Why it hurts to swallow
Every person at least once in his life has encountered such a condition when it hurts to swallow and suffers from a feeling of swelling and stuffiness in the larynx. As a rule, these are true symptoms of colds and respiratory viral diseases. They are often the precursors of other symptoms of bacterial and viral upper respiratory tract infections. However, such signs often indicate the presence of diseases of a completely different nature in the body.
When it hurts to swallow - the main reasons
The main cause of sore throat, as already noted, is the activity of bacteria and viruses, which manifests itself in the form of various diseases. Let's consider the most common cases when the throat hurts and it hurts to swallow:
- Angina;
- Paratonsillar abscess;
- Acute pharyngitis;
- Acute laryngitis;
- Acute respiratory viral infections.
With angina, the tonsils are very inflamed, and the main reason that it hurts a person to swallow is the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the throat. The tonsils, as a rule, not only enlarge: a white or yellowish coating appears on them, and purulent plugs can also form. Typically, sore throat is characterized by sharp cutting pain when swallowing. Additional symptoms in this case are inflamed cervical lymph nodes and an increase in body temperature.
Paratonsillar abscess is a complication of angina. As a rule, with such a disease, the inflammatory process quickly spreads from the tonsils to the fiber, forming an abscess. If there is a general weakness of the body, headaches, a sore throat, it hurts to swallow and the temperature rises rapidly, one can assume a complication of angina. It should be noted that with such a diagnosis, sore throat usually manifests itself on one side and is usually aggravated by contraction of the masticatory muscles. That is, every opening of the mouth is accompanied by a sharp cutting pain.
In acute pharyngitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the throat, the pain when swallowing saliva is not so severe. The same can be said for the symptoms of laryngitis (inflammation of the lining of the larynx). Pharyngitis is characterized by regular sore throat, while in acute laryngitis, the patient's voice becomes hoarse and severe coughing fits are observed.
Acute respiratory viral infections are the main cause of all kinds of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. They are also characterized by the following symptoms: sore throat, painful swallowing, high temperature, perspiration and dryness in the throat, first dry cough, then sputum discharge, hoarseness.
It should be noted that children often have sore throats and painful swallowing due to diseases such as measles, whooping cough and scarlet fever. The symptoms of these diseases are quite similar, so it is often difficult to determine the diagnosis. In any case, if you have the above symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
When it hurts to swallow - possible complications
If you do not take timely treatment, the inflammatory processes of the larynx and pharynx can worsen and lead to diseases such as:
- Chronical bronchitis;
- Pneumonia;
- Myocardial infarction;
- Diseases of the joints;
- Kidney disease;
- Sinusitis;
- Front.
In the process and after various viral diseases, in which it is painful to swallow, a disease such as bronchitis can develop. Very often it runs almost unnoticed. By the way, smoking and alcohol only contribute to its emergence and development.
Inflammation of the lungs is one of the most dangerous types of complications of viral infections: according to statistics, about 5% of people with pneumonia die. So if it hurts to swallow and the temperature does not subside, it could be a direct threat to life. At the first symptoms, you should undergo the necessary examination and take measures until the disease develops.
Diseases of the joints and kidneys, oddly enough, can be a consequence of the usual sore throat, when the patient ignores his disease. In addition, many people are accustomed to enduring diseases on their legs, while angina requires bed rest. Repeated diseases are especially dangerous for the cardiovascular system and often cause myocardial infarction.
When it hurts to swallow and a sore throat suffers, the cause may be exacerbations such as sinusitis and frontal sinusitis. However, you need to know that they, as a rule, are the result of advanced colds and viral infections.
It should also be noted that all kinds of diseases of the respiratory tract, left without attention, often lead to such serious complications as impaired hearing and respiratory organs.
When it hurts to swallow - other reasons
It happens that a sore throat when swallowing saliva is not a consequence of inflammatory processes in the body, but indicates problems of a different nature. Some of the least common reasons a person is painful to swallow include:
- Allergic reactions;
- Pollution;
- Dry air;
- Bowel disease;
- Diseases of the stomach;
- Neoplasms and tumors of the tongue, throat, pharynx;
- HIV infection.
Allergies to the weather, pollen, food, and more can cause sore throats.
Sometimes it hurts a person to swallow due to irritation of the respiratory tract, provoked by dry air, car or tobacco smoke.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are often manifested by a sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
Also, often the cause of pain in the larynx is the occurrence and development of various tumors.
When, in the presence of HIV infection, the patient is constantly worried about sore throat, this may indicate the development of a secondary infection (for example, stomatitis).
If it hurts to swallow - treatment
If the throat hurts and it hurts to swallow, and treatment is not carried out, this condition can last up to 10 days (even if possible complications are excluded). Therefore, it is necessary to take care of your own health as early as possible.
What to do when it hurts to swallow? The answer to this question is various traditional medicines, which are often able to relieve pain and inflammation as well as pain relievers and antibiotics. Let's consider the most effective ones:
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Sore throat and painful to swallow - how to be treated with folk remedies Rinses;
- Herbal teas and decoctions;
- Garlic and onions;
- Milk and honey.
When it hurts to swallow, gargling is most effective. You can gargle your throat several times a day with plain warm water, but it is better to do this with a tincture of calendula, eucalyptus or propolis. Gargling with salt water is also great.
What if it hurts to swallow? Drink as much liquid as possible. Decoctions of medicinal herbs cope well with inflammation, and rosehip helps relieve pain and get rid of sore throat.
Garlic and onions are natural antiseptics, so at the first symptoms of a cold, you should eat them more often. And honey diluted in warm milk is an old method of treating various sore throats, known to almost everyone since childhood.
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