazy with all of the throat clearing and no one had any definitive answers. I finally came across an article that tied low stomach acid production to excessive phlegm In the throat. I purchased the cheapest lactase enzyme I could find and began taking them before my first bite of anything, especially dairy. I had an immediate improvement. Within a week, the tonsil stone production had dropped to almost nothing, as did the phlegm. My belly has started to go down and I am working on passing the kidney stone. I truly believe that this is all related and the root cause is low stomach acid. I won’t debate any of this with a doctor, but I know what I know and I have found it out the hard way. I just ordered the most expensive and well reviewed lactase enzymes I could find and I expect even better results with a quality product.
This is my experience and everyone’s body may react differently, but if this helps even one person, it is worth posting. I finally feel that I have control of myself again.