Throat swelling

Swelling of the throat is a pathological condition that occurs with many diseases. Let's consider the main causes of this symptom, types, methods of diagnosis and treatment. Swelling appears with inflammatory and allergic diseases, anaphylactic shock, diphtheria and other ailments. In order to begin treatment, it is necessary to know the reason for its appearance.

If the disorder occurs with lesions of the oropharynx, acute respiratory viral infections and inflammatory diseases, the prognosis is favorable. Severe swelling, which occurs with angina and is manifested on the neck, subcutaneous fat and face with signs of intoxication, is treated for a long time and requires urgent medical care. Swelling left unattended can lead to asphyxia and death.

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Causes throat swelling

There are many factors that provoke swelling. Let's look at the main causes of throat swelling:

• Mechanical damage to the larynx due to trauma, swallowing foreign objects, surgical operations.
• Burn and inflammation due to drinking hot liquid.
• X-ray examinations and radiotherapy of the cervical organs.
• Purulent and inflammatory processes in the peripharyngeal space.
• Exacerbation of a chronic infection, such as tuberculosis or syphilis.
• Measles, flu, typhus, scarlet fever.
• Various neoplasms of the larynx.
• Phlegmonous laryngitis.
• Impaired blood circulation due to compression of veins and lymphatic vessels.
• Allergic reactions to medications, foods or external irritants.
• Inflammation of the perichondrium or cartilage of the larynx.
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, liver.

Swelling does not develop on its own, if it appears, then some changes occur in the body. But most often this symptom appears due to an inflammatory process in the throat tissues. If the malaise appears with colds or infectious diseases, then it is associated with inflammation of the tonsils, larynx. With allergies, swelling is pronounced, accompanied by increased lacrimation and hyperemia of the skin of the face.

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Pathogenesis

The mechanism of development of edema depends on the cause that caused it. Pathogenesis can be associated with inflammatory or infectious contamination, mechanical injuries.

• Swelling occurs on the mucous membrane of the pharynx, before the transition to the esophagus. This area is innervated by pain receptors, has a rich blood supply, so swelling appears when exposed to inflammatory and any other irritants. Most often, this occurs with tonsillitis, local changes in the tonsils. In this case, the swelling is asymmetrical, that is, it appears on one side and affects part of the face due to the formed abscesses.
• In the second case, swelling appears in the upper part of the respiratory tract, that is, in the larynx. During swallowing, the epiglottis closes the entrance to the larynx, but when it is inflamed, it swells (laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis). This often occurs with allergic reactions. For example, when bitten by a wasp or bee, severe swelling of the neck can develop, which turns into Quincke's edema or anaphylactic shock.

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Symptoms throat swelling

Various irritants affecting the body can cause swelling of the respiratory organs. Symptoms of throat swelling depend on the cause that caused it. At the initial stage, slight discomfort appears, it becomes difficult to breathe. Painful sensations intensify when swallowing, as the lumen of the larynx swells and narrows. At this point, an attack of suffocation may begin, which is life-threatening.

Symptoms:

• Pain when swallowing in the area of the mucous membrane, which is similar to the early signs of tonsillitis.
• Pain in the neck (appears when turning the head).
• Symptoms of intoxication of the body: headaches, deterioration of general health, fever.
• Hoarseness and voice change.
• Swelling of the neck and part of the face.
• Hyperemia, granularity and swelling of the mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall.
• Foreign body sensation.
• Paroxysmal dry cough.
• Swelling of the knees (rare).

The above symptoms may indicate inflammatory, allergic and other pathological processes that caused the malaise. To determine the cause of the unpleasant symptoms, the doctor conducts a visual examination and palpation of the larynx. If swallowing is difficult, then laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy and chest X-ray with larynx are performed.

Once the swelling has spread to the mucous membrane of the vocal cords, the symptoms intensify. The swelling can increase over several hours or days, depending on the pathogen. Such symptoms require medical attention. If pathological signs persist for several days, this can lead to serious complications.

First signs

The symptoms of a pathological condition that is accompanied by compression of the respiratory tract depend on the factors that provoked it. The first signs are based on the nature of the irritant, let's consider them:

• Foreign body sensation.
• Pain when swallowing.
• Intoxication: high temperature, chills, fever.
• Dry cough, sore throat.
• Hoarseness, aphonia.
• Shortness of breath, pale skin.
• Increased heart rate.
• Cold sweat.

