Pharyngitis, or pharyngitis in the technical language, is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat and often the mouth and neck. Pharyngitis is one of the most common clinical pictures in the family practice and affects many people, especially in the cold season. We inform you about the symptoms and treatment of pharyngitis and reveal classic home remedies.
Symptoms of pharyngitis
Pharyngitis often begins with the typical scratching in the throat. In the course of the disease, other symptoms then develop:
- Pain when speaking and swallowing
- Foreign body or globus sensation in the throat due to swelling of the throat wall
- Dry, rough feeling in the throat and associated coughing or clearing throat compulsion
- Redness of the pharyngeal mucosa
In particularly pronounced cases, the mucosa can swell so much that even breathing is hindered. Often accompany also general symptoms such as fever, runny nose and especially in the neck and neck swollen and pressure painful lymph nodes. If the inflammation spreads to the bronchial tubes, coughing occurs. The voice may also be hoarse if the pharyngitis has spread to the larynx and/or vocal folds. The best tips against a cold
Causes of pharyngitis
Basically, a viral pharyngitis and a bacterial pharyngitis can be distinguished. However, the more common cause of pharyngitis is viruses. Often these are flu viruses or viruses that generally affect the respiratory tract, such as adeno- and parainfluenza viruses. Sometimes pharyngitis also presents as one of many symptoms of a flu-like effect or other infection that affects the entire body. Once the pharyngeal wall is infected and inflamed, there is a risk of additional accompanying infections from bacteria, such as streptococci, becoming established in the mucosa. In this case, sore throat is the main symptom; in addition, high fever and painfully swollen lymph nodes in the neck may occur. If there is a general weakness of the immune system, for example in the context of an infection with the HI virus, this can also manifest itself in the form of increased pharyngitis. Pharyngitis can also occur in the context of an allergic reaction. If the pharyngitis is viral or bacterial, it is also contagious. In this case, the infection occurs via droplets, for example when sneezing or coughing.
Home remedies for pharyngitis
Anyone suffering from pharyngitis should generally try to avoid drafts and cooling, take it easy on yourself physically and make sure you get enough sleep. Smoking or alcohol consumption should be avoided in order not to dry out the throat even further and thus aggravate pharyngitis. Sports should also be avoided in the case of pharyngitis in order not to put additional strain on the body. As soon as the first symptoms of a mild pharyngitis appear, home remedies can help. These include, for example:
- Warm teas, especially sage tea or thyme tea, have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Inhaling with sage tea or salt water can moisten the mucous membranes.
- Gargling with eucalyptus oil diluted in water helps to disinfect.
- Cough drops moisten the throat.
- Put a towel soaked in cold water and wrung out as a wrap around the neck. Over it comes a dry towel. This has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Medication against the pain
Supportive medication can be taken for pharyngitis, such as throat tablets with anesthetic and decongestant effect on the mucous membrane of the throat. They have an analgesic and salivary stimulating effect and thus help the mucous membrane to regenerate. These drugs can be purchased without a prescription at the pharmacy. In addition, depending on the symptoms, antipyretic and analgesic medications may also be useful and should be prescribed by a doctor. In addition, prescription medications, such as antibiotics, may be necessary, especially in the case of concomitant bacterial infections. If there is general illness or another underlying condition, it must be treated primarily: for example, an allergy with the help of antiallergic medications.
Homeopathy
There is no scientific evidence to date on the benefits of homeopathic treatment of pharyngitis.Herbal medicines recommended by homeopaths can be used in individual cases as a supplement to the therapy of pharyngitis if the symptoms are mild. Usually such mild forms of viral pharyngitis subsequently heal on their own without complications.
Pharyngitis: When to see a doctor?
How long you can observe the symptoms yourself before a visit to the doctor is recommended depends on the individual case. As a general guideline, a doctor should be consulted as soon as more severe general symptoms, such as high fever or shortness of breath, appear in addition to pharyngitis, or a bacterial infection has joined pharyngitis. The duration of acute pharyngitis is usually a maximum of one week. If the symptoms do not improve or even worsen within this period, a doctor should be consulted. A visit to the doctor is also advisable in the case of unusual symptoms, such as a rash. The doctor can confirm the diagnosis with the help of a throat examination and possible accompanying blood tests or other examinations. For example, it is important to distinguish between pharyngitis, a possible bacterial tonsillitis (angina tonsillaris) or dangerous forms of laryngitis or epiglottitis. Particularly contagious clinical pictures such as rubella or measles should also be distinguished from an uncomplicated and mild form of pharyngitis.
Chronic pharyngitis
Chronic pharyngitis is present when the inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa exceeds the duration of three months. Symptomatically, the dry, raw throat and the associated compulsion to clear the throat as well as a globus sensation are in the foreground here. As a rule, chronic pharyngitis is not triggered by viruses or bacteria. Rather, the inflammation is caused by permanent irritation of the mucous membranes. Various triggers come into question for this:
- Cigarette smoke
- An allergic reaction
- Very dry, dusty air
- An obstruction of nasal breathing
- Rising stomach acid (heartburn)
- Hormonal changes (for example, due to hypothyroidism).
The family doctor or ear, nose and throat specialist should also in the case of a chronic pharyngitis first determine the underlying cause, according to which the treatment is then directed. Recognize oral diseases – these pictures help!
