Chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis is a form of the disease that develops approximately 6 months after the acute form was diagnosed. And in this case, pathological processes encompass either the posterior wall of the larynx or the lateral departments. The second case is typical for people with removed tonsils.
What leads to the formation of this ailment? What are the symptoms? How is the diagnosis carried out, what is needed for treatment? This and much more will now be discussed.
About the disease
In chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis, thickening of the tissues of the posterior wall of the larynx and mucous layer is observed. The reason for this is prolonged discharge and subsequent runoff of exudate on the surface of the tissues.
As a result, it simply overlays the mucous membrane. Because of this, it not only thickens - it becomes even more dense.
In addition, the lymph nodes expand and lymphoid granules form. By the way, precisely because of this, this form of the disease is called “granular”.
What turns out? The mucous membrane swells and loosens. The goblet glands enlarge, the ducts of the glands expand. Lymphoid formations noticeably thicken due to the fusion of granules. All this leads to visible changes in the submucosal layer and connective tissue, and therefore the progression of the disease should not be allowed.
Often, against the background of pathology, the palatine tongue and all tissues as a whole thicken . Because of this, the inner ear is compressed, and therefore a person may complain of a feeling of stuffing. It passes after a few sips.
Causes
The stage of chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis occurs if an acute form of the disease has not been treated. Also, a frequent recurrence of this ailment can lead to this. Very often, a disease of hypertrophic form replaces catarrhal pharyngitis.
Why do pharyngeal lymphadenoid tissues begin to grow? Because this is the protective reaction of the body. The goal is to increase local immunity. If we talk about provoking factors, then they can be distinguished in such a list:
- Living in adverse environmental conditions.
- Work in hazardous industries or indoors where the air is too dry and hot.
- Alcohol and nicotine abuse.
- Frequent inhalation of excessively cold air (due to work on the street, for example).
- Diseases associated with metabolic processes.
- Pathologies of the endocrine nature.
- Diseases of the lungs, liver and kidneys.
- Allergic reactions.
- Stagnation in the upper respiratory tract arising from diseases associated with the cardiovascular system.
- Vitamin A Deficiency
- A predisposition to frequent inflammatory diseases due to anatomical features.
But in some cases, chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis becomes an independent disease that develops against the background of complicated sinusitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis and other ailments of the nasopharynx.
Exacerbations occur due to the activation of Klebsiella, streptococci and staphylococci living on the mucous membrane of the pharynx. In rare cases, Candida mushrooms lead to this ailment.
Signs of ailment
In chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis, the symptoms are quite specific. This ailment is manifested by such signs:
- Constant sore throat that does not go away. Strengthens upon swallowing.
- Desires to vomit, provoked by irritation of the back wall of the larynx.
- Constantly appearing sputum, causing a desire to cough. A person feels as the mucous discharge of a viscous texture flows down the back wall.
- Cough. It is dry, despite the fact that sputum is separated in large quantities.
- Bad breath, unlike anything else.
- Itching, tickling, and dry throat.
- Enlarged lymph nodes located under the jaw and in the neck.
In many ways, the symptoms of chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis depend on how much the disease is started. If you ignore it, the condition may become complicated - tonsillitis and other diseases of the throat will aggravate. And this, in turn, will cause an even more severe course of pharyngitis.
Diagnostics
The main criterion for making a correct diagnosis is the characteristic signs of the disease, which are well visualized at the time of the examination of the throat (pharyngoscopy). But, of course, besides this, the doctor also takes into account the patient's complaints and collects an anamnesis.
It is important to consider whether a person has other pathologies of the nasopharynx, whether there were problems with the tonsils, whether he has experienced acute pharyngitis in the past, etc.
With an ailment of a hypertrophic form, the doctor reveals the tuberosity of the posterior wall, which, as mentioned earlier, is formed by lymphoid follicles. These formations do not interfere with the ingestion of food, but lead to a sensation of the presence of a foreign body in the throat. This condition, the doctor must differentiate with cancer. Because oncology is also characterized by the presence of tumors resembling tumors on the back of the throat.
