Pharyngitis or inflammation of the throat is also known as pharyngitis in medical terminology. This is one of the most common diseases in the ear, nose and throat area, in which the mucous membrane of the throat is inflamed.
What is pharyngitis?
One of the most common diseases of the throat is pharyngitis; here, physicians distinguish between two types: chronic and acute pharyngitis. While acute pharyngitis is usually caused by viruses or even bacteria, the chronic form of this disease is a long-term irritation in the throat and neck area. This is caused by numerous factors, such as environmental toxins or cigarette smoke. The acute form of pharyngitis is very contagious.
Causes
The main causes of acute pharyngitis are viruses, and in a few cases, bacteria. There are far more causes for chronic pharyngitis: Here, both cigarette smoke and excessively dry room air come into question. Likewise, the radiation exposed during radiation therapy can trigger chronic pharyngitis. Other possible causes are alcohol, too spicy or too hot food, or allergies. Some diseases should not remain unmentioned, which in turn can cause pharyngitis. These include an underactive thyroid gland and diabetes. Women in menopause are particularly often affected by pharyngitis.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Pharyngitis or pharyngitis usually announces itself with a scratching in the throat. If the affected person responds immediately by taking anti-inflammatory drugs, the symptoms of pharyngitis can still be stopped or weakened. A dry feeling in the throat is later added to the scratching. Swallowing becomes increasingly difficult. Sore throat radiating into the ears sets in. The affected persons clear their throat until they finally start coughing. In a fully developed pharyngitis, the main symptom is a severe sore throat. Swallowing is excruciating. Speaking can also be painful. In many cases, sufferers develop a low-grade fever. Children may have higher temperatures with pharyngitis. Chills may occur. The absence of pharyngeal tonsils favors severe courses. It also creates a higher likelihood of illness. To make matters worse, the typical symptoms of pharyngitis are often accompanied by coughing and runny nose, and sometimes by feelings of weakness and sweating. There may be severe hoarseness and nocturnal coughing fits. Sufferers experience a strong feeling of illness. The throat feels as if it is sore when swallowing acidic juices. In the second stage of pharyngitis, there is severe mucus production. In addition to the symptoms of pharyngitis, symptoms of side-strand angina may develop. These can lead to middle ear infections and severe ear pain.
Diagnosis and course
Sore throat and scratchy throat usually occur as part of a cold or angina tonsillaris. However, pharyngitis may also be possible. Acute pharyngitis is usually associated with severe sore throat as well as discomfort when swallowing. Fever and headache may also occur. The doctor usually recognizes an acute pharyngitis at the first glance into the throat, because it is then strongly reddened. Often, however, he will also examine the nose, because obstructed nasal breathing can also trigger pharyngitis. A nasal mucosa or a sinusitis, typical side effects of a cold, can also occur in the context of pharyngitis. In chronic pharyngitis, on the other hand, patients usually feel a dryness in the throat area and also have the feeling of having to clear their throat constantly. Patients also frequently complain of an irritating cough. This can lead to sleep disturbances, which greatly reduces the patient’s quality of life. The doctor also recognizes chronic pharyngitis with the help of the so-called mirror examination and recognizes various signs here. In the atrophic form, for example, the mucosa is smooth and shiny, while in the hyperplastic form the pharyngeal mucosa appears thickened and the soft palate appears flaccid. The third form of chronic pharyngitis is simple chronic pharyngitis.The course of pharyngitis depends on how quickly it is treated. An acute inflammation can quickly develop into a chronic inflammation. With the right treatment, however, both forms of the disease are curable and take a favorable course.
Complications
Complications occur rather rarely in pharyngitis, but cannot be excluded in principle. In medicine, a distinction is made between purulent and non-purulent sequelae. One of the typical purulent complications of pharyngitis is tonsillitis (angina tonsillaris). This involves a secondary bacterial infection of the palatine tonsils, most commonly caused by streptococci. A whitish-yellow coating develops on the tonsils. These swollen pus stains cause pronounced sore throat and difficulty swallowing and are often accompanied by high fever. Because tonsillitis can lead to further complications, such as blood poisoning, it must be treated immediately by a doctor. Another complication is side-strand angina. It mainly affects patients who have had their tonsils surgically removed. In addition to severe sore throat, typical signs include swollen lymph nodes and general complaints such as fever, headache and pain in the limbs. Another secondary disease is laryngitis, which causes severe hoarseness. The patient may even lose his voice completely. One of the most serious complications of pharyngitis is the formation of an abscess. An abscess (encapsulated collection of pus) occurs when the local pharyngitis spreads to the adjacent connective tissue. Depending on the location of the abscess, it is referred to in medicine as a parapharyngeal abscess, a peritonsillar abscess or a retropharyngeal abscess. Thus, parapharyngeal abscess appears at the side of the pharyngeal region, peritonsillar abscess in the tonsillar connective tissue, and retropharyngeal abscess behind the pharyngeal region.
