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Many colds begin with a sore throat. Most often, these diseases are caused by a respiratory viral infection, but a more serious pathology cannot be ruled out. A sore throat is a symptom that can disturb not only an adult, but also a child. The problem should not be ignored, since sore throat and nose often become the first signal of an impending illness.
Causes of sore throat and nose
The main respiratory organ is the nose. The mouth in this regard performs an auxiliary function, disinfecting and warming the air entering the lower respiratory tract. This is possible due to the active work of the blood vessels that feed the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx. It is on it that the inhaled air first enters, which travels a long way, starting from the nasal passages, moving along the nasopharynx and further into the lower respiratory tract. At this time, it is moistened, warmed, cleaned of dust and microbes.
Microscopic cilia that grow over the entire surface of the mucous membrane are responsible for the process of air purification. They move towards the exit from the nose. If the cilia are unable to “expel” dirt or germs, then they provoke sneezing. This reflex helps to effectively clear the nasal cavity.
If some harmful particles from the external environment nevertheless penetrated further, then the lymphatic tissue becomes the next obstacle in their path. There is a lot of it in the nasopharynx, it forms the so-called lymphoid ring, which includes the tonsils.
The process of the tonsils can be described as follows:
First, air enters the pharyngeal tonsil. If its tissues begin to grow, then they talk about adenoids. In adults, adenoids do not grow.
Then the air enters the oral cavity, passing through the tonsils of the posterior pharyngeal wall. They are located on the tube that connects the nose and mouth to each other.
The palatine tonsils are next in the path of air masses. They can be seen with the naked eye if you open your mouth wide and look in the mirror.
The palatine tonsils work together with the lingual tonsil to purify the air.
Another stage that air passes through is the paired tubal tonsils, although to a greater extent they are busy working to prevent microbes from entering the lower respiratory tract from the ear.
The wall of the pharynx is represented by the mucous and fibrous membranes, the muscle layer is absent there, since it is not needed to ensure the function of breathing. The oropharynx is also riddled with nerve endings related to the cranial nerves. They are responsible for the sensitivity of this area.
So, a sore throat can occur for the following reasons:
The mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and / or oropharynx is too dry. This may be due to the use of medications. Contributes to the dryness of the mucous membranes inhalation of air containing chemical compounds, paints, fragrances, tobacco smoke and other harmful substances. This is especially true for people who are forced to breathe polluted air on an ongoing basis.
The mucous membrane of the respiratory organs is too irritated. The most common cause is gastroesophageal reflux or reflux disease. When this happens, hydrochloric acid is thrown from the stomach into the esophagus. An exacerbation of the disease is observed after taking alcoholic beverages, or if a person immediately after eating goes to rest, taking a horizontal position.
The mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is inflamed. Inflammation is caused by infectious agents: viruses, bacteria or fungi. Sometimes inflammation is non-infectious in nature, that is, it is caused by allergens.
The blood supply system of the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs works with disorders.
A person develops a tumor of the fibrous layer of the oropharynx.
The part of the brain that is responsible for the sensitivity of the oropharynx and nasopharynx does not properly process the signals that come to it.
There was a malfunction in the functioning of the nerve endings, which are located next to the tonsils.
Of all the above causes, the most common is an infectious inflammation of the tonsils. If it captures the palatine tonsils, then we are talking about tonsillitis, and if the posterior pharyngeal wall is involved in the pathological process, then the diagnosis is pharyngitis. This inflammation responds with a sore throat, in this way the body gives a person a signal to act. He urges to begin treatment in order to prevent further spread of the infection to the lower respiratory tract, namely, to the bronchi and lungs. To understand how to act, it is necessary to be able to distinguish one pathological condition from another.
What can be a sore throat?
A sore throat can occur abruptly, giving a person severe discomfort. In this case, other symptoms of the disease will be absent.
Sometimes a person experiences a sore throat on an ongoing basis, periodically his well-being improves, and from time to time, the discomfort, on the contrary, intensifies.
If inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane of the throat is observed, then this is always accompanied by the appearance of a dry cough and perspiration.
A wet cough is an attempt by the body to quickly get rid of a pathogenic bacterium or virus. To do this, it produces a certain amount of mucus, which captures a microbe or other irritant and effectively removes it from the respiratory system.
If a sore throat occurs suddenly, then the reasons may be as follows: SARS, an allergic reaction of the body, the reflux of hydrochloric acid from the stomach, the entry of aggressive chemicals into the oropharynx.
SARS, as the cause of a sore throat. The fact that it tickles in the throat due to a viral infection can be judged by the presence of discomfort. It occurs on the condition that a person does not smoke, has not inhaled polluted air, has not been treated with new drugs and has not had contact with allergens (with animal hair, with household chemicals, with plant pollen), and was not in a very dusty room.
In this case, the following diagnoses are possible:
Acute tonsillitis, when a person’s tonsils become inflamed.
Acute pharyngitis, when the wall of the pharynx becomes inflamed.
Acute nasopharyngitis, in which the oropharynx and nasopharynx become inflamed. In addition to a sore throat, a runny nose will indicate acute rhinopharyngitis.
Symptoms of a viral infection:
Tearing, redness of the conjunctiva of the eye.
Frequent sneezing.
Great discomfort in the throat.
An increase in body temperature to subfebrile values.
Dry cough.
Runny nose, while the mucus discharged from the nose is clear and liquid.
Itching in the nose and sneezing.
Redness of the throat, including the tonsils, uvula, and back of the throat. In addition, the back of the throat will be grainy. These areas are represented by inflamed lymphoid tissue.
Flu symptoms:
Pain in muscles and joints, body aches.
Throat irritation.
High body temperature, which is difficult to bring down with any antipyretic drugs.
Pain behind the sternum.
Dry cough.
No runny nose, or slight discharge of mucus from the nose.
A sore throat can be caused by a mycotic lesion of its mucous membrane. Most often, fungal pharyngitis develops after intensive treatment with antibacterial drugs, or against the background of a pronounced decrease in immunity, as well as in blood diseases.
Symptoms of a fungal infection:
Sore throat, the appearance of a sensation of the presence of a foreign body in it.
Pain during swallowing movements. The pain will radiate to the ear, neck, jaw.
Dry cough.
Throat redness. The tonsils and the posterior pharyngeal wall are often covered with a gray or yellow coating.
Symptoms of a bacterial throat infection:
Sore throat, which is quickly replaced by painful sensations.
An increase in body temperature to high levels (up to 39 ° C and above).
Sensation of the presence of a foreign body in the throat.
Increased pain in the throat during swallowing movements.
Headache.
Dry cough.
Redness of the throat, the appearance of yellow or gray purulent masses on the back of the pharynx.
Angina, as the cause of a sore throat. When the throat is very ticklish, and the tonsils and lacunae are covered with pus, you can suspect a sore throat. At the same time, body temperature rises to very impressive levels. Bacterial tonsillitis is a very dangerous and contagious disease. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable, the patient needs the help of an otolaryngologist.
Young children with bacterial tonsillitis are best treated in a hospital, in the children’s infectious diseases department. If therapy is not started on time, then the risk of developing complications from the kidneys and heart is high.
Reflux esophagitis as the cause of sore throat. The reflux of hydrochloric acid from the stomach into the esophagus can occur provided that the person has eaten well and lay down to rest. This is especially common in people with a weakened circular muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. Although sometimes reflux esophagitis is a companion of diseases such as gastritis or stomach ulcers. In this case, the person will be disturbed by pain in the abdomen, frequent nausea and vomiting.
Allergy as the cause of sore throat. If there was contact with potential allergens, for example, plant pollen, new drugs, animal hair or mold, then a sore throat may be the result of an allergic reaction of the body.
The following symptoms will indicate allergic pharyngitis:
Cough and sore throat.
Runny nose and sneezing.
Slight increase in body temperature (rare).
Lachrymation.
Rash on the body.
