What does it mean when your tonsils are swollen?
117115
my right one gets swollen all the time- i went to my Dr. and she said its really nothing to worry about- sometimes its just a sign that your body is fighting something off- maybe a small cold\n\nit is technically called tonsilitis (which only means inflamation of the tonsil) Below is an explination
721011
You could have an infection in the tissues or cellulitis. If it is red and warm- go to the doctor or clinic or ER now. If it is just swollen, put it on a pillow, above the level of your heart and see if the swelling goes down. If no success, make an appointment to see your doctor.
1168142
It is called a uvula. I think laryngitis can cause it to inflame, so can tonsilitis. You may need to take antibiotics to cure that
619196
As a medical student this is what I can think it may be:\n\n1) Have ur lymph nodes checked out.  There may be fluid in them.\n\n2) Check ur tonsils, maybe tonsilitis.... Do research on the palatine tonsils..(the 2 humps on the side of your mouth near the uvula)\n\n3) Get a baterial culture, like a strep test.  For all you know all you need is some good old penicillin.\n\n4) Do you have a fever?  IF so definitely get a strep test, and get blood work done to check for mono.\n\n5) Try and do salt + water gargles.  Salt is a good anticeptic.  Also mouthwash regualarly, it'll help to kill some bacteria.\n\nHope you feel better.... Again I'm only a medical student and not a doctor.  Sry, if my spelling is horrible... was never good at it.
1132433
Tonsils are lymph glands which are a part of your immune system.  When there is an infection, your immune system is mobilized.  And part of the response is activation and enlargement of you lymph glands including your tonsils.  The thing to remember is that only the lymph nodes around the infection will enlarge.
311352
Enlarged tonsils that can block the back of the palate and interfere with eating (not enough space) and be implicated in sleep apnea (stop breathing for periods during sleep).  Sleep apnea happens when the posterior palate collapses blocking air.
1026638
Hey! I'm not the only one!  That happened to me on Christmas Day 6 months ago. I had to go to the hospital because I was gagging so much.  \nThe thing that hangs is called your uvula.  It's actually pretty rare for it to swell so large that it touches your tongue but it's usually caused by a bacterial infection. \nTry ibuprofen to reduce swelling first.  If nothing improves, you may want to see a Dr.\nIf you go to the hospital, the Dr. might give you a steroid in the form of a pill or a shot.  At least, that's what my doctor did.  Take the shot if you go; it works faster.  The swelling went down to a comfortable level within 12 hours, but it took 4 days to feel normal again.  The wierd part was that I didn't really have any other cold symptoms other then a sore throat and the uvula swelling.\n\nhttp://www.biocrawler.com/encyclopedia/Uvula
307386
I'm not sure but I noticed that you have posted several questions about sore throats.  If you are getting sore throats often and they are taking a long time to heal you should definitely have your tonsils taken out.  I used to get sore throats all winter long.  They would last for weeks at a time.  I had my tonsils out at 18 (which is one of the most painful things I have ever experienced) and I haven't had a sore throat since.  (I'm 23 now.)  I would like to suggest that you see a throat specialist.  Like you, the doctors kept giving me antibiotics and penicillin and nothing worked.  My mom took me to a specialist and he solved the problem.  I hope you find something that works out for you.
1032808
Generally speaking, tonsils are taken out for recurrent infection (tonsillitis, "strep throat" etc) or if they are so large that they are obstructing the upper airway or causing problems eating.   They are a small part of a person's immune system.  They do not serve to prevent infections from going into the lungs.  There is a significant amount of "tonsil" tissue that is left in place on the back portion of the tongue when tonsils are removed.  Studies done looking at the impact on the immune system agree that patients without their tonsils (and adenoid) are no more likely to catch an illness than patients with tonsils.
832921
The word is Swelling / Swollen
780028
The "dangly bit" is called the uvula and when it is inflamed and swollen, that's called uvulitis.  This is not tonsillitis! Your girlfriend needs to have someone drive her to an ER now before she goes into respiratory distress.  Call her now and advise her to avoid gargling or drinking.  Nothing by mouth!  Understand?  Get her to an ER.
493789
if you have had your tonsills checked by yr doctor and he says that there isn't a problem then i would got to your dentist and have a check up as you could have an infection in your teeth,there could be an underlying problem that could be soughted with antibiotics
1162153
While it's true that strep does like the tonsils and adenoids, you can still get this type of infection along with other throat infections.  However, having your tonsils and/or adenoids removed does lessen the infection risk.  My son and I both had our tonsils removed and we find that we don't get throat infections nearly as often as we used to.
932819
you may have tonsilitis or a sore throat if has been with you since 2nd week of oct you should have gone to the doctor and should never have  home remedied yourself! i think its just a plain sore throat but get medical advice. keep away from straining your  voice. lifting and pushing heavy objects and stay away from cold drinks, cold rooms and alcohol and cigarettes (smoking and second hand smoke) until you figure out what you have.
485670
It could be seasonal allergies if you do have them.  Sometimes, though, a week isn't long enough to kill some infections such as tonsillitis, you need 10-14 days.  I would just watch your throat and take it easy over the long weekend and see how you feel come Tuesday.  If you do get a fever or the spots return, call the ER or an emergency clinic and be seen.  Tonsils can abscess if they aren't treated in a timely manner.
749341
The most common reason for swollen lymph glands is infection.  But they can also be caused by Immune or auto-immune disorders, and cancer such as Hodgkins disease or non-Hodgkins lymphoma.\nYou didn't say where you felt your swollen lymph node, and that could make a difference.\nIf you continue to be concerned ask your physician about these possible tests:  Liver function tests, kindey function tests, cbc with differential, lymph-node biopsy, chest x-ray, and liver-spleen scan.\nIf your physician isn't answering your questions or you have doubts about your health care.  I would possibly get a second opinion on the matter.
1042103
it sounds like tonsillitus or possibly a yeast infection in the throat.  When you get a really bad infection in the throat sometimes it doesn't all clear up and abscesses and keeps recurring.  If it is tonsils, you'd need them out.  If it's a yeast infection you have antibiotics will not help, you need to have some sort of treatment like mycostin mouth gargle, diflucan, and possibly mycelex troches.  Have them do a throat culture so they know what they are dealing with, see a ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist.