Diseases of the throat can be attributed to the most common ailments, which often disturb a person in cold periods, when there is a high probability of the occurrence of infectious diseases. One of the most common pathologies that needs to be treated urgently and without fail is angina. Its main symptom is redness and swelling of the tonsils. The fight against such a disease sometimes takes a lot of time in a person and requires treatment in a hospital. But is it possible to eliminate a sore throat while at home, and do it as quickly as possible? After all, hardly anyone wants to go to the hospital. About this in our article.
Causes of the disease
With tonsillitis, or acute tonsillitis, an inflammatory process occurs in the tonsils, which occurs due to infection in the throat. The progression of the activity of microorganisms sometimes begins due to the use of cold drinks, ice cream, at the slightest freezing, etc. The causative agents of acute tonsillitis are a variety of pathogenic microorganisms, including pneumococci, streptococci and staphylococci. The disease can develop either against the background of acute respiratory viral infections, or as an independent pathology that is not accompanied by other health disorders.
Bacteria enter the body in various ways: airborne or from various objects used in domestic conditions. In the future, special conditions conducive to their activation are necessary for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. In addition to hypothermia, among the causes of sore throat, there may be:
- emotional imbalance;
- lack of vitamins;
- irritating substances in the throat;
- caries;
- diseases of the nasopharynx.
Knowing the causes of the pathology, we can make an unambiguous conclusion that in a healthy person the chances of contracting a sore throat are minimal. After all, his immunity will completely cope with pathogenic microbes.
Often, angina is a concomitant disease and exacerbates a person’s condition. That is why prevention measures are so important, as well as the implementation of an integrated approach to the treatment of any infections, especially those that provoke inflammatory processes in the mucous membranes.
Types of sore throat
Acute tonsillitis can be of various types, each of which has its own characteristics and characteristic features. At the same time, they distinguish:
- Lacunar angina. It is characterized by the defeat of the tonsils and the spread of this process from the gaps to the palatine region as the disease progresses. Such phenomena are accompanied by severe edema and hyperemia. The inflammatory process leads to the formation of purulent plaque. The latter is located on the tonsils and can be easily removed without bloody discharge.
- Follicular tonsillitis. In the presence of this type of pathology, neoplasms are observed in the throat. They are follicles having a pale yellow color, the diameter of which reaches 5 mm. Such formations fester, and after maturation, they are opened with non-proliferation beyond the tonsils.
- Catarrhal sore throat. This is a mild form of acute tonsillitis, which, with proper treatment, can be eliminated in a few days, and in an advanced state, it can go into a more severe form of pathology. With catarrhal tonsillitis, tonsil damage occurs only in the upper layers of tissues. There is also swelling. The patient's body temperature reaches 38 degrees.
- Necrotic tonsillitis. This form of the disease is considered complex. Along with local symptoms of such an ailment, general ones are also observed. On tonsils you can see plaque and cork going deep into. A blood test of a patient with necrotic tonsillitis indicates a clear leukocytosis. A person develops fever and nausea, confusion and vomiting. If suppuration is tried to be removed, bleeding of the surface occurs. Sometimes tissue defects are deep enough due to rejection of the affected area. Necrotic disease spreads to the tongue, pharyngeal wall and tonsils. Sometimes it rushes deep.
In addition to the species classification, angina happens:
- Primary. With it, the inflammatory process easily affects the pharyngeal ring.
- Secondary. Tonsils with this type of acute tonsillitis are affected due to a blood disease or due to the penetration of an external infection into the body.
- Specific. The development of the disease occurs when exposed to special infections, for example, fungi.
Symptoms
Treatment of angina at home should be started only after diagnosing the disease, which is indicated by the following characteristic signs:
- redness of the tonsils;
- temperature rise;
- sore throat.
Often a person for a long time just does not pay attention to the symptoms of angina that have appeared. After all, they are very similar to those that indicate the development of common colds. However, the manifestations of angina are always more acute, and the resulting discomfort is much more difficult. This will require the use of special treatment, which should be recommended by a doctor.
Symptoms of the disease may include:
- acute pain, observed not only when swallowing, but in a relaxed state, which is much stronger than with ordinary inflammation of the throat mucosa;
- general deterioration of the body, expressed in malaise and fatigue;
- heaviness in the muscles and aches in the joints;
- inflammatory processes covering the lymph nodes;
- redness of the tonsils and throat, tongue and posterior walls, with the area of the pathology painted in a bright shade;
- increase in body temperature to a value of 38-39 degrees;
- the appearance on the tonsils of abscesses or plaque, the formation of follicles, as well as the appearance of a dense plaque on the root of the tongue.
The symptoms listed above are clear evidence that there is inflammation in the throat caused by microorganisms. Such a disease manifests itself very sharply. Its incubation period is quite short and lasts from several hours and up to three days. A person begins to feel pain when swallowing and chills. In addition, his lymph nodes swell.
It is difficult to independently diagnose a sore throat. It is especially difficult to do this to a person who has never encountered this disease before. A doctor can cope with this task, who will consider the results of blood and urine tests, as well as pharyngoscopy. This is the main method to determine the presence of angina. When diagnosing, it is also important to clarify the nature of the pathogen. This allows you to make scrapings of pus for bacteriological culture, as well as additional blood tests.
The main objectives of therapy
What should be done to treat sore throat at home? First of all, it should be borne in mind that the recovery of the patient is impossible without eliminating the infection. For this purpose, you will need to drink a course of antibiotics with a wide spectrum of action.
Treatment of tonsillitis at home will require a lot of attention to tonsils. After all, they are the focus of the development and spread of infection. This direction of therapy provides for rinsing the tonsils with medical solutions and special preparations.
Symptoms of general intoxication that occur with acute tonsillitis, such as body pain and fever, as well as possible allergic reactions, are eliminated either medically or with the use of folk remedies as they manifest.
But nevertheless, treatment of angina at home poses as its primary task the elimination of the infection, which caused a general malaise in a person. Getting rid of harmful microorganisms allows you to avoid deterioration and prevent possible complications.
Fast Tonsillitis
Judging by the reviews, treatment of a sore throat at home takes about 10 days. Basically, it consists in the fight against infectious pathology. However, few can afford to stay at home for more than a week. That is why the question is so relevant: "Is it possible to treat sore throats at home quickly?" You can get rid of acute tonsillitis for a short time only if you pay special attention to the following aspects:
- The course of treatment should be started immediately after the onset of the first signs of the disease.
- The results of tests for sensitivity to antibiotics will guarantee a quick recovery. With their help, it will be possible to accurately select those medications that will allow you to overcome the infection in a matter of days.
- To carry out quick treatment of tonsillitis at home in adults and children will allow the often performed procedure for gargling.
An indispensable condition for recovery will be following a diet and strict patient compliance with bed rest.
By adhering to these rules, an effective treatment of angina at home can be carried out. The disease will disappear in a matter of days, and in the absence of complications - and in one day, if you deal with it according to a certain scheme that provides for the use of complex therapy.
Bed rest
In order to quickly treat sore throats at home, children and adults should have a good rest and sleep when symptoms of pathology occur. Bed rest will help to avoid complications and give the body strength to recover. That is why the patient is advised to lie down for at least four days. It is categorically impossible to carry a sore throat on the legs. An adult must take a sick leave and stay at home. And even after the ailment recedes somewhat and the state of health improves, it is recommended to lie as much as possible. It is worth paying special attention to the implementation of this paragraph.
If the patient is diagnosed with a complex form of angina, then the doctor should recommend the patient to go to the hospital. In the hospital, a more intensive course of treatment will be carried out. In this case, the patient's condition will be under the constant supervision of doctors.
Antibiotics
Despite the fact that bed rest was called the first item of complex therapy, the main role in the healing process is still played by drugs prescribed to eliminate the infection. The use of other agents (they will be indicated below) is also necessary, but when treating a sore throat at home without antibiotics, the effectiveness of the whole therapy will be reduced to zero.
As mentioned above, the causative agent of acute tonsillitis are bacteria. Consequently, the fight against the disease will consist, first of all, in their elimination. And only after the neutralization of pathogenic microorganisms does a person begin to recover, independently cope with the remaining symptoms.
Taking antibiotics is a guarantee of effective treatment for tonsillitis at home. A day after the start of therapy, the patient becomes better, he feels relief. Judging by the reviews of doctors, it is impossible to cure a sore throat without taking antibiotics. The disease will continue its progression and cause various complications. The course of appointment prescribed by the doctor must be completed in full. Otherwise, experts warn that the pathogen will not be completely eliminated and will cause complications and relapses of acute tonsillitis.
Antipyretic
Depending on the symptoms of angina, treatment at home should be followed accordingly. For example, if the temperature rises, the patient is recommended to use antipyretic drugs. There is an erroneous opinion that antibiotics will help bring down the temperature with angina. Judging by the reviews of experts, this is not at all true. In the elimination of this pathology, antipyretic drugs are used in conjunction with antibiotics.
How is purulent tonsillitis treated at home (a photo of its symptoms can be seen below)?
In addition to combating high temperature, it will be necessary to eliminate the so-called pustules. They are lubricated with a product called Lugol. The procedure consists in treating areas of inflammation with a cotton swab dipped in this antiseptic.