In doubtful cases, a biopsy is performed. This procedure allows you to determine the nature of pathogenic tumors and make the correct diagnosis.
To prescribe a good antibacterial treatment, the doctor can also make a smear from the back wall, then to perform a bacterial analysis. It will help identify the causative agent of the disease. In very rare cases, direct or indirect laryngoscopy is prescribed.
Medicines
Once again, it should be noted that only a doctor can prescribe the treatment of chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis. In this case, it is very important to take into account, since the ailment in itself and so it appears most often due to improper therapy.
Some people unknowingly start taking antibiotics in order to destroy the causative agent of the disease. But this is relevant only in the acute form of the disease. In such cases, it is really appropriate to take cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone, Cefazolin) or macrolides (Erythromycin, Azithromycin, Linkomycin). But with a chronic disease, the doctor does not prescribe antibiotics until the disease worsens.
If the disease is of a viral nature, then appoint "Arbidol", "Neovir" and "Isoprinosine". The last two options are preferable, since these drugs also have an immunomodulatory effect.
You can also try to alleviate your condition with sprays. Drugs produced in this form have an auxiliary effect in the treatment of chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis. Such sprays are popular:
- "Olefar." It produces a wound healing, immunostimulating, calming and bactericidal effect. Helps to restore the mucous tissue of the larynx.
- "Proposol." This spray has a healing and softening effect. It helps quickly, but it can not be taken with honey or other antiseptics.
- Chlorophyllipt. It is characterized by antiprotozoal, antibacterial and antiviral effects. This spray removes perspiration, inflammation, itching, pain, and also dilutes and removes sputum.
- Yoks. It has an antimicrobial effect, fights bacteria, viruses, fungi and simple pathogens.
- "Deflu Silver." It removes inflammation, has an astringent effect, produces anti-inflammatory and antibiotic effects.
In chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis, homeopathy also occurs. Especially popular are Tonsilotren and Anaferon.
But these are just examples. Before prescribing treatment, the doctor always mentions the importance of eliminating the factors leading to the development and progression of chronic pharyngitis.
If, for example, foci of infection are detected in the nasopharynx, a curved septum or adenoids are found, then you will have to remove all this with a surgical or conservative method. And if the patient has an allergy that significantly complicates therapy, he is prescribed nasal glucocorticosteroids and antihistamines.
Other principles of therapy
Continuing to talk about the symptoms and treatment of chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis in adults, we must also mention what needs to be done to a person suffering from this ailment in order to alleviate his condition. Recommendations are as follows:
- Refusal from alcohol and smoking, as these factors only provoke the progression of the disease.
- The use of immunostimulants. The best are Rimobunil, Immunorix and Lycopid. You should also start taking complexes with a high concentration of vitamins C, E, A. This will help increase the body's resistance, improve tissue trophism and metabolic reactions.
- Inhalation. They need to add oil of eucalyptus, sage, pine or lavender. Of course, if there are no contraindications. In addition to oil inhalations, alkaline ones are also recommended - with saline to enhance local immunity and with mineral water to moisten the throat.
- Treatment of hypertrophied granule tissues with silver and iodine preparations. These are Lugol, Protargol, Collargol and Iodinol. To mechanically remove the granules, you need to burn them with medicines containing trichloroacetic acid.
- Gargling with solutions of salt and soda, infusions of sage, oak bark and chamomile. You can also perform irrigation with sea water. This perfectly moisturizes the mucous membrane, helps to thin out sputum and provides better discharge of crusts.
- Throat treatment with Resorcinol solution, Burov liquid (perfectly disinfects the surface), tincture of eucalyptus and propolis, zinc chloride and glycerin.
- Acceptance of sprays with anesthetics and antiseptics, as well as lozenges, anti-inflammatory drugs. You can gargle with a solution of "OKI", which effectively eliminates inflammation.
