Chronic pharyngitis can develop as an independent disease, but most often it is the development of an untreated acute form of the disease. In general, this pathology refers to the inflammatory process that affects the lymph nodes of the pharynx and its mucous membranes. It belongs to one of the most common ENT diseases. The most common occurrence is observed in children.
Classification of Pharyngitis
There are two types of this disease:
- acute;
- chronic pharyngitis.
The first type can develop due to exposure to the body of irritating substances, dust entering the respiratory tract, overheating, or, conversely, hypothermia, microbes or fungi. It is divided into several varieties:
- traumatic;
- allergic;
- fungal;
- bacterial;
- viral;
- caused by the influence of various factors: radiation, hot steam, chemicals, boiling water.
In chronic form, the following varieties are distinguished:
- hypertrophic;
- atrophic;
- catarrhal (simple).
During the course of the disease, various forms can be combined, in this case they speak of mixed pharyngitis.
Causes
Chronic pharyngitis in adults and children mainly occurs due to frequent and (or) untreated acute forms of the disease.
The main reasons contributing to this process are as follows:
- work in positions related to high voice loads (teachers, broadcasters, singers);
- employment in hazardous industries;
- intake of very hot or cold, as well as spicy food, inhalation of superheated or supercooled air, dust;
- prolonged medical treatment with certain drugs, inhalation of chemical fumes, gastroesophageal reflux;
- stressful situations over a long time period, vitamin deficiency;
- gastrointestinal tract pathologies: gastroesophageal disease, cholecystitis, atrophic gastritis, pancreatitis;
- endocrine diseases and hormonal disorders;
- heart, pulmonary, renal failure, diabetes mellitus;
- smoking, including its active and passive forms;
- colds that periodically occur in the body, leading to a decrease in immunity.
Chronic pharyngitis in the ICD
In our country, ICD-10 (the international classification of diseases of the tenth revision) was introduced in 1999 as a normative document for the recording of morbidity, the reasons for citizens to go to medical facilities and the causes of death. All possible pathologies of different organs are concentrated in it. Chronic pharyngitis was no exception. In ICD-10, it belongs to the X class “Respiratory diseases”, section “Other diseases of the upper respiratory tract”, it is assigned the code J31.2.
Symptoms of ailment
Often they are similar in different forms. The main symptoms of chronic pharyngitis in adults are as follows:
- a slight increase in temperature may or may not be observed;
- fatigue;
- dry and intrusive cough;
- slightly enlarged lymph nodes in the front, pain is palpated;
- discomfort can give in the ear;
- when swallowing, a lump and tickle are felt;
- dry throat.
The third and last two signs are present with a chronic form of pharyngitis almost always.
If it occurs against a background of gastrointestinal diseases, heartburn and abdominal pain can be felt. Thus, the symptoms of chronic pharyngitis and treatment in adults should be interlinked, depending on the accompanying pathologies. This disease has similar symptoms with some other colds. So, chronic tonsillitis and pharyngitis differ among themselves in that during the first ailment, there is a dynamics in the paired tonsils of the palate, and it can cause an infection for the development of the last disease.
The concept of a granular form of the disease
With the development of this disease, granules are formed on the back of the throat , which include particles of lymphoid tissue and dead bacteria resembling nodules. It is characterized by constant tickling or burning, while swallowing there is a pressing pain.
Chronic granular pharyngitis can occur in those citizens whose relatives were exposed to adverse factors. In addition to the above reasons, characteristic of all forms of this disease, this form can occur due to carious formations, abnormal structure of the nasal cavity, and curvature of the nasal septum.
With this ailment, pus flows down the throat wall. If a patient coughs, then attacks of nausea and vomiting may follow. Mucous secretions dry out, crusts form in the throat. There is a feeling of a foreign object in the throat.
Atrophic and subatrophic varieties of the disease
In the first form, bloody crusts gradually appear on the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx. They turn pale, thin, dry. The surface of the pharynx may become covered with dried mucus.
With a hypertrophic form, there is swelling of the mucous membranes, foci of hyperplastic lymphoid tissue form on the back wall of the pharynx, hyperemia is noted.
With subatrophic pharyngitis , perspiration and a sensation of a lump in the throat, dryness are noted. Coughing does not occur, sputum does not stand out, there is a dry cough. The wall of the pharynx accumulates mucus, crusts appear, an unpleasant smell comes from the oral cavity. The cough is irritating and causes insomnia.
Diagnostics
It is performed when the patient consults a doctor. In the presence of a pathogen, the latter is detected from a smear given for bacterial culture. A general blood test is also performed to detect bacterial culture. In case of complications after chronic granulosa pharyngitis, laryngoscopy is additionally prescribed.
An otolaryngologist examines the throat using a pharyngoscope with optimal lighting.
If necessary, endoscopic examination of the larynx and pharynx, tomography of these organs can be performed.
