Interruption of the therapeutic course for a cold or flu often leads to various pathologies. One of these complications can be pharyngitis. Treatment of the inflammatory process of the posterior wall of the larynx is carried out both with medicines and folk methods. This article will discuss a number of recommendations to combat this disease.
What is pharyngitis?
Pharyngitis is one of the most famous diseases localized in the larynx. In winter, no one is immune from this disease, people of different ages are at risk. Some of its forms are quite difficult and difficult to treat. Although the disease itself is not dangerous, it is not recommended to treat it yourself. Sometimes patients mistakenly take it for a sore throat due to similar symptoms. In order for medicines to help you cope well with the disease, you need to know the correct diagnosis. Based on the full clinical picture, the doctor will select the necessary drugs. This does not exclude the treatment of pharyngitis at home with the help of folk remedies. About them webelow.
In addition to the palatine tissues and mucous membranes, the disease can also affect deeper layers. As an independent disease, it occurs extremely rarely, often accompanies inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract and is determined by the location of the focus. Depending on this, the disease is conventionally divided into several types. The diffuse inflammatory process is diffuse and occurs in the acute form of the disease. In this case, the viral and bacterial lesion is migratory in nature, and most often descending. In chronic pharyngitis, the infection affects one of the three parts of the larynx: the oropharynx, nasopharynx, or laryngopharynx.
Usually, inflammation begins to develop after bacteria and viruses enter the throat during a cold. Depending on what pathogen caused the disease, the specialist decides whether antibiotics should be taken in the treatment of pharyngitis in adults. Photos with various forms of this disease help to understand how inflammatory processes proceed in the human body, and to realize the seriousness of the possible consequences. It would be good for each patient to receive more information about their disease and take the necessary measures in a timely manner.
Views
Pathology can acquire a very different character. It is not always necessary to use antibiotics. To defeat an insidious disease, sometimes it is enough to conduct a systematic treatment. Remedies for pharyngitis are prescribed in accordance with the degree of the inflammatory process. It is important for people at risk to know what forms of the disease exist.
Acute infections are distinguished by the depth of the focus, taking into account the etiological factor. They can be allergic, fungal, viral and bacterial. Traumatic pharyngitis occurs as a result of exposure to foreign irritants or after surgery. There are two main forms of the disease:
- Catarrhal. Pharyngitis, characterized by swelling and redness of the mucous membranes (hyperemia). The back wall of the pharynx can be covered with many follicles in the form of red grains. At the same time, there is an accumulation of cloudy mucus. The inflammatory process extends to the tongue area.
- Purulent. Accompanied by the formation of mucus with an admixture of pus. Sometimes small sores appear.
Chronic forms of the disease are classified according to structural changes in the mucosa:
- Chronic catarrhal. Accompanied by hyperemia and mild swelling of the epithelium of the mucous membrane. In some cases, there is an accumulation of mucus covering some parts of the pharynx.
- Hypertrophic. Symptoms become more pronounced. There is a significant increase in the tongue and soft palate. Consolidation of the mucosa is accompanied by the expansion of blood vessels and lymph. During the course of the inflammatory process, hypersecretion occurs. This is due to the draining of the lymph due to the expansion of lymphoid formations. Pathological changes cover the side and back wall of the pharynx.
- Atrophic. Leads to thinning of the epithelium. The glands are greatly reduced, the mucosa becomes dry and acquires a pale pink color with a brilliant coating. In some areas, crusts form, mucus with pus appears.
Reasons
A number of factors can provoke the occurrence of an inflammatory process in the mucous layer of the pharynx. Chronic pharyngitis is often diagnosed along with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Usually these are diseases such as gastritis, cholecystitis and pancreatitis. As a result of entry into the respiratory tract of gastric juice with a hernia, a chronic, catarrhal form of pharyngitis may develop. Treatment in such cases is aimed at eliminating the cause of the outbreak. We provide a list of other factors:
- Problems that make breathing difficult: deviated septum, polyps, sinusitis, rhinitis.
- Long-term use of vasodilators.
- Tobacco and alcohol abuse.
- Persistent or intense exposure to chemicals in the throat mucosa.
- Breathe in polluted or cold air.
