Colds occur mainly in the autumn and winter months. However, if additional symptoms such as pain radiating into the ear with pressure-sensitive lymph nodes in the upper neck area occur, this may indicate side-strangangina.
What is lateral gangrene?
Sore throat and difficulty swallowing, in particular, are hallmarks of lateral gangrene. Lateral trangangina is a special form of pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat). It occurs much less frequently than acute pharyngitis and causes discomfort mainly in the lymphatic ducts running along the side of the pharyngeal wall. These are also known as lateral cords and, in the case of inflammation, are reddened and swollen and populated with white specks. Lateral gangrene can also be associated with ear pain due to the close proximity of the lateral cords to the Eustachian tube. This forms the connection from the ear to the nasopharynx. The patient also suffers from difficulty swallowing and a scratchy throat, as well as a general feeling of illness with fatigue and possibly fever. In addition, there is coughing irritation caused by irritation in the throat area. However, painful swollen lymph nodes in the throat area are characteristic of lateral gangrene. Pain occurs, especially when swallowing, and may radiate to the ears.
Causes
Lateral trangangina occurs more frequently in patients whose adenoids have been surgically removed, because the automatic protective function of the tonsils is no longer present in their case and pathogens can therefore enter the throat unimpeded. It usually develops as a result of a cold caused by viruses, which first affects the nasal mucosa and triggers a cold. Subsequently, the inflammation spreads to the pharynx and leads to scratching of the throat and coughing. Bacteria now colonize the lateral cords of patients who have been weakened by the previous cold. The pathogens of lateral strand gangrene are mainly pneumococci or staphylococci.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
The first signs of lateral trangangina are a severely reddened throat that is swollen at the sides. In some cases, yellowish spots or specks and plaques can be seen in the throat as well as on the tongue. Compared to classic angina, the pain in the throat and pharynx is more pronounced in lateral gangrene. There is often a compulsion to clear the throat and swallow, which is perceived as very unpleasant. The pain in the throat usually affects one side in particular. The throat feels dry and rough, and swallowing is painful. In addition to a general feeling of illness, accompanied by classic symptoms such as a cold and fatigue, there is a fever, which, however, is lower than in classic angina. In addition, earache radiating from the throat and headache may accompany the clinical picture. The physician can determine whether the lateral gangrene has led to a middle ear infection. The lymph nodes under the ears are sensitive to pressure and swollen due to the acute inflammation. In severe cases, the lymph nodes are already visible from the outside. In the further course of the disease, cough is usually added, which can develop into a strong irritating cough.
Diagnosis and course
The diagnosis of lateral gangrene is characterized by the symptoms that occur. Above all, the pain radiating into the ears and an existing cold are indicative. During the inspection of the pharynx, the physician can recognize the inflamed lateral cords. The exact pathogen can be determined by taking a swab from the affected area. If there is additional ear pain, the physician can view the ear with an otoscope and assess whether the inflammation has also spread to the inner ear or the eardrum. A possible complication of lateral gangrene is middle ear infection, which manifests itself with severe ear pain. The pathogens of lateral gangrene can also cause an abscess in one of the palatine tonsils or in the pharynx. However, the course of the disease depends on the individual patient’s immune response.
Complications
In most cases, lateral gangrene progresses without major complications. Nevertheless, it should not be considered a harmless infection that can be ignored, even if the patient suffers from only a mild form.There is a risk of unpleasant consequences if the disease is treated inadequately or not at all. Complications primarily arise in the case of severe lateral gangrene, in the course of which the bacteria multiply rapidly. Whether secondary symptoms occur then also depends on the patient’s general state of health. For example, if there are pre-existing conditions or weaknesses in the immune system, the risk of secondary symptoms increases. These are mainly intense pain and an abrupt onset of fever. Sometimes lateral gangrene also occurs repeatedly. The effects of lateral gangrene also include otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear) or a tympanic effusion. Furthermore, there is a risk of abscesses (accumulation of pus) in the region of the throat or palate. Other conceivable complications of lateral gangrene are secondary diseases such as inflammation of the kidneys, rheumatic fever, inflammation of the pericardium (pericarditis), inflammation of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis) or inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis). In rare cases, the causative germs penetrate into the bloodstream, which in turn causes dangerous blood poisoning (sepsis). Treatment of the patient must then take place in a hospital.
