Throat; Since it is a junction area, viruses and bacteria coming by air or by direct contact with food are first captured by the lymph tissues here and symptoms occur. Apart from this, throat symptoms due to nasal congestion, especially allergic and viral diseases, nasal discharge, irritation of the throat and the drying of the throat by the air taken by mouth due to nasal congestion are also added to the symptoms of nasal congestion. symptoms such as pain cough tickling occur.
As a result of the increase in air pollution in the winter months, as a result of the polluted air, it can irritate the throat, as in cigarettes, and increase the complaints of sore throat.
While evaluating the complaint of sore throat, we definitely control the accompanying symptoms. For example, fever, weakness, cough, fatigue, sweating, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing and sputum should definitely be evaluated together with sore throat.
The most valuable causes of sore throat are viral and bacterial causes. The most common are viral causes. Among viruses, viruses such as Influenza, Rhino virus, Adenovirus, parainfluenza, herpes, Coronavirus, Epstain bar virus and coxsaki can be counted. Among bacteria, streptococci are often the causative agent.
The initial form of sore throat, accompanying symptoms, general condition of the patient, and viral-bacterial distinction can be made by examination. Empirical treatment can be started quickly. A definitive diagnosis can be reached by blood analysis and various tests in individuals and children who cannot be differentiated. Many people are afraid that as soon as the symptoms of the disease begin, it will worsen and they use many classical and complementary practices to prevent it. Diseases usually start with a runny nose, nasal congestion and tearing, that is, with rhinitis, then pharyngitis occurs with the addition of sore throat, tickling and difficulty in swallowing, then laryngitis if hoarseness is added, and finally bronchitis occurs by adding dry or phlegmatic cough.
As a result, symptoms can occur in all places that affect the airway, as the airway starts from the nose and continues to the lungs.
Dr. Yavuz Selim Yıldırım talked about how to treat sore throat;
Since viral diseases are mostly seen, I will talk about the treatment of viral sore throat first. Starting antibiotics in viral infections may cause damage to the affected throat flora due to viruses, and healthy cells there by giving antibiotics, and may cause prolongation of the disease. Unless the doctor who examined you prescribes antibiotics, you should not insist on asking for antibiotics.
Antibiotics only work in throat infections due to bacteria and accelerate healing.
In throat infections due to viral causes, the posterior wall of the throat is seen as dotted, swollen and reddened. These rashes cause the throat to become dry, ticklish, and cause pain while eating, drinking, and talking. In other words, when the posterior wall of the throat is irritated due to viral causes, it should be noted that plenty of fluids should be taken to prevent the throat from drying out. At least 1.5-2 liters of liquid should be consumed throughout the day. Drinks such as slightly warm tea and linden, which will also soften the throat, also relieve the throat.
Especially in people with irritated back wall of the throat, honey lozenge, throat spray with honey, throat spray with honey, food and drinks with honey, protect the red area, prevent this area from drying, and provide a clear relief of sore throat. Oily and sticky foods such as tahini-molasses and olive oil, which have the feature of sticking to the throat again, accelerate the beautification by keeping the throat moist.
In cases where the throat mucosa due to viruses is irritated, especially what should not be done, vinegar, lemon, spicy spicy ginger food and drinks that harm the throat should not be consumed! Because lemon is acidic, it causes a little more irritation of the throat mucosa and prolongs the beautification. Likewise, vinegar, salt, bitters and spices can increase irritation of the throat mucosa, delaying healing and worsening the patient’s symptoms.
As a result, Assoc. Dr. Yavuz Selim Yıldırım,” Since the factor of every sore throat is not one-to-one; He said that antibiotics should not be used quickly. Plenty of fluid intake should be ensured. For the treatment of accompanying symptoms, for example, it can be supported with antipyretic pain relievers, and recovery can be accelerated. And sore throat can be cured by treating the acid that irritates the throat, such as reflux, and tobacco products such as hookahs and cigarettes should be avoided.
