Pharyngitis is a fairly common disease, which is characterized by the inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the posterior wall of the larynx. Very often, this ailment is accompanied by tonsillitis and other inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx. Pharyngitis can go from acute to chronic, and then treatment with powerful antibiotics will be required. "Lugol" with pharyngitis has an antiseptic effect and helps to prevent the disease from becoming chronic. The article describes the principles of using the drug, as well as information on the symptoms and causes of pharyngitis.
Causes of pharyngitis
In traditional medicine, it is generally accepted that the cause of pharyngitis is the pathogenic activity of viruses and bacteria. If the patient's immunity is not able to withstand their onslaught, but the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and larynx is an excellent medium for the propagation of such microorganisms.
Viral pharyngitis is a very common ailment, its frequency is about 70% of all inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane of the pharynx. What microorganisms usually cause pharyngitis? These are parainfluenza virus, coronoviruses, adenovirus, rhinovirus. Bacterial pharyngitis is usually triggered by pathogenic activity and excessive reproduction of streptococci on the mucosa of the posterior wall of the larynx. Otorhinolaryngologists also distinguish between fungal pharyngitis, which develops as a result of the body's inability to withstand the multiplication of pathogenic fungi.
Local immunity can be reduced by prolonged use of antibiotics or other medications with a pronounced toxic effect on the body, or by prolonged overfatigue, chronic stress, and the presence of bad habits. Heavy smokers generally very often suffer from chronic pharyngitis and tonsillitis, since local immunity is almost completely suppressed by the regular intake of toxic cigarette smoke into the nasopharynx.
A relatively rarer cause of acute or chronic pharyngitis is surgery or trauma. In some cases, pharyngitis can develop as a result of exposure to the back wall of the larynx of alkali, steam, hot fluid.
The risk of developing both acute and chronic pharyngitis increases in women during the period of premenstrual syndrome. In almost all the fair sex these days, immunity is slightly reduced, which makes the body an easily accessible target for pharyngitis and other inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx.
Rhinitis, adenoiditis, sinusitis often go hand in hand with pharyngitis and tonsillitis. Viruses can migrate along the wall of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx; therefore, in many patients the otorhinolaryngologist immediately diagnoses a “bouquet” of diseases of the nasopharynx cavity.
Symptoms characteristic of pharyngitis
How can a patient understand that he has pharyngitis, and not, for example, tonsillitis? The exact answer can only be given by an otorhinolaryngologist after a diagnosis and examination. Acute pharyngitis is usually accompanied by a number of other diagnoses. Chronic pharyngitis can occur in isolation, that is, not accompanied by tonsillitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, etc.
Symptoms characteristic of pharyngitis (both in acute and chronic course):
- feeling of rawness and discomfort in the larynx;
- stitching pain when swallowing;
- hyperemia (redness) of the pharyngeal mucosa;
- swelling of the lymph nodes of the pharynx;
- even swallowing saliva causes pain;
- irradiation of pain in the ears;
- body temperature rises to subfebrile, but rarely higher.
In children and individuals with reduced local and general immunity, the inflammatory process with pharyngitis almost always extends to the nasopharynx and nasal mucosa. Therefore, concomitant pharyngitis diseases develop - sinusitis, sinusitis, adenoiditis, etc.
Classification of pharyngitis in medicine
Otorhinolaryngology distinguishes the following varieties of the disease:
- viral;
- bacterial;
- catarrhal, atrophic.
By the nature of the course of the disease, pharyngitis can be acute or chronic. Acute pharyngitis is characterized by a diffuse course, it covers not only the posterior wall of the pharyngeal mucosa, but also neighboring areas.
Chronic pharyngitis can develop for months, and has a clearer localization. In the pharyngeal mucosa, the inflammatory process affects the upper, middle or lower sections. The classification of certain types of chronic pharyngitis depending on localization is always carried out with a degree of conditionality, since treatment and its duration will be approximately the same regardless of the process.
"Lugol": composition and form of release of the drug
Today "Lugol" has only one form of release - a solution for local external use. Scope - mucous membranes of the oral cavity, pharynx and nose, as well as skin. Previously, the drug was available in the form of a spray, but now the release is suspended. If in a pharmacy a patient is offered to buy Lugol in the form of a spray, then the expiration date should be checked. This is most likely a product from past parties.
Of course, the drug in the form of a spray is more convenient to apply to the mucous membranes of the larynx, but with this method of application there is no accuracy in getting the drug into the required area. And the solution has to be applied to a cotton pad, then apply it to the affected areas of the mucosa. In fact, there are no differences between the solution and the spray, except for a different method of application. The solution "Lugol" is packaged in dark glass bottles with a volume of 20 ml, 30 ml, 50 ml and 60 ml.
The main active ingredient of the drug is iodine. It is quite strongly dissolved so as not to cause a burn of the mucous membrane. It is due to iodine in the composition of "Lugol" with pharyngitis and other inflammatory processes in the larynx that brings relief to the patient. In second place in terms of effectiveness in the composition of the drug is glycerin. This component provides a mild effect of iodine, reduces the risk of side effects. also includes: potassium iodide, water.
