Inflamed mucous throat. Inflammation of the larynx, epiglottis, pharynx - how to treat? Treatment aimed at relieving painful symptoms

20.01.2022

In children.

In the structure of the pharynx, 3 sections are conventionally distinguished: nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx.

Pathological processes occurring in the pharynx are also divided depending on the location. In acute viral or bacterial inflammation, the mucous membrane of all parts of the pharynx is affected. In chronic pathology, the mucosa of one anatomical department is usually affected.

Etiology

The cause of acute inflammation of the pharynx is infection:

In more rare cases, the causative agents of pharyngitis are respiratory syncytial virus, and human immunodeficiency.

The cause of nonspecific bacterial pharyngitis is usually mycoplasma, chlamydia,.
Specific forms of pharyngitis are associated with a specific pathogen: gonococcal pharyngitis is caused by gonococcus, pharyngeal leptotrichosis - Leptotrix buccalis.
The causative agent of fungal pharyngitis is a yeast-like genus Candida.
Protozoal lesions of the pharynx are rare and indicate dysfunction of the immune system.
Allergic pharyngitis is associated with the penetration of allergens into the body along with the inhaled air. Food allergies are often the cause.

The irritating factors contributing to the development of the disease include:

Cold,
Smoking,
chemicals - alcohol,
Rough, spicy and hot food
Infectious foci in the body - caries,
long conversation,
industrial emissions,
Predisposition to allergies
Detachable, flowing down the back of the pharynx, with chronic sinusitis.

Chronic pharyngitis develops in the absence of adequate and timely treatment of the acute form of pathology.

The main factors that provoke the disease include the following:

Features of the anatomical structure of the pharynx and digestive tract,
Infection - bacteria, viruses,
Bad habits,
Hypo- and avitaminosis,
Allergy,
Disturbed breathing through the nose
Menopause,
Endocrine diseases - diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism,
Condition after tonsillectomy
Irritants - chemicals, smoke, dust,
Chronic pathology of the digestive system,
weakening of the immune system,
Cardiovascular and hepatic-renal pathology.

Classification

Pharyngitis is classified into two main forms - acute and chronic.

The acute form of the disease develops as a result of a simultaneous effect of a causative factor on the pharyngeal mucosa.
Chronic pharyngitis is a pathology that develops as a result of prolonged exposure to irritating factors.

By origin, pharyngitis is classified into types:

Viral,
Bacterial,
Fungal,
protozoan,
Allergic,
post-traumatic,
Reactive.

By the nature of the lesion and morphological changes:

simple or catarrhal,
Hypertrophic or granulosa,
Subatrophic or atrophic.

Symptoms

The main clinical sign of acute pharyngitis is sore throat, aggravated by coughing. Often, the appearance of pain is preceded by perspiration, which persists for several days. The more pronounced swelling of the mucosa, the more intense the pain. Severe pain radiates to the ears and causes patients to refuse to eat. After the formation of a persistent pain syndrome, a painful, dry, “scratching” throat appears.

Common symptoms of pharyngitis are: deterioration in general condition, weakness, malaise, fatigue, fever. These signs of intoxication persist for three days and gradually disappear.

The ENT doctor on examination of the patient detects hyperemia of the posterior pharyngeal wall with areas of mucopurulent plaque, as well as swelling of the palate, tonsils and uvula. Submandibular and cervical lymph nodes are painful and enlarged in most patients.

Pharyngoscopy allows you to detect the inflamed mucosa of the posterior pharyngeal wall with characteristic manifestations - hyperemia, edema, lymphoid granules on the mucosa.

Gonococcal pharyngitis- a symptom of urogenital gonorrhea, and in some cases - an independent pathology. Gonorrheal pharyngitis develops after an unprotected orogenital act with an infected person. In most cases, the pathology is asymptomatic and is detected incidentally during microbiological examination. Some patients develop the classic symptoms of pharyngitis. On the hyperemic and edematous mucosa of the oropharynx, areas with yellow-gray bloom and individual follicles in the form of red grains. Inflammation often spreads from the pharynx to the tonsils, gums, palate, and larynx with the development of corresponding pathologies.

Allergic pharyngitis- inflammation of the pharynx, which develops after the allergen enters the mucous membrane. Allergens can be: dust, pollen, pet hair, feathers, drugs, food, chemicals used in everyday life and at work. All symptoms of allergic pharyngitis are associated with swelling of the pharyngeal mucosa. The disease manifests itself with local signs - dryness, sharp, increased. In addition to the symptoms of inflammation of the pharynx, nasal congestion occurs, and other signs associated with exposure to the allergen on the upper respiratory tract. If it is not eliminated in time, then acute pharyngitis can turn into chronic.

With chronic inflammation of the pharynx, the general condition of patients remains stable: the temperature does not rise, there is no intoxication.

Local signs of catarrhal inflammation:

Dryness of the mucous membrane of the pharynx,
Sore throat,
Painful and dry cough
A constant desire to cough up, associated with the irritating effect of the accumulated discharge on the pharyngeal mucosa.

Patients become irritable, their sleep and normal rhythm of life are disturbed.

In adults, some forms of chronic pharyngitis may differ in morphological changes and clinical signs.

Granular pharyngitis often complicates the course of inflammatory diseases of the nose, paranasal sinuses, tonsils, caries. In the absence of adequate and timely therapy, red nodules form on the pharyngeal mucosa, causing a paroxysmal cough. Pathology is manifested by painful sensations and sore throat, paroxysmal cough with copious sputum.
Subatrophic pharyngitis- a consequence of regular exposure to substances that irritate the throat. This form of the disease often complicates the course of chronic pathologies of the digestive organs - the pancreas, gallbladder, stomach. Treatment consists in eliminating the main etiological factor.
Hypertrophic pharyngitis manifested by thickening and hyperemia of the pharyngeal mucosa, as well as the formation of a purulent secret. This pathology is characterized by the formation of lymphoid accumulations in the pharynx and the release of viscous sputum.

