Diseases of the oropharynx. Neoplasms of the oropharynx. Rare diseases in which the throat hurts

Throat diseases are common in children and adults, since the larynx is the first filter after the nasopharynx through which all pathogenic microorganisms pass. Most pathologies have a similar clinical picture, but a different etiology. Treatment includes taking medications, using folk remedies and correcting nutrition.

The human throat is often affected by pathogenic microorganisms

List of throat diseases

The cause of sore throat can be various pathogenic microorganisms, neoplasms, mechanical damage. Often, discomfort occurs with a cold, flu, SARS.

The main causes of throat diseases:

viral infections - rotaviruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses provoke the development of pharyngitis, acute laryngitis;
bacterial pathologies - develop against the background of active reproduction of streptococci, staphylococci, tonsillitis and tonsillitis are considered childhood diseases, most often these diseases are diagnosed at the age of 5–15 years;
fungal diseases;
various neoplasms - malignant tumors, papillomas, polyps, metastases in the pharynx;
mechanical damage.

All infectious diseases of the throat, in addition to the obvious pain syndrome when swallowing, are accompanied by other accompanying symptoms - hyperthermia of the body, loss of strength, pain in the muscles, migraine, rhinitis, swollen lymph nodes, increased salivation, the pharyngeal mucosa becomes red, loose.

Angina often develops in a child as a complication of colds and flu, what a healthy throat and mucous membrane looks like in various forms of pathology can be seen in the photo. ICD-10 code - J03, for the chronic form - J35.

Healthy human throat

Types of angina:

With phlegmonous tonsillitis, accumulations of pus appear

Tonsillitis

Inflammation of the palatine tonsils - a consequence of frequent tonsillitis, can occur in acute and chronic form. Measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria can provoke the development of the disease. ICD-10 code - J03.

With tonsillitis, palatine tonsils become inflamed

Tonsillitis most often occurs without an increase in temperature, accompanied by atrophy of the lymphoid tissue of the tonsils, against the background of hypertrophy, breathing problems occur.

The inflammatory process is localized in the mucous membrane of the larynx, proceeds in acute and chronic form. The disease develops when hypothermia, inhalation of cold or polluted air, tobacco smoke. ICD-10 code - J04.

Acute laryngitis - most often one of the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, whooping cough, scarlet fever, develops with hypothermia, prolonged stay in a room with dusty air, against the background of addictions. The disease is characterized by a barking cough, but after a while sputum discharge begins, a person complains of dryness in the throat, the voice becomes hoarse, it may completely disappear, the temperature rises slightly.

Forms and symptoms of chronic laryngitis:

Catarrhal - accompanied by a diffuse lesion of the mucous membrane of the larynx. The main symptoms are hoarseness, weakness, a feeling of narrowing of the throat, a wet cough periodically appears.
Hypertrophic - against the background of prolonged inflammation, the epithelium grows into other layers of the epidermis. The disease is accompanied by aphonia, burning in the throat, cough.
Atrophic - the inner shell of the larynx atrophies, becomes thin. Symptoms - a decrease in the timbre of the voice, a sore throat, a dry cough, with a strong attack, crusts with streaks of blood can leave.

With hypertrophic laryngitis, it is sometimes necessary to remove areas with hyperplasia surgically.

Pharyngitis

Acute or chronic inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the pharynx. ICD-10 code - J02.

The acute form of the pathology develops against the background of infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Pharyngitis can occur with prolonged inhalation of frosty air through the mouth, against the background of smoking and alcohol abuse, after eating very hot or cold food. The pain in the throat increases when saliva is swallowed, the disease is accompanied by subfebrile temperature, there is a tickle in the throat, while in general the person feels normal.

Throat with pharyngitis

Chronic pharyngitis develops against the background of sinusitis, tonsillitis, caries, metabolic disorders, heart and lung diseases. Pathology is combined with atrophy of the nasal mucosa, accompanied by severe scratching in the throat, dry barking cough, swelling of the tongue, purulent discharge, subfebrile temperature.

The acute form of laryngitis is a dangerous disease for children under two years of age, often accompanied by severe catarrhal rhinitis, swelling and inflammation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, which causes a significant deterioration in nasal breathing.

Adenoiditis

Inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsil is often viral in nature, manifests itself in the form of a severe headache, dry choking cough, attacks of shortness of breath and suffocation, and is diagnosed in children aged 3–15 years. The ICD-10 code is J35.

The disease develops against a background of weakened immunity, with a deficiency of vitamin D, with hypothermia, with a history of chronic rhinitis or diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

Adenoiditis - inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsil

Malignant and benign neoplasms

Laryngeal cancer is difficult to diagnose in the early stages, because the disease can go on for a long time without pronounced symptoms, so tumors are often diagnosed when they reach a large size. The ICD-10 code is C32.

Possible signs of oncology:

sensation of a foreign body in the throat, perspiration, discomfort when swallowing;
labored breathing;
the presence of bloody inclusions in the mucus from the throat and nose;
increased salivation;
frequent stuffy ears without obvious signs of an inflammatory process;
toothache, while the dentist cannot find the cause of the appearance of discomfort;
hoarseness of voice.

Blood clots in saliva may indicate the development of neoplasms in the throat

Benign neoplasms are less dangerous, but also require immediate treatment, since severe complications can occur if they are often injured. Polyps and vocal nodules occur on the larynx with constant tension of the ligaments, smoking, and chronic inflammatory processes. The reason for the formation of papillomas is the activation of HPV, growths appear on the trachea, vocal cords. All non-cancerous tumors have the ICD-10 code - D10.

Most often, laryngeal cancer is diagnosed in men aged 55-65 years, heavy smokers. Mycoses of the larynx

Fungal infections develop against the background of a weakened immune system, can be acute or chronic. They manifest as redness of the throat and tonsils, pain when swallowing, white plaque, ulcers and erosions in the mouth, sores in the corners of the mouth, dry cough, fever, swelling and soreness of the cervical and submandibular lymph nodes. The ICD-10 code is B37.

Fungal infection of the throat

The main types of fungal pathologies of the oral cavity:

pseudomembranous candidiasis - most often diagnosed in children and the elderly;
mycosis - develops against the background of diabetes;
erythematous chronic itching.

Pain and burning when swallowing can be caused by reflux disease - the acidic contents of the stomach penetrate the upper esophagus, throat, irritate the mucous membranes.

Other throat diseases

A sore throat can be a sign of other diseases that are not related to ENT pathologies.

What diseases can cause sore throat:

Laryngospasm - most often occurs in children with rickets, hydrocephalus, formula feeding. Symptoms - a decrease in the diameter of the pupil, a strong closure of the vocal cords, convulsions, fainting, noisy breathing. In adults, the skin becomes red or bluish, a hysterical cough appears. ICD-10 code - 5.
Puffiness of the larynx - develops against the background of allergies, injuries of the larynx, pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, purulent processes in the pharynx. A person experiences pain when swallowing, it is difficult for him to breathe. ICD-10 code - J4.
Stenosis of the larynx - the lumen of the respiratory tract is completely or partially closed due to edema of the larynx, insect bites, injuries, the cause may be syphilis, diphtheria, neoplasms of various origins. Signs - profuse cold sweat, breathing problems, shortness of breath, hoarse voice, mucous membranes and skin acquire a blue tint, loss of consciousness, respiratory arrest is possible. ICD-10 code - 6.

Laryngeal stenosis - closing of the airways due to edema

Mechanical damage to the larynx is often diagnosed in young children, as they can accidentally swallow a foreign object. In adults, pathology can occur when swallowing a fish bone; singers and lecturers are susceptible to the disease due to constant increased stress on the ligaments.

Which doctor should I contact?

If you have a sore throat, you need to contact a general practitioner, a pediatrician, after examination and preliminary diagnosis, he will give a referral to an otolaryngologist.

Additionally, you may need to consult an infectious disease specialist, oncologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist, gastroenterologist.

