Throat diseases are most often disturbed in winter, but this applies to a greater extent to infectious and inflammatory pathology. As for the oncological, traumatic or allergic origin of the disease, the seasonality does not matter.
Among all diseases when a sore throat hurts, one should highlight:
- sore throat;
- pharyngitis;
- laryngitis;
- pharyngomycosis;
- oncological diseases;
- scleroma;
- retropharyngeal abscess;
- trauma;
- allergic reactions.
Angina
The formation of an infectious and inflammatory focus in the palatine tonsils is called tonsillitis. Much less often there is a lesion of the lingual, laryngeal or nasopharyngeal tonsils. The pathogen is transmitted by air or through food. Pathology may be the result of the spread of infection from another focus, for example, carious teeth or maxillary sinuses.
Angina can develop primarily or due to the progression of infectious diseases such as diphtheria, scarlet fever or flu. In 90% of cases, streptococcus is considered a provoking factor, the activation of which is noted against the background of immunosuppression (with ARVI, exacerbation of chronic diseases, oncopathology).
Angina is characterized by:
- acute onset;
- soreness when swallowing;
- lymphadenitis;
- chills;
- hyperthermia;
- malaise.
Clinical symptoms also include manifestations of the underlying disease (cough, rashes, body aches).
| Types of sore throat | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Catarrhal | Signs of intoxication are expressed in moderate severity, subfebrile hyperthermia and pain when swallowing. Closely located lymph nodes increase, and are also painful on palpation. With an endoscopic examination of the throat, hyperemia and swelling of the tonsils are visualized. They increase in size, causing oral discomfort. |
| Follicular, lacunar | These forms are characterized by the appearance of purulent discharge. With follicular tonsillitis, grains are observed against the background of hyperemic mucous membrane of the tonsils and tissue edema. When pus breaks out, a bloom of a white-yellow hue appears. In the case of a lacunar form, an accumulation of purulent discharge occurs in the lacunae. Films are located on the surface of the tonsils, which can be easily removed. When an abscess appears, febrile hyperthermia is clinically observed, pronounced pain syndrome when swallowing and discomfort. The amygdala increases in size, the surface is tense, and when touched it causes severe pain. An abscess appears due to purulent tissue fusion. the abscess displaces the uvula to the healthy side, an asymmetric pharynx is found, and the movement of the soft palate is limited. |
| Necrotic | Intoxication is sharply expressed, in which a person is worried about hectic fever, pain in the area of the pharynx, neck and nasopharynx. With the progression of the disease, drowsiness, vomiting, dizziness and cephalalgia are noted. Areas of the tonsils are affected by a necrotic process that spreads to the surrounding tissues. The plaque covering the tonsils is dull, gray-green in color. Films become dense when impregnated with fibrin. When trying to remove plaque, a bleeding wound surface remains. When necrotic tissue is rejected, the surface becomes uneven. |
| Ulcerative film | From the clinical symptoms, it is worth highlighting difficulty in swallowing, a feeling of a lump in the throat, profuse salivation and an unpleasant odor. Necrotic areas with ulceration are formed on the amygdala. Regional lymph nodes become enlarged on the affected side. The temperature remains within normal limits or increases slightly. |
The disease with late treatment can be complicated by:
- otitis media;
- sinusitis;
- phlegmon;
- cardiac lesions (valvular defects, myocarditis, pericarditis);
- arthritis;
- renal dysfunction (glomerulonephritis).
In addition to pharyngoscopy, a bacteriological study is used in diagnostics, thanks to which the type of infectious agent is established.
With the help of an antibiogram, it is possible to select the most effective antibacterial drugs to which pathogenic microorganisms are sensitive.
Material from the pharynx (smear, mucus) is suitable for research.
Pharyngitis
Throat diseases, the symptoms of which are represented by lesions of the mucous membrane of the oropharynx, also include pharyngitis. An inflammatory focus, formed as a result of infection or the influence of other negative factors, is localized in the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall.
In most cases, the cause of the pathology is viral agents such as rhinovirus, parainfluenza or coronoviruses. Among bacterial microorganisms, streptococci should be noted. In the case of a long course of antibiotic therapy, fungal pharyngitis is possible. Non-infectious factors include hot food, cold drinks, air pollution, and smoking.
Symptomatically, the pathology manifests itself:
tickling;- some coarsening of the voice;
- sore throat, which can radiate to the ear area;
- subfebrile hyperthermia;
- malaise;
- lymphadenitis.
tickling;Depending on the underlying disease (with secondary pharyngitis), there may be lacrimation, body aches, arthritis, conjunctivitis, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, cough or rashes.