When should you see a doctor?
Sore throat, a scratchy feeling in the throat or discomfort of the swallowing act indicate a health irregularity. If the discomfort persists for several days or increases in intensity, a visit to the doctor should be made. Redness in the throat, a dry mucous membrane in the mouth or loss of appetite should be examined and treated. If hoarseness, a general feeling of illness or coughing fits occur, the affected person should have the complaints clarified. Characteristic of pharyngitis are an increase in coughing attacks during nighttime sleep as well as an impeded swallowing act. In the case of slight inconsistencies, relief can be brought about by various self-help measures. If relief is already noted after a restful night’s sleep, in many cases there is no need to consult a doctor. If, on the other hand, there is a build-up of heavy night sweats, pain in the jaw or swelling of the lymph, a doctor is needed. Fever, problems in the area of the ears, an internal weakness as well as a decrease in physical as well as mental performance should be presented to a doctor. Rhinitis and voice restrictions should also be investigated. Refusal to eat, a decrease in weight, or internal dryness are cause for concern. If dehydration is present, alert emergency medical services, as the individual may be in a life-threatening condition.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of pharyngitis depends on whether it is the acute or chronic form of the disease. The acute pharyngitis can often already be controlled with simple home remedies such as throat rinses, lozenges or cold throat compresses. Antibiotic medications are usually of little help here, since bacteria rarely trigger the illness. Plenty of warm fluids can help with an acute pharyngitis, similar to a normal cold, well against the sore throat. If a chronic pharyngitis is present, the cause must first be clarified and then stopped. Inhalations with chamomile or sage also usually help quite well. Only in the case of obstructed nasal breathing, surgery is necessary in some cases.
Prevention
The acute pharyngitis can be prevented only to a limited extent. However, it is important to strengthen the body’s defenses. This includes a healthy diet with sufficient fruit and vegetables as well as plenty of exercise in the fresh air.At best, smoking and alcohol should be avoided altogether. If you work in an office, make sure you have enough fresh air – humidifiers can be very helpful here. Likewise, one should not fail to drink enough, especially in strongly air-conditioned rooms.
Aftercare
A mild pharyngitis often heals on its own. It does not require further intensive aftercare. In a more severe inflammation, the affected person feels pain in the throat, which worsens when eating. Malaise, fever and swollen lymph nodes are also among the symptoms. Follow-up care is appropriate here to counteract the symptoms. Complete healing is the short- to medium-term goal of treatment. In the case of pharyngitis, in addition to antibiotic medicine, the classic home remedies prove their worth. Keeping calm, protecting the throat from the cold with a scarf and drinking warm tea provides relief and speeds up the healing process. Peppermint tea or chamomile tea are most suitable as administered drinks. Chamomile tea is said to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Sucking sage candy moistens irritated mucous membranes. This relieves the difficulty in swallowing. If the inflammation has not improved noticeably after a week, a further visit to the doctor is advisable. This prevents the disease from spreading. Other diseases may be hidden behind the symptoms. Tonsillitis, for example, is expressed by similar symptoms. During follow-up care, the patient is examined again in more detail. If the actual cause is determined, the specialist treats these complaints until they have been successfully eliminated.
What you can do yourself
For pharyngitis, lozenges and gargle solutions from the drugstore help. Herbal teas and sprays also bring short-term relief due to their locally acting anesthetic. Sick people should also drink plenty of fluids and keep their throat warm. Familiar home remedies such as warm compresses, milk with honey or gentle massages reduce the pain. The mucus in the nose and sinuses is loosened by inhalations with chamomile tea or special preparations from the pharmacy. Appropriate products also relieve hoarseness and sore throat. If the symptoms do not subside despite the use of these home remedies, a visit to the doctor is recommended. Chronic pharyngitis is best treated by eliminating or avoiding the irritant that causes it. Depending on the cause, this can be achieved by stopping smoking or by regular ventilation. A stay at the seaside also has a positive effect on the mucous membranes, as does inhalation of salty water. Natural remedies such as Iceland moss or sage help with severe pain with inflamed airways. In general, sufferers should avoid talking during pharyngitis and take it easy instead. Sports and strenuous physical work should not be performed. Those affected should also avoid stress so that the pharyngitis can subside quickly. Which measures are useful in detail, should be discussed beforehand in any case with the family doctor or the ear, nose and throat specialist.