Due to swelling of the throat, the general condition worsens, acrocyanosis (blueness of the skin) is possible. It is difficult and painful to breathe, oxygen deficiency occurs. If the swelling progresses at this stage, it leads to blockage of the airways and asphyxia. As a result of suffocation, hypoxia of the brain develops, the consequences of which are irreversible. When the first signs of malaise appear, it is necessary to seek medical help. The doctor will determine the cause of the painful condition and prescribe its treatment.

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Severe swelling of the throat

Swollen throat is a symptom that requires urgent treatment. Severe swelling of the throat is characterized by pronounced swelling of the mucous membrane and narrowing of the larynx, which makes breathing difficult. This is most often observed in allergic reactions and laryngitis.

Let's consider the main degrees of swelling:

• Shortness of breath and noise when breathing at rest, during light physical exertion or emotional stress.
• Swelling and redness of the mucous membrane of the larynx and palate.
• Signs of hypoxia.
• Drawing in the sternum during inhalation.
• Arrhythmic, shallow breathing, convulsions.

If severe swelling is caused by an allergic trigger, then swelling of the neck and face, itching in the ears, increased lacrimation and a runny nose are possible. Inflammation worsens the general state of health, increases the temperature and other signs of intoxication.

Cough with swelling of the throat

A sore throat and cough are symptoms that arise due to the action of various irritants. A cough with a swollen throat may indicate the development of an allergic reaction. Inhalation or consumption of an allergen provokes swelling of the larynx, causes hoarseness, runny nose, itching in the nose, sneezing, redness of the face and neck, and rapid heartbeat.

• An allergic cough, unlike a cold cough, is paroxysmal and is not accompanied by fever. The use of medications in this case can provoke a spasm of the respiratory tract and swelling of the bronchial mucosa.
• Swelling of the throat and coughing fits are typical for acute respiratory and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. Swelling develops in the larynx and nasal sinuses, complicating breathing. An elevated temperature appears, the cough is prolonged and rough. Against this background, it becomes difficult to breathe, since the mucous membrane of the larynx is swollen and narrows the lumen for the normal entry and exit of air.

Oxygen deficiency causes paleness or cyanosis of the skin. The muscles of the anterior abdominal wall and neck are tense, the heartbeat is rapid. In this case, complex therapy is used for treatment. The patient is prescribed decongestants, general tonics and antibiotics.

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Swelling of the throat with angina

One of the most dangerous complications of an infectious disease is swelling of the throat. As a rule, this occurs due to follicular-lacunar tonsillitis or its necrotic form. The swelling does not go beyond the entrance to the larynx, but can spread to the vocal cords and the area below them. The pathological process affects the connective tissue of the arytenoid cartilage, the arytenoid-epiglottic folds and the epiglottis, causing the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Inability to swallow
• Sore throat and ear pain
• Cough and hoarseness
• Bluish discoloration of the skin of the face

In order to diagnose swelling of the larynx during tonsillitis, the doctor carefully studies the symptoms that appear, the location of the swelling and the rate of its spread.

The swelling that appears can lead to asphyxia. Therefore, at the first signs of tonsillitis, it is necessary to seek medical help. Severe swelling causes a peritonsillar abscess. Antihistamines, anti-inflammatory and diuretic drugs, a set of physiotherapy procedures are prescribed for treatment. To eliminate the swelling, you need to act quickly, as it can lead to irreversible consequences. In especially severe cases, a tracheotomy is performed.

Swelling of the throat with laryngitis

Laryngitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the mucous membrane of the larynx. The disease occurs in patients of different ages, but in children in a more severe form. Swelling of the throat with laryngitis is one of the pathological symptoms. Patients lose their voice, cough, pain, and fever appear.

The symptoms are conventionally divided into several stages. At the first stage, hoarseness of the voice and dry cough, swelling of the larynx appear. At the last stage, the intercostal space sinks when inhaling and the nasolabial triangle turns blue. The swelling increases at night, causing difficulty falling asleep and frequent night awakenings due to breathing problems.

Treatment cannot be postponed, so at the first symptoms of laryngitis, you should seek medical help. To alleviate a dry cough, it is recommended to do inhalations and increase the humidity in the room. To facilitate breathing, you need to take an upright position and drink more warm liquids.

If the swelling has caused respiratory arrest, the patient's gag reflex is induced. To do this, press on the root of the tongue with a spoon or finger. Antihistamines are used as medications, but they are usually prescribed for swelling caused by various allergens. But even after a full course of treatment, acute laryngitis may recur.

