Diseases of the throat are not only inflammation. They can also be vocal nodules or tumors. Throat diseases are often diagnosed late, because their symptoms initially resemble a cold and are therefore neglected, and some of them are very serious. Check what symptoms indicate throat diseases.

Diseases of the throatare divided into diseases of the upper (nasopharyngeal), middle (including tonsils, palate) and lower (larynx) pharynx. Their symptoms are usually similar - sore throat, hoarseness, voice change, difficulty swallowing or even shortness of breath - and initially resemble a cold, which is ignored. However, some of the throat diseases are very serious.

Throat diseases - inflammation

  • Acute pharyngitis

There are viral (most cases) and bacterial pharyngitis. Very rarely, pharyngitis may be caused by non-infectious causes, such as irritation from smoking, alcohol or acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux).

Symptoms:Those indicative of viral pharyngitis are the red and bloodshot mucosa of the throat and swollen and bloodshot tonsils. You can also see tiny bubbles with liquid on them. In addition, with viral pharyngitis, runny nose, itching, conjunctivitis, coughing, hoarseness, muscle aches, low fever or low fever appear.

In turn, a very dark, raspberry color of the pharyngeal mucosa, bloodshot tonsils with a creamy-white coating, indicate bacterial inflammation. The accompanying symptoms are severe sore throat, high fever (38 degrees C and higher), swollen, enlarged and tender lymph nodes in the neck.

Treatment:in case of viral pharyngitis, it is enough to take anti-inflammatory drugs, even those containing ibuprofen. Bacterial pharyngitis requires antibiotic treatment. You can also use home remedies for a sore throat or reach for preparations from the pharmacy, which usually have an analgesic and disinfecting effect.

  • Chronic pharyngitis

The pharyngitis should pass within 5-7 days. If your sore throat continues to tire with varying severity for several weeks, it could be a sign of chronic pharyngitis. Its treatment depends on the underlying cause. For example, if the reason is an allergy, it is givenantiallergic drugs. When chronic pharyngitis is associated with acid reflux disease, you should change your diet and eating habits, and take medications to alleviate acid reflux. In any case, you should ensure good hydration of the mucous membranes of the throat.

Pharyngitis - what is it? Explains the doctor, Katarzyna Bukol-Krawczyk

Throat diseases - angina

Angina is an acute inflammation of the palatine tonsils and the pharyngeal mucosa. Angina is caused most often by bacteria from the streptococcus group.

Symptoms:usually begins suddenly with a severe sore throat making it difficult to swallow. Pain radiates towards the ears. Usually there is high fever (over 38 degrees C) and chills. The neck and submandibular lymph nodes are enlarged and painful under pressure. After some time in the so-called in the crypts of the tonsils, whitish patches may form, and sometimes pinpoint-like, yellowish changes appearing through the mucosa.

Treatment:angina is most often caused by streptococci, and then it is necessary to take an antibiotic (mainly penicillin).

According to an expertDr. Marta Held-Ziółkowska, ENT specialist from Medicover Hospital

Throat ailments bother us especially in the period of increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections, i.e. in the autumn and winter season. Each of us has at least one infection during this time, accompanied by a sore throat. So this is a problem that affects us all, and we are usually very good at dealing with it. We use vitamin C, medications rich in routine, natural juices, herbal teas, ginger, rinse our throats and warm ourselves. We often take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Those who are allergic to aspirin remember to avoid preparations that contain acetylsalicylic acid.

However, if the infection starts to prolong, what then? The sore throat worsens, and the difficulty in swallowing, speaking, and even opening your mouth gets worse. This situation usually requires the help of a specialist. The most common symptoms of angina, i.e. bacterial inflammation of the throat. Assessment by an ENT or internist and usually antibiotic therapy is necessary. In the event of angina complications, such as infiltration or peritonsillar abscess, it will be necessary to puncture or incise it. Underestimating this situation may have serious consequences for the he alth and even life of the sick person.

