Angina (acute tonsillitis) is an infectious disease that is very easy to get infected by contact with an infected person. The causative agents of the disease are viruses, bacteria, fungi, which begin their pathogenic activity under certain conditions. Conditions conducive to the development of pathology include: hypothermia, swimming in cold water, prolonged exposure to air conditioning, eating cold foods or drinks. The most susceptible to angina are children and adults with chronic diseases and weakened immune systems. If timely and correct treatment of acute tonsillitis is carried out, then the person will fully recover without negative consequences. But without proper treatment during and after the illness, serious complications can develop, one of which is swelling of the throat with angina. What to do in this case and how to cure this condition?
Consequences of sore throat
Complications of acute tonsillitis are common and local. Almost all of them occur in the absence of treatment for the disease or with improperly selected therapy. A prerequisite for the development of pathological postanginal states is a weakened human immunity.
Common complications:
- rheumatism, characterized by inflammatory processes in the heart, joints, kidneys. The nervous system and immunity also suffer;
- from the side of the kidneys, pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis develop. These are serious conditions leading to renal failure;
- from the heart: myocarditis, pericarditis, thromboembolism, problems with the heart valves, leading to defects;
- blood poisoning (streptococcal sepsis) - the most formidable complication that can be fatal;
- meningitis - inflammation of the lining of the brain, leading either to permanent disability or death. The same outcome is with a brain abscess, if the abscess is not removed in time.
Any of the common complications of sore throat has serious consequences - that is why it is so important to treat tonsillitis in a timely manner. Each condition is characterized by increasing symptoms, chronic severe long-term course, prolonged treatment in a hospital setting.
Local complications:
- ear inflammation (otitis media). Most often, otitis media occurs in the middle ear;
- swelling of the throat and larynx;
- diffuse purulent inflammation of cellulose (phlegmon), Ludwig's tonsillitis;
- abscess of the throat and / or tonsils;
- inflammation of regional lymph nodes (lymphadenitis);
- bleeding from the tonsils.
The most formidable local complication is swelling of the throat with angina. Each of these conditions is characterized by a pronounced clinical picture, the need for urgent medical care.
Edema or phlegmon without timely treatment can be fatal
Symptoms
With angina, the lymph nodes become inflamed, in this regard, the outflow of lymph is disrupted. The lymph stagnates, edema forms, which is localized at the entrance to the larynx.
The mucous membrane of the larynx is richly supplied with pain receptors, this explains the severe pain syndrome with edema.
Signs of throat swelling:
- rapid onset, very quickly it becomes difficult for a person to breathe;
- tachycardia;
- pallor, and then cyanosis of the skin of the face;
- during edema, it is almost impossible to swallow, there is a feeling of a foreign body in the larynx, which causes a panic attack in the patient, fear of death. In turn, panic significantly aggravates a person's condition;
- severe pain in the throat and ears;
- hoarseness or loss of voice (aphonia) resulting from swelling of the vocal cords;
- the neck is noticeably swollen, the patient cannot turn his head to the sides;
- the general condition is characterized by fever, chills, weakness, pain throughout the body;
- if a person has a cough at the same time, then this greatly aggravates the condition. A cough requires a deep breath, which is impossible to take; on the other hand, there is a need to clear your throat;
- the patient makes a lot of effort to inhale, while the intercostal spaces are noticeably drawn in. But the involvement of muscles in the work requires additional oxygen, which is already in short supply, so the patient cannot breathe. In this regard, there is strong anxiety, despite the severity of the condition.
If urgent medical attention is not provided, a person may die.
If the swelling is not promptly removed, acute circulatory failure develops. This condition is characterized by a change of excitement to oppression, a complete breakdown, a sharp decrease in blood pressure. Phenomena of acute oxygen deficiency of the brain develop, the patient dies.
Treatment and prevention
In the case of throat edema, it is more about urgent help than about complexes of therapy. You can relieve swelling using the following measures:
- The patient needs a net half-sitting. Lower his ankle-deep legs into a basin of hot water.
- Injections of a diuretic and anti-inflammatory.
- Introduce an antihypoxant, with its help oxygen circulation is activated, as a result of which the signs of hypoxia are reduced.
- Apply ice wrapped in a towel to the larynx.
- Give small pieces of ice to swallow.
- Rinse with an antiseptic, periodically spray the nasopharyngeal mucosa with an antibiotic spray.
If the patient is in serious condition, when the entrance to the throat is blocked, then a tracheotomy is performed.
Folk remedies
If the swelling of the patient's throat is not pronounced, then in addition to the traditional treatment of angina, you can remove the swelling with folk remedies:
- gargle at least five times a day with a beetroot solution: 1 teaspoon of beet juice in half a glass of water;
- rinse solution: in a glass of warm water, half a teaspoon of salt, on the tip of a spoonful of baking soda, 1-2 drops of iodine;
- such a solution effectively fights inflammation: carrot juice mixed with water. Use for rinsing;
- add 2 cloves of chopped garlic to a glass of carrot juice. Take the mixture once a day 40 minutes before meals for 3 days;
- well relieves puffiness solution of apple cider vinegar: in a glass of warm water 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar.
During the entire treatment period, you need to eat soft food and drink plenty of fluids.
Prophylaxis
The best prevention of throat edema is timely and correct treatment of sore throat. It is very important to start therapy as early as possible and bring it to the end, to follow all the recommendations of a specialist. Many complications develop when the patient feels better and quits treatment. It is necessary to follow the general rules of prevention: avoid hypothermia, try not to contact with infected people, avoid crowded places during epidemics of colds, strengthen immunity, and eat well.