Swollen throat with pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is an inflammatory disease of the pharynx. The disease is characterized by damage to the mucous membrane and lymph nodes. As a rule, it occurs against the background of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Most often, pharyngitis is diagnosed in patients over 30 years old. According to medical statistics, men get sick more often than women. The symptoms are similar to other pathological conditions, so the disease is detected at late stages.

Swelling of the throat with pharyngitis is one of many different symptoms:

• At the initial stage, there are unpleasant sensations when swallowing, dryness, irritation, burning and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat.
• The mucous membrane is inflamed, covered with a film or purulent discharge.
• The patient complains of general weakness, headaches and subfebrile temperature.
• The occipital and jaw lymph nodes are enlarged and painful.

Pharyngitis is similar to laryngitis in its symptoms, as both diseases cause swelling of the larynx and difficulty breathing. The course of the disease and the severity of symptoms depend on the pathogen. Swelling can occur in all forms of pharyngitis. If the pathology is of an allergic nature, antihistamines are used to eliminate swelling.

If drug therapy does not bring the expected result, then surgical intervention is used for treatment. In the hypertrophic form, the affected areas of the mucosa are cauterized using laser coagulation and cryodestruction. Without proper treatment, the disease causes a number of complications. Most often, these are purulent tonsillitis, retropharyngeal abscess, tracheitis, bronchitis, phlegmon, laryngitis, otitis, cervical lymphadenitis.

Allergic swelling of the throat

Inhalation or consumption of various irritants causes allergic reactions. They manifest themselves in many organs and systems. But most often these are: swelling, redness or puffiness of the skin, difficulty breathing. Increased salivation and lacrimation, nasal congestion appear.

Allergic edema is characterized by stenosis of the epiglottis and throat tissues, and the arytenoid cartilages may also be affected. The disorder is dangerous because it is lightning fast and is accompanied by loss of voice. Edema can lead to asphyxia, oxygen starvation of the brain, and death.

To eliminate pathological symptoms, it is necessary to remove the allergen and restore normal breathing. For these purposes, intravenous injections of antihistamines are used, for example, atropine or magnesium sulfate. Further examination and treatment are carried out in a hospital setting.

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Swelling of the throat and nose

Various inflammatory diseases are the main cause of nasal edema. The mucous membrane of the nasal sinuses becomes inflamed, causing increased mucus secretion and difficulty breathing through the nose. Swelling of the throat and nose occurs with laryngitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, acute respiratory viral infections, and allergic reactions. All these diseases are characterized by the fact that the pathological process occurs in the upper respiratory tract, affecting the larynx.

The disorder can be caused by banal hypothermia, viral and bacterial infections, the effect of mechanical or chemical irritants on the mucous membranes. Treatment depends on the type of pathogen. Based on the etiology of the disease, the doctor prescribes local, symptomatic or systemic therapy. To alleviate well-being and restore normal breathing, it is recommended to rinse the nasal cavity with antiseptic solutions, instill vasoconstrictor and antibacterial drops.

Swelling of the back of the throat

Throat diseases appear throughout life. Most often, this occurs in the cold season, when viruses and bacteria are especially active. Swelling of the back wall of the throat occurs with acute pharyngitis, various colds, allergies. But most often, it is lateral pharyngitis that causes this symptom.

• The features of the malaise are inflammation and thickening of the lateral ridges of the pharynx. The affected lymphoid tissues have protective properties, they do not allow viruses and bacteria to penetrate into the systems and organs. Frequent inflammatory and infectious processes change their structure, which provokes swelling and other pathological symptoms.
• Swelling of the back wall of the larynx is accompanied by itching, makes breathing and swallowing difficult. It can be caused by the abuse of vasoconstrictor drugs (drops, sprays). In this case, the medicine gets on the inflamed and swollen vessels, which, flowing down the larynx, injures the mucous membrane and causes swelling.
• The pathological symptom often occurs in smokers. A dry, hacking cough appears, which is accompanied by swelling of the throat and can lead to asphyxia. At the first signs of the disorder, it is necessary to give up the bad habit.

Antibiotics, antihistamines and sprays are used for treatment. If swelling has caused difficulty breathing, then for emergency aid you can use a throat irrigation product: mix an ampoule of novocaine, glucose and hydrocortisone in one syringe without a needle and slowly distribute over the inflamed tissues. If the ailment is purulent, then to eliminate it, resort to complete sanitation of the throat.