If the disease is psychosomatic in nature, the patient will be seen by a psychologist, a psychotherapist. A doctor in one of these areas will be able to accurately diagnose based on the results of the tests.

Diagnosis of diseases of the throat

Examination of the patient is carried out using special instruments - laryngoscopy and pharyngoscopy allows you to identify in which part of the throat the mucosa is most hyperemic and edematous, to assess the condition of the vocal cords and the back wall of the larynx, to detect lumps of pus.

Basic diagnostic methods:

clinical analysis of blood and urine;
throat swab, sputum culture;
MRI, histological examination of the tumor - allows you to determine the origin of neoplasms;
Ultrasound of the larynx.

Since throat diseases are often of a bacterial origin, sputum is checked for sensitivity to antibacterial drugs before prescribing therapy.

Ultrasound of the larynx shows the cause of the disease

Treatment methods for throat diseases

To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, prevent the development of complications in the treatment of throat diseases, medicines, diet therapy are used, alternative medicine recipes will help speed up the healing process.

Medications

For the treatment of throat diseases, I use drugs in tablet form, local agents, the choice of drugs depends on the type of pathogen.

The main groups of drugs:

antibiotics - Amoxicillin, Augmentin;
antiviral drugs - Remantadin, Tamiflu;
antifungal agents - Fluconazole, Levorin;
antihistamines - Ebastine, Cetirizine;
antipyretics - Paracetamol, Nurofen;
mucolytics - ACC, Prospan, Ambroxol;
local antiseptics - Tantum Verde, Ingalipt, Lizobakt, Miramistin;
streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteriophages.

Recently, doctors are less and less resorting to surgery to remove the tonsils in the throat, since the tonsils are organs of the immune system, they prevent the penetration of infection into the bronchi, trachea, and lungs.

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic drug

Folk remedies

In the treatment of throat diseases, it is necessary to observe bed rest, drink more warm drinks, cope well with pain, tickle milk, tea with raspberries or black currants, a decoction of rose hips, alkaline mineral waters without gas.

How can you treat sore throat at home:

honey is one of the best remedies for treating sore throat, it can be used to lubricate the tonsils, use it in its pure form, prepare solutions for rinsing;
inhalations with essential oils of eucalyptus, fir, pine, tea tree;
the usual heat or alcohol compress on the neck, hot foot baths with mustard;
gargling is an effective method of combating throat diseases. For procedures, you can use a decoction of chamomile, sage, linden, oak bark, St. John's wort;
inside you can take a tincture of propolis, garlic, calendula in a diluted form;
you can treat inflamed tonsils with a mixture of juice from aloe, kalanchoe and propolis tincture, it softens the throat well and eliminates purulent processes of sea buckthorn oil.

It helps to cope with diseases of the throat gargling with a decoction of chamomile

Honey should not be added to hot drinks - under the influence of high temperatures, the product acquires carcinogenic properties. In lemon, raspberry, blackcurrant, boiling water destroys vitamin C.

Any thermal procedures can be carried out only at normal temperature indicators. Nutrition Features

To reduce inflammation, pain, swelling of the mucous membrane, not to injure an irritated throat, you must adhere to a special diet.

Nutrition principles:

spicy, sour, spicy, salty foods should be excluded from the diet, heavy fatty and sweet foods, junk food should be abandoned;
all dishes should have a comfortable temperature, soft texture;
the menu should have a lot of vegetables and fruits, especially those with a high content of vitamin C and iodine - greens, bell peppers, carrots, sea kale;
daily you need to consume 10-15 ml of olive or corn oil;
fermented milk products will help to speed up recovery, prevent the development of dysbacteriosis when taking antibiotics;
It is strictly forbidden to smoke, drink alcohol.

Garlic, onion, ginger, cinnamon, star anise effectively fight viruses.

If you have a sore throat, you should not eat spicy food.

Possible Complications

Without proper and timely treatment, acute inflammatory processes in the throat turn into chronic diseases, which is fraught with constant relapses at the slightest hypothermia and weakened immunity.

What are the dangers of throat diseases:

angina often gives complications to the heart, joints, kidneys - rheumatism develops, infectious polyarthritis, paratonsillitis, nephritis;
in chronic tonsillitis, vasculitis and skin dermatoses often develop;
hypotonic dysphonia - the work of the vocal cords, the muscles of the larynx worsens;
spasm of the jaws;
pharyngeal abscess;
chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, otitis;
severe eye pathology;
hepatitis A, B.

If streptococci from the tissues of the throat penetrate into the blood, then sepsis will begin to develop rapidly.

If the throat is not treated, then chronic sinusitis may develop.

Prevention

To prevent the development of throat diseases, it is necessary to adhere to simple rules of prevention, strengthen the immune system.

How to avoid a sore throat:

daily walks in the fresh air;
stop smoking;
maintain optimal temperature and humidity in the room;
eat food at a comfortable temperature;
the diet should contain a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals;
avoid hypothermia.

Quit smoking to avoid sore throats

In order not to catch an infection, you must follow the rules of hygiene, do not touch your face with dirty hands, take antiviral drugs during epidemics of SARS and influenza, lubricate your nose with oxolin ointment when you leave the house.

The list and symptoms of throat diseases is quite large, so if you experience discomfort when swallowing, hoarseness, you should consult a doctor. Correct diagnosis and adequate therapy will help to avoid the development of severe, sometimes fatal, complications.

Most often the reason diseases of the oropharynx are various infections. Their most popular consequences are tonsillitis (more scientifically - acute tonsillitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis. The article contains doctors' recommendations on how not to harm yourself with these diseases, but rather help the body recover faster.

Angina causes inflammation of the tonsils. In addition to a sore throat, she is accompanied by aches all over her body, weakness and high temperature, from 38 degrees.

A person wakes up in the morning relatively vigorous, but by the evening he usually “turns limp”. The disease has many varieties: catarrhal (red throat), follicular (purulent follicles on the tonsils), lacunar (pus in the lacunae), aphthous (rashes on the tonsils in the form of white or pinkish ulcers), herpetic (rashes on the tonsils in the form of bubbles).

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx. Symptoms - perspiration and redness, slightly elevated (about 37.5 ° C) temperature and - a distinguishing feature - hoarse heavy breathing and a hoarse voice. The patient's condition is worse in the morning, immediately after waking up.

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx. It is accompanied by redness, perspiration, the same as with laryngitis, a slightly elevated temperature, often with a dry, painful cough.

Treatment is prescribed by a doctor. Warm rinses and grandmother's recipes will not help. Untreated diseases can lead to all sorts of complications. But typical recommendations for diseases of the oropharynx are the same for everyone.

At inflammation of the oropharynx it is forbidden:
1. Tighten your throat.
That is, talk long and loudly. Communication should be kept to a minimum. Listen more. Shorten your answers. As the signalmen say, switch to the mode of receiving information.

2. There are salty, chocolate, spicy and even healthy citrus fruits. All these products irritate the oropharynx. You should also avoid solid foods: crackers, cookies. It is best to use cereals, light broths, baked vegetables.

3. Drink excessively hot drinks.
They will not warm the throat, but only additionally injure the mucous membrane.

4. At elevated temperatures, consume a lot of milk.
Protein dishes in such a situation can increase the intoxication of the body.

5. Gargle with water with soda and iodine.
This disinfectant solution will benefit only with purulent sore throat. In other cases, it will only irritate the mucous membrane of the throat.

6. Walk.
Inflammation of the oropharynx implies bed rest and, ideally, cessation of communication for 5 to 10 days.

7. Independently "prescribe" antibiotics.
8. Postpone calling your doctor if your sore throat is accompanied by headache, fever, vomiting, or rash.

With inflammation of the oropharynx, you can and should:
1. Relieve pain with local remedies - special lozenges or sprays.
2. Take complex vitamins to strengthen immunity.
3. Ventilate the room. This will help you fall asleep faster and sleep better at night.
4. Drink a warm drink with vitamin C and honey as often as possible (in the absence of an allergy to the latter).
It has a healing and disinfecting effect. It will be useful to include extracts of hawthorn and wild rose in the composition of such drinks.

