Pharyngitis atrophic: causes and treatment

Throughout life, the human body is exposed to the negative effects of various types of bacteria and microorganisms. Most often they fall through the respiratory organs, which are responsible for vital functions. A peculiar filter is the larynx, as its mucous membranes clean the inhaled air from pathogenic viruses and microbes.

The greatest number of colds falls precisely on this organ, because it receives the main impact of bacteria. Good work of immunity makes it easy to deal with such attacks. But if the body's defense system is broken by various diseases and hypothermia, it will be difficult to resist the viruses. Among diseases of the common cold, pharyngitis is one of the most common ailments. We will analyze in detail what kind of illness it is, and also describe the causes of its occurrence, symptoms and methods of treatment.

What is atrophic pharyngitis?

Inflammation of the walls of the larynx is called pharyngitis. The disease is classified by acute and chronic course. Atrial pharyngitis is the most complex form of throat disease. Its characteristic features are the thinning and drying of mucous membranes of the larynx, as well as the release of viscous sputum. The very word "atrophic" is derived from the Latin atrophic, which in translation means "dry". A distinctive feature of the disease is the desiccated mucous membrane of the larynx and nasopharynx, which causes pain when swallowing, as well as crust formation.

Chronic atrophic pharyngitis in the initial stage is easy to cure, whereas a neglected disease can lead to complications and a serious course of the disease. The mucous membrane of the throat is thinned and unable to cope with its functions of protection. Chronic inflammation leads to densification of mucous, submucous, glandular and lymphoid tissues of the nasopharynx and larynx. Capillaries responsible for blood supply to the body are damaged. The lumen in the vessels becomes smaller, while their walls thicken. Pathological changes affect the nerve endings, which leads to disturbances in the larynx and nasopharynx.

The main causes of the disease

Atrial pharyngitis is a chronic disease, the appearance of which is influenced by a number of factors:

1. An acute phase that has not been treated properly.
2. Endocrine diseases: diabetes, hypothyroidism and others.
3. Inflammatory processes occurring in the oral cavity.
4. Disturbances in the work of the digestive tract, in which there is a release of bile into the esophagus.
5. Harmful habits: alcohol and smoking.
6. Use of drops and sprays of vasoconstrictive action.
7. Diseases of the nasopharynx: sinusitis, rhinitis, sinusitis and others.

Interesting fact! It is established that atrophic pharyngitis in most cases occurs in the adult population, whereas among children such a disease is very rare.

Symptoms of the disease

In the early stages of the disease, the patient may not feel any particular symptoms. But with the development of the disease there are such symptoms:

• Dryness and swallowing in the throat;
• Barking, dry cough;
• The voice changes the timbre;
• Drooling becomes thick;
• Crusts formed from sputum on the back wall of the larynx are difficult to separate.

The patient may experience irritability and nervousness, often a disturbed sleep. Atrial pharyngitis in classical form proceeds without an increase in body temperature. A physician may find other symptoms when he examines his throat:

1. Mucous membranes have a pale pink shade.
2. The wall of the larynx is thinned, because of which the blood vessels become visible.
3. Mucous membranes are drained and have a light shine.
4. Slime in the form of dried up crust covers the walls of the larynx.

Given all the above information, one can imagine what an atrophic pharyngitis is. Symptoms detected in the early stages of the disease make it easy to cure the disease. Running pharyngitis leads to complications. First, the nerve endings become less sensitive. Secondly, the pharyngeal reflex disappears.

Dangerous consequences

Atrophic pharyngitis, a photo of which can be seen above, may simultaneously be accompanied by various diseases of the respiratory system:

• Tracheitis;
• Laryngitis;
• Bronchitis;
• Sinusitis;
• Rhinitis, etc.

The most dangerous consequence of chronic atrophic pharyngitis is oncology. Malignant tumors can form in the areas of tissue damage. With frequent cases of pharyngitis with symptoms of atrophy, patients are recommended to undergo a biopsy of mucous membranes, after which the test material is sent for histological examination.