Features of inflammation of the pharynx in childhood

Pharyngitis is a pathology that quite often affects the child's body, occurring in various forms and often a manifestation of another disease - adenoiditis, tonsillitis. The risk group includes children who walk a little and sleep in a room with dry and warm air.

To avoid severe complications and the transition of the disease to an atrophic or subatrophic form, sick children are forbidden to go outside in wet weather and soar their throats for a week. Soda rinses are also not recommended for children with chronic pharyngitis, since soda dries the mucous membrane, which can lead to the development of severe complications.

It is quite difficult to identify pathology in babies. This is due to mild clinical manifestations that do not allow to identify the disease "by eye". After listening to complaints, the specialist examines the child's throat. The oropharynx in this disease is red, swollen, swollen with the presence of a mucous or purulent discharge, the back wall is granular with pinpoint hemorrhages or vesicles filled with blood.

The main complaints of the child:

Sore throat,
Tickle or itching,
slight cough,
Pain and itching in the ears
Runny nose,
Conjunctivitis.

Local signs persist for a couple of days and gradually disappear. Body temperature is subfebrile or normal. Children usually have more pain in swallowing saliva than food.

With the addition of a secondary infection and the development of complications (tonsillitis or adenoiditis), general symptoms begin to increase with severe intoxication.

Babies cannot express their complaints, so it is very difficult for them to recognize pharyngitis. Sick children become restless, their temperature rises, sleep and appetite are disturbed. These symptoms are not specific: they can indicate any other disease. If these signs appear, you should immediately contact your pediatrician.

Pharyngitis during pregnancy

Pharyngitis, like any other disease, is dangerous for the body of a pregnant woman and creates many inconveniences associated with the inability to use the usual methods of treatment.

The disease manifests itself in pregnant women with classic local signs, subfebrile temperature, lymphadenitis, hoarseness, and hoarse cough.

Pharyngitis often complicates the course of pregnancy. In the absence of adequate treatment in the early stages, it can lead to miscarriage, and in the later stages to premature birth.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of pharyngitis includes instrumental examination of the patient - pharyngoscopy, immunodiagnostics, microbiological examination of the discharge of the nasopharynx, determination of streptococcal antigens in the blood.

When the first suspicions of inflammation of the pharynx appear, it is necessary to examine it. Examination of the pharynx is a simple procedure, often performed at home and does not require special skills or abilities. The patient must be brought to the light and the handle of the spoon should be pressed on the central part of the tongue. The depth of advancement of the spoon should be controlled so as not to provoke vomiting.

In patients, the mucosa is injected and swollen. If the disease is accompanied by fever, you should consult a doctor, since the symptoms of pharyngitis are in many ways similar to the angina clinic. Acute - a formidable pathology, often leading to severe complications.

The hallmarks of angina in children are:

Purulent plugs on the tonsils;
Plaque in the form of yellow dots, islets, threads;
Severe intoxication - lack of appetite, fever;
Sharply expressed pain syndrome.

Differential diagnosis of pharyngitis is carried out with laryngitis and tonsillitis.

Inflammation of the pharynx and larynx

Pharyngitis is a disease with the localization of the pathological process on the mucous membrane of the pharynx. It is manifested by local inflammatory signs and general symptoms of intoxication - fatigue, fatigue, decreased performance, headache. Pathology complicates the course of rhinitis and SARS.

An inflammatory disease of the mucous membrane of the larynx and vocal cords of bacterial or viral origin is called. Local symptoms of laryngitis: hoarseness, hoarseness,. Systemic signs include: fever, muscle and joint pain, malaise, weakness. In addition to infectious factors, the causes of laryngitis are: overstrain of the vocal cords, injuries of the larynx and their consequences.

Inflammation of the pharynx and larynx differ in the localization of the pathological process, etiology and pathogenesis. Therapy of laryngitis in most cases is carried out using antibiotics, and in the treatment of pharyngitis they are practically not used. Both pathologies are satellites of SARS and make themselves felt from the very beginning of the disease.

Inflammation of the throat and tonsils

Tonsillitis- acute infectious and inflammatory pathology affecting the mucous membrane of the palatine tonsils. Angina is caused by opportunistic bacteria of the drop group of infection - streptococci and staphylococci, transmitted by airborne droplets from a sick person. In more rare cases, the disease is caused by viruses, fungi and even chlamydia. Angina complicates the course of respiratory infections.

Inflammation of the pharynx and tonsils is manifested by similar clinical signs.

With pharyngitis- morning sore throat, hyperemia and swelling of the mucosa, burning and dryness, coughing, lump in the throat. General signs of intoxication are mild or absent.

At- more intense sore throat
radiating to the ears and worse after dinner. The tonsils are covered with a purulent coating. Patients develop characteristic symptoms of intoxication - headache, fever, chills, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting.

The therapeutic principles used in the defeat of the pharynx and inflammation of the tonsils differ significantly. In acute tonsillitis, antibiotics are prescribed, and in chronic tonsillitis, surgical intervention is prescribed. With pharyngitis, antiseptic solutions for rinsing, aerosols, inhalations, and drinking plenty of water are usually used.

Treatment

Treatment of acute pharyngitis

In acute pharyngitis, hospitalization is not carried out and patients are treated at home. The prognosis is favorable: recovery occurs in about 7 days.

Pathology treatment includes:

Compliance with a gentle regimen, in which it is forbidden to eat hot and spicy food, drink alcoholic beverages, strong coffee and tea. These products irritate the pharyngeal mucosa, which requires complete rest during treatment.
should be regular throughout the acute period. The ideal option is to rinse every hour, up to 6 times a day. Adults are recommended to gargle with furacilin or soda solutions.
Inhalation with a nebulizer with decoctions of medicinal herbs, alkaline solutions, mineral water, essential oils.
Antiseptics in the form - "Ingalipt", "Chlorophyllipt", "Kameton".
Lozenges for sore throat with antimicrobial components - "Faringosept", "Septolete". Lozenges with herbal ingredients and menthol cleanse the mucosa from infection and increase the body's resistance.