Throat diseases - Plaut-Vincent's angina

Angina Plauta-Vincenta is a form of purulent tonsillitis that affects almost exclusively men.

Symptoms:usually the patient feels a slight pain on one side of the throat,She is low-fever, enlarged and painful lymph nodes on one side of her neck. There is also bad breath. The palatine tonsil is covered with a layer of dirty gray bloom that easily separates from the tonsil. Under the raid, however, you can see a deep ulcerative wound.

Treatment : given antibiotics and drugs to combat the symptoms of the disease, i.e. antipyretics and disinfectants. Usually, the raid separates from the tonsil after 1-2 weeks and the ulcer heals. Sometimes, however, the raid has to be removed mechanically.

Throat diseases - vocal nodules

Vocal lumps or singers. They are small growths that form on both vocal folds. They are formed as a result of chronic inflammation, most often as a result of overloading the vocal folds - in singers, teachers, speakers.

Symptoms:trembling voice and hoarseness that worsens after prolonged talking. In addition, the patient complains of quick fatigue of the voice and a feeling of obstruction in the larynx.

Treatment:you should save your voice. Rehabilitation involving exercises in voice emission is also needed. It is also important to master the art of diaphragm-costal breathing, which allows you to manage the exhaled air without straining the vocal cords. In addition, all factors that may irritate the larynx must be eliminated. Calcium-iodine iontophoresis brings good results. If left untreated, "soft" nodules can become fibrotic and turn into "hard" nodules. They are removed with a laryngoscope.

Throat diseases - polyps

Polyps of the larynx are the most common benign nodules of the larynx. They may appear on one or both of the vocal folds. They are usually the result of excessive vocal effort and smoking.

Symptoms:voice disturbance from hoarseness to complete silence. If a large polyp or so-called stalked (on a leg) trapped in the glottis, it may cause sudden breathlessness.

Treatment:when the changes do not hinder breathing, it is usually recommended to save the voice, inhalation and iontophoresis. Large and pedunculated polyps are removed using a laryngoscope. If voice hygiene is not respected, they may reappear.

Throat diseases - granulomas

Laryngeal granulomas are inflammatory changes, most often caused by gastroesophageal reflux, excessive vocal effort, and chronic cough.

Throat diseases - throat cancer

  • oropharyngeal cancer (middle pharynx) - first there is a lump that is the color of the surrounding tissue, which over time can become hard and mobile, or ulcerate. There is also an unpleasant smell from the mouth, with difficulty speaking over timeand breathing
  • cancer of the laryngeal part of the pharynx (lower pharynx) is characterized by hoarseness, difficulty and pain when swallowing, feeling that something is stuck in the throat, sore throat, shortness of breath. You can also find a lump in the neck.
According to an expertDr. Marta Held-Ziółkowska, ENT specialist from Medicover Hospital

How to protect yourself from throat infections? First of all, let's prevent their development. Let us avoid direct contact with sick people. Let's take care of our immunity by eating properly, getting enough sleep and oxygenating. Consider the flu vaccination. In people who often suffer from pharyngeal infections, it is necessary to take into account the existence of factors that predispose to this, such as nasal blockage due to a distortion of the septum or turbinate hypertrophy, the presence of polyps or allergic swelling of the nasal mucosa.

Factors irritating the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract also contribute to its worse condition and frequent pain ailments. These include tobacco smoke and gastroesophageal reflux, i.e. the regurgitation of food from the stomach. Their elimination will definitely have a positive effect on the condition of the throat. So, recurrent throat infections, prolonged pain in this area, can be symptoms of diseases that really take place outside of it.

It is important not to underestimate these ailments, but to diagnose, explain and eliminate their causes. Are you worried about a sore throat or other discomfort in this area, or a hoarseness that won't leave you for another week? Report to the ENT specialist and explain your concerns and doubts. Proper, prompt treatment of even neoplastic lesions enables an effective and complete cure.

Dr. Edyta Witkowska, otolaryngologist: the most common diseases of the throat in children

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ENT