Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Seany on 03/02/2011 18:53:55

Title: Tonsillolith - How to get rid of them?
Post by: Seany on 03/02/2011 18:53:55
Well. I have been getting these yellow lumps (usually 1-2mm in size. Sometimes 3-4mm) from the back of my throat. I can usually feel them in my throat as its a bit irritating, and I can also smell them when they are in the back of my throat. It is a rancid smell.

I was a bit embarrassed by this and was genuinely like "What the beep!" when I first found out I was coughing up these yellow lumps. I usually get them once a week or so.
After a few years of this, recently I decided to google it, in little hope of finding someone with the same situation as myself. To my surprise, I found out that it is rather common, and they are called Tonsil stones or Tonsilloliths.

After seeing the Wikipedia page, I decided to look at my throat in a mirror, and I actually found a little lump embedded in my throat and I picked on it, and it came out with much ease.

Now, my question is. How do I get rid of them? I want to stop them forming altogether. Is it the food I eat? Would gargling help? They just smell terrible! I can feel one in the back of my throat as I type.....

Thank you! [:-[]
Title: Tonsillolith - How to get rid of them?
Post by: Geezer on 03/02/2011 22:43:27
I think you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Self-diagnosis can be a dangerous thing.

Consider what happened to Jim Henson.   
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Henson#Illness_and_death
Title: Tonsillolith - How to get rid of them?
Post by: chris on 05/02/2011 10:01:28
Hi Seany

tonsilloliths are very common and frequently of no consequence; occasionally they can be a problem, chiefly because they cause bad breath owing to the sulphur-metabolising bacteria that cling to their surfaces. They can also accompany a dose of tonsillitis. I suspect that people who get them may have deeper crypts in their tonsils or perhaps carry a higher frequency of certain types of bacteria that might encourage their formation.

It's always worth having a health issue checked out, in case something else is going on, but it sounds to me like you have made the diagnosis correctly and, if you are not otherwise having problems with your throat, I'm sure everything is fine.

Chris
Title: Tonsillolith - How to get rid of them?
Post by: Seany on 05/02/2011 13:18:46
Nope. I have no problems. Never had. Never had tonsillitis either.
Just a bit conscious of bad breath every week or so, so I'm actively looking for these pores every day!
I guess there's no real solution apart from some salt water gargling, I've found..