Swelling and redness of the throat

Many respiratory diseases have similar symptoms. First of all, this is swelling and redness of the throat, nasal congestion, fever, deterioration of general health. With a cold, bronchospasms and pain behind the breastbone appear. Hyperemia of the mucous membrane is caused by the inflammatory process due to the action of viruses and bacteria. Similar symptoms can be of an allergic nature. This occurs due to inhalation or consumption of irritants. Swelling is accompanied by a dry cough, lacrimation, hyperemia of the skin of the face and neck.

The disorder may be accompanied by a feeling of heat in the throat, dry mouth, hoarseness of the voice and pain when swallowing. Such symptoms are typical of allergic pharyngitis. Hyperemic and edematous mucous membrane causes subfebrile temperature, difficulty in swallowing saliva. Against this background, respiratory failure occurs, which threatens a fatal outcome.

Swelling and redness may be accompanied by a sensation of a foreign body when breathing and swallowing. In this case, swallowing is impaired, shortness of breath, hoarseness or complete loss of voice occur. In particularly severe cases - Quincke's edema. The veins in the neck swell, the face takes on a bluish tint, the area of swelling is painful, fear and anxiety appear. At the decompensation stage, the edema is so extensive that suffocation causes convulsions and loss of consciousness.

Swollen throat and fever

Sore throat and fever usually occur with colds. Tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis and other infectious and inflammatory diseases are accompanied by these symptoms. This is possible with severe allergic reactions.

Let's consider the common causes of the pathological condition:

• Acute pharyngitis is an infectious disease. The main symptoms are dryness and swelling, subfebrile temperature, muscle pain and other signs of intoxication. The lymph nodes are enlarged and painful to palpation. The mucous membrane of the throat is hyperemic, swelling of the tonsils, hard and soft palate is possible.
• Angina is a bacterial disease that most often develops against the background of advanced colds. With this pathology, a high temperature appears, there are purulent deposits on the throat and tonsils.
• Pharyngomycosis is a fungal infection of the pharynx caused by Candida albicans. Unlike inflammation, the disease causes burning, dryness, irritation and swelling of the throat. The pain intensifies when trying to swallow food or saliva. The temperature is elevated, there are signs of intoxication of the body.
• Retropharyngeal abscess – appears with deep damage to the mucous membrane of the pharynx. Due to the penetration of infection into the retropharyngeal space, tissue edema begins. Most often, this occurs with stab wounds and foreign bodies in the pharynx. It increases over several days, causing attacks of suffocation. Pain when swallowing, respiratory distress, regional lymphadenitis, and fever appear.

Symptomatic therapy aimed at facilitating breathing is used to treat the above-described pathological conditions. Vasoconstrictor sprays, irrigations, and rinses are used. After this, the patient is prescribed antibiotics, antifungals, antihistamines, and other drugs.

Swollen throat without fever

Often, sore throats occur without additional pathological symptoms. Swelling of the throat without fever can be caused by pharyngitis of an allergic or toxic form. The disease causes pain when swallowing without fever and heat. In order to provoke the disorder, it is enough to smoke a cigarette. The allergen will cause swelling, redness of the mucous membrane, coughing and dry mouth. Chronic pharyngitis has similar symptoms.

Edema without temperature occurs with injuries. Various injuries to the mucous membrane of the pharynx cause painful sensations when swallowing. Swelling occurs with chemical (alcohols, vinegar and other acids), mechanical (cuts, foreign bodies, wounds) and thermal (burns) defects:

1. A chemical burn is the most dangerous and severe injury to the throat. The longer the irritant acts on the mucous membrane, the more extensive the erosion, risk of infection and bleeding. Severe pain in the throat and swelling appear. If the burn occurred with alkalis or vinegar, the scab is white, with damage from sulfuric or hydrochloric acid, the crust is gray. After such injuries, rough scars remain, which lead to narrowing of the esophagus and pharynx.
2. Thermal burn – usually occurs due to carelessness while eating hot food or tea, or when working with steam and gas. The oral cavity and larynx are burned first, causing damage of varying degrees.
   • At the first stage, the damaged epithelium peels off, the pharynx is hyperemic and edematous. Burning in the esophagus and larynx increases when swallowing.
   • The second stage is characterized by local changes in the mucous membrane (scab, bleeding surfaces) and deterioration of general well-being. After healing, small scars remain on the mucous membrane.
   • The third degree has deep damage under the scabs, erosions and ulcers. Pathological changes heal slowly, leading to narrowing of the pharynx and breathing problems.
3. Mechanical injuries – occur due to foreign bodies getting into the pharynx. Small objects and pieces of food can get stuck between the tonsils, arches and ridges in the back of the oropharynx. If foreign bodies are in the upper parts of the pharynx, they can be removed, as they are clearly visible. If the lower and middle parts are affected, it is difficult to conduct a visual inspection. In this case, the foreign object becomes inflamed, causing swelling and severe pain. If the laryngopharynx is affected, suffocation attacks are possible. X-ray or retropharyngoscopy is performed to eliminate the pathology.