The larynx with pharyngoscopy is visualized with hyperemia of the pharyngeal mucosa and palatine tonsils. On the edematous tissues of the uvula, plaque is noted.
In the case of a chronic course, the patient periodically worries about perspiration and scratching in the oropharynx. Dry cough is sometimes observed. With an exacerbation of the disease, the symptoms intensify, as in an acute process. Depending on the form of pathology, the picture of pharyngoscopy changes.
The shiny mucosa can become thinner, dry (with an atrophic type) or, conversely, thicken, become covered with thick mucus, and the follicles increase. With the catarrhal type, there is redness, swelling of the pharyngeal mucosa, as well as the uvula.
The disease can be complicated by the spread of the inflammatory process to neighboring healthy tissues, as a result of which laryngitis, tracheitis, and peritonsillar abscess develop. If streptococcal infection is present, the risk of rheumatic fever increases.
With pharyngoscopy at the reception of an otolaryngologist, changes in the mucous membrane of the pharyngeal wall are visualized. A bacteriological study is also prescribed with the analysis of a smear, mucus or sputum. This makes it possible to determine the type of pathogenic microorganisms and select effective drugs.
Laryngitis
The appearance of an inflammatory focus in the area of the larynx and vocal cords is often caused by viral pathogens. Bacterial infection is also possible. Of the provoking factors, smoking, abuse of cold foods, drinks, prolonged inhalation of cold air and general hypothermia should be distinguished.
Given the depth of the lesion, a catarrhal type is distinguished, in which the pathological process is localized in the submucosal layer and muscles. In the case of phlegmonous type, the lesion deepens to the cartilaginous structures and periosteum.
With laryngitis:
- there is a fever up to subfebrile numbers;
- sore throat;
- tickling is observed;
- the voice changes, becomes rough, hoarse up to aphonia;
- there is a lump in the throat;
- dry cough (when a wet cough appears, a large volume of sputum is released).
Laryngitis is especially dangerous in children due to the high risk of developing false croup and asphyxia.
Laryngitis can develop as an independent disease or be a symptom of another infectious disease.
| Disease | Symptoms | Diagnostics | Complications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria laryngitis | Subfebrile / febrile fever, pain when swallowing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, severe malaise, pallor of the skin. | Laryngoscopy (redness, swelling of the mucous membrane, hard-to-remove green, gray plaques). Bacteriological examination (to determine the type of infectious agent). | Croup, which is characterized by febrile hyperthermia, voice hoarseness, aphonia, noisy, shortness of breath, cough. |
| Influenza | Retrosternal discomfort, febrile hyperthermia, cough, joint aches, arthralgia, runny nose, sore throat, severe malaise, headache, photophobia. | Laryngoscopy (redness of the mucous membrane, punctate hemorrhages, fibrin deposits). | Purulent complications (abscess, diffuse phlegmon in the epiglottis area). |
| Koreva | The appearance of grains on the posterior pharyngeal wall, spots on the oral mucosa (cheeks), which are not visualized after joining. Exanthema on the skin, febrile fever, sore throat, insomnia, cough, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis are also recorded. | Laryngoscopy (swelling, redness of the ligaments), laboratory tests. | Croup, pneumonia of bacterial origin. |
| Laryngitis with chickenpox | Subfebrile fever, severe malaise, vesicles on the oral mucosa, skin, itching. | Laryngoscopy (redness, swelling of the ligaments, in the case of an ulcerative form, ulceration is noted), laboratory examination. | Purulent complications caused by secondary infection. |
| Laryngitis with scarlet fever | Rash manifestations, febrile hyperthermia, severe malaise. | Laryngoscopy, laboratory tests. | Purulent complications (phlegmon), infectious and inflammatory processes in the surrounding tissues (perichondritis, tracheitis, esophagitis, pharyngitis). |
| Pertussis | Cough in the form of seizures, sore throat, chest heaviness, labored, noisy breathing, voice hoarseness. | Laryngoscopy, laboratory diagnostics. | Violation of motor activity of the vocal cords, atelectasis, pneumonia, respiratory failure. |
With ineffective therapy, the risk of chronicity of the infectious and inflammatory process increases. In the chronic course of the patient, perspiration, discomfort, slight hoarseness of the voice, as well as a cough that intensifies in the morning are almost constantly worried. When exposed to a negative factor (overstrain of the ligaments, cold air, drinks), an exacerbation of the chronic process is observed. Symptomatically, exacerbation is manifested by clinical signs of acute laryngitis.