- Individual structural features of the respiratory organs.
- Other diseases (cardiovascular, pathology of the urinary system).
Exogenous factors and various irritants are a common cause of the development of an acute form of the disease. These include:
- allergic pharyngitis;
- infectious;
- traumatic;
The development of the infectious form occurs under the influencepathogens:
- pneumococci, staphylococci and streptococci are common causative agents of inflammation;
- in most cases (70%) these are influenza viruses, coronoviruses, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses;
- candida (fungus).
Infection can spread from nearby foci located in the oral and nasal cavities. Larynx lesions are often observed in patients suffering from sinusitis, caries and sinusitis.
Symptoms
List of symptoms with different etiology of inflammation of the pharynx:
- itchy sensation accompanied by constant tickling;
- compulsive dry cough;
- puffiness and redness;
- body temperature above 37 degrees;
- recurrent headaches;
- general malaise;
- formation of mucous plaque on the back of the throat and palatine tonsils, sometimes with pus;
- muscle discomfort;
- accumulation of viscous sputum in the morning;
- enlarged lymph nodes.
If the above symptoms appear, you should immediately seek help from the hospital. Treatment of pharyngitis should begin from the first days of its occurrence. A prolonged illness can become chronic. With the latter, severe malaise and fever are usually not observed.
Treatment
The correct conclusion the doctor will be able to make on the basis of theresearch and visual examination of the painful focus. The diagnostic complex consists of general tests and throat swabs. Sometimes it becomes necessary to identify a specific pathogen. In this case, and in the presence of other diseases, the specialist prescribes an additional examination.
The treatment of pharyngitis in adults requires an integrated approach. To combat viruses and bacteria, local and systemic drugs are prescribed: mucolytics, antiseptics, antibiotics, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. In the form of the disease, which is of allergic origin, antihistamines are prescribed: lozenges, aerosols, tablets, lozenges and special rinse solutions. Recommend additional inhalation and effective folk methods.
In case of bacterial damage, antibiotics of the penicillin, macrolide and cephalosporin groups are effective. The following drugs are shown in the form of capsules, tablets and suspensions: Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, Cefixime. In case of severe complications in adults, pharyngitis is treated with injections. With laryngitis and tonsillitis, drugs such as Cefoperazone and Ceftriaxone are used. Along with them, mucolytics are recommended that help thin sputum, for example, ACC.
Treatment at home
First aid for inflammation of the mucous layer of the pharynx can be provided by gargling with antiseptic herbal infusions. It is convenient to treat pharyngitis in adults at home because you cancarry out additional procedures at any time, for example, inhalations.
Completely defeat the disease with the help of folk methods will not work. However, treatment with natural remedies significantly speeds up the healing process. It was noticed that when using several methods in combination, patients quickly recovered. Here are the main recommendations that the patient must follow:
- regular rinses;
- use of antivirals;
- use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as those prescribed by the doctor on an individual basis;
- plentiful warm drink.
- inhalations at least 3 times a day;
At the same time, local remedies and vegetable-based syrups with an expectorant effect are shown. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe a sputum thinner. Effective preparations for the normal separation of mucus are considered "Evkabal" and "Gerbion", for liquefaction - "Ambrobene", "Bromhexine" and "Lazolvan". The proven sprays that can alleviate the patient's condition include: "Kameton", "Tera-Flu", "Ingalipt". Lollipops help relieve painful symptoms well. The best of them are such means as Trachisan, Dicatilen and Strepsils.
There is a considerable selection of medicinal plants that have positive effects in the treatment of pharyngitis. Folk remedies can continue to be used even after the end of the therapeutic course to consolidate the effect.
It is important to know that in the atrophic form of this disease,rinsing and inhalation are not recommended. The acute type of the disease, with properly selected drugs, disappears in a week, the chronic type is characterized by phases of exacerbation and remission.
Folk methods for the chronic form of the disease
The opinion of many experts is that alternative medicine can only help if treatment is started from the first days of the onset of the disease. At the initial stage of malaise, you need to gargle 5-6 times a day. If there is no improvement, you should start taking medication.
