Treatment and prevention of granular pharyngitis.

Granular pharyngitis is a fairly common, chronic upper respiratory tract disease. Frequent recurrences cause the lymph nodes in the pharyngeal wall to hypertrophy to varying sizes, resembling granules.

High risk for those addicted to beer and alcohol.

Chronic pharyngitis is more common in adults than in other age groups. The main cause of the disease is the invasion of external agents such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

A common scenario is that a virus attacks and destroys the mucous membrane of the throat, creating favorable conditions for bacteria and fungi to invade, grow, and cause inflammation. During this illness, the lymph nodes responsible for defending the body against pathogens are affected.

As the disease progresses, many lymphocytes are destroyed, and the lymph nodes become overworked and weakened. This creates favorable conditions for the pathogen to attack the lymph nodes more aggressively.

Inflammation causes the lymph nodes to enlarge, making them protrude prominently on the throat wall like granules. Furthermore, other types of pharyngitis, if not properly and completely treated, often develop into granular pharyngitis.

Those at high risk for granular pharyngitis include people who abuse alcohol and tobacco, frequently eat spicy and hot foods, and are often exposed to toxic or polluted environments.

It can cause complications.

Medically, the throat is divided into three areas: the nasopharynx, the mouth, and the larynx. In a healthy person, the oral mucosa is smooth and pink in color. When inflamed, the mucosal surface becomes rough due to the appearance of granules, and the color changes from pink to red or purple. Typical symptoms include:

- Discomfort, itchy, dry, and burning sensation in the throat.

- A feeling of obstruction due to sticky phlegm in the throat, especially after waking up. The patient tries to cough it up. The phlegm is usually thick, viscous, and cloudy white.

- Hoarseness and frequent coughing at night, especially after smoking and drinking alcohol.

- In some cases, patients experience fever at varying levels.

- When eating or drinking, there's a feeling of choking or something stuck in the throat.

After these symptoms appear, if not addressed promptly, the disease can worsen, especially in people with weak immune systems, and external pathogens can continue to invade.

Chronic pharyngitis can cause several complications, especially when favorable weather conditions arise. Common complications include:

- Tonsillitis can originate from pharyngitis, a widespread infection of the pharyngeal region, progressing to an abscess.

- Causes diseases affecting the entire ear, nose, and throat system: Laryngitis, allergic rhinitis, otitis media, and sinusitis…

- Coughing up blood (due to excessive coughing causing rupture of small blood vessels), a prolonged condition that causes psychological stress.

- Immune-related diseases: Glomerulonephritis, arthritis, etc.

In some patients with chronic disease, the lymphoid tissues in the pharyngeal wall enlarge into nodules that are constantly inflamed and recurrent, and the oral mucosal cells are at risk of nuclear changes and developing into nasopharyngeal cancer.

Therefore, people with throat problems who notice the appearance of nodules on the roof of their mouth should see an ENT specialist for early and accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Treatment and prevention guidelines

Antibiotics are used in cases of confirmed or suspected bacterial infections. Antibiotics are ineffective against fungal and viral infections. Other medications may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms and provide comfort, such as fever reducers, sore throat relievers, and cough suppressants.

For those who prefer not to use Western medicine, here are some traditional Eastern medicine treatments that have been passed down through generations and are widely used:

- Garlic:Eating raw garlic directly, incorporating it into dishes, or drinking garlic tincture daily is very good for patients. This is because garlic contains natural antibiotics that help eliminate both bacteria and viruses.

- Honey:Drinking honey mixed with warm water can soothe the throat, as honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it's important to be careful to avoid using counterfeit honey on the market.

- Perilla leaves:Perilla leaves have a slightly spicy taste, are moist in nature, and have excellent detoxifying effects, making them very beneficial for people with respiratory illnesses. Perilla leaves can be used raw or processed into various dishes. Additionally, dried perilla leaves can be ground into a fine powder and stored for later use, mixed with warm water and drunk several times a day.

Note:Folk remedies are often simple, easy to implement, and use inexpensive and readily available "medicinal ingredients." However, the effectiveness of these methods is slow and not immediately noticeable.

Therefore, folk remedies are only suitable for mild cases and serve as supportive measures to alleviate symptoms. Severe or suspected severe cases require specialized medical intervention and cannot be treated independently.