Lacunar angina or tonsillitis is an infectious disease characterized by damage to the pharyngeal lymphadenoid ring. It is a purulent inflammatory process, localized in the thickness of the tonsils, or rather, lacunae. In addition, the contents of the glands can spread throughout the surface of the soft palate.
With proper treatment, you can get rid of the disease 10 days after its occurrence.
Features of the disease
Lacunar angina (photos of people who have encountered this ailment are presented in the article) is an acute infectious process that affects the tonsils. This form of tonsillitis affects the palatine glands, namely lacunae. Lesions penetrate completely the entire tissue of the tonsils, and also have many branches, where a lot of pus accumulates.
Often, lacunar tonsillitis is provoked by pathogens. Basically, the peak of the incidence occurs in the cold season. Together with a decrease in air temperature, immunity is significantly weakened. As a result of a purulent bacterial lesion, the patient's health deteriorates sharply, and dangerous complications develop.
In children, the disease is much more complicated than in adults, so treatment at home is not recommended. If the first signs of purulent sore throat appear , you should immediately consult a doctor, where they will diagnose and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Causes of occurrence
Among the main causes of lacunar tonsillitis can be identified an increase in the pathogenicity of pathogens, in particular such as:
- streptococci;
- staphylococci;
- pneumococci.
In addition, other microorganisms can provoke inflammation. You also need to highlight certain provoking factors, such as:
- viral diseases;
- hypothermia;
- abnormalities of the tonsils;
- lack of vitamins;
- malnutrition;
- smoking and alcohol consumption.
People who are accustomed to breathing through their mouths are more likely to become infected with pathogenic microflora. The transmission of the virus occurs by contact with a sick person by airborne droplets.
The main symptoms
The duration of the incubation period is approximately 1-2 days, it all depends on the causative agent of the disease and the state of immunity. The dynamics of tonsillitis is very rapid. Among the main symptoms of lacunar angina, it is necessary to distinguish:
- a sharp increase in temperature;
- sleep disturbance;
- weakness and general malaise;
- loss of appetite;
- decreased performance;
- headache;
- lethargy;
- pain in the joints and heart.
The characteristic signs of tonsillitis are sore throat, pain when swallowing, as well as a sensation of a lump. Lymph nodes are inflamed and palpable. They are soft to the touch, painful. In some cases, swelling of the upper neck is noted.
When examining the larynx, swelling is noted, tonsils enlarge, and purulent formations are noted on the surface. With the elimination of plaque, there are absolutely no signs of tissue damage and hemorrhage.
Lacunar angina, the photo of which can be intimidating, can be one-sided and two-sided. The disease lasts for 6-9 days. The acute form in a child is quite complicated and is often accompanied by:
- suffocate;
- nausea and vomiting;
- cramps
- pain in the abdomen;
- loose stools.
The chronic form occurs only if the treatment of acute tonsillitis was incorrectly performed, as well as with a strong decrease in immunity. It has less pronounced signs, and exacerbation occurs only in the presence of provoking factors.
Diagnostics
If you suspect the development of lacunar tonsillitis, the patient is hospitalized in the infectious ward for a comprehensive diagnosis, and subsequent treatment is prescribed. The doctor initially conducts a survey to clarify the symptoms, the duration of their course. In addition, you need to notify your doctor about previously transferred diseases.
If in recent times a course of antibiotic therapy was carried out, it is advisable to remember which drugs were prescribed. Repeated treatment with this group of drugs may not be very effective. After an initial visual examination of the oral cavity, the doctor probes the lungs, heart and assesses the condition of the submandibular lymph nodes. Then, such diagnostic procedures for lacunar tonsillitis are performed as:
- general blood analysis;
- throat swab;
- pharyngoscopy.
In the presence of complications, it is necessary to conduct studies such as ECG, x-rays of the joints, ultrasound of the kidneys.