Treatment methods
In order to understand how to treat chronic pharyngitis, it is necessary to establish the causes that caused the appearance of this disease. If the pathology proceeds in uncomplicated forms, then they do not resort to antibacterial therapy.
In this case, resort to symptomatic treatment, involving steam inhalation, diet, hot drink, warming the throat, rinsing. The latter can be performed with antiseptic solutions. During treatment it is necessary to completely stop smoking.
Thus, the symptoms and treatment of chronic pharyngitis in adults are interrelated.
Taking antibiotics
If a pathogenic microflora is identified as the cause, the doctor prescribes the use of these funds.
In addition to the main active substance that is part of the drug, the antibiotic includes essential oils and anesthetics to eliminate the pain syndrome.
With pharyngitis, the following drugs of this series are prescribed:
"Octenisept." With its help, they fight not only bacteria, but also herpes viruses, fungi and chlamydia. The release form is aerosol, the action occurs 1 minute after application and lasts for one hour. The drug refers to a safe, non-toxic effect on the body.
"Bioparox" is a trademark of the medicinal substance fusafungin. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. It is mainly used in acute pharyngitis in the form of an aerosol.
Hexoral. Released in the form of a solution or spray. It has a wide antimicrobial and antifungal effect. Also provides deodorization, anesthesia, enveloping. It has an antiseptic effect.
Other drugs for drug therapy
When clarifying the question of how to cure chronic pharyngitis, antibiotics alone may not be enough.
In this case, such means are used:
- Strepsils.
- Septolete.
- "Faringosept". These three items relate to lozenges and lozenges for resorption - they are mainly prescribed for mild forms of the disease.
- Iodinol.
- "Imudon."
- "Proposol".
- Hexaspray.
- Ingalipt
- "Cameton".
Some of these drugs can cause allergies, so they are used in a limited way.
Some drugs, such as Sebidin, Drill, find narrow use because they contain chlorhexidine, which is toxic.
In addition, the throat can be rinsed using furatsilina or a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
The use of traditional medicine
When determining ways to treat chronic pharyngitis, you can use not only medications of traditional medicine. They can also help in combination with the latter and decoctions of medicinal herbs with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, warming the throat, thermal inhalations, large volumes of warm liquid received.
You can also make herbal baths in which essential oils are added. To alleviate the condition, every 3 hours you can chew cloves (2 buds each) or gargle with a salty warm solution, 1 tsp. salt in 500 ml of water.
Infusions for inhalation are prepared from the following plants:
- sage;
- plantain;
- chamomile;
- calendula;
- lavender;
- Linden blossom;
- peppermint;
- yarrow.
To prepare the infusion, 10 g of dry grass is poured into 200 ml of boiling water, after which it is infused for 1 hour, filtered, 30 ml of water for inhalation is added.
The back wall of the throat with chronic pharyngitis can be treated with a daily composition that has the following components: 1 part of 10% alcohol extract of propolis and 2 parts of glycerin and peach oil.
To relieve symptoms of inflammation, take 10 g of Chinese magnolia vine, 5 g of mint and string, pour 200 ml of water and boil for 3 minutes over low heat. This composition is insisted for an hour, after which it is filtered off and taken in 50 ml in warm form. To improve the taste, honey can be added.
Chamomile tea also has anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, it helps soften tissues. It is prepared as follows: for 1 tsp. chopped leaves of the plant take 200 ml of boiling water, pour in the phytomass, insist, filter and either use as a warm drink or use as a decoction for rinsing.
A similar effect has an infusion made from equal parts of sage leaves, currants and chamomile inflorescences. 10 g of this mixture is poured with one glass of water, boiled for 5 minutes and insisted for one hour. It is used warm at night, adding 3 drops of fir oil.
To mitigate irritation and eliminate coughing fits, a decoction of hop cones, lemon balm leaves, sage, oregano, St. John's wort, which are taken in equal proportions, is prepared. At night, 2 tablespoons fall asleep in a thermos this collection, pour 500 ml of boiling water, close the lid and leave to infuse overnight. In the morning, filter and drink several times a day in a third of a glass or gargle with this infusion.
Prevention
It is necessary to abandon such a bad habit as smoking. If possible, avoid the influence of irritating and harmful factors on the body, adhere to a proper diet, and strengthen immunity.
It is necessary to eliminate dental problems on time.
Excessive dryness in the room during the heating season must be eliminated with humidifiers.
In the presence of a disease such as gastroesophageal reflux, you need to raise the head of the bed while you sleep, which will avoid getting acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus and eliminate irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa.
Finally
Chronic pharyngitis can occur as an independent disease with frequently occurring acute forms or be a continuation of an untreated illness. Unlike the latter, fever is rarely observed with the pathology under consideration. Such a form as chronic granulosa pharyngitis can be inherited, as well as in the presence of dental problems. As treatment, antibiotics, antiseptics, lozenges and lozenges for resorption in mild forms, as well as phytochemicals, can be used.