Treatment of chronic pharyngitis

It is necessary to begin treatment of chronic pharyngitis with the elimination of causative factors and adverse conditions that slow down the healing process.

In the period of exacerbation, the use of local antibacterial drugs is indicated. Systemic antibiotic therapy is carried out only in the presence of severe symptoms of the disease and signs of intoxication.

Pathology with pronounced trophic changes in the mucosa is difficult to treat, and atrophic pharyngitis is not completely curable.

Basic principles of treatment:

Gargling, the use of drugs in the form of sprays, lozenges, lozenges.
Use of mucolytic agents to cleanse the mucosa from crusts, plaque and mucus,
Mechanical treatment of the pharyngeal mucosa,
Regular hydration of the mucosa by irrigating the pharynx with vegetable oils,
Multivitamins and immunostimulants,
Physiotherapy- ultrasound, inhalation with a nebulizer, UHF.

It is possible to supplement the drug therapy of chronic pharyngitis with traditional medicine.

ethnoscience

Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs are widely used to treat acute pharyngitis. They are used for gargles of a sore throat or for inhalation.

Phytotherapy

Inhalations. The main components of solutions for inhalation: infusions and decoctions of lavender, mint, viburnum, linden, succession.
Gargle warm decoction of sage, plantain, chamomile tea, calendula infusion.

Teas and decoctions for oral administration. To combat the chronic form of inflammation of the pharynx, it is recommended to regularly take ginger tea, tea from lemongrass and mint, chamomile tea, a warm decoction of blackcurrant and sage with the addition of essential oils.

Treatment of pharyngitis in children

Treatment of pathology in children is carried out at home. The main therapeutic measures for pharyngitis:

The only treatment for pharyngitis in infants is to drink plenty of water, since antiseptic sprays can cause a reflex, and they still cannot gargle and suck on lozenges.

If, after carrying out all the measures described at home, the child's condition worsens, and the body temperature rises, you should consult a doctor.

Treatment of pharyngitis in pregnant women

All pregnant women experiencing sore throat should see a specialist. Self-treatment in this case is unacceptable, since we are talking about preserving the health and life of a woman and an unborn child. The specialist, taking into account the characteristics of the disease and the condition of the pregnant woman, will determine the cause of the pathology and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Therapeutic measures in pregnant women are in compliance with the basic principles:

peace,
sparing diet,
Regular ventilation of the room and humidification of the air in the room,
Gargling with herbal decoctions,
Inhalations with essential oils - eucalyptus, pine needles, fir,
Use of lozenges, lozenges and aerosols.

Traditional medicine used to treat pharyngitis in pregnant women - propolis, honey, garlic, herbal medicine.

Prevention

Simple rules will help prevent the development of the disease:

Complications of pharyngitis

A complication of the acute form of the disease is chronic inflammation of the pharynx, which over time leads to the development of a number of serious pathologies.

Streptococcal pharyngitis is complicated by the formation, manifested by unilateral symptoms: soft tissue swelling, pain and erythema.

With pharyngitis, the infection spreads downward, which leads to the development of inflammation of the larynx, trachea and bronchi. In addition to laryngitis, and in patients with a prolonged course of streptococcal inflammation of the pharynx, articular rheumatism occurs.

The main complication of pharyngitis is a general decrease in the quality of life. For people whose professional activities involve the need to speak, this disease becomes a real problem. Long-term inflammation leads to a change in the timbre of the voice.

Among the local complications of pharyngitis are: tonsillitis, abscesses, phlegmon, inflammation of the salivary glands, cervical lymphadenitis.
Common complications of pharyngitis: scarlet fever, rheumatism, glomerulonephritis, myocarditis, sepsis, shock, respiratory arrest.

Video: sore throat in a child, “Doctor Komarovsky”

Angina, laryngitis, pharyngitis are diseases that cause a lot of problems, including not only a sore throat. Temperature and loss of strength can be supplemented by a number of complications if the treatment of inflammation of the throat and larynx is not taken seriously. At the same time, therapy should be started already from the first minutes of feeling unwell, perspiration and sore throat. If there is still a lot of time before going to the doctor, and the disease progresses, you need to urgently start treatment - rinsing, inhalation, compresses.

Angina, or acute tonsillitis, is characterized by the development of an inflammatory process in the tonsils. The severity of the disease depends on its form:

catarrhal;
lacunar;
follicular.

Often inflammation of the tonsils occurs in conjunction with the defeat of the palatine arches, uvula. With timely home treatment, angina quickly passes, but in advanced forms, it is quite difficult to cure it without medicines.

Pharyngitis

With pharyngitis, inflammation of the back of the throat occurs, which makes swallowing difficult, and sometimes can even cause hoarseness. Advanced disease is characterized by the appearance of "grain" on the back of the throat, resulting in the formation of an accumulation of pathogenic mucus. Patients with pharyngitis should not delay treatment, be sure to start gargling at the first signs of the development of the disease.

Laryngitis

Developing acute inflammation of the larynx requires rest of the vocal cords. With a sore throat, treatment should include mandatory cleaning and rinsing procedures, otherwise the risk of losing your voice and developing other complications increases.

How to recognize inflammation and the causes of its development?

All diseases in which the throat becomes inflamed, the symptoms are very similar:

feeling of itching;
temperature rise up to 40°C;
feeling of depression and deterioration of well-being;
muscle pain and joint pain;
dry cough.

When inflammation of the tongue in the throat occurs or the tonsils are affected, the patient experiences quite severe pain when talking, coughing, swallowing. Appetite deteriorates sharply. Often, along with the inflammatory process, the lymph nodes in the throat, behind the ears, increase.

It is quite difficult to make a correct diagnosis at home on your own, as well as treat sore throat, but even without a doctor's prescription, it is necessary to rinse using traditional medicine. This is the only way to stop the development of the inflammatory process before making a diagnosis.

