Sore throat is one of the common health problems that many people encounter throughout their lives. Although it can develop due to various reasons, the most common cause of sore throat is infections. In infections that occur by affecting only the throat or other organs of the respiratory tract along with the throat from time to time, symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing, cough, itching in the throat, post-nasal drip and dry throat can be observed in addition to pain.
What is Sore Throat?
In addition to infections, sore throats may develop due to different reasons such as various stomach diseases, allergic diseases, respiratory problems and tobacco use. In sore throats, which are mostly mild, the disease can be cured within a few days by taking some precautions such as drinking plenty of fluids and eating soft foods without the need for any medical treatment.
However, sore throats that last longer than a few days and cause problems such as coughing, breathing and feeding difficulties require doctor control and medical treatment. If the cause of the pain is infection, treatment for the infection prevents the disease from progressing and affecting the respiratory tract. In sore throats that occur due to different reasons, the underlying health problem is determined and a treatment plan is started for it.
Sore throat is one of the most common health problems and is the feeling of pain, burning, dryness and roughness in the throat area. Usually, the pain that increases with swallowing causes difficulty in swallowing, called dysphagia. Sore throat can greatly interfere with feeding when swallowing is difficult, especially in severe infections and irritations.
The pain felt can also be perceived as irritation or scratching in the throat. Viral infections are the most common cause of these symptoms. Especially when sore throat is accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, the possibility of infection is high. Viral infections, which are responsible for the majority of sore throat cases encountered in health institutions, do not respond to antibiotic treatment and supportive treatments, natural applications that can be done at home can be improved with the help of
If the cause of the sore throat is a bacterial infection, a different treatment method including the use of antibiotics can be used. Since sore throat can also cause problems such as fever, cough, earache and swallowing problems, treatment applications for these may also be necessary.
What are the Common Symptoms Along with Sore Throat?
Sore throat, It is the feeling of mild, moderate or severe pain in the throat area. Many individuals with a sore throat also have different symptoms. Other symptoms that can be seen in diseases accompanied by sore throat include:
- Discomfort, burning and itching in the throat,
- Aggravated by the pain when swallowing, speaking and eating,
- Sensation of foreign body stinging in the throat,
- Dry or phlegmatic cough,
- Redness, swelling and inflamed appearance in the tonsils and throat,
- Runny nose and sneezing,
- Fever,
- Headache and body aches,
- Voice change or hoarseness,
- Swelling in the neck due to swollen tonsils,
- Ear pain,
- Pain when opening the mouth or moving the jaw,
- Nausea and vomiting.
What Causes Sore Throat?
The most common cause of sore throat is infections caused by microorganisms. These infections also cause infectious diseases such as colds, flu and flu, and a sore throat is seen as a symptom of these diseases. The most common cause is viruses. However, in some cases, throat infections caused by bacteria can also be seen. The causative agent responsible for most of the bacterial infections is the streptococcus type bacteria named "Streptococcus Pyogenes".
Sore throat is more common in autumn and winter months, when colds and flu infections are common, compared to other times of the year. Other sore throats other than infection-related causes Reasons:
- Gastroesophageal reflux (backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus)
- Infectious Mononucleosis (kissing disease)
- Tumors
- Chickenpox, measles, etc. . viral diseases
- Dry throat and pain due to mouth breathing due to nasal congestion
- Use of cigarettes and other tobacco products
- Excessive shouting
- Animal Allergic reactions to allergens such as hair, pollen, mold, house dust and mites
- HIV infection
- Diseases of the throat, tongue and vocal cords
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How to Diagnose Sore Throat?
Individuals who have a sore throat problem and seek answers to the question of what is good for sore throat should first apply to health institutions and have the necessary examination and diagnostic tests done for the cause of the pain.
Health care institutions' ear, nose and throat polyclinics are applied for sore throat. The throat is examined in detail by a physical examination by the physician. If there is a sign of infection, some diagnostic tests for the causative agent may be requested.
In case of suspected respiratory diseases, imaging applications such as lung x-ray and computed tomography are used. With the help of a stethoscope, information about the state of the lungs can be obtained by listening to the respiratory sounds.
In case of suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric endoscopy may be requested. In addition to these, some blood tests are applied and the treatment plan is started after the cause of the pain in the throat is determined exactly.
Taking a detailed medical history of the patient is of great importance in determining the cause of sore throat. The patient's complaints are highly determinative of the cause of the pain. When sore throat hits the ear, it can be confused with ear infections. For this reason, ear examination should also be done in order to investigate ear infections in the patient.What Is Good for Sore Throat?
Only individuals with sore throat and mild pain should consume plenty of fluids and pay attention to oral care. They heal without the need for any medical treatment by avoiding the consumption of very hot and very cold foods. possible.
However, if it lasts longer than a few days and becomes severe, when sore throat brings with it problems such as fever, it is absolutely necessary to apply to health institutions and undergo an examination.
Sore throat can be seen together with hoarseness. This condition is commonly seen in sore throats caused by colds or talking loudly or shouting for a long time.
In addition to this, sore throat may also be present with cough. As a result of the patient's medical history and examinations, the cause of sore throat should be determined and the treatment plan should be shaped accordingly.
For sore throat, various sprays are usually prescribed to relieve the painful area. Some of these have antiseptic properties, so they also have an effect on relieving bacterial infections.
Cough syrups can be used in patients with cough complaints. In addition, physicians should be consulted about what is good for sore throat, and no food supplements or herbal products should be used without a physician's recommendation.
Consuming plenty of warm beverages is very beneficial in terms of relieving the throat. When sore throat is seen together with problems such as inability to swallow and difficulty in swallowing, the possibility of reflux disease becomes stronger. In patients diagnosed with reflux as a result of gastric endoscopy, drugs with antacid properties can be used to prevent stomach acid from damaging the throat and vocal cords.Read: 3
