Synonyms
- Common cold
- Hoarseness
- Neck complaints
- Throat Pain
Definition
Sore throat is the term used to describe painful complaints in the back of the throat that have arisen from various causes of sore throat and have existed for a maximum of 14 days. Along with the common cold, sore throat is one of the most common complaints brought up in daily family practice. In a survey, it was found that 75% of those questioned complained of sore throats in the last 4 weeks.
33% of the respondents over 14 years of age stated that they had suffered from sore throat at least once in the previous year. Children up to the age of 15 are far more often affected by sore throats than adults. Thus, 80% of children up to 15 years confirmed having had a sore throat in the previous months, but only 20% of adults.
Despite the high incidence of sore throats in the population, in comparison, a doctor is rarely consulted. Among the visits to the doctor caused by sore throat, the most common are visits to the pediatrician by parents with their sick children. Adults themselves almost never go to the doctor for sore throats. At this point our next article would be helpful for you: When should I go to the doctor with sore throat?
Causes
There can be many different causes for sore throat. The most common is certainly a cold, which makes the throat feel swollen and painful. In principle, however, all compartments of the neck can be inflamed in combination or individually.
These include: An inflammation of these areas of the neck is usually accompanied by sore throat. Infectious diseases such as diphtheria can also be a rare but conceivable cause. Although vaccinations are normally given against them in childhood, the rate of illness is very high, especially in Asia.
Symptomatic is an extremely swollen neck, which causes sore throat and difficulty swallowing. Also a permanent irritation of the air-conducting system, for example through smoking, or singing can lead to sore throat. Cigarette smoke triggers a local inflammatory reaction for about 4 hours and constricts the vessels.
If cold, dry air is added in winter, the throat reacts quickly with swelling and pain. Also diseases of the thyroid gland, which lies in front of the windpipe and presses on the neck, can cause sore throats, as well as a feeling of tightness. You can read more about this topic here: Causes of sore throat
- The larynx
- The epiglottis
- The throat, and
- The almonds