Diseases of the throat and larynx are heterogeneous groups of pathologies that they develop for a variety of reasons, but are united by a common localization.

All diseases can be subdivided as follows:

Pathologies of an infectious profile. They are usually caused by bacteria or viruses.
Fungal pathologies. They are relatively rare, but such situations do occur.
Benign neoplastic processes in the pharynx and larynx.
Malignant tumors in the structures of the upper respiratory tract.
Other conditions and pathological processes in the pharynx.

Below we consider each of these groups in more detail.

Infectious pathologies

They are also heterogeneous in composition, but there is one point that absolutely all infectious diseases of the throat have in common - these are the reasons for their development.

According to research, all disease-causing processes within the pharynx develop for three groups of reasons. The first group of factors concerns the penetration of dangerous microorganisms and viruses into the body.

Among them:

Staphylococci. Cause severe lesions of the pharynx. Usually pyogenic (pyogenic) type. Provoke massive exudation and complex symptoms, difficult to treat. The most dangerous type of microorganism is Staphylococcus aureus.

Streptococci. Especially alpha and beta hemolytic. They cause blood problems, as well as suppuration of the throat and upper respiratory tract. Read more about the diseases they can cause here.

Atypical microorganisms, such as chlamydia, gonococci, ureaplasmas, mycoplasmas, Trichomonas and others. They provoke difficult to cure, but sluggish forms of infectious diseases of the pharynx.

herpes viruses. Especially strains of the fourth and fifth types (Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus). Diseases caused by this kind of viral agents are extremely difficult to cure. You can only transfer the disease to a latent phase.

Human papillomaviruses. In total there are more than 500 types. Many are oncogenic. These are serious opponents that promote the formation of cancer cells.

How do they enter the body?

First of all, airborne. With particles of mucus, saliva when coughing, sneezing and even just breathing.

In order to become a carrier of a virus or bacterium, it is enough to be near an infected person for some time. Since almost everyone (98% or more) is infected, the probability of "getting" the agent is extremely high.

Household or contact way. In contact with dirty household items, non-sexual interaction with infected people (handshakes, kisses).
Sexual way of transportation. Namely oral-genital. Many dangerous bacteria live on the genitals. Unprotected sexual contact can be dangerous. It is recommended to be protected.
perinatal route. The child can face the harsh conditions of the environment even in the womb, because viruses and bacteria easily overcome the placental barrier.
transmission path. With insect bites.
Blood transfusion.
Passage through the birth canal of the mother.
The infection can enter the throat and pharynx by descending (from the nasopharynx) or ascending (from the lower respiratory structures) routes.
In the body itself, disease-causing agents are carried with the bloodstream or lymphatic fluid.

However, becoming a carrier of uninvited "guests" is not enough, and does not mean at all that a person will get sick.

The next significant factor that increases the likelihood of developing pathologies is a decrease in immunity.

What are the reasons for the security system to fail?

Abuse of alcoholic beverages.
Smoking. Women who smoke are especially at risk, as their body tolerates the harmful substances contained in cigarettes worse.
The use of antibiotics without sufficient grounds for this.
Improper feeding of the child (early weaning, late attachment to the mammary glands, transfer to a dry mixture).

And other factors, which are more than twenty. The third group of reasons are trigger factors. They vary from disease to disease, so you need to consider each pathology separately.

Angina

It is an inflammation of the oropharynx and, in particular, the palatine tonsils. Another name for angina is tonsillitis. Under this name, the disease is better known.

The reasons for the development of angina, in addition to those already mentioned, are:

Traumatic lesion of the pharynx. For example, during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
Consumption of contaminated food. Affects the alimentary factor.
Symptoms of the disease are quite specific:
Pain in the throat when swallowing, breathing, eating. Increased when trying to speak.
The formation of purulent plugs. These are small yellowish lumps localized in the gaps and coming out when squeezed out with the tongue.
Purulent exudation. Isolation of a large amount of pus from the lacunae due to infection.
Formation of a whitish coating in the throat and on the soft palate.
Throat hyperemia. It is determined even with an independent examination of the pharynx. In other words, redness of the throat.
Loose structure of soft tissues on examination.
Increase in body temperature.

Treatment is required immediately. Angina tends to give complications to the heart, kidneys and lungs. It is necessary to use specialized drugs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, analgesics, local antiseptics and antipyretics with general symptoms.

Pharyngitis

Inflammatory lesion of the oropharynx. The disease is very widespread. Trigger factors are specific:

Hypothermia. Especially dangerous is the use of cold water in the hot season, the inhalation of frosty air.
Prolonged use of vasoconstrictor drops.
Chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Sinusitis of various types (sinusitis and others) are especially dangerous.
Thermal, chemical damage to the pharynx. Burns of various etiologies.

Symptoms include:

Intense pain syndrome of a burning, stabbing character. Localized in the pharynx and in the soft palate. With a long course of pathology, a diffuse character of discomfort is possible. The unpleasant sensation increases when talking, eating, drinking, breathing.

Bad breath. Caused by the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms.
Changing the nature of the voice. The inability to speak normally develops (hoarseness, weakness, nasal voice), complete loss of the ability to speak.
Increase in body temperature.
Headache and symptoms of general intoxication.
Cough with a small amount of sputum.
Sore throat.

The treatment is specific. As in the case of angina, medications of the following groups are prescribed:

Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal origin.
Steroid drugs (glucocorticoid drugs).
Broad spectrum antiseptics.
Antibacterial drugs (only after a study of the sensitivity of the flora to drugs).

Lack of therapy leads to a chronic process and many complications.

Laryngitis

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the larynx. The disease develops relatively often - the prevalence of the pathological process is approximately 8% of clinical cases (statistics are kept according to the recorded situations).

Reasons for the development of the disease:

Traumatic lesions of the larynx. Most often as a result of diagnostic measures for other probable diseases. So, laryngoscopy is especially dangerous.
Inhalation of pathogenic substances. Gary, dust, pollen (in this case they speak of an allergic form of laryngitis).
Mechanical damage to the larynx. For example, as a result of damage to the delicate mucous membrane of a fish bone, stale bread with accidental inhalation of crumbs, etc.

Otherwise, the reasons are identical.

Characteristic manifestations:

Pain in the pharynx and neck. It is impossible to determine the exact localization of uncomfortable sensations. Feelings are diffuse, which makes it difficult to formulate complaints.
Cough. The calling card of laryngitis is an intense barking reflex. It is not removed by classical preparations. Sputum is not allocated, which is typical for this disease.

In the treatment, antitussive drugs of general action (to inhibit the reflex at the central level), antitussive drugs of peripheral action, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal origin are used. Glucocorticoid medications may also be needed. Thinners and mucolytics are not required. They are useless and even dangerous in this case.

Scleroma

It is a disease of mixed genesis (immune and at the same time infectious). It is characterized by spontaneous growth of the walls of the larynx and the formation of special nodular inclusions, granulomas.

Contrary to what you may think, these are not neoplasms. Granulomas are considered the result of proliferation, but not of a tumor nature. Because scleroma is classified as an infection.

The reasons for the development of the disease are multiple. The most common are:

Damage to the walls of the larynx of a mechanical nature. Usually as a result of diagnostic or therapeutic measures. As already mentioned, laryngoscopy is the most traumatic.
Chemical, thermal damage of a long nature. The longer pathological factors affect the pharynx, the higher the likelihood of developing the disease.
Prolonged infections. Affect the manifestation of scleroma.

Symptoms:

Respiratory disorders (shortness of breath, and later suffocation).
Changing the voice of a different type (may become higher or lower).
Sore throat, other discomfort in the pharynx.
Nasal congestion, nasal breathing disorders.

Treatment is conservative, in most cases, with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. If the airway is obstructed, surgery is required.

Fungal diseases (pharyngomycosis)

Diseases of the throat and larynx are not limited to viral and bacterial lesions. Fungal infestations are possible. The most common is the so-called pharyngomycosis.

