Sore throat: possible causes, diagnosis and treatment

Why does my throat hurt?

Most cases of sore throat are caused by bacteria. It appears as a result of acute inflammation. The focus is located either in the tonsils, and then they talk about tonsillitis, or in the pharynx (pharyngitis).

With bacterial infections, pain appears suddenly and quickly intensifies, accompanied by a sharp increase in temperature and a significant deterioration in general well-being. You should immediately contact a therapist. The following treatment is usually prescribed:

• a course of antibiotics, and it is important to drink them to the end;
• regular rinsing: timely cleansing of mucus and pus is of fundamental importance for a quick recovery;
• lozenges;
• antiseptic spray;
• plenty of warm drinks.

Another large group of pathogens that cause throat diseases are viruses. The sore throat gradually intensifies, the person feels weak, aches throughout the body, and has a headache. The throat may not hurt very much, but it is constant, and in some cases quite sensitive, and enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes is also observed. The temperature rises slightly or remains within normal limits. The disease is accompanied by a profuse runny nose.

In such cases, antiviral drugs are prescribed and the same recommendations are given as for bacterial throat infections: antiseptic sprays, rinses, lozenges.

Another common cause of sore throat is irritation of the mucous membrane, which can occur due to allergies, inhalation of tobacco smoke, or prolonged exposure to dirty or dry air. It is accompanied by severe itching, but the general condition does not worsen, the temperature remains normal. If the pain is the result of an allergy, then itching, sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, and dry cough may also occur.

Treatment for irritation is as follows:

• elimination of the allergen irritant;
• rinsing with a warm solution of sea salt;
• Irrigation of the throat with soft moisturizing sprays.

Why is a sore throat dangerous?

Never wait for a sore throat to go away on its own. You can drown out unpleasant symptoms with lollipops or folk remedies, but you will not remove the cause of the disease.

Throat infections that are not treated in time become chronic: as soon as local immunity weakens a little, inflammation will certainly arise again. In addition, bacterial and viral infections can cause serious complications.

When should you see a doctor?

Sometimes the pain goes away with self-treatment. But it’s best to immediately start treating your throat by contacting the clinic for help, especially if you are concerned about the following symptoms:

• pain lasts more than 48 hours, and there are no signs of flu or cold;
• the temperature rose sharply;
• accumulations of mucus and pus are observed at the back wall of the throat;
• The lymph nodes in the neck area are greatly enlarged, which causes pain when moving the lower jaw. If mononucleosis develops, then other lymph nodes also enlarge;
• hoarseness, shrunken voice;
• pain occurs when swallowing, localized on one or both sides;
• sensation of lump, soreness, dryness.

Faringosept

These are lozenges with different flavors: cinnamon, honey, lemon, cocoa). The active substance of Faringosept is ambazone, it works as an antiseptic, has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect. Relieves mild to moderate sore throat, inhibits the proliferation of pathogenic microbes. You can feel the maximum effect of Faringosept 30 minutes after dissolving the drug.

Throat tablets are prescribed for infectious and inflammatory processes (tonsillitis, pharyngitis), for preventive purposes after treatment of gums or teeth, for ARVI (in complex therapy).

The tablets dissolve slowly after eating, then it is better not to eat or drink anything for a couple of hours. The maximum allowed number of tablets per day is 5 pieces. Faringosept can be prescribed to pregnant and lactating women, and patients with diabetes should keep in mind the presence of sweeteners in the composition.

Faringosept

JSC Naturotherapy, Russia

Prevention and treatment of acute infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and larynx (tonsillitis, stomatitis, gingivitis).
Prevention of infectious and inflammatory diseases after tooth extraction. from 59

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What is more effective: sprays, tablets or lozenges?

The choice of dosage form directly depends on the cause of the disease and the nature of the pain. In particular, if the sore throat is caused by bacteria, then the best choice is a spray with a pronounced antiseptic effect. It is important to consider that with prolonged use, infectious agents develop resistance to the drug, so if after 2-3 days you do not feel relief, the medicine needs to be changed. So, how to treat a throat?

For a disease of viral origin, it is best to choose a throat spray that relieves pain and fights inflammation. In the case of chronic pain, it is necessary to regularly irrigate the throat with a spray with a moisturizing effect that does not contain aggressive substances and carefully relieves unpleasant symptoms.

Many drugs reduce symptoms due to the local anesthetics they contain - phenol, benzocaine or dyclonine. Under their influence, the mucous membrane becomes numb, and the pain noticeably weakens.

Throat tablets can be divided into several groups. For example,

• with enzymes that eliminate viruses and bacteria;
• NSAIDs that relieve inflammation;
• with fragments of bacteria and viruses that enhance local immunity;
• with extracts of medicinal plants that reduce pain.

Throat lozenges are effective only in the initial stages of the disease. They usually contain menthol, which has a distracting effect rather than a therapeutic one. Therefore, you should not get carried away with candies.

TOP 5 sprays against sore throat

• Miramistin is a broad-spectrum antiseptic spray to combat bacterial and fungal infections. Quickly reduces pain. It is odorless and tasteless. Suitable for adults and children from three years of age, as well as for pregnant women. Disadvantage: relatively high price, analgesic effect lasts several hours.
• Hexoral destroys infections of bacterial and fungal origin. It has an analgesic, disinfecting, deodorizing and enveloping effect. The therapeutic effect occurs within 1-2 minutes after treatment and lasts 10-12 hours. Application: twice a day after meals. Cons: components of the drug can cause allergies, read the instructions carefully.
• Yox can be called an analogue of the legendary Lugol's drug. It has a powerful antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal effect. Reduces pain well. Processing Disadvantages: cannot be used for a long time, contraindicated for people with iodine intolerance.
• Proposol contains propolis extract and a large amount of vitamins. Complete disappearance of pain occurs within 5-7 days. It works well as part of a complex treatment of inflammation. Cons: not suitable for people allergic to bee products.