Learn treatments for chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis. It should be noted that the timely initiation of therapy, competently combined with the elimination of foci of infection and risk factors, leads to recovery in about 3-6 months. But if a person continues to smoke, drink, does not remove other provocative phenomena, then the ailment will simply turn into an atrophic form over time.
Surgery
In continuation of the topic regarding the characteristics of chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis, it should be noted that advanced forms of this ailment are treated through surgical intervention. Usually a less traumatic method is prescribed - laser surgery. Indications can be distinguished in the following list:
- A large number of granules.
- Severe swelling of the pharynx.
- The formation of fibrous tissue in a large volume.
- The lack of a positive effect from various methods of conservative therapy.
In addition to cauterizing overgrown areas or granules with a medical laser, they also use the cryotherapy method and galvanocauter (treatment with cold or electric current). In case of severe hypertrophy of the tongue, it can be partially amputated.
Folk remedies
They should also be mentioned, talking about the treatment of chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis in adults. Folk remedies can improve blood microcirculation, eliminate severe symptoms, and also relieve pain and inflammation. Here are some popular recipes:
- In a glass of hot water, brew black tea (1 tbsp.). Add St. John's wort (1 tbsp.). Strain it in half an hour. Gargle this infusion three times a day.
- In equal proportions, mix sage, chamomile, calendula, blackcurrant leaves and rose hips. Take 3 tbsp. l., pour 1 liter of boiling water, insist in a thermos for 1 hour. Drink like tea, consume the entire amount per day.
- A glass of boiling water to brew 1 tbsp. l thyme. Let it brew for 2 hours. Apply to rinse.
- Squeeze out fleshy, pre-washed aloe leaves. Dilute 1: 1 with warm water. Stir and gargle with this composition.
- Squeeze juice from potatoes and carrots. Combine in equal amounts. In 1 cup of this juice, dilute a teaspoon of honey. Stir and drink, dividing this volume into two doses.
- In a glass of warm milk, dilute aloe juice (2 tbsp.). Drink twice a day before meals.
- Combine propolis tincture and peach oil in equal amounts. With the resulting mixture, lubricate the areas of the throat that are affected.
In the mitigation of symptoms and the treatment of chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis, these drugs can really help if you combine them with the therapy indicated by your doctor.
Complications and consequences
It is also necessary to talk about them, since we are talking about chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis (ICD-10 J31.2). The most common complication is the spread of inflammation to nearby tissues with the further development of bronchitis, tracheitis or laryngitis.
Bronchopneumonia develops much less frequently. Also, as a result of the disease, chronic pharyngitis by ear can occur. This occurs if an auditory tube is involved in the process, connecting the tympanic cavity with the nasopharynx. It is very narrow in itself, its diameter is not more than 2 mm. Therefore, even a slight narrowing can lead to impaired function. The result is stagnation in the middle ear, which contributes to inflammatory processes.
Sometimes otitis media becomes a complication. If the symptoms progress, tinnitus appears in the ears, congestion, and hearing worsens, an otolaryngologist should be consulted urgently. He will perform an otoscopy, diagnose and prescribe treatment, taking into account the patient's history.
In addition to the above, chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis, whose photos demonstrate inflammation, clearly requiring treatment, can be fraught with the development of other ailments. These include regional lymphadenitis, rheumatism, myocarditis, glomerulonephritis, etc.
The most serious complication is cancer. However, usually atrophic pharyngitis passes into it.
Prevention
Chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis is a serious disease. In order to prevent the transition of the acute form to this state, it is necessary:
- Monitor the condition of the teeth, tonsils and nasopharynx.
- Humidify the air in rooms where a lot of time is spent.
- Do not abuse alcohol and nicotine.
- Change your working conditions to more gentle.
- Strengthen health and immunity.
- Do not spend too much time in the cold or heat.
- Do not overstrain the vocal cords.
- Do not abuse the use of menthol, alcohol drugs, as well as soda rinses.
But the most important thing is to always treat all diseases on time. And not on their own - everything must be done in accordance with medical recommendations.