Headache.
Other pathological symptoms, such as body aches or chills, will be absent. Allergy symptoms are quickly stopped by taking antihistamines. As soon as the opportunity arises, you need to seek help from an allergist.
Trauma as the cause of a sore throat. Sometimes a sore throat can be triggered by trauma to its mucous membrane. Swallowing foreign bodies often leads to injuries: fish bones, large particles of dust, etc. In addition to perspiration, a person will be disturbed by a sore throat.
When the injured area becomes inflamed, an increase in body temperature, increased pain, general malaise, and the appearance of sputum with impurities of pus are possible.
Constantly tickling in the throat, what is the reason?
Causes of constant discomfort in the throat can be as follows:
Dry air. In order for a person to breathe comfortably, the humidity in the room should not be less than 50%. If it is below this mark, then after 2 hours you may encounter such an unpleasant symptom as a sore throat. In this case, there will be no signs of any disease. We are talking about an increased body temperature, a run from the nose and malaise in general.
Tobacco smoking. Such a bad habit as smoking tobacco can also cause a sore throat. There will be no other pathological symptoms indicating any disease.
Frequent use of nasal drops with a vasoconstrictive effect. If a person has impaired nasal breathing, and for a long time he tries to correct the problem with vasoconstrictor drops, then a sore throat may appear. The reason lies in the fact that the drug flows down the back of the throat, causes vasoconstriction and provokes discomfort.
Living in settlements with unfavorable environmental conditions, work in hazardous industries. If a person works in conditions of increased gas pollution, constantly breathes exhaust gases or paint and varnish products, then he may experience a sore throat, which is often accompanied by a cough without sputum discharge. There are no other pathological symptoms indicating the disease. After a person stays in the fresh air or drinks water, the sore throat decreases or disappears completely.
Throat neurosis. Pharyngeal neurosis is a disease that is expressed in a violation of the transmission of nerve impulses from the upper parts of the digestive tract to the brain. Exacerbations of neurosis most often occur after a cold. However, the provoking factor may be previously transferred syphilis and oncological diseases of the oropharynx and larynx. Discomfort in the throat will be present on an ongoing basis, in parallel, the patient is worried about a dry cough and a feeling of a foreign body in the respiratory tract. Cough tends to intensify during nervous excitement or stress. Otherwise, the person will feel absolutely healthy. Drugs designed to reduce pain and discomfort in the throat will not bring relief with pharyngeal neurosis.
Diabetes. With diabetes, a sore throat can be observed, but this is not the only or leading symptom of the disease. The patient will also be bothered by frequent urination, especially during the night’s rest. All wounds in diabetes heal for a very long time.
Goiter. This pathology of the thyroid gland is expressed in the formation of a node that will cause discomfort and sore throat, which is associated with the pressure of the goiter on the trachea and compression of the nerve endings. Sometimes a sore throat is the only symptom of nodular goiter, especially when thyroid function is not impaired. Hyperthyroidism is indicated by a sharp loss of body weight, increased heart rate, increased appetite, and increased nervousness. Signs of hypothyroidism are a slowdown in metabolic processes in the body, thickening and swelling of the skin, hair loss, and obesity.
Excessive strain on the vocal cords. A sore throat can bother people who are constantly forced to strain their vocal cords due to their professional activities, for example, singers, announcers, teachers, actors. Sometimes the voice can become hoarse or even disappear.
The presence of a tumor. If a person develops a tumor in the larynx or throat, then he will be disturbed by symptoms resembling a viral infection: sore throat, hoarseness, mild pain. At the same time, there is no increase in body temperature, headache, runny nose. Increased fatigue is possible, and perspiration and sore throat will gradually increase.
Diseases of the digestive system. Among the diseases of the digestive system that can provoke a sore throat, there are:
Ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).
Gastritis with reflux esophagitis.
Hernia of the esophagus.
The cause of perspiration in this case is the reflux of hydrochloric acid from the stomach into the esophagus with further irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa. If the pancreas or gallbladder is inflamed, then bile will irritate the larynx. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dyspeptic disorders, and a bitter taste in the mouth indicate the pathology of the digestive system.