At its core, it is the same pharyngitis, however, fungal properties. According to studies, in almost 100% of clinical cases, the culprit is fungus of the genus Candida.

The main causes of the development of the disease are diabetes mellitus and other endocrine pathologies. Cause a general and local decrease in immunity.

Less commonly, predisposing factors are injuries of the throat and pharynx in general. For example, when exposed to anatomical structures of hot steam, excessively dry air, chemical reagents. Mechanical damage is also possible, which open the way for fungal agents.

Symptoms of pharyngomycosis:

Intense sore throat. She is stinging and cutting. Increases at night, when eating, drinking liquids.
Bad, sour smell from the mouth.
Formation of white cheesy plaque in the pharynx.
Redness of the pharynx and the entire soft palate.
Clogging cough and sore throat.

Treatment requires special attention. The following groups of drugs are used:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Broad-spectrum antifungals and antibiotics to prevent secondary infection.

benign tumors

Tumors of a benign nature, these are growing non-infiltrative neoplasms. They do not tend to metastasize. However, due to the development of the mass effect, respiratory disorders and other unpleasant and life-threatening conditions are possible.

Adenoiditis

Strictly speaking, it is not a benign tumor. Adenoiditis is an inflammation of the adenoids: an overgrown palatine tonsil. Most of them have infectious causes.

In almost 100% of cases, it affects children under 10 years of age. In adults, the disease occurs as an exception. This is casuistry.

Symptoms of adenoiditis:

Nasal breathing disorders. The patient cannot breathe normally due to overlapping of the choanae and vomer.
The rise in body temperature to subfebrile-febrile marks.
Symptoms of general intoxication of the body.

Treatment in most cases is surgical. It is required to remove the adenoids and thus the problem will be solved radically.

Other neoplasms

There are also the following list of benign tumors of the larynx and throat:

Fibroids. They are made up of fibrous tissue. They develop mainly in the vocal cords. They have an oval or spherical regular shape. Not prone to metastasis, grow extremely slowly. Lead to voice changes and breathing problems. In the case of large sizes, they pose a danger to life and health.

Lipomas. Also called wen. Develop from adipose tissue. They have a spherical shape. They may have legs. Formation occurs in the area of the entrance to the larynx in most cases.

Polyps. A type of fibroma. Unlike the former, they are prone to malignant degeneration. They should be removed anyway. This is an axiom.

Chondromas. Cartilaginous tumors of the larynx. Over time, they can transform into cancer (chondrosarcoma).

papillomas. They are warts. Caused by the human papillomavirus. Many strains are oncogenic, therefore, mandatory histological examination and PCR diagnostics are required.

cystic formations. Fluid structures surrounded by a fibrous capsule. Not prone to growth.

Angiomas. Vascular tumors. Difficult to remove. They are often congenital.

In all cases, the causes of tumor development lie in a violation of cell differentiation (the process of transformation of non-specialized embryonic cells into specialized cells of tissues and organs) and an increase in their proliferation (the process of cell reproduction).

Treatment is operative. However, you should not immediately rush to extremes.

The best option would be dynamic monitoring of the tumor. If it grows, it needs to be removed. It is also important to determine the histological structure of the neoplasm (benign or malignant). Only after that they make a decision on the tactics of therapy.

Malignant tumors

Cancer tumors of this localization are relatively rare. However, they are extremely dangerous. In a similar arrangement, carcinomas and sarcomas are isolated.

Carcinoma

It develops from epithelial tissues. Cell differentiation is practically absent, proliferation is maximum.

The reasons for the development of a tumor of an oncological profile are as follows:

Tobacco abuse. The more a person smokes, the greater the risk of developing carcinoma. When using tobacco products for a pack a day or more, the likelihood of developing cancer increases by 70%. A person drives himself into harsh conditions.
Excessive consumption of alcoholic products. Mucosal burns are formed. As a result, the risks increase exponentially.
Professional hazards. Including dangerous work at chemical plants, in hot industries, etc.
Drinking hot liquids on a regular basis.

Throat cancer symptoms are as follows:

Headaches in the occiput.
Pain in jaws radiating to teeth.
Problems with vision and hearing.
Frequent otitis of unknown origin.
Voice disorders.
Bad breath.

Treatment is exclusively surgical. In the later stages, radiation and chemotherapy will be required. The choice of treatment tactics is chosen only by the oncologist.

Sarcoma

Much more aggressive tumor. It develops for the same reasons. It is characterized by intense cellular atypia, high proliferation rate.

Symptoms are similar to carcinoma and include the following manifestations:

Toothache.
Pain in the jaw on the affected side.
Voice problems. It becomes weak, hoarse or too low.
Visual and hearing impairments.
Frequent otitis.

Treatment, as in the previous case, is surgical. Excision of tissues is required, as radical as possible. This way you can avoid relapses.

Radiation and chemotherapy are prescribed based on the stage of the course of the pathological process.

Dangerous states

Acute stenosis of the larynx is manifested by a significant narrowing of the airways.

Penetration into the respiratory tract of foreign objects.
Infectious pathologies, such as measles, malaria, typhoid and other diseases.
Carrying out medical manipulations of various kinds.
Inflammatory processes of the respiratory organs.

Characteristic symptoms include: respiratory failure, acute asphyxia, sore throat. Surgical treatment consists in expanding the lumen of the larynx.

Laryngeal edema

In most cases, it develops as a result of an allergic reaction. The symptoms are identical. Asphyxia and death are possible. Specific treatment: urgent administration of antihistamines and artificial ventilation of the lungs (if the condition is severe) is necessary.

laryngospasm

The condition is generally identical to stenosis. Symptoms and treatments are similar. The essence of the pathological process is the development of spasm of the muscles of the larynx.

In all cases described, treatment should be carried out immediately. The patient's life is at stake. An ambulance call is required. You can't do anything on your own.

Problems of this kind are the most common. Diseases are similar in manifestations, therefore, mandatory differential diagnosis is required.

Treatment is selected based on the situation. Most of it is conservative. The main thing is to contact the treating specialist in time.

The oropharynx connects the pharynx (from the soft palate) and the larynx. At this site, the respiratory and digestive tracts intersect. It is the soft palate that separates the oropharynx from the nasopharynx.

A malignant neoplasm characterized by a high growth rate is oropharyngeal cancer. The aggressiveness of the tumor is confirmed by histological analysis and clinical features in the form of rapid metastasis to regional lymph nodes and distant organs.

Oncoprocess, in most cases, is registered after the age of 40 years. Basically, the neoplasm is located on the palatine tonsils (73%), but there is a lesion of the posterior pharyngeal wall (16%) and soft palate (11%). Due to the hidden initial period, often, the disease is diagnosed at stages 3-4, and in half of the cases metastases in the lymph nodes are detected.

Causes of Oropharyngeal Cancer

The occurrence of a malignant focus in the oropharynx can be a primary process or secondary, as a result of malignancy of a benign formation. Cell malignancy can be observed due to exposure to provoking factors, for example:

smoking, chewing tobacco;
alcohol abuse;
poor-quality, inconveniently installed dentures.

In addition, it is worth noting the conditions and background pathology, which increases the risk of tissue degeneration into malignant ones:

inflammatory processes (sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis);
leukoplakia, erythroplakia of the pharynx;
papillomas;
immunodeficiency.

Symptoms

The initial period (1-3 months) does not have any noticeable symptoms. The tumor increases with time, begins to feel like a foreign body, pain occurs when swallowing and choking.

Depending on the location of oncology, a nasal voice worries, liquid food is thrown into the nasopharynx and appetite decreases. When the surface of the tumor is injured by a food lump, an admixture of blood is noted in the saliva.

The tumor can grow into the lumen of the oropharynx or deep into the tissues.

Signs of oropharyngeal cancer by stage

The staging of malignant diseases (TNM) is based on criteria such as tumor size (T), involvement of surrounding lymph nodes (N), and presence of distant metastases (M). According to this division, the volume of surgical intervention and the rationality of prescribing courses of radiation and chemotherapy are determined.

