Tonsil lavage is a physiotherapeutic procedure, during which pathological secretions are removed from the lymphoid tissues - purulent exudate, detritus, mucus. Systematic sanitation of ENT organs accelerates the regression of catarrhal processes directly in the foci of inflammation, which contributes to recovery. Washing the tonsils at home can be done using special medical devices or an injection syringe.
Cleansing the tonsils from purulent plaque and pathogens increases tissue reactivity and, accordingly, local immunity. Treatment of tissues affected by inflammation with disinfecting anti-inflammatory solutions accelerates the process of resorption of infiltrates. Physiotherapy measures are often used to treat acute and chronic inflammation in the mucous membrane of the oropharynx: tonsillitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, pharyngitis, etc.
The purpose of physiotherapy
Local treatment accelerates the regression of pathological processes in the mucous membranes of the ENT organs, which is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the tonsils. Paired organs consist of lymphadenoid tissues penetrated by slit-like passages and depressions - follicles and lacunae. In the absence of pathological processes, macrophages, plasma cells and T-lymphocytes are synthesized in them - immunocompetent cells that destroy pathogens entering the body.
A decrease in the body's resistance leads to a decrease in the concentration of protective cells in the lymphadenoid tissues (glands). The accumulation of a large number of pathogens in paired organs provokes infectious and allergic reactions, as a result of which inflammatory processes occur. Swelling of the mucous membranes prevents the tonsils from self-cleaning, which leads to the accumulation of purulent masses, food particles and detritus in them.
Washing the tonsils with medicinal solutions helps not only to cleanse tissues from pathological secretions, but to accelerate regeneration processes.
Regular irrigation of the oropharynx with antiseptics leads to the destruction of pathogenic flora and an increase in local immunity. Sanitizing procedures can be used at the stage of acute inflammation of the mucous membranes, which can speed up recovery.
Tools
Therapeutic procedures, involving the cleansing of the tonsils from purulent plugs and detritus, are performed with the help of special devices. Unlike conventional irrigation, rinsing must be done under pressure. Only in this case is it possible to mechanically cleanse the lacunae from purulent exudate. For carrying out sanitizing measures at home, the following types of devices can be used:
- irrigator - a small device with a plastic reservoir and a tube through which fluid is supplied under pressure;
- syringe for injection - a medical instrument for removing medicinal solutions under piston pressure;
- inspirator - a device for irrigation of the oropharyngeal mucosa with antiseptic preparations.
To flush the tonsils, syringes without a metal needle are used to avoid mechanical damage to soft tissues.
To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, it is more advisable to use irrigators with an adjustable jet pressure. Also, syringes with special curved nozzles, which are sold in almost any pharmacy, can be used to cleanse gaps from purulent plugs. It is with these syringes that specialists clean the tonsils on an outpatient basis.
Preparing for the procedure
Local treatment of ENT diseases should be started when discomfort in the throat is detected. White plaque on the glands signals the development of bacterial or fungal flora in the lymphadenoid tissues, which can be eliminated with the help of solution antiseptics. Preparation for the sanitizing procedure involves the following actions:
- Hygienic treatment of hands using antibacterial soap;
- Preliminary flushing of the oropharynx with salt water or saline;
- Preparation of a medicinal solution at room temperature.
In the process of cleansing the tonsils, a stream of liquid should be directed directly to the lacunae, clogged with purulent plugs.
Pre-rinsing the throat with salt water allows you to clear the mucous membrane of viscous secretions. This increases the permeability of tissues and, accordingly, the likelihood of penetration of the active components of the antiseptic into the lesions.
Instructions for flushing the tonsils
It is more expedient to cleanse lymphoid tissues from pathological secretions in front of a mirror. Controlling the pressure of the supplied fluid and the treatment area of the palatine tonsils greatly increases the effectiveness of the procedure. Whichever cleaning method is used by the patient, the following recommendations should be adhered to when carrying out sanitizing measures:
- Before flushing the tonsils, you need to hold your breath to prevent aspiration of the medicinal solution and purulent masses;
- During therapy, you should not throw your head back, as this will only facilitate the penetration of fluid into the respiratory tract;
- An antiseptic heated to 37-38 degrees is drawn into a 20 ml syringe;
- The syringe nozzle is directed to the inflamed tonsil, after which the piston is sharply pressed;
- The liquid accumulated in the mouth is spit out and the procedure is repeated at least 4-5 times for each tonsil.
Do not flush the tonsils under pressure in the presence of mechanical damage on the surface of lymphadenoid tissues.
With an exacerbation of inflammatory processes, sanitizing procedures are carried out at least 4-5 times a day. After the session, it is advisable to treat the tissues cleared of pus with oily antiseptics - "Yoks", "Lugs", etc.
Washing preparations
The effectiveness of physiotherapy treatment largely depends on the effectiveness of the drugs used. Traditional medicine is capable of offering a variety of medicines that have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, disinfecting, and analgesic properties. The safest drugs include those that do not contain synthetic components.
In the treatment of infections localized in the throat mucosa, the following types of medications are most often used:
- "Tantum Verde" is an anti-inflammatory drug of analgesic action, the components of which inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins and inflammatory mediators;
- "Iodinol" - an antiseptic disinfectant, antiphlogistic and anti-edema action;
- "Povidone" - an iodine-containing solution of bacteriostatic, antimycotic and antiviral action;
- Eludril is an antiseptic with an analgesic and decongestant effect, which is used as a rinse solution in the treatment of tonsillitis, pharyngitis, gingivitis, etc .;
- "Ethacridine" is an antibacterial agent with anti-inflammatory and anti-edema action, which has antispastic and disinfecting properties;
- "Furacilin" is an antimicrobial drug that accelerates the regression of pyoinflammatory processes in lymphadenoid tissues;
- "Elekasol" is a phyto-disinfecting agent that has anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic properties.
Some of the above drugs can cause allergic reactions, which excludes the possibility of their use in pediatric therapy.For the treatment of preschool children, it is more advisable to use phytopreparations based on sage, medicinal chamomile, oak bark, propolis, linden, etc. They include phytoncides, tannins and organic acids, which accelerate the epithelization of lymphadenoid tissues, but do not cause severe allergic reactions.
Vacuum cleaning of tonsils
Washing the tonsils by the vacuum method - vacuum aspiration of lymphoid tissues, during which purulent masses are removed from the crypts. Apparatus treatment is used in case of ineffectiveness of home therapy. Vacuum washing is performed using the Tonsillor apparatus, which generates ultrasonic vibrations. Low-frequency waves stimulate the resorption of infiltrates and the evacuation of pathological secretions from the lacunae of the tonsils.
Ultrasonic cleaning of lymphoid tissues is carried out using special attachments that are fixed on the inflamed glands. After the suction of the purulent contents, the lesions are treated with antiseptic drugs, which destroy the pathogenic flora in the glands. Due to the cavitation created by "Tonsillor", the absorption of the active components of the drugs improves, which affects the speed of recovery.
It is possible to eliminate an infectious disease only in the case of a complex application, i.e. local and systemic treatment. Along with washing the tonsils, one should not forget about taking antibacterial drugs of etiotropic action, which eliminate the very cause of inflammation - the pathogenic flora.