When should you go to the doctor?
Since side gangrene usually does not heal itself, this disease must always be treated by a doctor. Only proper medical treatment will prevent and limit further complications. The sooner the doctor is consulted, the better the further course of the lateral gangrene. A doctor should be consulted if the patient suffers from very severe pain in the throat. These occur permanently and do not disappear on their own. Difficulty swallowing also indicates this disease. A doctor should also be consulted if the patient suffers from severe pain in the ears or from fatigue and fever. There is also swelling of the lymph nodes and the ears are very sensitive to sounds. Side-strangangina can usually be treated by a family doctor or by an ENT specialist. Complications usually do not occur and the condition can be treated well.
Treatment and therapy
Lateral gangrene does not require antibiotic treatment if it is mild. The patient should take it easy and, if possible, remain on bed rest. Nasal drops as well as regular gargling are then usually sufficient as therapy. A warm throat compress can also help to alleviate the condition. A cloth soaked in warm water is tied around the neck and covered with a dry scarf. The wrap should be worn for at least an hour. If there is no improvement within three to six days and the fever does not go down, an antibiotic must be taken. Taking a painkiller that also has a fever-reducing effect can also help against the sore throat. It is important for the patient to drink plenty of fluids. However, milk and dairy products should be avoided, as these further increase the formation of mucus and thus the difficulty in swallowing.
Prevention
Prevention of lateral gangrene is extremely difficult, especially for patients without palatine tonsils, because possible pathogens can enter the throat unhindered in them. When a sore throat occurs, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and to take it easy if possible, in order to enable the body’s immune system to fight the pathogens. A balanced diet and sufficient exercise generally help to strengthen the immune system. In addition, it is important to always wash your hands thoroughly in order to counteract the additional spread of pathogenic germs and thus possibly prevent side gangrene.
Aftercare
Side-stern gangrene usually does not heal satisfactorily without medical treatment. For this reason, follow-up care for lateral gangrene by a primary care physician is important to monitor the healing process. Monitoring is particularly advisable when antibiotics are administered, as this treatment method may only be used for a limited period of up to two weeks. Otherwise, the effectiveness would decrease and the healing process would be delayed.If the prescribed medication does not work as expected and the healing process is prolonged as a result, the patient is given more adequate medicine to combat the symptoms as part of follow-up care. In this way, chronic angina is prevented and healing is accelerated. The options for aftercare for lateral gangrene are very limited. The primary goal is to relieve and eventually eliminate the symptoms. If the patient’s condition worsens unexpectedly, if high fever is added to the inflammatory process in the lateral cords, or if the symptoms return after treatment has been completed, a specialist is also consulted. In this case, the previous treatment procedure is resumed or therapeutic alternatives are discussed together with the affected person. Chronic lateral gangrene can heal completely with regular medical checkups.
What you can do yourself
Side-striatal gangina can also often be significantly relieved with self-help remedies. The scratchy throat is often easily controlled by hydration. This begins with an adequate amount of drinking, which at the same time also stabilizes the circulation of weakened patients. Recommended in this context are still water and herbal teas, hot lemon or milk with honey. Sage is particularly helpful due to its anti-inflammatory effect and can be gargled as a solution, drunk as a tea or sucked as a sweet. Inhalations, for example with freshly over-broken chamomile flowers from a pharmacy or health food store, are also a valuable aid to recovery. Gentle treatment helps the immune system to fight the infection efficiently. The classic neck wrap is also very good for side gangrene as part of self-help. A special form is the potato wrap: for this, potatoes are boiled until they are soft and then crushed with a fork. Placed in a soft kitchen towel, they are placed around the neck of the patient. A dry towel is wrapped over them again. The potatoes can remain on the neck until their warmth subsides. A damp towel in the room can make breathing much easier for the sufferer. A bowl of water in the sufferer’s bedroom, simply placed on a radiator, will have the same effect.