At the first stage, oropharyngeal cancer may not appear at all, since the focus is small, there is no damage to the lymph nodes and other organs.

In the second stage, a person may feel a sore throat, as if something is “itching” on the back of the pharyngeal wall or in the soft palate. Lymph nodes may be enlarged or malignant on one side.

As for the third stage, a person is concerned about the sensation of a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing, choking, nasal voice and pain. In addition, there is cancer of the regional lymph nodes on both sides. They increase, become painful when palpated and soldered to the surrounding tissues.

Among the common symptoms of cancer intoxication, it is worth noting headache, weakness, loss of appetite and body weight. At this stage, it is possible for cancer to grow deep into the tissues with coverage of the neurovascular bundle and possible bleeding.

At the fourth stage, the malignant focus spreads both to neighboring tissues and organs, and to distant structures. With the defeat of the nasopharynx, germination in the Eustachian tube is noted with the development of acute, possibly purulent, otitis media, as a result of which hearing loss develops.

Violating ventilation in the paranasal sinuses, the tumor provokes the development of sinusitis. If the oncoprocess spreads to the cranial cavity, symptoms of a brain tumor are observed. In addition, in the fourth stage, the neoplasm undergoes decay, which predisposes to the appearance of bleeding. In addition to local damage, metastasis occurs with the formation of distant malignant foci.

Diagnostics

Sometimes, oropharyngeal cancer becomes a godsend when examined by an ENT doctor or at a dentist's appointment. To confirm the malignant origin, a histological examination is performed under the control of pharyngoscopy.

To assess the prevalence of the process, rhinoscopy, otoscopy, laryngoscopy, tomography and biopsy of the lymph nodes are performed.

Oropharyngeal cancer treatment

The main method of treatment is surgical removal of the tumor. In case of cancer growth into the larynx, a partial removal of the pharynx and a complete removal of the larynx are performed, followed by the formation of a tracheostomy, esophagostomy and orthostomy. After 3 months, the plastic of the pharynx is performed and the natural patency of food is restored.

At stages 1-2, only surgical treatment is used. Starting from stage 3, a combination with radiation and chemotherapy is recommended, including if the tumor is inoperable.

Prognosis and survival

At stages 1-2, the prognosis is relatively favorable and the survival rate of patients reaches 70-95% (depending on age and the presence of concomitant diseases). If oropharyngeal cancer diagnosed at stages 3-4, survival ranges from 20% to 60% when taking into account the combination treatment.

The human throat is often affected by pathogenic microorganisms

List of throat diseases

The cause of sore throat can be various pathogenic microorganisms, neoplasms, mechanical damage. Often, discomfort occurs with a cold, flu, SARS.

The main causes of throat diseases:

viral infections - rotaviruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses provoke the development of pharyngitis, acute laryngitis;
bacterial pathologies - develop against the background of active reproduction, staphylococci, tonsillitis and tonsillitis are considered childhood diseases, most often these diseases are diagnosed at the age of 5–15 years;
fungal diseases;
various neoplasms - malignant tumors, papillomas, polyps, metastases in the pharynx;
mechanical damage.

All infectious diseases of the throat, in addition to the obvious pain syndrome when swallowing, are accompanied by other concomitant symptoms - hyperthermia of the body, loss of strength, pain in the muscles, migraine, rhinitis, swollen lymph nodes, increased salivation, loose.

Angina

Healthy human throat

Types of angina:

Catarrhal angina is the mildest form of the disease, characterized by a slight swelling of the tonsils, redness and graininess of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, pain when swallowing, a white coating is noticeable on the tongue. In adults, there is a slight increase in temperature, in children, the thermometer can reach 40 degrees. The duration of the disease is not more than 5 days.
Catarrhal angina is the mildest type of the disease.
Lacunar angina - the disease develops rapidly, the temperature rises very quickly, weakness, headache appear. Inside the tonsils, pus accumulates, plugs form, which noticeably rise above the surface of the tonsils in the form of tubercles.
With lacunar angina, the temperature rises sharply
Follicular angina - begins with a sharp and rapid rise in temperature to 39 degrees or more, there is an intense sore throat, migraine ache. The tonsils swell and turn red, on their surface you can see many yellow spots of pus.
With follicular angina, the tonsils turn red
Phlegmonous tonsillitis - purulent processes occur in the lymphoid tissue, an abscess develops. The disease occurs against the background of high temperature, chills, sore throat is most often unilateral, aggravated by swallowing, talking, bad breath appears.

With phlegmonous tonsillitis, accumulations of pus appear
Inflammation of the palatine tonsils - a consequence of frequent tonsillitis, can occur in acute and chronic form. Measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria can provoke the development of the disease. ICD-10 code - J03.
With tonsillitis, palatine tonsils become inflamed
Tonsillitis most often occurs without an increase in temperature, accompanied by atrophy of the lymphoid tissue of the tonsils, against the background of hypertrophy, breathing problems occur.
Sudden hoarseness, hoarseness often occurs with hormonal disorders - thyroid pathology, estrogen deficiency in women during menopause.
Laryngitis
The inflammatory process is localized in the mucous membrane of the larynx, proceeds in acute and chronic form. The disease develops when hypothermia, inhalation of cold or polluted air, tobacco smoke. ICD-10 code - J04.
Acute laryngitis - most often one of the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, whooping cough, scarlet fever, develops with hypothermia, prolonged stay in a room with dusty air, against the background of addictions. The disease is characterized by a barking cough, but after a while the discharge begins, the person complains about, the voice becomes hoarse, it may disappear completely, the temperature rises slightly, it interferes.

Forms and symptoms of chronic laryngitis:
Catarrhal - accompanied by a diffuse lesion of the mucous membrane of the larynx. The main symptoms are hoarseness, weakness, a feeling of narrowing of the throat, a wet cough periodically appears.
Hypertrophic - against the background of prolonged inflammation, the epithelium grows into other layers of the epidermis. The disease is accompanied by aphonia, burning in the throat, cough.
Atrophic - the inner shell of the larynx atrophies, becomes thin. Symptoms - a decrease in the timbre of the voice, a sore throat, a dry cough, with a strong attack, crusts with streaks of blood can leave.

With hypertrophic laryngitis, it is sometimes necessary to remove areas with hyperplasia surgically.

Acute or chronic inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the pharynx. ICD-10 code - J02.
The acute form of the pathology develops against the background of infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Pharyngitis can occur with prolonged inhalation of frosty air through the mouth, against the background of smoking and alcohol abuse, after eating very hot or cold food. The pain in the throat increases when saliva is swallowed, the disease is accompanied by subfebrile temperature, there is a tickle in the throat, while in general the person feels normal.
Throat with pharyngitis
Chronic pharyngitis develops against the background of sinusitis, tonsillitis, caries, metabolic disorders, heart and lung diseases. Pathology is combined with atrophy of the nasal mucosa, accompanied by severe scratching in the throat, dry barking cough, swelling of the tongue, purulent discharge, subfebrile temperature.
The acute form of laryngitis is a dangerous disease for children under two years of age, often accompanied by severe catarrhal rhinitis, swelling and inflammation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, which causes a significant deterioration in nasal breathing.
Inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsil is often viral in nature, manifests itself in the form of a severe headache, dry choking cough, attacks of shortness of breath and suffocation, and is diagnosed in children aged 3–15 years. The ICD-10 code is J35.
The disease develops against a background of weakened immunity, with a deficiency of vitamin D, with hypothermia, with a history of chronic rhinitis or diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Adenoiditis - inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsil
Malignant and benign neoplasms
Laryngeal cancer is difficult to diagnose in the early stages, because the disease can go on for a long time without pronounced symptoms, so tumors are often diagnosed when they reach a large size. The ICD-10 code is C32.
Possible signs of oncology:
sensation of a foreign body in the throat, perspiration, discomfort when swallowing;
labored breathing;
the presence of bloody inclusions in the mucus from the throat and nose;
increased salivation;
frequent stuffy ears without obvious signs of an inflammatory process;
toothache, while the dentist cannot find the cause of the appearance of discomfort;
hoarseness of voice.