What you need to know when treating a disease?

Completely cure pharyngitis atrophic, because it is a chronic disease. From time to time it makes itself felt. The main course of therapy is aimed at alleviating the patient's condition, eliminating the factors causing irritation of the laryngeal mucosa, and reducing the frequency of relapses. There are certain recommendations that should be followed by a patient with pharyngitis:

1. Exclude from the diet acute, acidic and salty foods. Hot, cold and carbonated drinks are not recommended, as they are irritants for the affected mucous membrane.
2. Refuse to smoke and drink alcohol. Alcohol and tobacco smoke contribute to the intensification of the inflammatory process, due to the fact that the mucous membranes of the throat dry out.
3. A plentiful warm drink (2-2,5 l per day).
4. As little as possible to strain the voice, do not sing and do not talk as much as possible.
5. The air in the room must be moistened. To do this, use special equipment. If there are no such devices, there is a proven way: you need to put a damp cloth or a towel on the battery.
6. During the exacerbation of the disease, you can get your feet in hot water, put a compress to warm your throat, and drink warm milk with honey.

If violations in the thyroid gland, GIT or metabolic processes in the body caused a disease such as atrophic pharyngitis, treatment should take place in a complex. In a similar situation, it will be necessary to involve other doctors of narrow specializations.

Treatment with medicines

Drug therapy should include drugs aimed at increasing secretion and improving mucosal function. Also, the doctor prescribes medicines responsible for regenerating damaged tissues and reducing the viscosity of sputum. What are the drugs used to treat atrophic pharyngitis? Here is the list of essential medicines:

• Sodium chloride (1%) in combination with several drops of iodine is used for rinsing. This method allows you to clean the mucosa from dry crusts and sputum.
• The larynx is treated with Lugol or Vinilin every 4 hours.
• Irrigation of the nasopharynx is performed with the help of sprays "Akvalor" or "Aquamaris".
• With pharyngitis, the use of inhalations is effective on the basis of "Lazolvan" and "Ambrobene" preparations. These mucolytic drugs can alleviate cough and reduce perspiration in the throat.
• To regenerate damaged tissues of the mucous membrane, use "Solcoseryl-gel", "Kartalin" and extract of propolis.

When atrophic pharyngitis is often prescribed physiotherapy treatment: UFO, UHF, magnetic and laser therapy.

Treatment with folk methods

Traditional medicine is often used in the treatment of colds. There is no exception and atrophic pharyngitis, the symptoms and treatment of which are discussed in this article. To ease the patient's condition, you can apply:

1. Honey. From this product, a rinse aid is prepared: 150 ml of water are taken with 2 tsp. Honey. Gargle a warm solution twice a day.
2. Essential oils are used to lubricate the walls of the larynx and as a basis for inhalation. After treatment of the throat and removal of mucus and crusts, rinse should be done. For this procedure, an alkaline solution (1% sodium chloride) or a decoction of chamomile and sage is suitable.
3. From the egg white (1 pc.) With the addition of 1 ml of sea buckthorn oil or rosehip, a coating agent is prepared. It moistens the mucous membrane and covers it with a protective film. Apply it to the walls of the larynx with a wand with a cotton tip.

It should be remembered that making inhalations with atrophic pharyngitis is unsafe, since hot air can increase irritation of the mucosa. Before the procedure, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Very often, for colds for rinsing, use soda, but pharyngitis can not be treated by such means. Although this substance is alkaline, its properties can harm the health and lead to an increase in the inflammatory process on the mucous membranes of the larynx.

Preventive measures

Preventing the disease is easier than curing. Prevention of pharyngitis is fairly simple:

• At the first symptoms of the disease you need to start timely treatment.
• To monitor the health of the gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity.
• Refuse bad habits (smoking and drinking).
• Maintain a hormonal background in a normal state.

Atrophic pharyngitis is considered one of the most serious diseases of the throat. The timely treatment will allow to exclude the serious course of the disease and prevent complications.