Does eating a lot of cold food cause sore throat and tonsillitis?

Many people experience sore throat, fever or painful swallowing after eating or drinking cold food. So does eating or drinking cold food really increase the risk of tonsillitis?

Specialist Doctor 1 Le Ngoc Chau, Ngu Quan Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - Facility 3 said that tonsils (also known as palatine tonsils) are two masses of lymphoid tissue located on both sides of the throat, acting as the body's first "shield" in fighting bacteria and viruses that enter through the upper respiratory tract. Tonsillitis is a condition in which the tonsils are swollen, red, and possibly filled with pus, caused by bacteria or viruses. This condition is common in both children and adults, especially during weather changes or when resistance is reduced.

Tonsillitis can occur suddenly (acute) or last for a long time (chronic). Common symptoms include sore throat, especially when swallowing; fever (which can be mild or high); swelling and redness of the tonsils, with white pus appearing in the tonsil cavities; bad breath; hoarseness or loss of voice; swollen, painful lymph nodes in the neck; fatigue, loss of appetite.

The habit of regularly drinking cold water, eating ice cream... can increase the risk of tonsillitis if combined with other favorable factors.

PHOTO: AI

Tonsillitis is mainly caused by viruses (accounting for about 70%) and bacteria (especially group A streptococcus). However, many other risk factors can also increase the likelihood of getting the disease such as sudden changes in weather, polluted environment, unreasonable living habits such as regularly drinking cold water, eating ice cream, sleeping in a room with low air conditioning temperature, bathing at night... can cause sudden vasoconstriction in the throat area, reducing local circulation and creating conditions for bacteria and viruses to develop, weak resistance...

Does eating cold foods increase the risk of tonsillitis?

According to Dr. Ngoc Chau, the answer is "yes", in certain cases. Because the use of cold drinks does not directly cause tonsillitis, but it increases the risk if combined with other favorable factors.

"When you drink cold water, especially when you are sweating a lot because of the hot weather, the throat mucosa is in a state of expansion and moisture. Cold water suddenly entering will cause sudden vasoconstriction in the throat area, which reduces blood flow and local immunity there. As a result, the throat mucosa becomes vulnerable, easily invaded by viruses and bacteria - creating favorable conditions for tonsillitis to develop," Dr. Ngoc Chau analyzed.

How to prevent tonsillitis in summer

According to Dr. Chau, to protect your tonsils and respiratory system during the hot summer, you should take the following preventive measures:

• Limit drinking water that is too cold: Prioritize drinking cool water or water at room temperature.
• Maintain oral and throat hygiene: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, rinse your mouth after meals and before going to bed. You can gargle with saline to gently disinfect the throat area.
• Strengthen the body's resistance: Drink enough water (1.5 - 2 liters/day), get enough sleep, increase exercise, eat lots of green vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C such as oranges, grapefruit, strawberries...
• Use some traditional herbal medicines with cooling properties such as chrysanthemum, mint, honeysuckle, licorice, etc. to cool and reduce inflammation.
• Avoid sudden changes in temperature: Do not enter an air-conditioned room when your body is sweaty or when you have been outside in the sun. Do not let the fan or air conditioner blow directly on your face while sleeping.
• Monitor and treat early symptoms of respiratory tract infections: If you have signs of sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck, you should see a doctor soon for timely treatment to avoid the disease from progressing.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/an-uong-nhieu-do-lanh-co-phai-nguyen-nhan-gay-dau-hong-viem-amidan-185250831162442921.htm