Blood clots in saliva may indicate the development of neoplasms in the throat
Benign neoplasms are less dangerous, but also require immediate treatment, since severe complications can occur if they are often injured. Polyps and vocal nodules occur on the larynx with constant tension of the ligaments, smoking, and chronic inflammatory processes. The reason for the formation of papillomas is the activation of HPV, growths appear on the trachea, vocal cords. All non-cancerous tumors have the ICD-10 code - D10.
Most often, laryngeal cancer is diagnosed in men aged 55-65 years, heavy smokers.
Mycoses of the larynx
Fungal infections develop against the background of a weakened immune system, can be acute or chronic. They manifest as redness of the throat and tonsils, pain when swallowing, ulcers and erosions in the mouth, sores in the corners of the mouth, dry cough, fever, swelling and soreness of the cervical and submandibular lymph nodes. The ICD-10 code is B37.
Fungal infection of the throat
The main types of fungal pathologies of the oral cavity:
pseudomembranous candidiasis - most often diagnosed in children and the elderly;
mycosis - develops against the background of diabetes;
erythematous chronic itching.

Pain and burning when swallowing can be caused by reflux disease - the acidic contents of the stomach penetrate the upper esophagus, throat, irritate the mucous membranes.

Other throat diseases
A sore throat can be a sign of other diseases that are not related to ENT pathologies.
What diseases can cause sore throat:
Laryngospasm - most often occurs in children with rickets, hydrocephalus, formula feeding. Symptoms - a decrease in the diameter of the pupil, a strong closure of the vocal cords, convulsions, fainting, noisy breathing. In adults, the skin becomes red or bluish, a hysterical cough appears. ICD-10 code - 5.
Puffiness of the larynx - develops against the background of allergies, injuries of the larynx, pathologies of the heart and blood vessels,. A person experiences pain when swallowing, it is difficult for him to breathe. ICD-10 code - J4.
Stenosis of the larynx - the lumen of the respiratory tract is completely or partially closed due to edema of the larynx, insect bites, injuries, the cause may be syphilis, diphtheria, neoplasms of various origins. Signs - profuse cold sweat, breathing problems, shortness of breath, hoarse voice, mucous membranes and skin acquire a blue tint, loss of consciousness, respiratory arrest is possible. ICD-10 code - 6.

Laryngeal stenosis - closing of the airways due to edema
Mechanical damage to the larynx is often diagnosed in young children, as they can accidentally swallow a foreign object. In adults, pathology can occur when swallowing a fish bone; singers and lecturers are susceptible to the disease due to constant increased stress on the ligaments.
Which doctor should I contact?
If a sore throat occurs, it is necessary, after examination and preliminary diagnosis, he will give a direction to.
Additionally, you may need to consult an infectious disease specialist,.
If the illness is psychosomatic in nature, the patient will watch,. A doctor in one of these areas will be able to accurately diagnose based on the results of the tests.

Diagnosis of diseases of the throat
Examination of the patient is carried out using special instruments - laryngoscopy and pharyngoscopy allows you to identify in which part of the throat the mucosa is most hyperemic and edematous, to assess the condition of the vocal cords and the back wall of the larynx, to detect lumps of pus.
Basic diagnostic methods:
clinical analysis of blood and urine;
throat swab, sputum culture;
MRI, histological examination of the tumor - allows you to determine the origin of neoplasms;

Since throat diseases are often of a bacterial origin, sputum is checked for sensitivity to antibacterial drugs before prescribing therapy.
Ultrasound of the larynx shows the cause of the disease
Treatment methods for throat diseases
To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, prevent the development of complications in the treatment of throat diseases, medicines, diet therapy are used, alternative medicine recipes will help speed up the healing process.
Medications
For the treatment of throat diseases, I use drugs in tablet form, local agents, the choice of drugs depends on the type of pathogen.
The main groups of drugs:
antibiotics - Amoxicillin, Augmentin;
antiviral drugs - Remantadin, Tamiflu;
antifungal agents - Fluconazole, Levorin;
antihistamines - Ebastine, Cetirizine;
- Paracetamol, Nurofen;
mucolytics - ACC, Prospan, Ambroxol;
local antiseptics - Tantum Verde, Ingalipt, Lizobakt, Miramistin;
streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteriophages.

Recently, doctors are less and less resorting to surgery to remove the tonsils in the throat, since the tonsils are organs of the immune system, they prevent the penetration of infection into the bronchi, trachea, and lungs.
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic drug
Folk remedies
In the treatment of throat diseases, it is necessary to observe bed rest, drink more warm drinks, cope well with pain, tickle milk, tea with raspberries or black currants, a decoction of rose hips, alkaline mineral waters without gas.
How can you treat sore throat at home:
honey is one of the best remedies for treating sore throat, it can be used to lubricate the tonsils, use it in its pure form, prepare solutions for rinsing;
inhalations with essential oils of eucalyptus, fir, pine, tea tree;
the usual heat or alcohol compress on the neck, hot foot baths with mustard;
gargling is an effective method of combating throat diseases. For procedures, you can use a decoction of chamomile, sage, linden, oak bark, St. John's wort;
inside you can take a tincture of propolis, garlic, calendula in a diluted form;
you can treat inflamed tonsils with a mixture of juice from aloe, kalanchoe and propolis tincture, it softens the throat well and eliminates purulent processes of sea buckthorn oil.

It helps to cope with diseases of the throat gargling with a decoction of chamomile
Honey should not be added to hot drinks - under the influence of high temperatures, the product acquires carcinogenic properties. In lemon, raspberry, blackcurrant, boiling water destroys vitamin C.
Any thermal procedures can be carried out only at normal temperature indicators.
Nutrition Features
To reduce inflammation, pain, swelling of the mucous membrane, not to injure an irritated throat, you must adhere to a special diet.
Nutrition principles:
spicy, sour, spicy, salty foods should be excluded from the diet, heavy fatty and sweet foods, junk food should be abandoned;
all dishes should have a comfortable temperature, soft texture;
the menu should have a lot of vegetables and fruits, especially those with a high content of vitamin C and iodine - greens, bell peppers, carrots, sea kale;
daily you need to consume 10-15 ml of olive or corn oil;
fermented milk products will help to speed up recovery, prevent the development of dysbacteriosis when taking antibiotics;
It is strictly forbidden to smoke, drink alcohol.

Garlic, onion, ginger, cinnamon, star anise effectively fight viruses.
If you have a sore throat, you should not eat spicy food.
Possible Complications
Without proper and timely treatment, acute inflammatory processes in the throat turn into chronic diseases, which is fraught with constant relapses at the slightest hypothermia and weakened immunity.
What are the dangers of throat diseases:
angina often gives complications to the heart, joints, kidneys - rheumatism develops, infectious polyarthritis, paratonsillitis, nephritis;
in chronic tonsillitis, vasculitis and skin dermatoses often develop;
hypotonic dysphonia - the work of the vocal cords, the muscles of the larynx worsens;
spasm of the jaws;
pharyngeal abscess;
chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, otitis;
severe eye pathology;
hepatitis A, B.

If streptococci from the tissues of the throat penetrate into the blood, then sepsis will begin to develop rapidly.

If the throat is not treated, then chronic sinusitis may develop.
Prevention
To prevent the development of throat diseases, it is necessary to adhere to simple rules of prevention, strengthen the immune system.
How to avoid a sore throat:
daily walks in the fresh air;
stop smoking;
maintain optimal temperature and humidity in the room;
eat food at a comfortable temperature;
the diet should contain a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals;
avoid hypothermia.

