Chronic pharyngitis is defined as chronic inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, submucosa and lymphatic tissues. It is a common disease in otolaryngology. It mostly occurs in adults. It has a long course, stubborn symptoms, and difficult to cure.Chronic pharyngitis is chronic inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, submucosa and lymphatic tissues. Diffuse pharyngeal inflammation is often part of the chronic inflammation of the upper respiratory tract; localized pharyngeal inflammation is mostly inflammation of the pharyngeal lymphatic tissue. This disease is common in clinic, with a long course, and the symptoms are easy to recur.
Chronic pharyngitis may be caused by inflammation in the throat or adjacent parts, “allergies” or sub-healthy constitution, long-term excessive use of the throat, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and other factors.
Many people think that pharyngitis is a “minor disease” and do not pay attention to it. However, the condition is mild and severe, and the course of the disease can last for several months and years, which will undoubtedly affect normal life and work. How can we prevent and treat this annoying disease? Let’s learn about it with everyone today.
How to be sure that I have chronic pharyngitis？
If the following conditions occur, you may have chronic pharyngitis:
It feels like something is stuck in my throat, and I want to keep coughing to get it out.
I feel like my throat is burning, hot and painful, or like a knife is cutting, it feels obvious when I breathe.
Increased sputum, or started coughing uncontrollably just after entering a slightly colder place.
Classification of chronic pharyngitis:
1. Chronic simple pharyngitis
This type is more common and manifests as chronic congestion of the pharyngeal mucosa. The lesions are mainly concentrated in the mucosal layer of the pharynx, with more lymphatic tissue infiltration around the blood vessels, and infiltration of white blood cells and plasma cells can also be seen. The hyperplasia of mucosa and submucosal connective tissue may be accompanied by hypertrophy of mucous glands, hypersecretion of glands, and increased mucus secretion and thicker mucus.
2. Chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis
Also known as chronic granular pharyngitis and collateral pharyngitis, chronic simple pharyngitis can form chronic hypertrophic pharyngitis if prolonged and unhealed. This type is also very common in clinical practice. The pharyngeal mucosal layer is hyperemic and thickened, and there are extensive connective tissue and lymphoid tissue hyperplasia in the mucosa and submucosa. The lymphoid tissue proliferates and protrudes around the mucous glands, showing multiple granular lymphoid follicles on the posterior pharyngeal wall, which may be chronically congested. Multiple lymphoid follicles can also be fused into one. The inflammatory exudate in the mucous glands can be enclosed, forming a sac-like white dot on the top of the lymphatic granule bulge, and yellow-white exudate can be seen when it is ruptured. This type of chronic pharyngitis often involves the lymphatic tissue of the lateral pharyngeal cord, causing it to proliferate and thicken in the form of a cord.
3. Atrophic and sicca pharyngitis
It is rare in clinical practice. The secretion of mucous glands decreases at the beginning of the onset, and the secretions are thick and dry. Following chronic inflammation of the submucosa, organizing and contracting gradually occur, compressing the glands and blood vessels, reducing glandular secretion and nutritional disorders, resulting in the gradual atrophy and thinning of the mucosa and submucosa. There may be dry or purulent scabs attached to the back wall of the pharynx, usually accompanied by a foul smell.
4. Chronic allergic pharyngitis
Also known as chronic allergic pharyngitis. It is a type I allergy mediated by IgE that occurs in the pharyngeal mucosa. The allergen stimulates the pharyngeal mucosa, transforming plasma cells that synthesize IgM into plasma cells that synthesize IgE, and IgE attaches to the surface of mast cells and basophils, making the pharyngeal mucosa in a sensitized state. When the same allergen contacts the body again, the allergen binds to the IgE on the surface of the mediator cells, causing the mediator cells to degranulate and release a variety of inflammatory mediators including histamine and synthetic prostaglandins, which can cause telangiectasia and blood vessels. Increased permeability and increased glandular secretion can cause allergic reactions. Food allergens cause allergic reactions mainly through complement C3 and C4 pathways. Chronic allergic pharyngitis is usually accompanied by systemic allergic diseases or allergic rhinitis, and it can also occur alone. Seasonal chronic allergic pharyngitis, its symptoms may change seasonally. If you are allergic to food, symptoms related to chronic pharyngitis may appear after eating allergenic foods.
5. Chronic reflux pharyngitis
Related to gastroesophageal reflux. Gastric juice directly damages the pharyngeal mucosa due to gastroesophageal reflux or causes chronic inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa and submucosa through neural reflexes
How to cure the chronic pharyngitis
Nebulization therapy mainly refers to aerosol inhalation therapy. The so-called aerosol refers to tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. Therefore, aerosol inhalation therapy uses an atomized device to disperse the drug (solution or powder) into tiny droplets or particles, which are suspended in the gas and enter the respiratory tract and lungs to achieve clean airways and humidify the airways. , The purpose of local treatment (antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant) and systemic treatment. Often used to treat chronic pharyngitis.