Treatment features
Treatment of lacunar angina must necessarily include strict adherence to the regimen of the day, where bed rest occupies an important place. An important role is played by the isolation of the patient, which will avoid infection of the household. Therapy involves the use of several types of agents. Initially, the doctor prescribes antibiotics for lacunar angina, without which no treatment can do. To eliminate pathogens, agents with a wide spectrum of action are most suitable. Only the attending doctor should prescribe them.
With the course of tonsillitis, a high temperature is maintained for several days. That is why it is absolutely necessary to take antipyretic drugs. You can take them in tablet form, in the form of a suspension or suppository. The duration of the course of therapy is no more than three days. To reduce swelling of the larynx, you must definitely take antihistamine drugs. They help eliminate puffiness and normalize the patient’s breathing. In addition, they help to somewhat alleviate the pain that occurs when swallowing, which allows you to consume food.
An important part of the therapy is the use of sprays and gargling. Rinses should be carried out as often as possible, as this is the only way with which you can eliminate pus. In addition, a very good result when treating lacunar tonsillitis is given by traditional medicine.
An important component of therapy is nutrition. Intoxication of the body and sore throat significantly complicate the process of eating food. Do not force the patient to force to eat. Refusal of food is associated with the requirements of the body, since with the course of the disease there is a significant load on the digestive system, liver and kidneys.
It is necessary to exclude solid foods from the usual diet, and instead eat mashed potatoes, broths, cereals and other dishes that have a liquid consistency. For a better and quicker recovery, it is important to ensure an adequate drinking regimen. You can drink not too strong tea, which is good to add honey, raspberries or lemon.
After the acute stage of tonsillitis passes, the patient needs to take vitamin complexes, as well as probiotics. This is due to the fact that such a disease leads to a weakening of the body, so you need to consult a doctor for qualified assistance.
The apartment often needs to be wet-cleaned to moisten the air and make it cleaner. This is especially important after the end of the disease. In addition, you need to ventilate the room.
Drug therapy
How to treat lacunar angina with drugs, only the attending doctor can determine. Regardless of how severe the symptoms are, hospitalization in a hospital is indicated. Antibacterial drugs are initially prescribed, but they only help if there is a bacterial cause of angina. First of all, the doctor prescribes drugs with a wide spectrum of action. With the help of antibiotics, pathogens can be destroyed. If the drugs were chosen correctly, complete destruction of the pathogen is achieved. Often used drugs such as:
- cephalosporins;
- fluoroquinolones;
- macrolides.
Such drugs as “Cephalexin”, “Sumamed”, “Azithromycin”, “Supraks” are used. In a hospital, they are administered intramuscularly or intravenously. Antibacterial agents can be taken at home, but only as directed by a doctor. The course of therapy is approximately 5-10 days, be sure to go through it to the end. If the antibiotic did not bring the desired result, then you need to change it to another. To reduce the temperature, antipyretic drugs are indicated, for example, such as Panadol, Nurofen, Rapidol.
In addition, antihistamines can be prescribed to reduce swelling of the tonsils, such as Dexamethasone, Suprastin, Diazolin. Anti-inflammatory drugs are indicated to eliminate inflammation and alleviate the existing symptoms. They can be prescribed in the form of tablets or throat sprays. Such sprays as "Kameton", "Hexoral", "Anginal" are very well suited.
Antiseptics for the throat help to destroy pathogens at the local level and cleanse the accumulated pus in the oral cavity. For rinsing, solutions are well suited: Oracept, Miramistin, Furacilin, Chlorophyllipt. You can also lubricate tonsils with Lugol.
As an addition to all these drugs, you can use candies with an antimicrobial and analgesic effect, for example, Strepsils, Neo-Angin, Trachisan, Faringosept, Decatilen. Since follicular and lacunar angina badly affects the immune system, immunomodulating agents can be prescribed to increase it: Interferon, Arbidol, Imudon, Immunal.
Folk remedies
Treatment of lacunar angina at home can be carried out using folk remedies and methods. They have proven themselves from the best side, however, they can be used only after consultation with your doctor.