Swelling of the throat and tongue

Unpleasant swelling, that is, edema, causes painful sensations and requires urgent treatment. Swelling of the throat and tongue is especially difficult to bear. Most often, the pathological condition occurs with allergic and inflammatory diseases. It can be caused by a cold, measles, flu, injuries. Metabolic disorders, oral cancer, genetic abnormalities, the presence of piercings can also lead to unpleasant symptoms.

Let's look at the most dangerous causes of swelling:

• Unpleasant symptoms can occur as a result of allergic reactions. This happens when taking certain medications, foods, or inhaling allergens.
• Angioedema - has allergic roots and rapid development. Without timely medical care, it causes asphyxia and suffocation. For treatment, take antihistamines, clear the larynx to restore breathing.
• Swelling of the tongue and uvula occurs with allergic reactions. Symptoms appear with tonsillitis, allergies, infectious inflammation, and various injuries.

Regardless of the cause of the pathological condition, the patient needs urgent treatment.

Swollen throat due to cold

Respiratory diseases cause a variety of painful symptoms that manifest themselves in all organs and systems. Swelling of the throat during a cold is usually accompanied by a cough, runny nose, watery eyes, fever and other signs of intoxication.

• If swelling appears simultaneously with more severe symptoms: coughing up thick mucus, high temperature, then this indicates a complication of the cold - pneumonia.
• Often, swelling occurs due to swelling of the upper palate, which is pressed by the inflamed nasopharynx. As a rule, such complications are inherent in a cold with sinusitis, sinusitis or rhinitis.
• The discomfort may be caused by adenoids. The uvula moves downwards and irritates the larynx when swallowing. This occurs with laryngitis, pharyngitis and in long-term smokers.

Treatment of throat swelling due to a cold is aimed at eliminating the underlying disease. Patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory and vitamin preparations. Vasoconstrictors, nasal sprays with saline solution, alkaline inhalations, gargles and warming compresses have therapeutic properties.

Swollen throat with ARVI

Acute respiratory viral infections are a group of diseases that have similar symptoms - damage to the respiratory organs. Swelling of the throat during ARVI is caused by infectious and viral irritants that negatively affect the unprotected mucous membrane. You can become infected with the virus by airborne droplets, due to failure to observe personal hygiene rules and with a weakened immune system.

The disease is characterized by a general infectious syndrome: muscle pain and chills, weakness, fever, redness and burning of the throat, itching in the ears, enlarged lymph nodes. Catarrhal symptoms, i.e. swelling of the mucous membrane, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, cough with sputum production are paroxysmal.

Flu, unlike other ARIs, has pronounced symptoms, so swelling and redness appear from the first days of the disease. Parainfluenza, that is, laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx) and pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx) are accompanied by conjunctivitis, chest pain and breathing problems. As a rule, the symptoms of ARI pass within 7-10 days. But if the disease progresses and occurs with complications, then emergency medical care is required.

Swelling of the vocal cords of the throat

The vocal cords, like other organs of the respiratory system, are subject to various diseases. They are located on both sides of the larynx and are elastic formations of muscle tissue. Swelling of the throat cords occurs due to the penetration of infection or an allergen into the glottis, which is located between them. This organ protects the bronchi and lungs from harmful microorganisms and foreign bodies.

• Any acute inflammatory diseases of the larynx involve the vocal cords in the pathological process. This leads to their swelling and a decrease in the glottis. This is possible with allergies, due to excessive vocal strain or viral diseases. Symptoms appear with purulent processes in the oral cavity and at the root of the tongue. And also with scarlet fever, typhoid, syphilis, tuberculosis, measles.
• If an infection joins the inflammation, then infiltration and serous effusion are formed. The pathological process develops in the submucosal layer, causing pain when swallowing, voice disorders and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Serous effusion can also affect the intermuscular connective tissue layers. In this case, the lumen of the glottis narrows and causes suffocation. For treatment, an operation is performed to open the abscess and clean the larynx area.
• Edema of a non-inflammatory nature appears in diseases of the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system, in disorders of blood circulation of lymphatic vessels and veins in the cervical region. The affected tissues become thickened and painful upon palpation.