Treatment of chronic pharyngitis with medicinal plants is prohibited if the patient has asthma and other pathologies of the respiratory system, especially with attacks of nocturnal suffocation. You also need to exclude allergies and the herpes virus.
If the doctor allowed rinsing, then you need to choose the correct temperature of the solution. Hot and cold decoctions can cause even more irritation of the larynx. Warm infusions of St. John's wort, raspberry leaves, chamomile, oak bark have a good effect. Persimmon has healing properties in this regard. It significantly reduces inflammation and improves the condition of the larynx as a whole.
Soda solution is used for inhalation. The infusion of linden, chamomile and honey (or propolis) copes well with the disease. Procedures with these funds increase immunity. Care must be taken to ensure that the steam does not have a scalding effect.
Don't forget warm milk with honey. This is the most popular and long-proven tool that helps with anycolds. Herbal and fruit drinks with the addition of ginger work well. Acidic juices and lemon are best avoided. There are other proven remedies used in the treatment of pharyngitis. Photos of some plants can be found in the article.
Pharyngitis in children
Therapy in childhood involves bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids and dieting. In most cases, the treatment of pharyngitis at home proceeds well. A child from three years old can be taught to rinse. Inhalations are also prepared from pharmacy herbal preparations, oregano, plantain, currants and sage. Older children can be given local remedies: lozenges, tablets, syrups and lozenges.
Antibiotics are prescribed in extreme cases. The pediatrician observing the child may prescribe these funds in the following situations:
- atrophy of the mucous membrane of the larynx;
- advanced disease;
- complex pathologies that endanger life.
When an illness befalls a baby, the situation becomes more complicated. Since it is impossible to treat pharyngitis with rinsing and inhalation in children, compresses are widely used.
- Potato compress. Potatoes need to be boiled, crushed, cooled slightly and placed in a plastic bag. The contents should be leveled and wrapped with several layers of fabric. Apply warm, for one hour.
- Fat with honey. Mix vodka with honey in equal proportions, then add goose or pork fat in the same volume. Finishedrub the baby's feet, chest and back with the mixture, and then wrap him in a warm diaper.
- Mustard wraps. A tablespoon of mustard powder is diluted in a glass of water and gauze is moistened in it. The piece should be large enough to wrap around the child several times. Remove the compress after five minutes.
Treating babies is not always easy, but the methods of our grandmothers, fortunately, always turn out to be effective. When parents have difficulty treating pharyngitis, traditional medicine often comes to the rescue.
The baby's neck can be moistened with antiseptics using a pacifier, but so that there is no alcohol and menthol in the products. Faringosept tablets are used in the same way.
Recommendations and prevention
Inflammation of the mucous layer of the throat affects people who breathe through their mouths during a night's rest. Humidification of the air passing into the lungs occurs in the nasal cavity. When the process of breathing is done through the mouth, the throat becomes dry and irritated. To minimize this problem, you need to maintain a slightly high humidity in the room. Tea with coltsfoot and other medicinal herbs is also useful.
It is important to remember that prevention is always better than cure. Chronic pharyngitis in adults requires compliance with several rules:
- Try to reduce exposure to chemicals in the airway epithelium.
- Do not delay the treatment of colds.
- Observe oral hygiene. Periodontal disease and caries are sourcesspread of infection.
- Monitor the condition of the digestive organs.
- Replenish the body with the necessary supply of trace elements and vitamins.
- Regularly humidify and ventilate the relaxation room.
If the virus or bacteria still got into the body, it is necessary to limit the stay on the street. In order not to spread the infection, you need to limit contact with other people. All doctor's recommendations should be followed.
- Get enough sleep. In the early days, you need to observe bed rest.
- Exclude spicy and s alty foods, as well as those that can irritate the mucous membrane of the throat.
- To reduce the feeling of dryness, you need to drink more warm drinks, such as green tea. With such problems, milk with honey helps well.
- Bad habits irritate the epithelium, alcohol should be completely excluded.
Conclusion
As you can see, the complex treatment of pharyngitis can be carried out at home. Do not forget that this disease is quite complex and has a different etiology. This fact suggests that self-medication should not be resorted to. Find out your diagnosis and treat yourself with the drugs that your doctor will prescribe.