Quit smoking to avoid sore throats
In order not to catch an infection, you must follow the rules of hygiene, do not touch your face with dirty hands, take antiviral drugs during epidemics of SARS and influenza, lubricate your nose with oxolin ointment when you leave the house.
The list and symptoms of throat diseases is quite large, so if you experience discomfort when swallowing, hoarseness, you should consult a doctor. Correct diagnosis and adequate therapy will help to avoid the development of severe, sometimes fatal, complications.

mouth Back in 1655, a wealthy Dutch shopkeeper from Delft decided that he had enough time and money to do what he loved - to create microscopes and study the microcosm with their help. Antonio Leeuwenhoek - that was the name of the Delft merchant - is considered the founder of microscopy. It was to him that the discovery of the infusoria of the shoe belongs, it was he who first described blood cells and a variety of forms of bacteria.

But then, back in the 17th century, he was incredibly surprised when he first discovered microscopic "animals" in pepper broth. And he was completely shocked by the discovery that hundreds of such animals live in his mouth.

Since the time of Antonio Leeuwenhoek, science has made a tremendous leap forward, including microbiology. Now it is difficult to surprise someone with the message that thousands of microorganisms live in his mouth. But does every patient think about the harm these microorganisms bring to health?

Meanwhile, we know that infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and pharynx (pharyngitis, glossitis, stomatitis and gingivitis) are among the most common reasons for patients to visit district physicians, family doctors and otorhinolaryngologists, which indicates the widespread prevalence of this problem.

The main cause of the development of inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract (pharyngitis, rhinitis, tonsillitis, etc.) is a viral infection (rhinovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza, influenza, etc.).

When the oropharynx is affected, adenoviral and rhinovirus infections are more common than others. The body reacts to the introduction of an infectious agent and violation of the integrity of the mucous membranes by the development of an inflammatory process, in which a number of protective mechanisms are activated: changes in the permeability of the vascular wall, increased blood flow, increased activity of macrophages and polymorphonuclear cellular elements, release of inflammatory mediators, free oxygen radicals. Macrophages play a major role in the defense mechanism, causing an increase in the level of T-lymphocytes through the release of cytokines. Various diseases accompanied by a decrease in local and general body resistance (primary and acquired immunodeficiency states, cystic fibrosis, endocrine diseases, etc.). Local hypothermia of the oropharynx with cold food, drinks or cold air, as well as exposure to various irritating agents (tobacco or other smoke with systematic exposure, dustiness of the air, the presence of irritating chemicals in the air) can lead to a decrease in local immunity. With inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, infected secretions can enter the pharynx and stimulate infectious inflammatory processes in it.

With a decrease in immunity, the so-called "transient flora" can acquire the status of "pathogenic". The "transient flora" includes streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, gram-negative diplococci and other microflora, usually sown in the norm and in a healthy person.

Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is divided into acute and chronic. Acute pharyngitis is an infectious inflammation of the mucous membrane of the oropharynx and palatine tonsils. With favorable development, acute pharyngitis may resolve spontaneously, without medical intervention. But most often, acute pharyngitis is accompanied by the development of inflammatory, and sometimes purulent processes in adjacent tissues. The main complaints of patients with acute lesions of the mucous membrane of the oropharynx are unpleasant sensations - burning, tingling, dryness, pain when swallowing; headache localized in the occipital region. Children often have shortness of breath and nasality. In adults, this disease occurs without a sharp deterioration in the general condition, and in children it can occur with a sharp increase in temperature up to 39 ° C. Especially in cases where inflammation spreads to the larynx and trachea. Acute pharyngitis is characterized by an increase and soreness of the cervical and occipital lymph nodes. Examination of the patient reveals hyperemia of the posterior pharyngeal wall and palatine arches, separate inflamed lymphoid granules, but there are no signs of inflammation of the palatine tonsils characteristic of tonsillitis.

Chronic pharyngitis, unlike acute, as a rule, is bacterial in nature, less often fungal. This is a polyetiological disease characterized by the presence of inflammatory and degenerative changes in the pharyngeal mucosa. Chronic pharyngitis is characterized by complaints of dryness, perspiration, soreness and sensation of a foreign body in the throat, often a dry cough and the formation of viscous sputum, fever. A significant deterioration in the general condition is rare in patients with chronic pharyngitis. When making a diagnosis, the pharyngoscope picture is taken into account. The development of chronic pharyngitis is associated with the harmful effects of such irritating factors as alcohol, nicotine, spicy food, carbonated drinks, various adverse industrial and climatic influences. The formation of the disease is facilitated by pathological conditions of the nasal cavity, leading to impaired nasal breathing - deviated nasal septum, vasomotor and hypertrophic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, adenoids. The cause of chronic pharyngitis can be recurrent infections of the respiratory tract, leading to persistent damage to the mucociliary barrier and significant inhibition of the mechanisms of local and general immunity. Atrophic pharyngitis is a consequence of progressive atrophy of the pharyngeal mucosa in the elderly.

gingivitis and periodontitis

Imbalance in the oral defense system can cause inflammation of the gum mucosa - gingivitis. When inflammation spreads from the gingival margin to the tissues surrounding the teeth, gingivitis turns into periodontitis, which can later lead to inflammation of the bone tissue, loosening and loss of the tooth. In patients older than 15 years, in 50% of cases, the cause of tooth loss is periodontal disease. In gingivitis, the gum becomes inflamed, swelling occurs, its contour changes. Due to edema, the gingival sulcus between the tooth deepens, and the so-called gingival pocket is formed. As a result, there is reddening of the gingival margin, swelling and bleeding of the gums, it becomes sensitive and painful, there are difficulties in chewing and swallowing. Gingivitis can be either acute or chronic. Chronic gingivitis is more common in adults.

Stomatitis

Infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity include stomatitis - inflammation of the oral mucosa. According to the clinical manifestation, stomatitis is divided into catarrhal, ulcerative and aphthous. The most common cause of stomatitis is non-compliance with oral hygiene, dental disease, dental plaque, oral dysbacteriosis, as well as gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, duodenitis, colitis, etc.). Aphthous stomatitis is characterized by a connection with allergic reactions, viral infections, rheumatism. Depending on the severity and form of the disease, patients complain of pain in the oral cavity and pharynx, severe pain during chewing, swallowing articulation. Sometimes there is an increase in body temperature up to 37.5 ° C, an increase in regional lymph nodes, malaise, headache. On examination, defects in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and tongue are determined.

Treatment: general principles

Therapeutic tactics for infectious and inflammatory diseases of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and pharynx includes the appointment of drugs with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immunocorrective effects, local antiseptics, decongestants and hyposensitizing drugs. In the complex of therapeutic measures, an important role belongs to drugs that have a combined effect.

What exactly is the treatment?

So, a specialist treating a patient with an inflammatory disease of the oral cavity and pharynx has the main mission: choosing the most effective drug. It is on this choice that the speed and effectiveness of the therapy depends.

Scientific reference

Causes of inflammation of the oral cavity

Traumatic inflammation. Trauma can be mechanical, chemical or physical, acute or long term.
Infectious inflammatory processes (viral, bacterial, fungal infections).
Allergic reactions, accompanied by swelling and inflammation of the oral mucosa.
Inflammation of the mucosa in systemic diseases: hypo- and beriberi, endocrine diseases, diseases of the blood system, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, etc.

HEXETIDINE

Broad-spectrum antiseptic against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. Bactericide for anaerobic bacteria. Bacteriostatic for most strains of bacteria at a concentration of 100 mg / ml. Fungicide against fungi of the genus Blastomycetes, Trichophyton, Histoplasma, Microsporum. It inhibits the growth and reproduction of more than 40 strains of fungi of the genus Candida. Weak analgesic.

The undeniable advantage of hexetidine, in addition to a wide spectrum of action, is a high degree of adhesion on the mucous membrane of the oropharynx. At the same time, in the absence of absorption, hexetidine has a lasting effect (active concentrations of hexetidine on mucous membranes persist for 10-14 hours after a single application).

