Sore throat is a very common symptom in a variety of pathologies, which can only be identified by a doctor. There are a lot of nociceptors on the mucous membranes of the ENT organs (they are activated only by a painful stimulus). In this case, pain occurs and the nervous system sends a signal about the appearance of an inflammatory reaction.
Reasons
All causes are grouped into 2 main groups: infectious and non-infectious.
Infectious:
- SARS and pharyngitis;
- candidiasis;
- tonsillitis;
- measles;
- rubella;
- mononucleosis;
- angina;
- oropharyngeal abscesses;
- scarlet fever;
- stomatitis;
- tuberculosis;
- thyroiditis;
- cervical lymphadenitis;
- venereal diseases of the pharynx.
Non-infectious factors:
- voice strain;
- mouth breathing;
- smoking;
- bad ecology (for example, dry air can cause sore throats, this can make your throat tickle;
- hypothermia;
- annoyingdrinks;
- liquor;
- allergy;
- radiotherapy;
- injuries and burns of the pharynx;
- foreign body.
Non-infectious pathologies:
- heart attack;
- SD;
- blood diseases;
- vitamin deficiency;
- long-term use of diuretics and nasal drugs;
- osteochondrosis;
- tumors;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (reflux esophagitis or GERD - juice penetrating from the stomach in the esophagus reaches the larynx and irritates it, creating a sore throat);
- dilation of the veins of the esophagus;
- kidney disease.
Allergies to wool, dust, food, pollen, etc. are also expressed by rhinitis, sneezing, lacrimation, swelling of the larynx and pain in it, dry cough.
Injury can be a bruise of the larynx with a fracture or tear of the cartilage. At the same time, breathing is disturbed, bleeding occurs and a cough appears. Acute cutting pain in the throat increases with coughing, shock may develop.
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is manifested by irritability, weakness, insomnia, severe spastic sore throats.
There are also myalgia, headaches, soreness of the lymph nodes. It is provoked by lack of sleep, fatigue and prolonged negative emotions, overload. You should establish a daily routine and take vitamins.
Scarlet fever
Infectious disease provoked by streptococcus, belongs to the category of childhood infections, occurs more often in children under 8 years of age. Characterized by the appearance of a rash on the flexionsurfaces, symptoms of general intoxication appear in the form of headaches, nausea, temperature, deterioration of the general condition.
Swelling in the throat gives sharp pain when swallowing. After the throat becomes infected, a rash occurs.
The tongue first turns white, red bumps appear on it, after which it turns red sharply. Submandibular lymph nodes become inflamed and enlarged. The disease requires treatment because it often causes complications.
Mononucleosis
If an adult or child often complains of a sore throat, they should be examined for mononucleosis.
With this viral infection, fever, throat lesions with inflammation of the tonsils and severe acute cutting pain in the throat when coughing and swallowing, lymphadenitis of the neck and armpits, headaches, loss of appetite, lesions of the liver and spleen, skin rash, weakness and malaise, increased sweating. Often develops in adolescents.
Influenza and SARS
Characterized by fever, cough, rhinitis symptoms, headaches, lacrimation, myalgia and sore throat. With the flu, body aches, chills, and fever are added.
Pharyngitis
Manifested most often by severe cutting pains in the throat when swallowing, accompanied by subfebrile, sometimes high fever. In addition, dryness and soreness in the throat, scratching in the throat are disturbing; headache, muscles, joints.
Sticky mucus accumulates in the throat and provokes a dry cough. Possible reaction of regional lymph nodes - cervical and submandibular.
There are no purulent raids in the pharynx (difference from sore throats), uvulathe palate is hyperemic, edematous.
There is no temperature in allergic etiology. You can easily earn pharyngitis after smoking a cigarette.
In chronic pharyngitis there is no intoxication, no temperature, but the throat often hurts.
Angina and tonsillitis
In exacerbation, there is fever, nausea, difficulty swallowing and a feeling of a lump in the throat. Sore throat felt when swallowing, coughing. Plugs may be found on the tonsils.
Laryngotracheitis
Uncomfortable in deep throat, sore throat without swallowing. There is a strong wet cough, a hoarse voice, hyperthermia, suffocation and shortness of breath against this background, breathing is difficult, with swelling of the larynx, a false croup may develop.
Otitis media
The temperature may rise, when pressing on the tragus, there is an acute pain in the ear, there is weakness, insomnia, sore throat. Most often, there is a cutting pain in the throat on one side, which radiates to the ear, but both ears can also hurt.
Injuries of the pharyngeal mucosa
They often lead to sore throats. Injuries are divided into chemical, thermal and mechanical:
- Chemical burn is dangerous and difficult to treat. It can be caused by vinegar and other acids, alcohols, alkalis, boiling water and steam. There is a pronounced sharp cutting pain in the throat, bleeding is possible. Burns with vinegar, alkalis cause the formation of a white scab; burns of sulfuric and hydrochloric - brown scabs, nitrogen - yellow. In the future, the burn heals with rough scars leading to stenosis of the esophagus and pharynx. Required withinfor a long time to carry out parenteral nutrition in the form of droppers, or through an intestinal stoma, the patient is exhausted, often needs surgery (bougienage of the esophagus). Acetic acid burns lead to acute renal failure.