TOP 5 tablets for sore throat

• Faringosept copes well with pain and fights inflammation in the oral cavity. Has a pleasant sweet taste. Recommended course is 3-4 days. Quickly relieves pain and restores voice. The packaging is enough for a full course. There are few contraindications. Disadvantage: effective at the initial signs of the disease.
• Hexoraltabs contain a local anesthetic, peppermint oil and menthol. They have an antiseptic effect. A decrease in pain is observed during the first minute of resorption. Available in different flavors. Cons: the drug only helps with the initial signs of the disease.
• Neo-Angin has a pronounced disinfectant and anti-inflammatory effect, relieves pain well, quickly restores the voice, and relieves coughing attacks. Large packaging. Dosage: one tablet every 2-3 hours. The permissible number of tablets per day is six. Cons: irritates the gastric mucosa.
• Grammidin contains the antibiotic gramicidin C; tablets with lidocaine are also available, which not only destroy pathogens and cleanse the mucous membrane, but also immediately relieve pain. The anesthetic effect lasts about 40 minutes. Enhance the effectiveness of medicinal rinses. Disadvantage: cannot be taken during pregnancy and lactation.
• Lizobakt has a powerful antiseptic effect. The drug contains vitamin B6, which increases local immunity, and the protein enzyme lysozyme, which breaks down bacteria, fungi and viruses. Suitable for pregnant and lactating women. It is used for all infectious lesions of the oral cavity.

TOP 5 lozenges for sore throat

• Strepsils plus. The active ingredients fight bacteria, lidocaine reduces pain, anise and peppermint oils have a distracting and enveloping effect. Dosage: no more than 1 lozenge within 2 hours. Disadvantage: short period of action, effective at the initial signs of the disease.
• Halls. Due to eucalyptus oil and menthol, it temporarily relieves pain, cools a sore throat, and relieves hoarseness. Minus: it is not a medicine.
• Carmolis contains extracts of medicinal herbs, honey, and vitamin C. The drug quickly reduces pain, refreshes the oral cavity, has a pleasant taste, but does not last long.
• Gorpils quickly relieves pain and has a pronounced antiseptic effect. Helps with initial and acute forms of the disease. Available in different flavors. Disadvantage: short period of action.
• Agisept relieves pain, has a pronounced antimicrobial effect, and significantly reduces unpleasant symptoms at the onset of the disease. Disadvantage: not suitable for people with allergies to medicinal herbs.

These recommendations do not replace visiting a doctor. There are contraindications. Before purchasing the drug, be sure to consult with your physician.

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Herbal cough lozenges Doctor MOM®

To treat a sore throat, you can use a natural preparation - Doctor MOM® herbal cough lozenges with the “FITO BRONHO formula”1 with extracts of 3 medicinal plants. The drug is approved for use in adults (from 18 years of age) for resorption in the oral cavity - 1 lozenge every 2 hours, up to 10 lozenges per day. Herbal cough lozenges Doctor MOM® have a complex anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic and expectorant effect. The active components of the product reduce the manifestations of inflammation and irritation of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, which helps eliminate soreness, discomfort and a feeling of dryness in the throat. Doctor MOM® lozenges are indicated for the symptomatic treatment of infectious and non-infectious inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract (including “lecture” laryngitis ), accompanied by a sore throat and an unproductive, obsessive cough.

Grammidin Neo

This complex action throat medicine is available in spray and tablet form. It contains three active substances: gramicidin C, oxybuprocaine, cetylpyridinium chloride. Gramicidin is a topical antibiotic; Oxybuprocaine is an anesthetic with a strong analgesic effect; the last substance is an antiseptic. Thanks to this complex action, Grammidin effectively relieves inflammation, suppresses the proliferation of microbes and supports local immunity in the fight against pathogens. The analgesic effect of throat tablets lasts for an hour after resorption.

"Grammidin" is prescribed for inflammatory and infectious lesions of the throat (tonsillitis, pharyngitis), sore throat, stomatitis and gingivitis.

After eating, you need to slowly dissolve the tablets until completely dissolved, then do not drink or eat for a couple of hours. You can take no more than 4 tablets per day. These throat lozenges are not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Grammidin Neo

PJSC Valenta Pharm, Russia

Grammidin Neo is an antibacterial agent for topical use, for resorption in the oral cavity.
Infectious and inflammatory diseases of the mouth and throat, accompanied by severe pain: acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, periodontitis, gingivitis, stomatitis. from 86

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Septolete Total

This drug for treating the throat is available in tablet and spray form. It contains two active ingredients: benzydamine and cetylpyridinium chloride, as well as levomenthol and eucalyptus oil. "Septolete Total" anesthetizes the throat, has an antimicrobial, antifungal and antiseptic effect. Relieves swelling of mucous membranes and freshens breath.

Septolete Total is prescribed when there is a sore throat due to ARVI, for sore throats, pharyngitis and tonsillitis, in the complex treatment of gingivitis and stomatitis. The tablets should be slowly dissolved every 3 hours (but no more than 6 tablets per day). "Septolete Total" can be used by pregnant and lactating women, and diabetics - with caution due to the sugar in the drug.

Septolete Total

KRKA (KRKA), Slovenia

Symptomatic treatment of pain syndrome of inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and ENT organs (of various etiologies): gingivitis, glossitis, stomatitis (including after radiation and chemotherapy);
pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis; candidiasis of the oral mucosa (as part of combination therapy); calculous inflammation of the salivary glands; after surgical interventions and injuries (tonsillectomy, jaw fractures); after treatment and tooth extraction; periodontal disease. from 134

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