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What Causes Swollen Tonsils And Ear Pain?
Question: I am a 30 yr old male and daily smoker. For the past month or so I have had swollen tonsils. They dont always hurt. I have experienced no fever. Extreme fatigue, ear pain that comes and goes. At times it feels like someone is pressing on my tonsil and holding their thumb there then releasing it. I have also experienced a feeling of difficulty breathing at times and sharp pains in my neck. They may last a couple days then go away. Other symptoms include headaches, a pain in my sternum area, and left shoulder pain. Physical appearance of tonsils and throat besides being swollen are red, small bump (looks like large skin tag) on left tonsil, large bumps on side of tongue, and rear top of palate appears to have pus under skin ( my girlfriend seems to think).
Brief Answer:
Chronic tonsillitis...
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir ,
Well looking into your problem you could be having chronic tonsillitis as you say there is no fever or pain so acute episode is unlikely . Since you gave a history of chronic smoking there is more reasons to evaluate this.
I refer my patients with such patients to an ENT surgeon. A routine CBC with differential , ESR , CRP and a CHEST X RAY is needed after detailed throat examination. A course of antibiotic is required to deal with the current problem. Amoxicillin - clavulanic acid will be good for it. You may be advised tonsillectomy to prevent recurrence.
Therefore it is worthwhile to consult an ENT surgeon. In the meanwhile try steam inhalation twice daily . Keep yourself hydrated with lot of hot fluids which will help you out in recovery .
Take care.
Dr. Shruti
Chronic tonsillitis...
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir ,
Well looking into your problem you could be having chronic tonsillitis as you say there is no fever or pain so acute episode is unlikely . Since you gave a history of chronic smoking there is more reasons to evaluate this.
I refer my patients with such patients to an ENT surgeon. A routine CBC with differential , ESR , CRP and a CHEST X RAY is needed after detailed throat examination. A course of antibiotic is required to deal with the current problem. Amoxicillin - clavulanic acid will be good for it. You may be advised tonsillectomy to prevent recurrence.
Therefore it is worthwhile to consult an ENT surgeon. In the meanwhile try steam inhalation twice daily . Keep yourself hydrated with lot of hot fluids which will help you out in recovery .
Take care.
Dr. Shruti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
could this cause difficulty breathing at times? I get out of breath talking at times. I also have all the symptoms of ms just no health insurance and cant afford proper testing for the proper diagnosis. could any of this be related?
Brief Answer:
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
If the tonsils are very enlarged yes they can even touch in midline with each other and cause symptoms of obstruction but that is a rare thing .
By ms you mean probably multiple sclerosis , I dont think these two things are related but cannot be said with confidence until you have been examined in person.
Dr. Shruti
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
If the tonsils are very enlarged yes they can even touch in midline with each other and cause symptoms of obstruction but that is a rare thing .
By ms you mean probably multiple sclerosis , I dont think these two things are related but cannot be said with confidence until you have been examined in person.
Dr. Shruti
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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