If a child has a sore throat, what should I do?
When a child complains of a sore throat, most often this indicates tonsillitis, either SARS, or an allergy. With SARS, the baby is worried about a runny nose and redness of the eyes. If a child has tonsillitis, then his body temperature rises, physical activity decreases, sore throats appear, which increase during drinking and eating.
If the cause of perspiration is an allergy, then a slight cough, swelling of the face, reddening of the skin and the appearance of a rash on it, and increased tearing are possible. The body temperature remains normal.
An allergy occurs after a child comes into contact with an allergen, for example, with animals or plants, after taking medications or introducing a new food product into the menu.
A child may complain of a sore throat if, for even a short period of time, he breathed heavily polluted air, tobacco smoke, inhaled vapors of paints and varnishes or household chemicals.
Other causes, for example, a throat swelling, reflux esophagitis, laryngeal neurosis, are quite rare diseases that lead to a sore throat in children.
Sore throat as a symptom
Cough and sore throat is a symptom of a very wide range of diseases.
Runny nose and sore throat – SARS or an allergic reaction of the body.
Increased sore throat during nervous tension, discomfort occurs in the form of seizures – laryngeal neurosis.
Sore throat after eating – getting into the esophagus and larynx of gastric contents.
Sore throat at night, discomfort accompanied by cough – whooping cough or bronchial asthma.
Chemical burn, inhalation of polluted air – tickling occurs after spending time in appropriate conditions.
Sore throat in the morning – a violation of nasal breathing during a night’s rest, exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis, reflux esophagitis.
How to get rid of a sore throat?
What preceded the sore throat | Additional symptoms other than itching | What happens in the throat | Diagnosis, what to do? |
Hypothermia, contact with a sick person | Redness of the conjunctiva of the eyes, sneezing, coughing | Redness of the mucous membrane of the throat | Acute respiratory viral disease:
|
Hypothermia, contact with a patient with a high body temperature (especially true for children) | Sore throat, high body temperature, difficulty swallowing food | Hyperemic tissue of the tonsils, the presence of purulent plugs in the lacunae of the tonsils | Bacterial angina:
|
Contact with new household chemicals, pollen, animals, visiting the zoo | Runny nose, tearing, hoarseness | Redness of the throat, enlargement of the tonsils in size | Allergy:
|
Food intake | Just a sore throat. Possible symptoms such as abdominal pain, dyspepsia, bitter taste in the mouth | Unchanged | Diseases of the digestive system:
|
During sleep, against the background of emotional overstrain | Sore throat accompanied by bouts of coughing | Unchanged | Throat neurosis:
|
Inhalation of air in the room where paintwork was carried out | Only sore throat | Unchanged | Acute atrophic pharyngitis: Consultation of an otolaryngologist |
Tension of the vocal cords | Dry cough, hoarseness, loss of voice | Unchanged | Professional laryngitis: You can not strain the vocal cords, for their speedy recovery, it is necessary to gargle with antiseptic solutions |
What to do if the throat is very ticklish:
Take an antihistamine medicine.
Do not inhale tobacco smoke, do not drink alcohol.
Irrigate the throat with antiseptic sprays.
Urgently visit a doctor or call him at home if there is a purulent plaque in the throat.
Minimize contact with potential allergens.
Rinse the nasopharynx with saline solutions. For this purpose, both normal saline and ready-made solutions with sea salt are suitable.
All foods that can provoke irritation of a sore throat should be excluded from the menu. This applies to sour, hot, cold, pickled, bitter and spicy dishes.
You need to sleep on a pillow that has sufficient height.
You can not talk too much, so as not to overstrain the vocal cords.
It is necessary to drink as much warm liquid as possible. These can be herbal teas, decoctions of dried fruits, rosehip decoction, etc.
To soften the throat, you can drink warm milk with honey before going to bed.
You can take a mild sedative before bed.