It is necessary to melt 1 tbsp. l butter and add the same amount of honey, a pinch of soda and mix everything thoroughly until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. You need to take the drug in a warm form, carefully dissolving in the oral cavity.
Preheat 1 tbsp. water, dissolve honey and 1 tsp in it. apple cider vinegar. Gargle with the resulting solution throughout the day. You can also use beet juice to rinse with the addition of apple cider vinegar. First you need to mix the cooked mixture a little.
Propolis has proven itself well enough. With tonsillitis, you need to chew a small piece of propolis for 5 minutes several times a day. It is also useful to rinse with propolis tincture, having previously dissolved it in water.
A good remedy is alkaline inhalation, which is carried out using a nebulizer. The whole procedure is carried out 3 times a day. It helps to soften the mucous membrane of the pharynx and tonsils, and also gradually eliminate painful sensations.
Surgical intervention
With exacerbation of lacunar angina in adults, surgery may be indicated. The operation can be performed in several versions, the simplest of which is the purification of the lacunae from purulent contents. For this purpose, galvanocaustics and diathermocoagulation of lacunae are carried out.
Recently, laser treatment of lacunar angina in adults and treatment with cold has gained great popularity. After the procedure, the changed areas are frozen, which allows to achieve a good result. If all these methods have not yielded any result, then the changed tonsils are removed.
Possible complications
One of the most dangerous complications of tonsillitis is pneumonia. This happens if the infection penetrates deep into the body. A similar condition can also occur with a decrease in immunity.
Depending on the individual characteristics of the patient, the lacunar form of angina can turn into fibrous, which is characterized by more complex and dangerous complications, up to and including involvement in the pathological processes of the brain. If the causative agent of the disease is streptococcus, this can lead to rheumatism, nephritis and myocarditis.
Prophylaxis
Prevention consists in strengthening immunity, playing sports, proper nutrition, conducting hardening procedures, observing sleep and rest. In the cold season, it is important to avoid hypothermia.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle without bad habits occupies an important place in prevention, which is why it is necessary to abandon smoking and alcohol consumption. Hardening and exercising will help strengthen the body and improve the immune system.
To increase the body's resistance, you need to take immunostimulating drugs. In autumn and spring, when vitamin deficiency occurs, it is necessary to consume a sufficient amount of fresh vegetables and fruits. If you have perspiration and pain in the throat, rinse it with furacilin.
Angina in a child
The child’s body is most vulnerable to various diseases, which is why lacunar angina in children is very common. In young patients, tonsillitis is characterized by a more acute severity of symptoms. For the disease, symptoms such as:
- sore throat;
- sudden changes in temperature;
- headache;
- digestive disorders;
- insomnia;
- muscle weakness;
- loss of appetite;
- increased heart rate.
Treatment of lacunar angina in children implies the use of antibacterial drugs. They must be prescribed only by a qualified doctor, taking into account the weight, height and age of the child. Treatment should be started only when the pathogen is precisely detected, since an extra load on the child’s body is extremely undesirable.
Before conducting therapy, it is necessary to determine the presence of an allergic reaction to a certain type of pathogen, which is carried out in the laboratory. This will save time and not harm the health of the child. Treatment of angina is also carried out with the help of local funds, as well as drugs that strengthen the immune system.
Feature of treatment during pregnancy
If you become infected with tonsillitis during pregnancy, you should not be afraid that the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Preference is given to aerosol preparations that act locally and do not penetrate into the systemic circulation.
It is strictly forbidden to take "Aspirin", as it can provoke bleeding. You can lower the temperature by rubbing your feet with alcohol or vinegar. It is not necessary to carry out inhalation and apply hot foot baths, as they can increase the tone of the uterus and provoke a miscarriage.
When rinsing, avoid multi-component herbal infusions, as this will help reduce the risk of allergies. Despite the lack of appetite, you still need to consume food, even in small quantities. To facilitate swallowing, all products must be carefully ground.
Lacunar angina is a serious disease, which is why you need to timely diagnose and treat.