Catarrhal pharyngitis symptoms and treatment

Causes of pharyngitis

Hypothermia of the body, inhalation of cold air, subsequent frequent colds and reduced immunity, chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption.
Prolonged irritation of the pharynx by polluted air, dust, soot and other mechanical or chemical particles.
Various microbes, viruses and fungi that attack the mucous membrane of the pharynx.
Presence of infection near the throat. This happens with sinusitis, rhinitis, dental caries and other diseases.
Deviation of the nasal septum, which causes difficulty breathing through the nose and inhaling air through the mouth.
Lack of vitamin A in the body.
The body's susceptibility to allergic diseases.
Endocrine disorders (menopause, hypothyroidism, diabetes, etc.).

Causes

The causes of acute catarrhal pharyngitis are viral infections, microbes, fungi, chemical irritants, certain respiratory diseases or inflammation near the pharynx. Chronic pharyngitis, like any other disease, does not occur without an initial acute process. Against the background of viral or bacterial infection - the initial cause - chronic pharyngitis develops over a long period of time. This can happen due to untimely or improper treatment of an acute process or lack of treatment of organs related to the throat (chronic diseases of the nose or problems of the oral cavity). Also, the high incidence of acute pharyngitis affects the possible development of a chronic disease.

There are certain factors that contribute to the appearance of chronic catarrhal pharyngitis:

features of the constitutional structure relating to the mucous membrane of the pharynx and gastrointestinal tract,
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (for example, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux - reflux of contents from the stomach back into the esophagus, etc.),
difficulties with nasal breathing (mouth breathing, deviated nasal septum, abuse of certain medications),
diabetes,
pulmonary, renal, heart failure,
endocrine disorders,
allergic diseases,
exposure to external negative factors (dust, smoke, hot or dry air, chemicals, etc.),
bad habits (craving for smoking, alcohol),
unhealthy diet (too cold or hot foods, spicy, fried, canned foods),
long exposure to the cold, which can lead to hypothermia.

It should be noted right away that in situations where chronic pharyngitis is not an independent disease, it is impossible to cope with the problem by treating pharyngitis alone. The underlying disease should be treated first.

Types of pharyngitis

Acute pharyngitis Acute pharyngitis develops after hypothermia and the body, the development of an infection or inhalation of substances and gases that irritate the mucous membrane. The symptoms of this disease are very similar to acute tonsillitis. It is not uncommon for people to get confused due to similar symptoms, but it is important to get the correct diagnosis because they are two completely different diseases with their own treatments. In acute tonsillitis, only the tonsils are affected, and in acute pharyngitis, the pharynx is affected.
Chronic pharyngitis Chronic pharyngitis can develop after prolonged acute pharyngitis. Decreased immunity, frequent colds, and unfavorable ecology can also cause acute pharyngitis to develop into chronic. Chronicity of acute pharyngitis can be triggered by excessive smoking and alcohol consumption, infections in the nasopharynx or oral cavity. Frequent use of vasoconstrictor drugs (naphthyzine and similar drops), which have an unnecessary anemic effect on the pharyngeal mucosa, can also play a role.
Catarrhal or simple pharyngitis Catarrhal pharyngitis is the initial stage of a chronic disease. Symptoms include soreness and discomfort when swallowing. A large amount of viscous substance (mucus) accumulates in the throat. If treatment is started in a timely manner, catarrhal pharyngitis will not develop into a more complex, chronic form.
Hypertrophic or granulosa pharyngitis Hypertrophic or granulosa pharyngitis appears in conditions of prolonged exposure to rooms with high humidity or in places with a humid climate. The reason may be a person's tendency to allergies, excessive smoking and alcohol. A deviated nasal septum, impaired nasal breathing, and diseases of the kidneys, liver, stomach or respiratory system also play a negative role. Granular pharyngitis can develop during diseases such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, rhinitis or dental caries. In the case of granulosa pharyngitis, folk remedies are powerless and it is necessary to make an appointment with an ENT doctor as soon as possible. Without timely treatment, granulosa pharyngitis can develop into an atrophic form of pharyngitis.
Atrophic pharyngitis Atrophic pharyngitis is a form of chronic pharyngitis. In this case, the mucous membrane of the pharynx becomes thinner and its moisture decreases. The patient complains of severe dry mouth, intolerance to salty and spicy foods. Dry throat can lead to difficulty breathing through the mouth and sleep disorders due to this background. Voice fatigue occurs quickly. In order to prevent the appearance of the atrophic form of pharyngitis, respiratory tract diseases should be prevented and treated promptly.

Causes of chronic pharyngitis

The development of the chronic form of pharyngitis is primarily based on a weakened immune system, a person’s frequent exposure to colds and the occurrence of various kinds of complications that develop against the background of viral infections in the body. The duration of inflammatory processes occurring on the pharyngeal mucosa is also one of the main provocateurs leading to the appearance of an unpleasant disease.