Especially often chronic laryngitis develops in people associated with public speaking (vocalists, announcers, teachers). The diagnosis is based on symptoms and a laryngoscopic picture:
- with a catarrhal type, pronounced swelling and redness of the mucous membrane is recorded;
- with a widespread hypertrophic process, swelling and thickening of the edges of the ligaments is revealed. In the case of a limited process, there is a filled lumen of the larynx with thick mucus and symmetrical nodules;
- with an atrophic type, dryness, thinning of the mucous membrane, as well as mucus and crusts on the surface, are revealed.
Pharyngomycosis
Fungal diseases of the throat, the symptoms of which appear against the background of prolonged antibiotic therapy, are called pharyngomycosis. Usually, the reproduction of fungi is noted with immunosuppression with exacerbation of chronic pathology, cancer, colds or infectious diseases. There are several types:
- pseudomembranous, which is characterized by the appearance of a whitish bloom;
- erythematous (redness of the mucous membrane with a varnished smooth surface);
- hyperplastic - manifested by the formation of whitish plaques, which are difficult to remove from the surface;
- erosive and ulcerative (ulceration of superficial localization).
With pharyngomycosis, the throat hurts, irritation, burning, scratching worries, which are aggravated by eating. Painful sensations can spread to the area of the lower jaw and ear. Local lymphadenitis, headache, low-grade fever and malaise are also recorded.
Diagnosis consists of pharyngoscopy. During the study, foci of fungal lesions, swelling of the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall and plaque that can spread to the tongue, cheeks and esophagus are found. Also, a microscopic and cultural study is prescribed, thanks to which it is possible to identify the type of pathogenic microorganisms.
Plaques have a curdled consistency, are easily removed from the surface, in some cases ulceration is detected. If a sore throat is affected by molds, the films are difficult to remove and have a yellowish tint. In this case, differentiation with diphtheria should be carried out.
Often, the pathology has a chronic course with frequent exacerbations. Complications include paratonsillar, retropharyngeal abscess, sepsis and the formation of infectious foci in various organs (lungs, kidneys).
Throat swelling
Sometimes a sore throat with benign or malignant lesions of the oropharynx. The factors predisposing to oncopathology include smoking, improper oral hygiene, genetics, chronic infectious and inflammatory foci and polluted air.
Symptomatically, the pathology manifests itself:
- tickling;
- the presence of a lump in the throat;
- difficulty breathing;
- nasal voice.
With pharyngoscopy, hyperemia, swelling of the palatine arches and the posterior pharyngeal wall are recorded. Of the most common pathologies, papillomas, fibromas, teratomas, angiomas, adenomas, neurogenic tumors and cystic formations are found.
In diagnostics, pharyngo-, oto-, rhinoscopy, radiography and tomography are used. In difficult cases, an endoscopic biopsy is required, however, histological analysis is often performed on the already removed material by surgery.
Throat injuries
Traumatic injury occurs through impact, injury, exposure to a sharp object, chemical or thermal factor. All injuries can be divided into external, associated with the external action of the traumatic factor, and internal.
When a message appears between the external environment and the throat, the risk of infection, the formation of an abscess, phlegmon and mediastinitis increases. Internal damage occurs when hot drinks are consumed, when exposed to steam or a chemical. Sometimes damage to the throat is possible during medical procedures.
Signs of injury include a wound surface, bleeding, severe pain, and voice disturbance.
With massive bleeding, breathing may be impaired, due to the ingress of blood into the respiratory tract.
Depending on the prevalence of the pathological process, damage to the surrounding tissues is possible. Of the complications, it is worth noting stenosis of the larynx due to post-traumatic edema, laryngeal paresis, articulation disorder and dysphagia (with damage to the nerve endings).
In diagnostics, pharyngoscopy, laryngoscopy, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are used.
Allergies
A high risk of allergic damage to the oropharynx is observed in people prone to frequent allergies and with bronchial asthma. When the mucous membrane of the throat comes into contact with an allergen (pollen, fluff, wool), allergic pharyngopathy develops.
The swelling of the mucous membrane is caused by the release of the liquid part of the blood from the blood vessels under the influence of immune components.In addition to throat symptoms, there are clinical signs of allergy:
- sneezing;
- rhinorrhea, nasal congestion;
- itchy skin;
- rash;
- itchy eyes;
- dyspeptic disorders.
With a generalized allergic reaction, a drop in blood pressure, increased heart rate and bronchospasm are possible.
Diseases associated with throat lesions are quite diverse. Regardless of the symptoms, you should be attentive to your health. If there is no effect from the folk recipes used, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