Among the causes of inflammation, doctors distinguish infectious and non-infectious groups. The non-infectious category includes:

prolonged exposure to cold on the tonsils and throat in general;
overvoltage of the vocal cords;
unfavorable environment - dirt, dust, stale air, etc.;
bad habits;
abnormal structure of the nasopharynx in a patient or injuries that caused changes;
congestion of the upper respiratory tract caused by diseases of the heart and lungs;
allergies;
chemical poisoning;
mechanical damage to the oral cavity and throat.

Infectious lesions of the throat are caused by the ingestion of pathogenic viruses and bacteria into the body and respiratory tract. Often, inflammation caused by infectious microflora is accompanied by mucous discharge from the nose (runny nose), which irritates an already susceptible throat, aggravating the patient's condition.

Effective treatment with "grandmother's" recipes

Before treating a sore throat on your own, you need to make sure that your health has not worsened to a level where you cannot do without the help of professional doctors. For home therapy, rinses, compresses, infusions and decoctions are well suited to help relieve inflammation and eliminate pain. All recipes are suitable for diseases of the small tongue, larynx, throat, they will also help cure the tonsils and relieve their swelling.

rinses

There is no better treatment than rinsing your mouth with a saline solution for a sore throat.. To prepare it, you need to dilute a small spoonful of salt in a cup of warm water and add 5 drops of iodine. Rinsing should be done every 2-3 hours.

It is impossible to swallow the solution because of the iodine it contains.

Gargling with a hydrogen peroxide solution helps a lot, which acts as an antiseptic, destroying any infection in the throat. For the procedure, you need to dilute a large spoonful of 3% peroxide in half a glass of boiled water and rinse 4-5 times a day.

No less popular are formulations based on herbal ingredients:

Those who want to cure tonsils as soon as possible can rinse with a 30% solution of citric acid. The procedures are carried out at intervals of one hour for three days.

Products for external use

It is quite easy to treat a sore throat using improvised means.

Recipe 1

Need to mix:

15 g of yogurt or sour milk;
10 g of instant coffee;
5 minced garlic cloves;
50 g honey.

Cornmeal is added to the mixture to the consistency of thick sour cream. The resulting product is applied to the outer part of the throat every day with an interval of 4 hours during the week.

Recipe 2

Walnut shell halves are filled with grated garlic. With the filling inside the shells, they are fixed for two hours on the inner sides of the palms at the base of the thumbs with the help of a "breathing" bandage. Repeat daily for five days. This remedy is applicable when the throat is just beginning to become inflamed, in advanced conditions, its effectiveness is significantly reduced.

Means for oral administration

For the treatment of throat at home, onions, garlic, lemon are often used, since these products have always been considered excellent “fighters” with almost all colds and viral diseases.

Inhalations

With the help of inhalation, drugs penetrate the respiratory tract, destroying pathogenic microflora, thereby healing the sore throat.

Recipe 1

The onion, grated or passed through a meat grinder, is laid out in a narrow glass. A funnel is made from paper, which is put on a container. The patient needs to breathe onion fumes through the opening of the funnel for two minutes.

Recipe 2

The average head of garlic is crushed, poured into a saucepan with a liter of water and put on fire until it boils, then a small spoonful of soda is added and inhalation is started. The procedure for the treatment of the throat and tonsils should be carried out for five minutes three times a day.

Any treatment must be adequate. The same applies to home therapy. It is necessary to correctly assess the state of health and, in case of severe symptoms, seek medical help, otherwise complications cannot be avoided, which definitely will not do without the intervention of doctors.

Inflammation of the pharynx and larynx is a common disease that affects children and adults during periods of weakened immunity. More often it is diagnosed in autumn and winter, since at this time the frequency of development of respiratory pathologies increases. Pharyngitis is very rarely an independent disease. More often it is combined with other pathological conditions.

General description of pathology

The human throat is lined with a delicate mucous membrane, which actively reacts to any negative factors. It is often diagnosed in middle-aged and elderly people, but it is also common in children. Moreover, the child is dominated by an acute form of the disease.

The throat is anatomically divided into several parts. Pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx) in most cases is of a viral or bacterial nature. According to statistics, men are diagnosed with this disease more often than women.

Causes of the appearance of pathology

The causes of inflammation of the pharynx are different: inhalation of dirty or too cold air, infections, exposure to chemicals. Additional provoking factors are:

Fungal or viral infection of the mucous membrane.
Caries, sinusitis, rhinitis.
Individual structural features of the tissues of the pharynx and larynx, as a result of which an inflammatory process often occurs.
Long-term influence of external negative factors: inhalation of smoke, exhaust gases, chemical fumes.
Smoking, alcohol abuse.
Allergy.
The use of certain drugs that contribute to the dryness of the mucous membrane.
Constant tension of the muscles of the pharynx in teachers, singers, announcers.
Violation of the endocrine system, hormonal failure.
Structural features of the facial part of the skull.
Mechanical damage to the mucous membranes.
Diabetes.
Insufficient functionality of the kidneys, liver, respiratory organs, heart.
Reduced amount of moisture in the air.
Hypothermia.
Inflammation of the salivary glands.

Frequent exposure to SARS also causes inflammation of the pharynx and larynx. It is possible to treat pathology at home only after a visit to the doctor. Otherwise, complications are possible.

Classification of pathology

Inflammation of the pharynx can have different localization and cause. Before starting treatment, you need to determine the type of disease. The classification of pathology is presented in the table.

Parameter	Forms
With the flow	Acute. The disease develops rapidly and immediately after exposure to a negative factor. In most cases, the course of such inflammation of the pharyngeal wall is favorable. It can be caused by a bacterial infection. Chronic pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat). It develops as a result of improper treatment of the acute form. Pathology is characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission. Hypertrophic. With this type of disease, all layers of the mucous membrane change (they become thicker), lymphoid formations expand. Atrophic. The mucous membrane in this case becomes thinner, becomes dry, there is a decrease in the glands. Catarrhal. With such inflammation of the posterior pharyngeal wall, its redness is noted. Occurs in 70% of all cases
Due to the occurrence	Chemical. Traumatic. Viral. Bacterial. Fungal. allergic

Inflammation of the pharynx is an unpleasant disease that is accompanied by pain, sore throat and other symptoms. Without timely and proper treatment, complications may occur.

