The Most Common Throat Diseases
The most common throat diseases are generally mild and mainly affect the pharynx and larynx. However, great importance is attached to them as they can be linked to the misuse of drugs, especially antibiotics.
According to the World Health Organization (English link), an estimated 50 to 60% of the population uses self-medication. This is a very dangerous practice and we’ll tell you why later in this article.
What is the origin of throat diseases?
The origin of throat diseases can be contagious or non-contagious. Infectious diseases include conditions that result from viruses, bacteria, or fungi.
According to the Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology (SEORL) , the most common throat diseases are caused by viruses. Disorders caused by bacteria are also common.
Throat disorders of non-contagious origin can be allergic, irritating or traumatic. A common cause of this group of conditions is the irritation that gastroesophageal reflux can cause.
Most Common Throat Diseases: Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis
Both pharyngitis and tonsillitis are conditions of the pharynx and can be acute or chronic. The degree of involvement and the area affected determines whether it is tonsillitis or rhinopharyngitis.
On the other hand, if the affected area is more common, it is called pharyngitis or pharyngotonsillitis. The origin of 80% of pharyngitis is viral, although in some cases these processes can evolve, creating a bacterial superinfection.
Of the viral infections, those resulting from the flu and the common cold are the most common. On the other hand, bacterial infections are usually caused by group A streptococci.
Symptoms
In childhood, the symptoms of these disorders are related to age. The child population is divided into different groups: infants, toddlers and children of school age. In general, the symptoms experienced by adults are very similar to those experienced by school-age children. Common symptoms include the following:
- Dry feeling
- slime
- throbbing pain
- Have to clear your throat
Diagnosis and Treatment
It is important to distinguish between viral and bacterial infections because their frequency, treatment and severity are different. You can distinguish one type of condition from another by its symptoms. In general, however, viruses are the cause of most infections and therefore no antibiotics are needed for their treatment.
As long as the condition persists, you should drink plenty of water. At the same time, you should avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as sudden temperature changes. It’s a good idea to take a variety of measures to help prevent the spread of infection, including the following:
- Use disposable wipes.
- Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your eyes.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
You can relieve the symptoms with medications such as pain relievers, antipyretics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. These can relieve general discomfort, sore throat and pain, among other things.
The most common throat diseases: laryngitis
One of the most common throat diseases is laryngitis, which affects the larynx, the organ that produces your voice. When this organ is inflamed, either due to infection or due to irritants, it causes a narrowing of the larynx. This, in turn, can lead to changes in breathing and your voice.
Laryngitis can be acute or chronic. The most common is acute laryngitis of viral origin, which is more common in children between 3 months and 3 years of age. However, the chronic condition is more typical of adults. The reasons why acute laryngitis is more common in children include the following:
- The immune system is not yet fully developed.
- A small diameter of the larynx.
- The ease with which edema and laryngeal spasms can occur.
Symptoms and Treatment
A laryngitis can cause different types of symptoms. The symptoms of a laryngitis are very characteristic and include the following symptoms:
- Metallic cough
- Hoarseness
- A sore throat
- shortness of breath
- Occasional moderate fever
Therapy
You need to take a series of measures to ease the process, such as avoiding forcing your voice, avoiding speaking, or doing it as little as possible. You also need to increase your fluid intake to facilitate the elimination of secretions.
Never self-medicate
When mild throat conditions manifest, you should always avoid self-medication. The inappropriate use of drugs such as antibiotics eventually leads to resistance to these drugs and resistance to these drugs is a global public health problem.
