Chronic pharyngitis

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What is it about ?

Chronic pharyngitis is an infection of the pharynx (back of the throat) that lasts for more than 6 weeks. It is rarely a spontaneous disease. There are often factors that fuel the problem. The cause can be external or internal.

External causes :

  • Dry and dusty air, smoking (passive), chemicals and industrial substances;
  • Substances which can cause allergic reactions (allergens);
  • Use of different drugs, taken by mouth or applied locally;
  • Irradiation as part of cancer treatment (radiotherapy);
  • Consumption of alcohol which dries up and irritates the mucous membranes;
  • Forced voice in certain circumstances (noisy environment).

Internal causes :

  • Infections of the nasal cavities;
  • Acid reflux from the stomach;
  • Breathing through the mouth due to persistent obstruction of the nose;
  • Infections of the mouth or teeth;
  • Chronic or recurring inflammation of the tonsils (angina);
  • Lung disease;
  • Anomaly of the anatomy of the pharynx (eg too large pharynx);
  • Overexertion of the voice due to improper use of the voice;
  • Diseases in which the immune system triggers an inflammatory reaction against the body itself (autoimmune diseases) and hormonal disorders.

How to recognize it?

Symptoms are mostly a sore throat and pain when swallowing, and they last for more than 6 weeks. Sometimes the person starts to snore, has a hoarse voice, or has bad breath. With severe swelling of the throat lining, the person sometimes feels like they are suffocating or having to clear their throat all the time.

How is the diagnosis made?

The doctor will ask you questions about your lifestyle and environmental factors. He will examine your throat to see if the lining is red and swollen. Sometimes the uvula is bigger and thicker. In some cases, this can lead to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The pharynx may be swollen or dry, and the doctor may see more immune tissue (in the back of the throat). In the dry form, the mucosa is weakened and indurated. Sometimes there is dry, hard mucus that smells bad.

What can you do ?

Drink a lot of water. This will keep your throat moist, and you will need to clear your throat less often. You can also humidify the air. Gargles are useful for fighting bad breath and for clearing phlegm in the throat.

If symptoms persist in the throat, it is important to stop smoking. Otherwise, the other measures taken will be unnecessary.

What can the doctor do?

Before starting treatment, you should know what causes chronic pharyngitis. It may take a long time.

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe something to make it easier for you to breathe through your nose. In the event of gastric reflux, medication against stomach acid is recommended. If the throat becomes irritated from mucous membranes, the nasal cavities should be examined and treated.

Sometimes it is necessary to remove the tonsils. However, this is not a good measure for sore throat.

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Source

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