Treatment depends on the causes of the swelling. If the malaise is caused by cardiovascular diseases, then cardiac drugs are used, in case of kidney or liver diseases - diuretics and anti-inflammatory drugs, in case of allergies - antihistamines.

If the swelling persists for a long time, it leads to hoarseness and timbre changes in the color of the voice. The lungs stop receiving air, and this threatens breathing problems and causes suffocation. Chronic swelling can provoke an oncological disease. Treatment should be carried out in a hospital setting. The doctor determines the cause of the pathology and prescribes drugs to restore the normal size of the organ.

Swollen throat after alcohol

Drinking alcohol puts increased stress on all organs and systems. Even mild signs of intoxication leave their mark. Swelling of the throat after drinking alcohol is a symptom that many people experience. It can appear simultaneously with swelling of the face, arms, and legs. Naturally, not everyone experiences this reaction, but long-term use of alcohol increases the risk of its development.

Swelling of the larynx after alcoholic drinks indicates fluid accumulation in the tissues, problems with the blood supply and excretory systems. Stagnation occurs due to imbalance of acid-salt balance and ionic equilibrium. Dehydration is caused by the action of ethyl alcohol, causes alcohol intoxication, which manifests itself at the nervous and humoral levels of regulation.

To eliminate the pathological condition, it is necessary to detoxify the body:

• Drinking purified water will relieve dehydration and speed up the process of removing ethyl alcohol breakdown products. This will help relieve swelling in the respiratory system and minimize hangover symptoms.
• Green tea and medicinal decoctions of chamomile, calendula and St. John's wort have medicinal properties. Pour a glass of boiling water over a spoonful of herbs and let it brew. It is recommended to drink the remedy in small sips throughout the day.
• Be sure to visit a doctor. If alcohol constantly causes swelling, causing suffocation, then you need to undergo an examination and begin treatment. Of the drugs, you can take diuretics, but only on doctor's prescription.

How quickly the swelling will go down depends on a number of factors. First of all, this is the presence of an allergy to ethyl alcohol, the age and weight of the patient, the condition of the blood vessels, liver and kidneys, hereditary predisposition. Another factor is the length of time the patient has been drinking alcohol, the longer it is, the more pronounced the swelling is and the longer it will last.

Swelling of the throat with myositis

Cervical myositis is an inflammatory disease that every person faces at least once in their life. The disorder is curable, but is accompanied by painful symptoms, which causes a lot of inconvenience. Swelling of the throat with myositis is considered a pathological sign of the disease.

Myositis is dangerous for the muscles of the pharynx, larynx and esophagus, as it disrupts normal breathing, causing coughing and shortness of breath. The malaise appears when:

• Infectious diseases (flu, tonsillitis, rheumatism).
• Toxic lesions.
• Endocrine disorders.
• Parasitic infections and injuries.

Excessive hypothermia or prolonged muscle tension can also cause the defect. The first symptoms appear as swelling of the throat mucosa. Due to inflammation, muscle fibers swell, causing reflex spasms. As a result, irritation of nerve endings and severe pain occur. Painful sensations are asymmetrical, appear in the frontal area, temples, ears and even shoulders.

Diagnosis of the disorder is not difficult, as swelling, muscle weakness and pain allow one to suspect myositis. With proper treatment, 70% of all cases of the disease disappear within 2-3 weeks. Without proper therapy, the pathology leads to serious complications, one of which is complete atrophy of the neck muscles.

Swollen throat from honey

Honey is a healthy, tasty and vitamin-rich delicacy that can cause a severe allergic reaction. Side effects occur with individual intolerance to bee products. Swelling of the throat from honey is the most common reaction to the sweet liquid.

The main reasons for swelling of the larynx due to honey:

• The bee product is poorly processed and contains a lot of allergenic pollen.
• Before collecting honey, the bees were treated with medications, which caused the allergic reaction.
• Abuse of honey. You can consume a maximum of 100 g of sweets per day.
• The product contains enzymes, fructose and glucose, which cause adverse symptoms.

Side effects very often appear in people with bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, a weakened immune system, gastrointestinal disorders and slagging of the body.