Symptoms of pathology

Common symptoms of inflammation of the pharynx are as follows:

Sore and dry throat, moderate pain.
General weakness.
Slight rise in temperature.
Dry cough.

During a palpation examination of a doctor, an increase in the cervical lymph nodes is noted, and the pain syndrome can spread to the ears. With chronic inflammation of the pharynx, the intensity of symptoms is small. However, the patient becomes more irritable.

Viscous mucus often appears on the affected tissues. Another symptom of the inflammatory process is increased salivation, stuffy ears.

If the pathology is complicated, then it is characterized by such signs:

Strong headache.
A lump and pain in the throat (and not only when swallowing).
Redness of the mucous membranes.
Swallowing problems.

Sometimes the patient's voice sits. In any case, the patient should consult a specialist. But there are cases when he needs urgent help: with prolonged sore throat, which cannot be eliminated by prescribed drugs; loss of voice for more than a week. Do not delay a visit to the clinic with a high temperature, pain in the ears and joints, the appearance of blood in the sputum or saliva. Call your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Diagnosis of the disease

It is difficult to determine whether acute or chronic pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx) only by symptoms. To make an accurate diagnosis, a thorough examination is necessary.

It includes:

Initial visual examination in good light, listening to the patient's complaints and taking an anamnesis.
General and biochemical analysis of blood and urine.
Microscopic examination of sputum.
Pharyngoscopy. It is carried out in good light with the use of a mirror. Sometimes this procedure requires the use of anesthetics (for people with a pronounced gag reflex).
laryngoscopy.
Immunogram.

With a complicated course of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, tomography may be prescribed. In any case, the diagnosis should be differential. Doctors rarely do without instrumental research methods.

Symptoms and treatment of inflammation of the pharynx largely depend on the type of pathology. However, regardless of the classification of the disease, there are general principles of therapy:

During treatment, a person should stay at home, observe bed rest, and not come into contact with other people, as a weakened body can pick up an additional infection.
Sleep enough hours at night, do not ignore daytime rest. So the body will recover faster, and the immune system will become stronger.
Replenish your diet with foods rich in vitamins and minerals. The menu should consist of easily digestible dishes of soft consistency. They must be warm.
A humidifier should be installed in the room.
In order for pathogenic microorganisms to be eliminated faster, you need to drink enough liquid.
In the fight against pharyngitis, warm compresses based on medicinal herbs will help.

In order to quickly get rid of the inflammatory process, it is necessary to stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

Traditional treatment of the disease

Treatment of inflammation of the pharynx is prescribed by a specialist. It is not recommended to use drugs on your own, as they can aggravate the situation (some drugs greatly dry the mucous membrane). If the acute form of the pathology proceeds without pronounced disorders of the general condition of the body, then symptomatic therapy is prescribed to the person.

The patient usually needs:

Antibacterial agents, as well as antiseptics: Faringosept, Oracept, preparations based on iodine, essential oils, Chlorhexidine, Ingalipt. They kill pathogenic microorganisms, restoring local immunity and helping the mucosa to recover. Most often they are applied in the form of sprays. They are not always suitable for the treatment of children, as they can cause a serious allergic reaction in them.
Antibiotics: sulfonamides, Framycetin. They are necessary if the cause of the development of pathology is a bacterial infection. They are used for at least 5-7 days.
Multivitamin preparations to strengthen general and local immunity.
Lozenges for resorption, which not only eliminate pain, but also reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process: Strepsils.
Inhalations with dimexide, as well as rinsing with decoctions of herbs, solutions of essential oils.
Antipyretics: Ibuprofen, Paracetamol. They should be given to the patient only if the temperature has risen above 38 degrees.
Antiviral: "Cycloferon".
Antiallergic drugs: "Zirtek", "Claritin", "Diazolin". They are used to eliminate swelling of the mucous membranes of the pharynx.

No less useful are physiotherapy procedures. They help accelerate the healing of damaged tissues, enhance the effect of drugs. The most effective are the following procedures: UHF, electrophoresis, darsonvalization. It is also important to eliminate all negative external factors that can provoke the inflammatory process.

Surgery is required in exceptional cases. Most often, chemical or physical cauterization of overgrown foci is carried out. Surgery is necessary for complications of pathology.

Alternative methods of therapy

It is possible to treat inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa at home with the help of folk remedies. In this case, the disease should not be complicated. Herbs help to destroy pathogenic microflora, produce an antiseptic, softening and analgesic effect. The following recipes will be useful:

Bath based on essential oils. For her, thyme or eucalyptus oil is taken. You can also use dry plants. In the second case, 1 liter of hot liquid and 2 tbsp. l. thyme. Water is infused for half an hour. Next, the liquid must be filtered and added to the bath.
Clove buds. They should just be chewed on. 2-3 buds are taken. The procedure is repeated every 3-4 hours. After 1-2 days, the patient's condition improves markedly.
Salty water. It is used for gargling. In 0.5 liters of warm water, dissolve 1 tsp. salt. You need to use the product in a warm form every hour. Swallowing liquid is prohibited.
Chamomile decoction. A warm compress is made from it. Requires 1 tbsp. l. dry flowers and 1-2 cups of boiling water. 5 minutes is enough to infuse. Next, the liquid should be filtered, dip a terry towel into it and attach to the neck. The compress is kept until it cools completely.
Pine cones and needles. They are used for inhalation. It is necessary to steam 20 cones with a glass of boiling water. It is enough to carry out 4-6 procedures for 5 minutes. It is important to take precautions when using the inhaler so as not to burn the throat mucosa. Most often, this remedy is used in the acute form of the disease.
Melissa. This herb is able to eliminate pain and reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process. It is used not only for inhalation, but also for gargling. It takes 15 g of herb per 200 ml of water. It is allowed to replace lemon balm with peppermint.
A mixture of grated horseradish, honey and minced garlic. Each component is taken in 1 tsp. Next, the mixture is poured with a glass of warm liquid. The resulting product should be drunk, stirring occasionally. You can also use it for rinsing.
Aloe juice. They need to treat the affected surface of the mucous membrane.
Potato. An effective way to get rid of pharyngitis is steam inhalation of boiled potatoes.
Ginger. The root of the plant must be crushed, steamed with boiling water and let it brew for at least 20 minutes. You can drink the remedy as a tea. To improve the taste, honey or lemon is added to the liquid.
Collection of herbs. It takes 5 g of yarrow and 10 g of peppermint, rosehip petals. The mixture in the amount of 10 g is poured with a glass of cold liquid and infused for up to 2 hours. You need to take the remedy in a hot form before going to bed, 200 ml each. It is allowed to add honey to the liquid.
Calamus root and chamomile. A decoction is made from these plants. It takes 10 g of root and 200 ml of boiling water. Next, a decoction of chamomile is prepared (15 g of raw materials per 200 ml of hot water). After that, both liquids are mixed and used for rinsing. For each procedure, only 50-100 ml of the product is enough.
Alcohol propolis extract (1 tsp) and peach oil (2 tsp). Both components must be mixed and lubricated with the affected parts of the pharynx. This medicine is more effective in chronic inflammation.

Folk remedies are used for complex treatment after consultation with a doctor. They should not be used alone for monotherapy. Plants are not always able to completely rid a person of a problem.

Possible Complications

If the therapy for inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa was carried out incorrectly, then the patient develops such complications:

The pathological process becomes chronic, and it will not be possible to get rid of it completely.
Peritonsillar abscess. In this case, the vessels and mucous membrane are destroyed, and the infection enters the bloodstream.
Sepsis.
Abdominal abscess.
Tracheitis, laryngitis or bronchitis in a chronic form.
Rheumatism of the joints (acute).
Inflammation of the auditory tube and inner ear.
Lymphadenitis of the neck.
Sialadenitis.
Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.

Some of these complications cannot be eliminated without serious medical treatment. In some cases, surgical treatment will be required, so it is better not to start the disease. In addition, the consequences of pathology can be life-threatening.

Disease prevention

Chronic inflammation of the pharynx is a difficult disease, which is difficult to completely get rid of. It leads to the lack of qualified treatment or self-medication. To prevent chronicity of the process or the development of an acute form of the disease, it is necessary to observe the following preventive measures:

In the cold season, the throat must be kept warm (cold water is also undesirable).
Timely and correctly treat any infectious foci in the body, regardless of the cause of their occurrence.
If a person has problems with the digestive system, then he needs to sleep on a raised head of the bed so that stomach acid is not thrown into the esophagus.
With frequent diseases of the throat, too cold or hot food should be excluded from the diet, as it irritates the mucous membranes.
To strengthen the immune system, take vitamin preparations.
During epidemics of respiratory diseases or forced inhalation of dusty (polluted) air at work, it is better for a person to wear individual protective masks.
Avoid places where smokers are present.
If a person is prone to allergic reactions, then he must take all measures to stop the attack.
Use personal hygiene products and utensils.
Do not forget about the rules of personal hygiene. If it is not possible to wash your hands, you can wipe them with a disinfectant wipe.

Pharyngitis in itself is not dangerous to human life. Its complications can end with deplorable consequences. Therefore, at the first symptoms of the development of the inflammatory process, you need to contact a specialist. It is better to refuse self-treatment.

Inflammation of the pharynx and its symptoms are known, perhaps, to everyone. After all, every person in his life at least once had a sore throat, there was pain when swallowing and perspiration. It is these symptoms that are characteristic of pharyngitis and we will talk about them below.

Inflammation of the pharynx is also called pharyngitis by doctors. Such an inflammatory process develops against the background of a viral or bacterial infection and is dangerous because it can spread to underlying structures, such as the trachea, bronchi, and lungs. In this case, it will be necessary to talk about other diseases, such as tracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia, respectively, but we should not forget that ordinary pharyngitis, if left untreated, can lead to the development of such serious and severe ailments. That is why, when the first symptoms appear, indicating a possible inflammation of the pharynx, it is urgent to contact an ENT doctor to take specific therapeutic measures.

Mesopharyngoscopy - examination of the oropharynx

Symptoms of inflammation of the pharynx

Symptoms of inflammation of the pharynx usually appear quite quickly and, if not properly treated, increase significantly. Symptoms of inflammation of the pharynx include:

Perspiration, discomfort in the throat;
Pain when swallowing, which in severe cases causes the patient to refuse to eat and drink;
Enlargement and soreness of regional lymph nodes (submandibular, cervical);
Dry, persistent cough;
Deterioration of the general condition, fever, weakness in the body, lethargy.

As we have already indicated above, in the absence of proper treatment of such an inflammatory process in the pharynx, complications such as tracheitis, bronchitis and, in the most severe cases, pneumonia can develop. With these ailments, the symptoms will be somewhat different and more pronounced. It should not be forgotten that if there are symptoms of inflammation of the pharynx, it is best to immediately contact an ENT doctor to receive high-quality treatment than to treat complications of this disease for a long time.

Causes of inflammation of the pharynx

The causes of inflammation of the pharynx are different. Such reasons that provoked inflammation of the pharynx include:

Hypothermia general (whole body) and local (drinking cold drinks);
Excessive physical activity, stressful conditions, which significantly reduces the defenses of the immune system;
The presence of chronic inflammatory foci in the body, from where the pathogenic flora can migrate and cause inflammation in the pharynx;
Decreased immune defense of the body and local defenses in the oropharynx;
Damage to the mucous membrane of the pharynx as a result of a burn (eating too hot food or liquid) or injury.