Heavy drink
Treatment of angina at home in children and adults must certainly be accompanied by the intake of a large amount of liquid. Judging by the reviews of patients, this allows the body to cope with the infection as quickly as possible. In addition, a plentiful drink is necessary after each antipyretic tablet. In this case, water can only be used a little warm or at room temperature. Hot drink is strictly prohibited.
In addition to water, the patient can be given milk with honey, non-hot tea with lemon, non-sour juice. Drinking with angina is recommended with the use of a tube. Do not drink drinks that contain acid (for example, citrus juices), or if they are carbonated (for example, lemonade).
Immunity strengthening
During the period of getting rid of a sore throat, it is important to maintain the body's defense. In this regard, the use of immunostimulating drugs is recommended. Judging by the reviews of doctors, in this case, the body itself very quickly copes with the disease, and the person returns to a healthy life.
Airing mode
In the treatment of any disease of a bacterial or viral origin, it will be necessary to create a favorable microclimate in the room. It is necessary to fulfill this condition and when getting rid of a sore throat.
Thus, the room where the patient is located must be periodically ventilated. This will allow fresh air to flow into the room and remove bacteria. In addition to ventilation in the room, wet cleaning is necessary. It will also have a beneficial effect on human recovery.
Special nutrition
Judging by the reviews of doctors, important help in getting rid of a sore throat is provided by the adjustment of the menu. Special nutrition eliminates the discomfort during a meal that occurs due to inflammation on the tonsils. Coarse and hard foods, as well as spicy dishes, are excluded from the daily menu. It is best to give the patient mashed potatoes and broths, jelly and cereals.
The actions described above, which are part of complex therapy, the patient must follow strictly. Only in this case can we hope for a speedy recovery and exclude various kinds of complications.
For example, if a person wants to conduct treatment of purulent tonsillitis at home quickly and does not bring the course to the end, then complications of the disease in the form of renal failure and heart disease can occur. Doctors often observe cases when the inferior treatment of acute tonsillitis leads to the development of the pathology into a chronic form. But if the diagnosis was carried out on time, and the disposal of the pathology was carried out taking into account all the recommendations given, then the negative consequences can be avoided.
Assistive therapy
Sore throat can be treated at home with folk remedies. However, it should be borne in mind that such methods should be considered only as additional.
They serve as an excellent aid to the course prescribed by the doctor, and allow a person to quickly get rid of the disease.
- Gargling. What can be applied the most effective treatment of angina at home with folk remedies? Judging by patient reviews, gargling with soda, salt and iodine gives excellent results. For the procedure, you need a healing solution. Its preparation is not difficult. In 200 ml of boiled warm water, add 1 teaspoon of soda with ½ teaspoon of salt. After that, 3-4 drops of iodine are added to the mixture. Mixing means is carried out until all the ingredients in it are completely dissolved. Rinse no more than three times during the day until the symptoms of the disease are completely stopped. This simple drug has a fairly strong therapeutic effect due to the properties that each of its ingredients has. For example, salt is used in a recipe because of its remarkable disinfecting effect. It heals the affected tissues, and also cleans the larynx from suppuration and perfectly eliminates the swelling characteristic of angina. A similar effect is exerted by soda. She is good at treating purulent tonsillitis at home. After all, soda quickly dissolves the resulting cork, washing them out of the larynx. Particles of this substance remaining on the mucosa do not allow further development of pathogenic microflora, which is not able to develop in the presence of an alkaline component.Why is iodine added to the solution? It allows you to effectively carry out treatment at home of follicular tonsillitis, as well as lacunar due to the provision of a strong analgesic effect. In addition, iodine is a strong antiseptic that relieves swelling and inflammation. Sometimes such a solution is prepared with the same ingredients. However, iodine is replaced with 3 drops of hydrogen peroxide.
- Inhalation. , , . , , , , . 2-3 . , . , . . .
- The use of beets. How to treat follicular tonsillitis at home quickly? Judging by the numerous reviews of those who had to deal with acute tonsillitis, beets can be an effective way to get rid of the disease. To do this, take it in a volume of 0.5 kg and grate or grind in a blender. Next, juice is squeezed out of the resulting mass by adding vinegar to it (1 tbsp. L.). The mixture should settle for a day. Gargle with a ready-made solution or use it for 1 teaspoon 5-7 times a day, washed down with hot milk.
- Aloe juice. Alternative treatment of angina at home also provides for the use of this plant. To prepare a therapeutic agent, juice is squeezed out of aloe leaf. It is consumed daily in the morning before breakfast in the amount of 2 teaspoons. Duration of admission - until the onset of full recovery.
There are many other popular recipes for treating acute tonsillitis, but the ones listed above are the most popular.