Pharyngitis: symptoms, treatment, prevention

Pharyngitis is a disease during which the pharyngeal mucosa becomes inflamed. The nature of the disease can be bacterial or viral. Pharyngitis is accompanied by sensations such as sore throat and sore throat when swallowing.

Causes of pharyngitis

The type of pharyngitis can be determined by which part is inflamed. The pharynx is divided into three sections:

• Lower section. It is called the hypopharynx.
• The middle section is the oropharynx.
• The upper section, which is called the nasopharynx.

It happens that all three departments are affected. In this case, pharyngitis is considered acute. It, regardless of its nature, has a descending character. The inflammation progresses from the upper part of the pharynx to the lower part.

The main causes of pharyngitis include long exposure to cold, polluted environment and inhalation of toxic agents. The disease can also be caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Scientists include additional provoking factors:

• stomach diseases;
• smoking;
• impaired breathing through the nose;
• dental problems;
• unsuitable climate;
• hormonal disorders;
• eating too hot or cold food;
• alcohol abuse.

The disease becomes chronic due to prolonged and improper treatment of the previous, acute form. Also, further development is possible if the diagnosis is incorrect. Scientists believe that the main factor in the transition to this form is the presence of chronic diseases.

Symptoms of pharyngitis

The main symptom that indicates the development of acute pharyngitis is severe sore throat. It is difficult not to notice it, since the pain is felt even during swallowing. It is accompanied by soreness and dryness, which irritates the throat and provokes a cough. The temperature may rise, accompanied by malaise. There are times when painful sensations appear in the ears.

The chronic form is accompanied by an unpleasant sensation, as if there is a lump in the throat. There is a constant desire to cough. The cough is very dry and hacking. Mucus continuously forms in the larynx, which constantly has to be swallowed. Because of these symptoms, sleep problems begin, quality of life deteriorates, and the patient becomes nervous and irritable.

Similar symptoms are accompanied by other infectious diseases: scarlet fever, rubella, measles. Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor early to determine the etiology of the disease.

XChronic pharyngitis rarely occurs as an independent disease. It is often the result of problems with the gastrointestinal tract. You need to undergo an examination and, if the patient is found to have gastritis, pancreatitis or cholecystitis, you should first deal with them. Otherwise, pharyngitis will not be completely cured.

Chronic pharyngitis

The development of chronic pharyngitis occurs quite slowly. In this case, there may periodically be exacerbations that occur as a result of severe hypothermia, decreased immunity, or previous infectious diseases.

There are such forms of pharyngitis in its chronic manifestation:

• Catarrhal. It often occurs in patients who work in unsafe workplaces, as well as in those who smoke. The disease is accompanied by sensations of a lump in the throat, sore throat, and dry mouth. Some people feel a burning sensation when inhaling air, cigarette smoke, or dust.
• Hypertrophic. Accompanied by an increase in the mucous membrane of the pharynx. In most patients, pus accumulates on the back wall of the throat, which makes it difficult to cough up and causes an unpleasant odor from the mouth. 
• Atrophic. The mucus becomes thick and may accumulate in the form of crusts. The patient feels them like a foreign object. They make swallowing difficult and disrupt digestion. Sometimes the crusts are coughed up in large fragments. The patient coughs constantly, even at night. The cough is very persistent and severe. Pain and fever appear, and the cervical lymph nodes become enlarged. All symptoms of the atrophic form coincide with the signs of acute pharyngitis.

Pharyngitis in children

In children, pharyngitis is complicated due to difficult diagnosis. Often the main symptoms of the disease are accompanied by a runny nose and wheezing. It is very important to go to the doctor in time and identify pharyngitis, since it can easily be confused with other respiratory diseases.

The child does not sleep well and his general health deteriorates. The baby begins to be capricious a lot. It is important to start treatment on time. Otherwise, the disease can be started and brought to a chronic or acute form.

Treatment of pharyngitis

To prevent pharyngitis from developing, when the first symptoms appear, you must consult an ENT specialist. The doctor will conduct a diagnosis and, if necessary, give directions for tests.

If the disease is local in nature and does not undermine general well-being, then its treatment will be simple. It is enough to carry out steam inhalations daily, adhere to a diet, make warm compresses, rinse and irrigate the throat.

For a complete recovery, it is important to eliminate the factors that provoked the development of pharyngitis. If another disease is such a factor, then you need to start treating it. Doctors recommend giving up bad habits at least for a while. This will speed up your recovery.

When unpleasant symptoms are very pronounced, during an exacerbation of chronic pharyngitis, antibiotics are prescribed. They are taken regularly, during each period of exacerbation. If the symptoms are not very painful, then local medications are used.

In addition to antibiotics, doctors recommend using antiseptic and anti-inflammatory solutions, sprays, lozenges, tablets, and decoctions. Treatment becomes faster and more effective if all of the above medications are combined with physiotherapeutic procedures. These include inhalation, ultrasound, UHF.

After complete recovery, the patient needs vitamin therapy. It would be a good idea to take medications that strengthen your immune system. To increase resistance to infections, you can carry out hardening procedures at home. This is allowed only 2 weeks after recovery.

In addition to drug treatment, the patient is advised to adhere to a diet. Do not eat too spicy, salty or sour foods, which can irritate the mucous membranes of the throat. It is worth monitoring your drinking regime.

Don't forget about traditional medicine. Decoctions of herbs that have an anti-inflammatory effect help relieve the condition. Warm milk with honey and butter perfectly softens the throat. Before using home remedies, check with your doctor.

Do not forget about the prevention of pharyngitis. Smoking is strictly prohibited! If it doesn’t work out, try to smoke less, and best of all quit this bad habit. When working in hazardous industries, use a respirator. Don't get too cold and try not to communicate with people who have ARVI. Always treat diseases of the cardiovascular system, stomach and other organs in a timely manner. Temper yourself and take vitamins. Eat foods containing many vitamins and beneficial microelements. Staying at sea will be useful. Inhaling iodine vapor in such a climate has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the body.