CHOLINE SALICYLATE

A powerful analgesic and antipyretic, a derivative of salicylic acid. It blocks the enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, due to which it has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. It inhibits the activation of macrophages and neutrophils, showing anti-edematous action. It has an antipyretic and analgesic effect. It is indispensable in the treatment of diseases of the oropharynx, accompanied by an increase in local temperature, severe inflammation, swelling and soreness. It is well absorbed from mucous membranes, has a fast effect.

CHLOROBUTANOL

A fast-acting local anesthetic, a reliable tool in the arsenal of dentists and otorhinolaryngologists. It has additional properties: antibacterial and antifungal effects. Helps to enhance the analgesic effect in combination with hexetidine and choline salicylate.

An “ideal” composition means should provide:

Antibacterial and antiviral effect.
Anti-inflammatory effect.
analgesic effect.

Most often the reasondiseases of the oropharynxare various infections. Their most popular consequences are tonsillitis (more scientifically - acute tonsillitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis. The article contains doctors' recommendations on how not to harm yourself with these diseases, but rather help the body recover faster.

Angina causes inflammation of the tonsils. In addition to a sore throat, she is accompanied by aches all over her body, weakness and high temperature, from 38 degrees.

A person wakes up in the morning relatively vigorous, but by the evening he is usually "limp". The disease has many varieties: catarrhal (red throat), follicular (purulent follicles on the tonsils), lacunar (pus in the lacunae), aphthous (rashes on the tonsils in the form of white or pinkish ulcers), herpetic (rashes on the tonsils in the form of bubbles).

Inflammation of the oropharynx. Do's and Don'ts for Treatment

3. Drink excessively hot drinks.
They will not warm the throat, but only additionally injure the mucous membrane.

4. At elevated temperatures, consume a lot of milk.
Protein dishes in such a situation can increase the intoxication of the body.

5. Gargle with water with soda and iodine.
This disinfectant solution will benefit only with purulent sore throat. In other cases, it will only irritate the mucous membrane of the throat.

6. Walk.
Inflammation of the oropharynx implies bed rest and, ideally, cessation of communication for 5 to 10 days.

7. Independently "prescribe" antibiotics.
8. Postpone calling your doctor if your sore throat is accompanied by headache, fever, vomiting, or rash.

Since ancient times, a person has known such a disease as carcinoma.

There is little evidence that some of the Neanderthals suffered from oropharyngeal cancer.

general information

Oropharynx- this is the oral cavity and its continuation, consisting of the palate, the root and base of the tongue, sections with tonsils and ending with the back wall.

Spreading

The tumor of the oropharynx is quite widespread and accounts for 40-60% of the total number of oncological diseases. This figure has risen sharply over the past decade. For every 6 men with this disease, there is only 1 woman. Throat cancer is 5 times more likely to occur in people who smoke.

Risk factors

The main risk factors before the disease:

Causes

Causes of oropharyngeal cancer include:

alcoholism;
frequent smoking and chewing tobacco;
bad food and water;
spicy, spicy, very hot food;
mmmunodeficiency;
genetic predisposition.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the disease include:

Swelling or swelling at the top of the neck.
Constant pain in the larynx.
Difficulty and constriction when swallowing.
Prolonged feeling of soreness and irritation in the throat (not with acute respiratory infections).
Constant pain in the ears.
Difficulty opening the mouth and spasm of the facial muscles.
Changing the timbre of voice and speech.
Difficulty in tongue movements.
Bad smell.
Sharp weight loss.

Such symptoms can contribute to the diagnosis of many other diseases, so the diagnosis of oropharyngeal cancer is difficult. For this reason, most patients learn about their disease when metastases begin to appear, which complicates the course of the disease and treatment.

Diagnostics

Methods for diagnosing a tumor:

Subsequent examination:

simple and biochemical blood tests;
X-ray (X-ray);
MRI (electromagnetic study, sometimes with a special composition that allows you to increase the clarity of the images);
CT (series of x-ray images. Patient sometimes has to drink/inject dye to improve visibility);
bone scan (performed when a disease is detected in the later stages).

Classifications

T is the size of the formation.
N - the presence of cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
M - metastases in distant organs.

Along with letters, cancer has numeric designations that show the stage of its spread:

the number 0 denotes the very beginning of education;
initial stage of education - 1;
Stages 2 and 3 are intermediate;
4 - final.

Treatment

Radiation therapy(radiotherapy) is carried out at the initial stages of the detected disease. The principle of operation of such therapy is ionized irradiation of cancer cells.

It is carried out under the constant supervision of the attending physician, because it affects not only the sick, but also healthy tissues. Such therapy can be considered an independent method only if there are contraindications to surgery.

Therapy affects the thyroid gland, therefore, before its start, an examination is shown. Combined treatment (surgery + LU) is carried out only at 3 stages. In all other cases, the patient is shown surgery.

Surgical

The main method is surgical. The volume of intervention directly depends on the extent of the tumor in the larynx and the location. A small formation that does not go beyond one location is removed by doctors under local anesthesia, through the oral cavity.

Anesthesia is administered using a sublingual pharyngotomy (opening procedure). Sometimes a lateral pharigotomy is required (access to the posterior wall, root of the tongue, piriform fossa, etc.). With such an extensive approach to all hard-to-reach places, it is easier for the surgeon to remove all tumor tissues.

Surgeon removes not only the affected areas, but also part of the healthy cells patient, achieving a clean margin (reducing the risk of recurrence). The operation requires carotid occlusion/vascular embolization.

The surgical method of treatment is dangerous due to the discovery of intraoperative bleeding. To stop it, ligation of the external and internal carotid artery is required.

The more and longer the surgery lasts, the longer the patient stays in the hospital for recovery. Because some surgical methods force the patient to be in intensive care or intensive care.

Sometimes it is required to remove parts of the larynx, tongue, partial or complete removal of the lymph nodes of the neck. At the same time, after the recovery period, the patient is fitted with special prostheses that allow him to lead a normal life after the operation.

Therapy

Chemotherapy for the destruction of cancer cells is carried out before, simultaneously and after LU. Also, to consolidate the results, postoperative chemotherapy is often used. With combined treatment with all types of therapy, the patient has pronounced side effects.

Cryotherapy is applicable when the formation is located close to the skin and mucous membrane (hemantiomas). It is used in conjunction with the surgical method.

With biological therapy, doctors use substances that the human body produces. Such treatment is carried out in the framework of clinical trials and several types of compounds are used:

monoclonal antibodies (a drug that binds to cancer cell receptors).
When combined with receptors, drugs block their actions and further growth, weaken resistance to various types of therapy. A striking example is cetuximab (penetrates the body through droppers). It is usually prescribed in cases where the patient does not tolerate cisplatin and carboplatin therapy;
cancer cell growth inhibitors (drugs that disrupt the chemical bond between cancer cells).
After the connection is interrupted, the growth of education stops. A striking example is gefitinib (often prescribed for relapses). There is no evidence that drugs help to stop the growth of tumor cells; research has not yet been completed.

Folk remedies

Oropharyngeal cancer treatment with folk remedies:

Bedstraw (decoctions, infusions and rinses. 1 tablespoon per 1 cup of boiling water 30 minutes before meals).
Ointment from bedstraw and any oil (1:1).
Celandine (infusion: 1 tsp per 1 cup of boiling water. Take 3 times a day before meals).
Kislitsa (5 drops of stem juice with water to drink every hour. You can lubricate the throat with juice)

Preventive measures:

Forecasts

Many factors change the survival prognosis of patients with oropharyngeal cancer. This is the age of the patient, his state of health (the presence of chronic diseases), physical condition and lifestyle, the presence of metastases in the lymph nodes and distant organs.

Tumor of the tonsils: after surgery - 60-65%, when detected up to stage 3 and 20-25% when detected at stages 3 and 4.

tumor of the root of the tongue: 40-60% when detected before stage 3 and 10-20% at stages 3 and 4.

Tumor of the palate: 80% when detected before stage 3 and 20-30% at stages 3 and 4.

When using only LU and chemotherapy, the survival rate increases by 4-5%, surgical intervention by 10-11%, with combined treatment by 11-13%.