The following unfavorable factors can be identified that can have a direct impact on the progress of the disease and its transition to the chronic stage:

acute pharyngitis that was not treated in a timely manner;
recurring infectious diseases: viruses, fungi, bacterial pharyngitis;
progressive inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, for example, tonsillitis, gum disease, teeth;
inflammatory diseases in the paranasal sinuses, nose;
allergic reactions;
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: pancreatitis, reflux esophagitis and others;
consumption of excessively hot liquid, tobacco, alcohol, spicy food;
laryngeal injuries;
disturbances in the functioning of the liver, lungs, heart, as well as disturbances in metabolic processes in the body.

In addition to the above points, not the least influence on the delicate mucous membrane is exerted by irritants that prevail in the external environment: cold air, unfavorable ecology, polluted environment, hazardous production.

Symptoms of chronic pharyngitis

Speaking about signs that can indicate the presence of such a disease of the pharynx, it should be noted that the chronic stage of pharyngitis is very different from its acute stage. The course in a chronic form most often does not cause a deterioration in the patient’s general well-being, the body temperature does not rise, but there is a certain set of symptoms that can lead to the idea of the presence of pathology.

As signs of the formation of chronic pharyngitis, the following group of general symptoms should be distinguished:

sensation of a foreign body in the throat, the so-called lump;
dry throat;
sore, itchy throat;
nasopharyngeal congestion;
the appearance of hoarseness in the voice;
constant desire to cough;
dry cough;
displacement of painful sensations in the ear area;
discomfort when swallowing;
inflammation, burning in the throat;
accumulation of mucus on the walls of the larynx, which entails the appearance of a constant swallowing reflex;
an increase in discomfort in the throat in the morning and a gradual easing during the day.

In addition, the transition of the disease into a chronic form is characterized by several stages or types of pharyngitis. Each has a simpler or more severe form of occurrence. The main thing here is to remember that an illness that is not treated at the initial stages of development can lead to the formation of more dangerous types of the disease, the healing process of which will be much more difficult and lengthy than in its early stages. That is why symptoms and treatment of chronic pharyngitis in adults should be determined by a competent doctor.

So, among the main types of chronic pharyngitis, the following forms can be noted:

Catarrhal pharyngitis. The mildest form of chronic pharyngitis. The main point here is the presence of a sore, dry throat, as well as a constant desire to cough. This stage most often worsens during severe cold snaps or when a person finds himself in unfavorable conditions, for example, in a smoky room or in a hazardous industry.
Atrophic pharyngitis. This form is characterized by thinning of the laryngeal mucosa, which leads to an increase in its sensitivity. The course of the stage is also characterized by a constant feeling of dryness in the throat, burning, the presence of a foreign body, as well as a more severe form of dry cough, which torments the patient almost constantly, causing quite painful sensations. Here you can note the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity.
Hypertrophic pharyngitis. The stage is characterized by such signs as thickening of the mucous membranes of the throat, accumulation of mucus or pus on the back wall. Characterized by a constant desire to cough, as well as soreness, dryness and worsening bad breath.

Separately, it is worth mentioning another type of chronic pharyngitis - an allergic form of the disease caused by the presence of a certain allergen in the environment or food, which provokes irritation of the pharynx and causes symptoms characteristic of the disease.

It should be noted that the chronic stage of the disease can proceed quite calmly and manifest itself exclusively when coughing, provoking a kind of attack. But such a condition always passes and a person’s well-being improves. This is precisely why the disease is dangerous, since delaying a timely visit to a specialist can lead to the development of more serious stages of pharyngitis. Of course, various types of inflammatory processes in the body, decreased immunity and infections can also provoke an exacerbation.

In any case, the presence of any discomfort in the larynx that has not been eliminated for a long time should prompt a person to visit an appropriate specialist. Otherwise, the mucous membranes of the larynx will undergo negative changes and acquire the status of a permanent focus for the development of infections, which, in turn, can lead to quite serious complications and health problems.

Symptoms of pharyngitis

Most complaints are dry, burning or sore throat. Less often, patients complain of sore throat, foreign body sensation while swallowing.

Acute pharyngitis is characterized by soreness, dryness, discomfort and pain in the throat when swallowing, sometimes by general weakness of the body, and an increase in temperature to 38C.

With chronic pharyngitis, there is usually no increase in temperature, and there is no weakening of the general condition of the body. Dryness and soreness in the throat, a feeling of a “lump” appear, which makes you want to cough or splutter. The cough is dry. Discomfort in the throat is often associated with the need to frequently swallow mucus that accumulates in the back of the throat.

With hypertrophic or granular pharyngitis, granules and compactions appear in the pharynx, irregularities appear on the mucous membrane and it becomes bright red. The granules begin to irritate the trigeminal nerve and pharynx, promoting the urge to vomit.

