Causes of chronic pharyngitis

Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Chronic pharyngitis is a very common disease in otolaryngology, with many specific causes that are not singular. Its causes are mainly related to lifestyle habits, diet, and some secondary and primary diseases. Common causes include smoking, alcohol consumption, consumption of spicy and irritating food, staying up late, high psychological stress, and significant emotional fluctuations, all of which can lead to chronic pharyngitis. Another cause is secondary pharyngitis, which results from primary diseases such as chronic rhinitis and sinusitis. Due to the long-term backflow of nasal discharge, which flows back into the throat and irritates the mucous membrane, a chronic inflammatory response is produced. This is also a common cause of chronic pharyngitis. Furthermore, there is reflux pharyngitis, which is also a type of chronic pharyngitis. Some people have stomach diseases and reflux esophagitis, where long-term acid reflux leads to damage in the mucous membranes of the throat, causing chronic inflammation with symptoms such as a foreign body sensation, burning sensation, and throat dryness. Therefore, there are many causes of chronic pharyngitis, including both primary and secondary reasons. A specific diagnosis needs to be made by a doctor based on a thorough medical history and physical examination.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of chronic pharyngitis

Chronic pharyngitis is caused by a variety of reasons, leading to congestion, edema, and lymph follicle proliferation in the mucous membrane and submucosal tissue of the throat. Common causes include repeated inflammatory stimulation, intake of spicy foods, and local symptoms caused by gastric acid reflux. Patients may experience dryness, pain, itching, foreign body sensation, obstruction feeling, burning sensation, irritating dry cough, and hoarseness in the throat. In severe cases, there may even be blood in the sputum. During examination, swelling of the uvula and significant proliferation of lymph follicles can be found in areas such as the lateral pharyngeal wall, posterior pharyngeal wall, and the base of the tongue. In terms of treatment, patients need to first identify the cause, adopt a light diet, quit smoking and alcohol, exercise, avoid colds, and maintain a regular diet with post-meal physical activity for gradual improvement and to prevent recurrence.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to completely cure chronic pharyngitis?

Chronic pharyngitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease and is part of chronic diseases. Although there are many treatment methods available at present, none can achieve a complete cure, and the condition tends to recur. Generally, the treatment of chronic pharyngitis begins with a laryngoscopic examination to assess the extent of the inflammatory response. Common treatments include oral traditional Chinese medicine, and nebulizer therapy can also be considered. The treatment cycle is usually about one to two weeks. After medication, regular follow-ups are necessary to observe recovery. At the same time, a light diet is required, and spicy and irritating foods should be avoided.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Causes of Chronic Pharyngitis Flare-ups

Chronic pharyngitis has many causes, and common clinical causes include the following: First, it is caused by repeated inflammatory stimulation, commonly seen with acute pharyngitis and acute tonsillitis; second, it is due to long-term spicy diet stimulation, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and acid reflux stimulation. The acid liquid and vapors from reflux can irritate the mucosa of the throat, causing congestion, edema, and proliferation of lymphatic follicles in the mucosal lining. This leads to symptoms such as dry throat, sore throat, itchy throat, a foreign body sensation in the throat, a sensation of obstruction, and a burning sensation. Therefore, in treatment, patients first need to exercise, avoid colds, avoid inflammatory invasions, and at the same time, they need a light diet, to quit smoking and drinking, avoid spicy and irritating foods, regulate gastrointestinal function, and avoid acid reflux to gradually improve and prevent recurrent episodes.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of chronic pharyngitis flare-ups

The symptoms of chronic pharyngitis mainly include the following points. The first is a foreign body sensation in the throat. This sensation in the throat is a subjective feeling of the patient, often most noticeable when swallowing saliva, that is, when the throat is otherwise empty. However, there is no significant obstruction when eating or drinking, which is a typical clinical feature and characteristic of chronic pharyngitis caused by a foreign body sensation in the throat. The second symptom is pain in the throat. When chronic pharyngitis is triggered by certain adverse stimuli, there can be a sensation of pain in the throat, as well as nausea. Many people with chronic pharyngitis experience nausea and vomiting, especially in the morning when brushing their teeth or upon waking, which stimulates movement in the throat.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
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Does chronic pharyngitis cause tightness in the chest?

Chronic pharyngitis is a common and frequently occurring disease in otolaryngology. Patients with chronic pharyngitis usually experience tightness in the throat, a foreign body sensation in the throat, discomfort in the pharyngeal area, and difficulty swallowing. The main causes are related to the patient's smoking, drinking, exposure to cold, and chronic inflammation in the throat leading to lymphoid follicle hyperplasia. When the above symptoms occur, one should first visit a hospital in a timely manner, complete examinations including electronic nasopharyngoscopy, routine blood tests, biochemical tests, and C-reactive protein tests to make a clear diagnosis. Furthermore, under the guidance of a senior physician, oral medications for soothing the throat should be used. Additionally, it is advisable to protect your voice, avoid shouting, and maintain a light diet to help prevent the occurrence of chronic pharyngitis.