- Thermal burns - burns with boiling water occur in everyday life due to negligence or haste while eating: from tea, coffee, soup. With 1 degree burns, the burnt epithelium heals in 3-4 days. Throat swollen and red. Subjectively, burning and pain in the throat when swallowing and in the esophagus. Grade 2 - plaque appears on the mucous membrane, it is rejected only after a week, there are erosive surfaces under it. The state of he alth is disturbed, the temperature may rise. Scars form at the site of the burn. Third degree - lesions are under the scabs, in depth they are extensive. Keep 2 weeks. In such cases, a general burn disease with insufficiency of internal organs may develop.
- Mechanical injuries - they are the most frequent. Caused by foreign bodies in the throat, cuts, stab wounds, firearms. Often occurs in young children who drag everything into their mouths: parts of toys, buttons, bones, balls, peel. Sometimes children can bite through Christmas decorations and ampoules without supervision. In adults and children, fish bones and needles can get stuck. They cause severe sharp cutting pain in the throat, do not allow swallowing.
Retropharyngeal abscess
With deep penetration of a foreign body and damage to the mucosa, an infection can get in and a pharyngeal abscess develops. Pain is either one-sided or along the back of the throat. In 2-3 days, intoxication develops with allsigns of inflammation:
- difficulty breathing, sore throat when swallowing, forced head position due to pain (it is tilted to one side or raised up);
- nasal congestion,
- regional lymphadenitis, fever.
Tumors
With benign tumors of the pharynx, there is some soreness and difficulty swallowing, with malignant tumors, the pain is constant, sharp.
Cervical osteochondrosis
The pain in the throat with it is so sharp and prolonged that it is called pharyngeal migraine. This is a constant feeling of a lump in the throat, pain radiates to the throat when swallowing, giving it to the ear; often join cardialgia and pain in the collarbone.
Syphilis of the throat
A month after infection, at the site of the introduction of the pale spirochete into the mucosa (this can be during oral sex, kissing), a smooth ulcer with even raised edges is formed - a hard chancre.
Regional lymphadenitis also occurs. The chancre itself does not hurt and usually disappears without a trace after a month. But if secondary infection and suppuration occur, the symptoms will be expressed in the usual inflammatory intoxication.
After 2-3 months, secondary syphilis appears, then syphilides appear in the throat - a rash in the form of papules and erythema with erosions. The voice becomes hoarse, dry cough worries. Sore throat from the very beginning.
Gonorrhea of the throat
Clinically similar to a sore throat: cutting pain when swallowing in the throat, pus deposits on the tonsils. Infection is possible through oral sex, in a childduring childbirth from a sick mother.
Sore throat without fever
This symptom indicates that the cause is not infectious. This is possible when a foreign body enters the throat.
Aphthous stomatitis in adults also does not give a fever. But aftochki appear on the mucous membrane - ulcers with a white coating. They are very painful even at rest. Cutting pain in the throat without fever, aggravated by swallowing.
In chronic tonsillitis without exacerbations, there will be pain in the throat, but there is no temperature. There are plugs on the tonsils that create a feeling of foreignness in the throat, making swallowing and breathing difficult.
Chronic pharyngitis can occur without fever if it develops from overstrain of the vocal cords, hypothermia.
Unilateral cutting pain when swallowing in the throat without fever may be a sign of Hilger's syndrome. This is a lesion of the external carotid artery, which periodically expands, and the pharyngeal mucosa becomes hyperemic.
Cutting pain in the throat without temperature with radiating to the ear occurs with Eagle-Sterling syndrome. This is what is called in medicine a change in the position of the styloid process of the temporal bone.
Without fever, the throat hurts with tumors, primary syphilis, GERD, tuberculosis of the larynx.
Types of sore throat
If the cutting pain in the throat does not increase when swallowing, then, most likely, the inflammation sits in another organ. It is much easier for a doctor to diagnose a pathology if the pain is localized in one focus.
Unilateral pain
Cuttingsore throat on one side usually occurs with a localized infection. The cause is acute otitis media, scarlet fever, measles; used to have diphtheria.
Also includes:
- pharyngitis;
- tonsillitis (bilateral inflammation of the tonsils is rare);
- dental disease;
- oral.
With such a long list, pharyngitis is the most common cause.
Often in patients after tonsillectomy, inflammation of the residual tissues of the lymphoid ring in the lateral parts of the pharynx occurs. At the same time, the throat rollers are also affected, causing a cutting pain in the throat on one side - on the right or left. This pathology is characterized by tissue hypertrophy (lateral pharyngitis).
Another cause of a cutting pain in the throat on the one hand can be paratonsillitis - phlegmonous tonsillitis, in which there is inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tonsil. Localization of the process at the site of the initial focus of infection.
Pain in the back of the throat
With pharyngitis, the mucous membrane of the throat hurts and is inflamed. The pain is intensified where the mucosa is constantly irritated by mucus flowing down the back of the throat. She is the most amazed. An inflammatory process that causes a cutting pain in the throat on the back of the pharynx also occurs with a retropharyngeal abscess.
