Pharyngitis (pharyngitis)

Acute and chronic pharyngitis

If the pharyngeal mucosa is inflamed, it can cause unpleasant swallowing difficulties, scratching and pain in the throat, as well as accompanying symptoms such as fever or headache. Although pharyngitis (pharyngitis) is a relatively harmless condition in most cases, it also allows the development of a chronic pattern of symptoms that increases the risk of complications.

contents

• Acute and chronic pharyngitis
• definition
• Symptoms of pharyngitis
• causes
• diagnosis
• therapy
• Naturopathy

definition

The pharyngitis (pharyngitis) describes a partial or complete inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa. Alternatively, the term cerebral catarrh is used. Furthermore, a distinction can be made between acute and chronic pharyngitis and occasionally additional differentiation according to the forms of pharyngitis. For example, laryngopharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx of the throat and larynx) and the lateral transeptinae make mention of subtypes of pharyngitis.

Symptoms of pharyngitis include painful swallowing, uncomfortable scratching in the throat, and noticeable redness and swelling in the throat area. (Image: From Schonertagen / fotolia.com)

Symptoms of pharyngitis

The inflammation causes swelling and redness in the throat, tongue coating and it forms a viscous to purulent secretion. Sufferers complain of discomfort such as a feeling of soreness with scratching and burning in the throat, throat pain, painful swallowing problems that can radiate to the ears, and strong thirst. Headaches and fever can also be added, which should be the reason for a visit to the doctor. This also applies if the acute symptoms do not disappear after three days.

causes

In most cases, acute pharyngitis occurs during an infection in the upper respiratory tract, whereby viruses, but sometimes also bacteria, are the trigger. In addition, mechanical damage, strong heat, dust, chemical substances such as irritating gases, chlorine, nitrates or certain medications may be mentioned as possible causes of acute inflammation.

Chronic pharyngitis is usually less painful and without fever. It often affects people who have a lot to talk or sing for work or those who generally suffer from increased susceptibility to infection, especially in the upper respiratory tract.

The diagnosis of pharyngitis can often be made after looking into the pharyngeal area, but various further investigations on differential diagnosis may be necessary. (Image: Alexander Raths / fotolia.com)

diagnosis

The diagnosis of pharyngitis is usually relatively easy to make on the basis of the symptoms and a medical examination of the oropharynx. The laboratory examination of a smear can sometimes give clues to the causative agents (bacteria or viruses). Also, a blood test may be appropriate to exclude underlying diseases such as measles or rubella.

therapy

Treatment must always take into account the avoidance of possible irritants in the workplace and at home. These include heavy dust as well as the consumption of nicotine and alcohol. In addition, a ban on bed rest, plenty of drinking and diet (possibly porridge, soup or other liquid food) in the first few days is often helpful.

Targeted drug treatment with antibiotics is possible with bacterial infections. On the other hand, no corresponding preparations are available for viral infections. However, strong symptoms such as pain or fever can be treated with appropriate remedies if necessary.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy offers numerous options for the treatment of pharyngitis, especially the herbal medicine is of paramount importance. Here are, for example, various tea preparations available that have an anti-inflammatory effect and promote healing. Also gargling with appropriate medicinal plant tea is helpful in acute pharyngitis. In many cases, for example, sage tea, chamomile tea or tea from agrimony is used. Also suitable for gargling is a one percent saline solution.

Tea from agrimony can be used to gargle with a pharyngitis, but also sage tea shows here a very positive effect. (Image: popov_ariel / fotolia.com)

Lozenges and candies stimulate the salivation and keep the mucous membranes moist, which can positively influence the healing. However, these should absolutely be sugar-free and the ingredients often have the rule: less is more. Special antibiotic agents or the like are usually superfluous, especially since the inflammation is usually caused by viruses.

In the case of pharyngeal inflammation, lozenges primarily act by stimulating salivary flow. (Image: Dieter Schütz / pixelio.de)

In the case of chronic pharyngitis, general measures to strengthen the immune system are often used in naturopathic treatment, as an increased susceptibility to infection may be the cause of repeated pharyngitis. Preventive gargling with agrimony is also an option and regular nasal douches can also reduce the susceptibility to infection in the nasopharynx. (jvs, fp)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)