Most often, inflammation in the pharynx occurs due to a viral or bacterial infection, however, this also occurs against the background of the above reasons. That is why, remember, you can always prevent throat inflammation. For this, it is necessary to try to avoid the impact of damaging factors.

Deep vacuum ultrasonic sanitation of palatine tonsils in case of inflammation of the pharynx

Treatment of inflammation of the pharynx

Treatment for sore throat often begins with throat sprays, oral medications, and sometimes antibiotics. Such treatment is not always effective and does not completely eliminate the inflammatory process, but only reduces it. This is dangerous because such pharyngitis can develop into a chronic form, and the treatment of chronic inflammatory processes is always more difficult and lengthy. That is why we offer unique methods for the treatment of inflammation of the pharynx, which permanently eliminate the inflammatory process and prevent chronic inflammation and the development of complications.

All methods of treating inflammation of the pharynx used in our center are absolutely painless and highly effective.

The treatment of inflammation of the pharynx is carried out by the doctors of our clinic at the highest level. Before prescribing modern and unique techniques that quickly and reliably eliminate the inflammatory process in the pharynx, our specialists conduct a thorough diagnosis, which allows us to make a correct diagnosis.

The following methods are actively used as therapeutic measures to eliminate inflammation of the pharynx:

Mineral therapy - allows you to eliminate the action of pathological microorganisms, eliminate signs of inflammation, restore the mucous membrane, and most importantly, quickly relieve pain. This method of treating inflammation in the pharynx is highly effective and indispensable in most cases;
Ozone therapy - this modern method of treating ENT pathologies is also actively used in our clinic. With the help of ozone therapy, it is possible to treat even chronic inflammatory ENT diseases, including chronic pharyngitis. This technique makes it possible to eliminate the infection not with the use of antibiotic therapy, but with the help of medical ozone, which has a positive effect in the treatment and leads to the complete elimination of inflammation in the throat.

It is very important that in our clinic each treatment method is selected for the patient on an individual basis. This approach allows you to quickly and efficiently eliminate inflammation of the pharynx and achieve excellent results in treatment. Remember, treatment in our clinic will always be as comfortable and of high quality as possible for you!

The functions performed by the pharynx are quite diverse: it is involved in the process of digestion (swallowing food), respiration and voice formation. Therefore, any inflammatory processes that affect the throat affect the functioning of the whole organism as a whole. Not to mention the significant discomfort that the patient experiences with inflammation of the pharynx. What types of pharyngitis are distinguished and how to properly treat the disease in order to prevent the development of complications?

Pharyngitis: classification

Pharyngitis is one of the most common diseases of the pharynx, manifested in inflammation of the mucous membranes of the pharynx and its lymphatic tissues. Patients often confuse the manifestations of angina with pharyngitis and begin to treat a completely different ailment. However, you should be aware that with angina, the inflammatory process extends to the tonsils, and pharyngitis affects the mucous membrane.

Despite the fact that pathology has only two forms of development, there are quite a lot of varieties of this disease. In most cases, the disease develops along with other diseases, so the causes of its occurrence must be identified among them: injuries, colds, caries, sinusitis, rhinitis, etc.

Classification of pharyngitis

There are two forms of pharyngitis: acute and chronic. The acute type develops as an independent pathology, however, sometimes it can be accompanied by an infectious disease (chickenpox, measles, etc.) or SARS. This type of pharyngitis occurs after eating spicy or hot food, hypothermia, and also as a result of the fact that a person has inhaled dust or fumes. The classification of acute pharyngitis is determined by the type of pathogen.

There are the following types of illness:

The course of chronic pharyngitis is less pronounced, there are no signs such as a feeling of weakness, fatigue, and fever. Mucus formed in the larynx interferes with normal coughing, as a result of which a person is constantly tormented by coughing.

If chronic pharyngitis is not treated for a long time, the disease flows into one of three forms: catarrhal, atrophic or hypertrophic.

catarrhal form is the most common type of pharyngitis. Its appearance is due to the penetration into the throat of pathogenic bacteria and viruses.

The main cause of the development of pharyngitis, both acute and chronic forms are infections. According to statistics, in 70% of cases the main pathogens are viruses. A pathogenic virus, as a rule, is associated not only with the respiratory organs. In fact, the source of infection may be in the stomach, intestines and other organs. For example, in adults, the infection is often localized in the genitourinary system. Therefore, among the causative agents of pharyngitis, there are gonorrheal, chlamydial and candidal types of harmful microorganisms. The initially emerging viral factor further provokes the development of a bacterial lesion.

Hypertrophic form due to the secondary growth of the mucous membrane on the old areas, as a result of which the doctor reveals granules or ridges on the back of the pharynx.

At atrophic form sections of the mucosa atrophy, and the whole process is accompanied by a feeling of perspiration and dryness in the throat. With timely treatment, the symptoms of the disease increase.

Causes of the disease

Pharyngitis usually develops as a result of the following factors:

development of inflammatory and catarrhal processes;
excessive consumption of ice cream;
hypothermia;
viral or fungal infection;
hormonal disruptions;
decreased immunity;
endocrine disorders.

Chronic pharyngitis, as a rule, affects people employed in hazardous industries, as well as heavy smokers.

In addition, the development of the disease can provoke such factors:

caries;
regular consumption of spicy, salty and spicy foods;
chronic diseases of the stomach, provoking belching, heartburn;
absence of tonsils or their inflammation;
inflammatory processes of a purulent nature in the sinuses of the nose;
prolonged use of vasoconstrictor drugs.

All of the above reasons for the development of pharyngitis are characteristic, mainly for the adult population. Children from 0 to 5 years of age have very weak immune defenses, so viruses and bacterial infections are the main culprits in the development of the disease. In addition, a child may develop pharyngitis against the background of advanced form of tonsillitis, rhinitis, laryngitis and other chronic diseases of the nasopharynx.

Pharyngitis: symptoms and treatment

Acute pharyngitis manifested by the following symptoms:

For chronic pharyngitis body temperature, as a rule, does not rise. Patients report the following symptoms:

dry throat;
perspiration;
burning, scratching, or tickling sensation in the throat;
cough;
pain when swallowing;
the need for constant expectoration of viscous mucus.

