Chronic Throat Disorders

  • Throat ache is one of the complaints that is most encountered.  A lot people are examined and treated because of this reason.
  • Throat pain may be observed as an indication of many disorders.  Reason of throat pain is mostly inflammation and it is contagious.  Mostly viruses (common cold, infectious mononucleosis…) or bacteria (strep, mycoplasma…) cause inflammation.
  • The biggest difference between bacterium and virus is that bacterium can be treated with antibiotics, and virus can not.
  • Viruses: The reason of most of the common colds is viruses.  When throat ache is accompanied by nasal obstruction, sneezing, fatigue; probable cause is one of the hundreds of viruses.  They are fairly contagious, and cause epidemia especially in winter.  Human body fights against the disease and recovers from this illness within one week.
  • Throat ache also accompanies the diseases caused by viruses such as measles, chicken pox, whooping cough.  Aphta and moniliasis in the throat are very painful. 
  • Virus infection continuing for more than one week is “infectious mononucleosis”.  This virus holds the lymphatic glands, causes enlargement of tonsils and it is covered by a white membrane.  Swelling is seen in the lymphatic glands in the neck, arm pit and crotch.  Sometimes throat ache makes respiration difficult, influences liver and cause hepatitis.  It may cause extreme fatigue that continues for six weeks or more.
  • This disease is severe in adults and in puberty, however it is mild in children.  It is called “kissing disease” since it is transmitted with kissing.  However, it can be transmitted from mouth to the hand, and then again to mouth.  Therefore, towels and dinnerware should be separated. 
  • Bacteria: “Strep” inflammation is caused by bacterium family called “streptococcus”.  Inflammation may influence cardiac valve (rheumatic fever) and kidney (nephrite). These microbe types may also cause red fever, tonsillitis, pneumonia, sinusitis and otitis.
  • By considering the damages that may be caused by “strep” inflammation, treatment with antibiotics should be made.  In general it causes throat ache for a longer time in comparison to the simple, common cold.  This bacterium may not be always detected by examination, throat culture may be required.
  • Tonsil is the name given to the lymphatic tissue mass located on both sides of the throat.  In some cases, these tissues may house microbes.  The latest researches show that children that frequently have tonsillitis are healthier when their tonsils are removed.
  • Throat ache may be seen in individuals who have nose and sinus inflammation, because this gleet comes from the nasal cavity to the throat.
  • The most dangerous throat inflammation is the inflammation of structure in the entrance of throat that is called “epiglottis”.  This situation may block air passage, thus it poses emergency.  It is suspected when swallowing is very painful, there is slavering from mouth, and breathing is difficult.
  • Allergy: Those who have hay fever and allergy, feel throat ache when they have complaints such as nasal discharge, nose itching, sneezing, past-nasal drainage, nasal obstruction. 
  • Pollens and mildews that irritate nose may also irritate the throat.  Thos who have allergy against cats and dogs, may have throat pain when they are together with these animals.  House dust is also one of the chief reasons of allergy, and they especially disturb in dry air in winter because of heating.
  • Irritation:   Throat ache increasing especially in the mornings may be seen in winter by the effect of dry air caused by house heating.  This may be prevented by moistening the room and by fluid intake.  Throat dryness and pain may be observed in individuals who always breathe from mouth because of nose obstruction.  Nose should be examined and when necessary treated.
  • Another reason of throat pain in the mornings is acidic stomach content that goes up to the throat.  It shall be favorable if you lift the head of your bed fifteen or twenty centimeters.  You should not eat anything for few hours before you go to bed.  Drugs good for gastric acid may be useful.  If your pain continues, you should visit a physician.
  • Industrial air pollution and chemicals in the air mat irritate throat and nose; however the most frequent and efficient irritant known is the tobacco smoke.  Individuals, who are allergic to the agents in the tobacco smoke, can not tolerate it.  Other irritants are alcohol and spicy food.
  • Throat ache may be observed in an individual who has shouted extremely in a competition or in another place, because of fatigue of the neck muscles and also irritation of the throat.  Trained speakers and singers know to protect their throat.  They can give loud sounds by breathing deeply and by using their pectoral and abdominal muscles instead of their throat muscles.
  • Tumors: Tumors in the throat, tongue and trachea are mostly related with smoking and alcohol use.  Throat pain that is sometimes felt in the ears also, and difficulty in swallowing may be the indication of such a tumor.  Throat pain mostly continues for a long time and it is mild.  Other significant complaints are hoarseness, swelling in the neck, unexplained loss of weight, blood in the saliva or sputum.
  • Diagnosis is made by the Ear, Nose and Throat specialist.  These regions are examined by means of special mirrors or endoscopic instruments.
  • How can I treat my throat ache? Throat pain caused by common cold or flu may be reduced by the following applications:
  • Increase your fluid intake (hot honey tea is a known public solution).
  • Provide humidifier of a moisture source in your room.
  • Gargle with salty water for many times during the day (one fourth tablespoon of salt is put to a glass of half empty).
  • You can use mild analgesics.
  • You can use pastilles that narcotize the throat.
  • If the throat pain continues for more than five or seven days, and if it is not because of an allergy or irritant that you can avoid, you should visit a physician.  Following indications should warn you about going to a physician:
  • Severe and long duration throat pain
  • Difficulty in respiration
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Difficulty in opening the mouth
  • Joint pains
  • Ear pain
  • Eruption
  • Fever (above 38 degrees)
  • Throat pain recurring frequently
  • Swelling in the neck
  • Hoarseness continuing for more than two hours
Last update date: 28.03.2015 11:20.
To contact with editor; Please e-mail info@efeskbb.com