Tonsil Stones Tips

If you are suffering any of these symptoms:Halitosis or bad breath
Sore throat
White debris
A bad taste in the back of the throat
Difficulty swallowing
Ear ache
Tonsils swelling
A foreign body sensation in the back of the throatThen you may be suffering from tonsilloliths or what is more commonly known as tonsil stones. Tonsil stones consists of mucus, dead cells and other debris that collect in the deep pockets of the tonsils and gradually condense into small, light-colored clusters. Sulfur producing bacteria feeds on this accumulated matter, giving rise to the odor and symptoms. Among those with chronic halitosis or bad breath 75% of the subjects were diagnosed as tonsilloliths.And this brings us to another symptom that many people wouldn't normally associate with tonsil stones: ear pain. Sharp and sudden ear pain is, also, considered a symptom of tonsilloliths, because the shared nerve networks that run between the throat, eyes, and ears are very sensitive and any problems in the throat area can cause "referred pain" that can be felt in other parts of the closely-knit system.The tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are white or yellowish hard clusters of pea-sized calcified tissue that form in the crevices and folds of the tonsils of the throat. Protruding tonsilloliths may feel like foreign objects and may be a nuisance and difficult to remove, but are usually not harmful. While true tonsillar stones are rare, small areas of calcification or concretions are relatively common.Tonsilloliths have been recorded weighing from 300 mgs(0.3 gm) to 40 gms. Most commonly, the stones are no bigger than a pencil eraser, although doctors have reported individual cases of patients with stones more than an inch wide. They are composed mostly of calcium but may contain other minerals such as magnesium and phosphorous, as well as ammonia and carbonate.Tonsil stones are common worldwide. Searches for information about tonsil stones is concentrated in Alaska and the southeastern part of the United States and in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. It is estimated that up to 10 to 12% of the population are affected by this illness yearly and it is more common in adults and very rare in children.The safest way to have a tonsil stone removed is by visiting your ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor so that the appropriate surgery or procedure can be performed. The procedure itself is not invasive and it is not really that painful, so you don't have to be anxious about it. Most likely the doctor who performs the procedure will use a mild anesthetic (one that won't put you to sleep), so that you won't feel a thing when the stones are removed.