Indications for the use of "Lugol"
Many patients use Lugol for pharyngitis. Instructions for use report that the drug is very effective in other inflammatory processes:
- tonsillitis, laryngitis, chronic and acute tonsillitis;
- atrophic and chronic rhinitis;
- trophic ulcers;
- ulcers of nodes with varicose veins;
- wounds on the skin ("Lugol" accelerates their healing);
- purulent otitis media;
- burns, in which the inflammatory process in the tissues began;
- infectious and inflammatory skin lesions, such as erysipelas, boils, purulent cuts, scratches, etc .;
- thermal burns of 1 and 2 degrees;
- myalgia of various etiologies.
But still, most often prescribed "Lugol" with pharyngitis. Reviews of otorhinolaryngologists about the drug report that this is one of the cheapest and most effective means. Already on the second or third day, the symptoms almost completely disappear. Is it possible to combine Lugol with pharyngitis with other antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs? Yes, such a comprehensive treatment will help get rid of even advanced chronic pharyngitis.
Contraindications and possible side effects
Iodine is a mineral that has a rather strong effect on the human body, and not always positive. "Lugol" is a solution of iodine. Therefore, when using "Lugol" with pharyngitis, complications can be obtained. In particular, the liver and kidneys may not respond in the best way to relatively small doses of iodine, which are absorbed into the bloodstream when rubbing the sore spot with iodine solution.
"Lugol" should be used with caution to persons with decompensated liver and kidney pathologies, thyrotoxicosis, herpetiform dermatitis. The use of Lugol during pregnancy is also prohibited. During breastfeeding, the use of the drug is possible after consulting a doctor.
"Lugol" with pharyngitis can be used only if there are no obvious contraindications. In some cases, even the use of a relatively harmless iodine solution can aggravate the condition of people with chronic liver and kidney pathologies.
Possible side effects
"Lugol" is usually well tolerated and does not provoke the appearance of side effects. An exception is intolerance to iodine and glycerol. If the patient is allergic to these components of the solution, then the use of Lugol can provoke side effects such as laryngeal edema, increased pain, severe itching on the nasopharynx and larynx.
An overdose of the drug is accompanied by the following phenomena:
- Irritation of the upper respiratory tract (laryngospasm, bronchospasm, burns of the mucous membranes).
- If the drug gets inside, there is a high probability of irritation of the stomach and intestines, the destruction of red blood cells, hemoglobin in the urine.
Special instructions for use
Most patients use exclusively "Lugol" in therapy. Treatment of pharyngitis implies an integrated approach - as a rule, the use of iodine solution alone gives only temporary relief and after some time the symptoms return. In order to correctly combine Lugol with other medications, you should familiarize yourself with the features of their interaction.
When using "Lugol" externally, part of the iodine is absorbed and enters the bloodstream. This should take into account patients with pathologies of the thyroid gland. If a person takes drugs (Thyroxine, Eutirox, etc.), the purpose of which is to regulate the production of hormones by the thyroid gland, then it is better for him to abandon the use of Lugol.
In chronic pharyngitis and tonsillitis, antibiotic drugs are often prescribed. They, while using Lugol, increase the toxic load on the liver and kidneys.
The use of "Lugol" with pharyngitis
The tool has repeatedly proved its effectiveness in combating the symptoms of pharyngitis and tonsillitis. In case of granulosa pharyngitis, "Lugol" should be applied to the affected area of the throat with a cotton pad moistened with plenty of the drug. Granular pharyngitis differs from other stages of the disease in that rather painful lumps form on the mucosa due to inflammation. We must try to treat them with the drug as abundantly as possible.
With atrophic pharyngitis, "Lugol" should be used in combination therapy. An experienced otorhinolaryngologist usually draws up a course of treatment, which consists not only of topical agents, but also of immunomodulatory drugs. In some cases, taking anti-inflammatory drugs is also required.
In children with pharyngitis, Lugol should be used with caution, since the mucous membrane of the children's throat is very sensitive and can produce an unpredictable reaction to the drug. Parents should not self-medicate. You should show the child to a specialist. As a rule, otorhinolaryngologists prescribe "Lugol" to treat the children's throat in diluted form. You can dilute the drug with both saline and distilled water. Otherwise, the application algorithm is the same as for adults: moisten a cotton pad in solution abundantly and treat the laryngeal mucosa, swallowing part of the drug - so it will fall on that area of the mucosa, which is difficult to reach with your hand.
"Lugol" with pharyngitis: patient reviews
Judging by numerous reviews, the drug has long won the trust of consumers. Its simple composition and low cost (only about 50 rubles per bottle of 30 ml) make the drug a leader among competitors with a higher cost. One of the most popular medications used for pharyngitis is Lugol spray.
Reviews about him say that spraying deep into the throat is very convenient, and you don’t have to spend time blotting a cotton pad and treating the larynx. However, the spray has a significant minus: irrigation occurs randomly. For example, with granular pharyngitis this is not only not useful, but also pointless: it requires the most precise, targeted application.
Reviews of the solution "Lugol" patients with pharyngitis are mostly positive. Many people do not like the way the solution is applied: it requires patience. It is not enough just to apply the solution to a cotton pad and wipe the mucous membrane with it. We must also try to make sure that more of the solution gets directly to the area of maximum inflammation.
Reviews of patients with pharyngitis report that the pain recedes after the first application. After two to three days of therapy, patients are sure that pharyngitis has receded. But do not rejoice early and stop treating the mucous membrane! This can lead to relapse. Otorhinolaryngologists usually prescribe treatment for seven to ten days. Moreover, in parallel with the use of Lugol, other medication anti-inflammatory drugs should be used.