Symptoms atrophic pharyngitis manifested by severe dryness of the throat. The mucous membrane of the pharynx is thinned, in some cases it is covered with dried mucus. Sometimes, injected vessels can be seen on the mucosa. With hypertrophic pharyngitis, foci of hyperplastic lymphoid tissue are observed on the back of the pharynx. An increase in tubopharyngeal ridges is also possible. In the event of an exacerbation of the disease, edema of the mucous membrane, hyperemia joins the above symptoms.

In children, in addition to a constant dry cough with chronic pharyngitis, there is such a sign as wheezing. Therefore, when diagnosing, a specialist must accurately differentiate a similar condition with bronchial asthma. The method of treatment is determined by the cause of the development of the disease, so self-medication is not worth it.

Signs of pharyngitis in children

In babies, the course of pharyngitis is very difficult, especially for children under one year old. Sometimes in babies with acute pharyngitis body temperature rises to critical levels(40 degrees). Due to severe pain in the affected throat, the child refuses to eat food. Swelling of the mucous membrane can cause an asthma attack. Often, an inflammatory process in the pharynx in a child can lead to the development acute otitis media.

In no case do not try to treat the baby yourself, as this can lead to serious consequences. At the first symptoms of acute pharyngitis, the child must be urgently hospitalized.

Possible Complications

Although pharyngitis is not considered a dangerous disease, nevertheless, in the absence of timely and adequate treatment, rather serious complications may develop, among which the following can be noted:

Chronical bronchitis;
laryngitis;
acute articular rheumatism;
perintosillar abscess, the development of which is due to streptococcal pharyngitis;
tracheitis.

With chronic pharyngitis, the timbre of the voice changes. In addition, a person's quality of life decreases, as he is deprived of the opportunity for long-term communication due to the appearance of symptoms such as a scratchy and dry throat.

Treatment

In the treatment of pharyngitis, first of all, medications are prescribed, the action of which is aimed at relieving the symptoms of an exacerbation of the disease. Today, the pharmacological industry has an extensive list of drugs that can cope with the disease on an outpatient basis.

Treatment with medicines should be started only after an examination by an ENT doctor, who will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate therapy.

Principles of treatment of the disease

The method of treatment of the disease is determined by the type and stage of pharyngitis.

With a mild form of the disease complex therapy is not required. It is only necessary to carry out local treatment and take preventive measures.

Preventive measures in this case are to eliminate external provoking factors. Of no small importance is the rejection of bad habits, rational nutrition, as well as limiting exposure to the cold.

In later stages of pharyngitis an integrated approach is needed, which consists in conducting antibacterial or antiviral therapy. In addition, the following steps are taken:

strengthening the immune system and tissue repair;
symptomatic therapy (painkillers, anti-inflammatory and other medications);
exclusion of possible relapses of exacerbation;
disease prevention.

Therapeutic measures include physiotherapy, local therapy (solutions, compresses, lozenges, therapeutic sprays, etc.), drug therapy (tablets, injections), restorative measures.

Drug therapy for inflammation of the pharynx

With advanced forms of the disease, drug therapy is used, the action of which is aimed at eliminating the pathogen and resolving purulent formations. The complex method with the simultaneous use of drugs of the following types showed the greatest efficiency:

vitamin complexes;
sulfonamides;
antibiotics that act on a certain type of pathogen.

The following medications are used to suppress streptococci:

In combination with these antibiotics, tablet preparations with antihistamine properties are prescribed: Diazolin, Suprastin. As well as antifungal agents: Nystatin, Livolin, Ketoconazole. To restore immunity - Cycloferon, Levamisole, Immunal.

The acute course of pharyngitis requires the use of medications that help reduce inflammatory activity and relieve pain. For this purpose, drugs such as Naproxen, Ibuprofen or Paracetamol are prescribed.

Local therapy

Particular attention in the treatment of pharyngitis is given to local therapy, which uses drugs in the form of lozenges, lozenges, aerosols, inhalations and solutions for gargling. The composition of therapeutic agents includes sulfonamides, antibiotics (Framycetin, Fuzafungin), vitamins (ascorbic acid), anesthetic components (menthol, tetracaine, lidocaine), essential oils, antiseptics (alcohols, iodine-containing compounds, benzydamine, Timol, Chlorhexidine, Ambazole).

Recently, agents based on plant extracts, bacterial lysates (Imudon), synthesized components that protect the mucous membrane (Interferon, Lysozyme) have been widely used. Also, in the local therapy of pharyngitis, sprays (aerosols) are widely used. Such drugs have analgesic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of local action. The composition of the aerosol must be kept in the mouth until swallowed with saliva for at least three minutes.

Ingalipt. Product based on thymol, sulfanilamide, mint and eucalyptus oils.
Theraflu Lar based on benzoxonium chloride and lidocaine.
Tantum Verde. The basis of the drug is benzydamine hydrochloride. The product is available in the form of aerosols and lozenges. Especially effective for viral pathogens.
Cameton. The composition of the drug includes eucalyptus oil, levomenthol, camphor and chlorobutanol.
Hexoral spray. The active substance is hexetidine.
Stopangin. Contains essential oils of plant origin, Hexetidine, Levomenthol.

Very easy to use topical preparations in the form of lozenges, lozenges and lozenges. Their composition and effectiveness are similar to sprays.

Inhalations and gargles for the throat

A good therapeutic effect was shown by inhalations and solutions for gargling, which include antibiotics together with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory substances.

Among the most popular compositions are the following:

Evkalimin. Solution based on eucalyptus extract. Used for inhalation.
Bioparox. Fusafungine-based solution. Used for inhalation.
Rotakan and Vokadin - solutions for rinsing.

Timely treatment of pharyngitis and compliance with all the doctor's recommendations will allow you to quickly cope with the disease and avoid possible complications.