In the case of atrophic pharyngitis, the mucous membrane becomes dry, pale, and often covered with dried mucus. Through the surface of the mucosa you can see the tortuosity of the blood vessels. Appearing crusts in the pharynx cause the patient discomfort and a sensation of a foreign body.

Symptoms

Catarrhal pharyngitis manifests itself as soreness and soreness in the throat, pain when swallowing. A dry, obsessive cough irritates the patient. Due to the accumulation of mucus, the patient has to periodically cough and cough up mucus, especially in the morning.

In the hypertrophic form, the symptoms are more pronounced; due to the strong accumulation of mucus in the throat and the difficulty of coughing it up, there may be nausea and vomiting.

Granular pharyngitis is characterized by sensations of rawness, itching and constant dryness in the throat, pain when swallowing, a feeling of a foreign body in the throat, expectoration of a small amount of purulent sputum, attacks of dry cough, especially during sleep.

With the atrophic form, there is almost no pain in the throat; this is due to atrophy of the nerve endings in the pharynx. The patient is bothered by constant dry mouth, an annoying dry cough, severe soreness, and rapid voice fatigue.

Main symptoms: pain, soreness, dry cough, redness and swelling of the pharyngeal mucosa upon examination

Complications of pharyngitis

Complications from pharyngitis are a serious threat. In the absence or untimely treatment, the patient may develop a retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal abscess. The latter can lead to the development of sepsis, which can threaten the patient’s life.

Pharyngitis can also result in the following diseases:

inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes (cervical lymphadenitis), which is especially severe in adults;
inflammation of the salivary glands (sialoadenitis), treatment may require surgery;
inflammation of the middle ear, auditory tube is dangerous due to partial or complete hearing loss;
laryngitis - inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa;
tracheitis - inflammation of the tracheal mucosa, which in turn can develop into bronchopneumonia, bronchitis;
chronic bronchitis - penetration of infection into the bronchi and long-term treatment with antibiotics;
systemic diseases - rheumatism, etc.

Possible complications and concomitant diseases

Chronic pharyngitis with insufficient or improper treatment can lead to unpleasant consequences.

Among them, first of all, it is worth noting inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs and upper respiratory tract: tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils), laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx), tracheitis (inflammation of the trachea), bronchitis. Complications are possible in the form of lymphadenitis (inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes), sialadenitis (inflammation of the salivary glands), catarrh of the middle ear (inflammation of the auditory tube).

Anatomical location of the pharynx and neighboring organs

Pharyngitis caused by streptococci is particularly dangerous. These pathogens can lead to serious complications in various organs: kidneys (glomerulonephritis), heart (endocarditis), joints (rheumatoid arthritis).

A patient with streptococcal pharyngitis who does not take treatment risks complications in the form of peritonsillar abscesses (ulcers near the tonsils) or a retropharyngeal abscess (purulent inflammation of the tissue and lymph nodes of the retropharyngeal space).

Atrophic pharyngitis can lead to cancer of the pharynx.

Treatment of pharyngitis

When treating pharyngitis, it is important to eliminate the cause of the disease. The disease does not respond to regular antibiotics, so entrust your treatment to an ENT doctor.

Important!!! To treat all cases of pharyngitis, you must stop smoking.

In the initial stages, the disease is quite easy to cure. However, take the treatment of this disease seriously, as sometimes it can lead to dangerous complications.

Basic principles of treatment of pharyngitis in children and adults

Local antimicrobial therapy in the form of rinses, insufflations, inhalations, as well as tablets and lozenges, sprays. These medications, often of a herbal nature, perfectly soften the cough of pharyngitis. These medications also contain painkillers.
Systemic antibiotic therapy, especially for pharyngitis caused by beta-hemolytic streptococcus, or in cases of rapid and severe development of the disease.
Symptomatic treatment, including a gentle diet, hot foot baths, warm compresses on the front of the neck, milk with honey, steam inhalations and gargling.

Any drug treatment for pharyngitis must be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician, because the choice of the drug needed for treatment is determined by the spectrum of its antimicrobial activity, the absence of allergenicity and toxic effect for each individual patient.

Treatment of pharyngitis with medications

Treatment of pharyngitis in adults and children depends on the form of the disease and the causes of its occurrence. If, after testing, it turns out that the cause is bacteria or viruses, then the attending physician, as a rule, prescribes a course of medications.

Depending on the form of the disease, the following medications are prescribed:

if tests confirm the bacterial form of the disease, then the pediatrician prescribes a course of antibiotics (10 days) - Azithromycin, Penicillin, Erythromycin, Amoxicillin;
in case of viral origin of the disease - antiviral drugs (Arbidol, Anaferon, Interferon, etc.);
in case of fungal form - antifungal drugs (Nystatin, Pimafucin);
in case of an allergic form, antihistamines are prescribed (Fenistil, Loratadine, etc.).