Swelling of the throat and other signs of allergy to honey appear 10-30 minutes after consuming the product. Skin reactions are possible: rash, blisters, swelling, dermatitis. Problems with the respiratory system are progressive. First, there is a sore throat, spasms in the bronchi and lungs, sneezing, coughing, profuse discharge of mucus from the nose, shortness of breath and fever.

In addition to the throat, the tongue, lips, and eyelids may swell. Intestinal problems begin: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, painful sensations in the abdomen. Honey can lead to anaphylactic shock and suffocation. Blood pressure gradually drops, the skin becomes hyperemic, increased sweating, severe thirst, and respiratory failure begin. To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, antihistamines, medicinal decoctions, sprays, compresses, and drops are used. Before using medications, you must consult a doctor.

Swollen throat during pregnancy

Many expectant mothers face various diseases and painful symptoms, which in most cases are caused by hormonal changes in the body. If a woman's throat is swollen during pregnancy, the larynx area narrows, causing pain when swallowing and breathing problems. The pathological condition can be caused by the presence of an infection in the body, inflammatory, bacterial processes.

The main causes of throat swelling in pregnant women:

• Complication of X-ray irradiation or radiotherapy directed to the neck.
• Long-term intubation of the larynx and its injuries.
• Acute and chronic infectious diseases.
• Allergic reactions.
• Purulent-inflammatory processes in the cervical region, pharynx, root of the tongue, palatine tonsils, peripharyngeal space.
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system, liver and kidneys.

Swelling of the throat may be accompanied by swelling of the neck and face. There are pains, a sensation of a foreign body in the throat, hoarseness of the voice, noisy and difficult breathing. Treatment depends on the cause of the pathology, so it requires medical care. If drug therapy is ineffective, then surgical intervention is indicated.

Complications and consequences

Throat diseases have different degrees of severity and treatment speed. Without proper therapy, they lead to serious consequences that negatively affect the functioning of the entire body.

Possible consequences of throat swelling:

• High blood pressure.
• Hypotension.
• Increased pulse rate and blood flow.
• Shortness of breath, heavy breathing involving the muscles of the neck, back and shoulders.
• Increased vascular permeability and an increase in the number of red blood cells.
• Hypertrophy of the cardiac muscle.
• Anaerobic processes at the cellular level.
• Oxygen starvation, which disrupts the functioning of all organs and systems.

To prevent the above-described disorders, at the first signs of pathology, it is necessary to seek medical help.

Any allergic, inflammatory or infectious reaction in the respiratory organs, left unattended, causes many serious disorders.

Complications of throat swelling:

• Oxygen starvation – hypoxia leads to disruptions in the functioning of vital organs and systems (cardiovascular, nervous).
• If swelling of the larynx develops against the background of ARVI, this can cause decompensation, that is, the inability of the body to respond to the pathology in a timely and correct manner.
• Risk of death - severe swelling causes breathing problems, shortness of breath and suffocation.

The severity of complications depends on the severity of the pathological process and the cause of swelling of the respiratory organs. If this is a severe allergic reaction, then without timely medical care it can cause death.

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Diagnostics throat swelling

Treatment of any disease or painful symptoms begins with establishing the cause of their development. Diagnosis of throat swelling is based on a detailed survey and examination of the patient using special instruments. The doctor examines the respiratory functions, diagnostics can be carried out by an ENT surgeon, phoniatrist or otolaryngologist.

During diagnostics the following methods are used:

• Direct/indirect laryngoscopy with or without biopsy.
• X-ray examination (contrast, direct), tomography.
• Endoscopy (to determine the extent of the spread of the pathological process to the respiratory organs).
• Bronchoscopy.

During the examination, it is necessary to exclude diseases of the cardiovascular system, internal organs or tracheal stenosis, which can also cause swelling of the throat.

Tests

Laboratory diagnostics consists of many diagnostic methods. Tests are necessary to determine the cause of throat swelling. Patients are prescribed a general and biochemical blood test, urine analysis, tracheal and laryngeal content culture, blood gas analysis and other procedures.

• General blood and urine analysis – reveals inflammatory, infectious and bacterial changes.
• Allergy test – blood is tested for immunoglobulin. Its high levels in combination with pathological symptoms that complement swelling are a reason to consult an allergist.
• Laryngeal and tracheal swabs – a throat and nasal swab is needed to identify harmful microorganisms that cause swelling. This analysis shows the type and amount of bacteria living on the mucous membranes.
• Arterial blood gas analysis – the analysis is prescribed to assess the efficiency of gas exchange in the lungs, the integrity of the respiratory system and to determine the acid-base balance. Most often, the study is carried out in cases of frequent asthma attacks.

