Inflammation of the pharynx can be acute and chronic, which determines the symptoms of the disease and treatment tactics. Clinical signs also depend on the nature of those changes that occur in the mucous membrane of the organ. Depending on the morphological changes, several forms of pharyngitis are distinguished.
Catarrhal pharyngitis is an inflammation of the lining of the throat, in which there is marked hyperemia (redness) and viscous mucus is secreted.
Causes
Acute pharyngitis is rarely an independent process. Usually, such a pathology is a symptom of other diseases that occur with damage to the respiratory tract, ARVI, children's infections. The most common cause of the development of the disease is exposure to pathogenic microorganisms. The main role is assigned to various viruses. A certain number of diseases are also due to the effect of bacteria. In rare cases (usually with concomitant severe pathology, prolonged use of antibiotics), fungal lesions may take part in the development of the disease.
Such a process may also be a manifestation of the postnasal syndrome, when irritation of the pharynx is caused by the flow of pathological secretions along its posterior wall. Acute damage to the pharynx can be observed when exposed to steam or aggressive chemical compounds. In rare cases, an allergic reaction becomes the cause of the development of the disease.
Characteristics of the acute process
Acute lesion of the pharynx rarely occurs in isolation. Usually, acute pharyngitis is combined with damage to the nasopharynx or the development of laryngitis. The most common symptoms associated with strep throat are:
- sore throat;
- cough;
- malaise;
- increased body temperature.
Acute pharyngitis is characterized by a symmetrical lesion of the pharynx, pain is noted on both sides.
They intensify during swallowing movements, especially if the swallow does not contain food. The pain can radiate to the ear or neck. It is pain that is the initial sign of the development of an inflammatory process in the pharynx.
In this case, the temperature may rise. Its performance can reach 38 degrees. Patients are worried about difficulty swallowing, malaise, lack of appetite. During the day, clinical manifestations intensify, a cough develops, which in a short time reaches its maximum expression. At the onset of the disease, it is dry, then it becomes more humid, it may contain a small amount of whitish sputum. After 6-7 days, the symptoms regress.
Since the symptoms of acute pharyngitis can develop in various pathological conditions, in order to prescribe the correct treatment, the nature of the lesion should be clarified. The main method for diagnosing lesions of the pharynx is pharyngoscopy. This method of visual examination is simple, accessible and informative, it allows you to determine not only the localization of the lesion, but also to clarify its shape. Catarrhal pharyngitis is characterized by redness of the posterior pharyngeal wall, palatine arches, hard and soft palate. Due to the development of swelling of the mucous membrane, it may look varnish. This lesion is characterized by the absence of an inflammatory process in the tonsils. They look unchanged.
Therapeutic measures for the acute process
The disease is characterized by a mild course. The use of antiviral drugs is impractical due to their lack of effectiveness and possible side effects.
Treatment of acute catarrhal pharyngitis is symptomatic and is also aimed at reducing inflammation.
The main therapeutic actions are the use of topical preparations with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic effects. Thanks to various forms of release, in the form of an aerosol, lozenges, their use is possible in children.
As a topical treatment in children, it is allowed to use a dry compress on the neck area. The warming effect of this procedure will help reduce pain and reduce inflammation. Conducting other physiotherapy procedures in children under 5 years of age is contraindicated.
In older groups of the population, such local effects as gargling and inhalation are widely used. Antiseptic agents Furacilin, Miramistin, Chlorophyllipt, Rotokan, decoctions of herbs with the same property are used for this. Soda gargle is widely used.
The effectiveness of the drugs and procedures used will be insufficient if you do not adhere to the correct diet.
The presence of an inflammatory process in the pharynx implies the exclusion of irritating, spicy and rough foods from the diet. In addition, a prerequisite is the use of plentiful warm drinks. Preference is given to alkaline mineral water, warm milk.
Features of the chronic course of the disease
With incorrect treatment, exposure to other unfavorable factors, the disease can become chronic. Such a development of the situation can be discussed if the symptoms persist for three weeks. In addition to the impact of pathogenic microorganisms, various provoking factors play an important role in its development:
- hypothermia;
- the presence of long-standing foci of infection, sinusitis, caries;
- allergy;
- concomitant severe pathology, characterized by a decrease in immunity, especially tuberculosis;
- diseases of the digestive tract, which are accompanied by the throwing of contents from the stomach into the esophagus and pharynx;
- negative impact of certain environmental factors, nicotine, car exhaust gases, dust, chemical compounds in the inhaled air;
- professional hazards present in flour mills, cement plants, in hot workshops;
- irritating effect of spicy, sour, spicy foods, carbonated drinks, food that is too hot or cold.
Exposure to these adverse factors leads to the development of some form of pharyngeal lesion. Chronic catarrhal pharyngitis is the most common form of the disease and the easiest to treat. The chronic course of the disease is not typical for children. This pathology is more common among older patients.
The disease is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation. Pain in the throat in this case manifests itself as a feeling of a lump, and therefore, there is a constant choking and a desire to cough up. Patients are also worried about the feeling of scratching, dry throat. They often need a sip of water to moisturize their throat.
Among the symptoms of chronic pharyngitis, cough comes to the fore. By nature, it is dry, harsh, paroxysmal. Worries patients throughout the day, interferes with night rest. Due to strong cough shocks, soreness of the muscles of the diaphragm develops. An exacerbation of chronic pharyngitis usually proceeds at normal temperature indicators, less often there may be an increase to 37.2-37.3 degrees. Malaise, lack of appetite is not significantly expressed.
Despite the fact that the disease is characterized by a mild course, and the general condition of the patient suffers insignificantly, a strong cough and discomfort in the throat cause significant discomfort to the patient.In addition, dry cough is difficult to treat, and therefore, the disease is characterized by a long course.
Diagnosis of the disease is based on the patient's complaints, anamnesis data. The pharyngoscopic picture during exacerbation is characterized by the presence of hyperemia and edema of the mucous membrane, most pronounced in the region of the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Therapeutic measures for a chronic process
The most effective antitussives are drugs containing codeine, Kofeks, Kodesan, Codterpin. Due to the fact that addiction is rapidly developing to them, they have not become widespread. With a dry cough, it is also possible to use Libeksin, Sinekod. To dilute sputum and improve coughing, Bromhexine, ACC, Ambroxol, licorice-based syrups, marshmallow root can be used.
Local procedures are widely used in the treatment of chronic catarrhal pharyngitis, such as:
- alkaline oil inhalation;
- gargling with herbal remedies, decoctions of sage, wild rosemary, coltsfoot, chamomile;
- distracting procedures in the form of mustard plasters.
With a persistent course of the disease, the presence of a cough for more than three weeks, hyperthermia for more than 7 days, we can talk about the appointment of antibiotics.
In these cases, drugs Ampicillin, Augmentin, Oxacillin are used. An increase and soreness of regional lymph nodes also testifies in favor of a bacterial infection. In this case, the anterior cervical as well as the mandibular groups of lymphoid formations are involved.
An important role in the treatment of such patients is played by preventive procedures and actions aimed at enhancing immunity. In this regard, it is important to remediate foci of chronic infection, as well as treatment of other concomitant chronic diseases. A significant role in strengthening the immune system is played by such activities as
- hardening of the body;
- regular walks in the fresh air;
- physical education, sports;
- Spa treatment;
- the use of immunostimulating drugs.
