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Suggest Treatment For Swollen Tonsil After Quitting Smoking?
Question: Hi i am a 34 year old male that smoked a pack a day for 10 years. I quit on 5-19-15. Since then I have 1 swollen tonsil and now my other one is swollen. I have also had s lump in throat feeling lately. I made an appointment with an ENT but they are unable to get me in for another month. I scared its cancer!! What are your thoughts on it?
Brief Answer:
Peritonsillar abscess
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
You stopped smoking earlier this year and now you have a tonsil that is swollen and a local lymph node associated with that tonsil. Your doctor wants you to see an ENT but you can't get in for 1 month. My thought is that the swelling could be related to an infection called a peritonsillar abscess. If you are having any fever or rashes then this would be the most likely cause of the swollen tonsil.
It could also be a benign tissue growth or a malignancy but until you see your ENT there is no way to tell what is really going on. I would ask your primary if there is a way to see an ENT a little sooner than 1 month. If you don't ask they will assume everything is OK. If there is no available appointments perhaps your doctor could get a CT scan or MRI of the tonsil before you see your ENT.
I would recommend calling your doctor and expressing your concern and worries. If they do not get satisfactory answers then perhaps there is a better doctor. Remember this is your health and you are own best advocate.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again with your health care concerns and questions
Peritonsillar abscess
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
You stopped smoking earlier this year and now you have a tonsil that is swollen and a local lymph node associated with that tonsil. Your doctor wants you to see an ENT but you can't get in for 1 month. My thought is that the swelling could be related to an infection called a peritonsillar abscess. If you are having any fever or rashes then this would be the most likely cause of the swollen tonsil.
It could also be a benign tissue growth or a malignancy but until you see your ENT there is no way to tell what is really going on. I would ask your primary if there is a way to see an ENT a little sooner than 1 month. If you don't ask they will assume everything is OK. If there is no available appointments perhaps your doctor could get a CT scan or MRI of the tonsil before you see your ENT.
I would recommend calling your doctor and expressing your concern and worries. If they do not get satisfactory answers then perhaps there is a better doctor. Remember this is your health and you are own best advocate.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again with your health care concerns and questions
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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