Around the Adam's apple
Most often, pain in this area occurs with mechanical injuries - bruises during falls or injuries during sports training. Then the risk of cartilage tissue fractures always remains, which gives pain in this area. There may be a cough with an admixtureblood; crunch. Also pain in this area is characterized by laryngitis. This is possible with tension of the vocal cords, chemical burns, etc.
When should I see a doctor urgently?
Medical assistance is needed in the following cases:
- throat hurts for a long time;
- it is difficult for a person to swallow, breathe;
- open your mouth.
- has earache;
- temperature above 38;
- often have sore throats;
- cutting pain in the throat radiates to the ear, neck;
- submandibular and cervical nodes hurt.
First Aid
For the treatment to be successful, you need to immediately take action when a sore throat appears:
- talk less, especially in whispers;
- drink more warm liquids - water, tea, juices;
- gargle;
- take analgesics or suck on tablets, lozenges with analgesic effect and cough;
- do not drink alcohol and do not smoke.
Complications
Possible complications:
- the tone of the vocal cords decreases, which leads to a narrowing of the larynx and difficulty breathing;
- jaw spasms - interfere with speaking and eating;
- may cause pneumonia; with angina, rheumatism can develop with damage to the kidneys, heart and joints; sinusitis;
- bronchitis;
- otitis.
Diagnostic measures
Assign:
- HIV blood test;
- chest and cervical spine x-ray;
- dabthroat;
- blood for streptococcus;
- determining the level of acidity in the esophagus.
Principles of treatment
How to treat a sore throat? Therapy is determined by the cause. Self-medication is excluded.
Treatment is not only symptomatic, but also etiotropic. In infectious etiology with cutting pain in the throat, antibiotic therapy is carried out. In addition to antibiotic therapy for an infectious onset, immunocorrectors may be prescribed.
Homeopathic remedies are good for chronic infections. They inhibit the growth of bacteria and strengthen the immune system. The selection is individual. Indications for use: chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis, paratonsillar abscess, etc. Supplement the main treatment with analgesic sprays, lozenges and lozenges, rinses. They relieve pain well and improve airway patency.
Lozenges
Resorbable tablets quickly remove pain when swallowing, reduce swelling and hyperemia in the focus of inflammation, reduce the concentration of bacteria in it due to the fact that it contains an antiseptic and an anesthetic. Among them:
- "Lizobakt".
- "Gramicidin C".
- "Strepsils".
- "Faliminth".
- "Septolete".
- "Neoangin".
- "Pharingosept".
- "Septefril".
Dissolve the tablets completely and do not eat or drink for 1 hour after them.
Aerosols and Throat Sprays
Aerosols and throat sprays perfectly reduce tissue swelling, destroy bacteria in the focus. The following are considered effective:
- "Ingalipt".
- "Givalex".
- "Gexoral".
- "Oracept".
- "Tantum Verde".
- "Camenton".
- "Ambassador".
- "Lugol"-spray.
Many sprays contain antibacterial ingredients.
Pharmacy solutions for rinsing
Effective pharmaceutical solutions for gargling are:
- "Furacilin".
- "Chlorhexidine".
- "Miramistin".
- "Rotokan".
- "Chlorophyllipt".
- "Hexoral" in the form of a solution.
Gargle 6-8 times a day for 5-10 minutes. After one hour also do not eat or drink.
What to do at home if you have a sore throat?
Homemade mouthwashes:
- Soda solution (1 tsp per glass of water); you can add s alt here in the amount of ¼ part of a tsp. This solution washes out the waste products of bacteria, relieves tissue swelling and dries the mucous membranes. To enhance the effect add 1-2 drops of iodine.
- Decoctions of medicinal herbs for rinsing: medicinal chamomile, calendula - natural antiseptics with a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. They reduce tissue swelling and help flush out pus from lacunae.
- Sage - relieves swelling of tissues, destroys viruses and bacteria; Oak bark -has astringent and regenerating effects.
Decoctions of herbs for rinsing should be slightly warm, and each time fresh.
Honey for sore throat
Honey, propolis and pollen are very rich in trace elements, amino acids, biologically active substances and vitamins.
Honey is a natural immunomodulator, has an antimicrobial effect and relieves inflammation. If you have a sore throat or itching in it, try to slowly dissolve 1 tsp. honey. The treatment is carried out for several days and the pain in the throat is not remembered for a long time.
Drinking mode
Preferably a plentiful alkaline drink - warm milk with the addition of honey, mineral heated water without gas; apple juice, raspberry, green and lime tea, rosehip decoction.
Lemon is not recommended because it will irritate an already inflamed mucosa.
It is useful to steam your feet, wipe dry, pour dry mustard into your socks at night. The neck should be wrapped with a warm scarf. Constantly need to humidify the air in the room, try to talk less.
Prevention
This is any strengthening of immunity:
- hardening;
- proper nutrition;
- good sleep and rest;
- quitting smoking;
- moderate activity;
- no soda;
- be more outdoors.
It is recommended to adhere to these rules. After all, as you know, the disease is easier to prevent than to cure.