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Instrumental diagnostics

To establish the cause of throat swelling, various methods are used, but instrumental diagnostics deserves special attention. Its purpose is to determine the causes of the disorder and its severity.

Let's consider the main instrumental research methods:

• Microlaryngoscopy – this procedure helps identify foreign bodies in the larynx, tumors, congenital defects and cicatricial changes that complicate breathing. During the study, an endoscopic biopsy can be performed with subsequent histological analysis. This allows you to determine morphological changes in the muscles and walls of the larynx.
• Bronchoscopy is a study based on endoscopic visual examination of the condition of the mucous membranes of the tracheobronchial tree. When used for therapeutic purposes, it allows removing foreign objects, foci of purulent lesions and stopping bleeding. Eliminates mild collapse.
• Vocal function examination – is performed when the vocal cords are swollen. The patient undergoes phonetography, stroboscopy and electroglottography. With their help, it is possible to determine the degree of mobility of the cords and their condition.
• Direct laryngoscopy – this method is used to examine the condition of the larynx. It is used to remove foreign bodies and benign tumors.

In addition to the above-described methods, instrumental diagnostics include CT of the larynx, ultrasound of the thyroid gland, X-ray of the esophagus, X-ray of the lungs, MRI and CT of the brain.

Differential diagnosis

Many inflammatory, infectious and allergic reactions have similar symptoms - swelling of the throat. Differential diagnostics allows us to identify the root cause of the swelling, separating it from other pathologies.

• Differentiation is carried out with stenosis of the larynx and trachea, pharyngitis, laryngitis, acute respiratory viral infections, bronchial asthma, oncological lesions, allergies and other pathological processes.
• Respiratory problems can be of varying degrees, in combination with other symptoms: swelling of the vocal cords, tongue and unilateral edema.
• Hyperemic and edematous mucous membrane may indicate inflammatory processes, malignant tumors or foreign bodies that block breathing.

A thorough collection of anamnesis, laboratory diagnostics and objective assessment of research results allows us to determine the cause of the malaise.

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Treatment throat swelling

Elimination of swelling of the respiratory organs depends on the cause of its occurrence and its severity. Treatment of swelling of the throat is aimed at minimizing painful symptoms and restoring normal breathing.

• If the swelling is caused by an allergic reaction, then you should take glucocorticoid drugs and antihistamines.
• If the pathological condition is caused by a foreign object in the larynx, then it must be removed.
• If swelling is of an inflammatory or infectious nature, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are taken.
• In particularly severe cases, i.e. decompensation, an intubation tube is inserted into the trachea until the edema is completely removed. If intubation is impossible, then the trachea is cut to facilitate breathing and air access to the lungs.
• If the disorder is the result of an injury, then an urgent medical examination is necessary, since swelling combined with wounds can cause suppuration and even sepsis.
• If the compression occurs very often, i.e. is chronic, then surgical methods are used for treatment. Therapy is aimed at excising scars or removing the neoplasm blocking the lumen of the larynx.

In addition to the above treatment methods, many doctors recommend humidifying the air in the room, using essential oils and gargling with saline solutions.

Prevention

Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. Prevention of laryngeal swelling is based on timely diagnosis and treatment of diseases that can cause the disorder:

• Treatment of upper respiratory tract infections and infectious diseases.
• When performing surgery on the larynx or vocal cords, it is necessary to choose the most gentle method.
• Avoid inhaling allergens, alkalis, acids and hot air.
• Minimize any damage to the neck and larynx area.
• Intubation should not last more than 3-7 days.
• If you have a history of laryngeal diseases, you should be seen by an otolaryngologist.

Particular attention should be paid to increasing the protective properties of the immune system. This is relevant for patients who experience swelling due to inflammatory or infectious diseases. For prevention purposes, it is recommended to take vitamin and mineral complexes.

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Forecast

Swelling of the throat is a pathological condition that can lead to asphyxia. The prognosis depends on the causes of the malaise. If these are colds, damage to internal organs or an allergic reaction, then a comprehensive approach is used for treatment, aimed at eliminating painful symptoms and the underlying cause of the disorder.

The prognosis for throat swelling is favorable if medical help is sought in a timely manner. If time was lost and breathing problems led to oxygen starvation of internal organs, then this threatens a fatal outcome.