What causes persistent throat pain without an obvious reason. How can neck muscle tension contribute to throat discomfort. When should you seek medical attention for throat pain. What are the treatment options for muscle-related throat pain.

Understanding the Connection Between Neck Muscles and Throat Pain

Persistent throat pain without an apparent cause can often be traced back to tension in the neck muscles. The intricate network of small muscles controlling the hyoid bone (Adam’s apple) can develop trigger points and become overactive due to changes in jaw and neck motion or injuries to these areas. This muscular tension can manifest as throat discomfort, even when there’s no visible inflammation or infection in the throat itself.

Upper neck injuries, resulting in pain and reduced mobility, can refer pain to the throat area. This is due to the close proximity of these structures. At specialized clinics, advanced imaging techniques like Cone Beam CT scans may be used to assess the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), neck, throat, and airway. These scans can reveal bone spurs in the upper neck or signs of injury to the front of the cervical joints, which can easily refer pain to the throat.

Anatomical Insights: The Throat-Neck Connection

A mid-sagittal view of a Cone Beam CT scan reveals the intimate relationship between the upper neck and the back of the throat. The front teeth are visible on one side, with the neck bones on the other. The colored area represents the airway or throat, which in some cases may appear narrow, suggesting a potential higher risk of sleep apnea.

The proximity of the upper neck to the back of the throat is striking, with only 1 to 2 millimeters separating them. This close anatomical relationship explains why injury and pain in the front of the upper neck can be perceived as throat pain. The brain may misinterpret signals from this area, resulting in what’s known as referred throat pain.

Identifying Muscle-Related Throat Pain: Key Symptoms

How can you determine if your throat pain is stemming from neck muscle issues? Here are some telltale signs to look out for:

• Pain with swallowing that remains consistent
• No change in throat pain when gargling
• Worsening discomfort after prolonged speaking
• Loss of voice or hoarseness
• A sensation of pressure in the back of the throat
• Neck tension or stiffness

Additional symptoms that may indicate a muscle-related issue include:

• Headaches, particularly if they’re one-sided
• Ear pressure or pain
• Difficulty clearing the ears
• Jaw clicking or pain

Diagnostic Approaches for Muscle-Related Throat Pain

When conventional examinations fail to identify the source of throat pain, it’s increasingly likely that the discomfort originates from the structures of the throat and neck. This realization is actually good news, as such issues are often treatable. A detailed clinical evaluation becomes crucial in these cases.

Physical testing can sometimes provide immediate insights. For instance, some patients with hoarseness and voice loss show rapid improvement during physical examinations, suggesting a musculoskeletal foundation to their problems. This type of improvement is a common finding that indicates the potential success of physical therapy in addressing these issues.

Self-Assessment Techniques

You can perform a simple self-assessment by gently feeling around your Adam’s apple or hyoid bone. Pay attention to any tenderness or pain on the sides of your throat or the front of your neck. These sensations may indicate muscle tension or trigger points contributing to your discomfort.

Differential Diagnosis: Other Causes of Throat Pain

While muscle tension is a common cause of persistent throat pain, it’s essential to consider other potential factors. These may include:

• Inflammation or illness
• Vocal cord strain
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or stomach reflux
• Lesions or tumors in the throat (although these are rare)

Given the variety of potential causes, seeking professional medical advice is crucial for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

Seeking Professional Help: When and Who to Consult

If you’re experiencing persistent throat pain, consulting with an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor is often a good starting point. ENT specialists can confirm or rule out underlying problems such as reflux, GERD, or any signs of injury or lesions in your throat.

One common diagnostic procedure performed by ENTs is a laryngoscopy. This involves inserting a small camera through the nose to visualize the back of the throat and vocal cords. This examination can provide valuable insights into the source of your discomfort.

If medical evaluations fail to identify a clear cause for your throat pain, it’s increasingly likely that the issue stems from the structures of the throat and neck. In such cases, a detailed clinical evaluation by a physical therapist or specialist in musculoskeletal disorders may be recommended.

Treatment Options for Muscle-Related Throat Pain

The good news is that throat pain originating from neck or jaw issues is often treatable. Various therapeutic approaches can be employed to address muscle tension and referred pain in the throat area.

Physical Therapy and Manual Techniques

Physical therapy can be highly effective in treating muscle-related throat pain. Therapists may use a combination of manual techniques, exercises, and modalities to address muscle tension, improve range of motion, and alleviate pain. These interventions can target the specific muscles and structures contributing to your discomfort.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is a technique commonly used to treat muscle knots in the throat and neck. This method involves inserting thin needles into trigger points or tense areas of muscle tissue. It’s considered a fast and effective way to reduce muscle pain and can also aid in diagnosing throat pain related to the muscles of the throat and neck.

Lifestyle Modifications and Self-Care

In addition to professional treatments, certain lifestyle modifications and self-care strategies can help manage and prevent muscle-related throat pain:

• Practicing good posture to reduce strain on neck muscles
• Implementing ergonomic adjustments at work or during daily activities
• Performing gentle neck stretches and exercises as recommended by a healthcare provider
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques or mindfulness practices
• Staying hydrated to maintain optimal muscle function
• Avoiding prolonged periods of speaking or singing without breaks

Understanding Front Neck Pain: Beyond Muscle Tension

While muscle tension is a common cause of front neck pain, it’s important to consider other potential factors. The neck, connecting the head to the torso, is a complex region with various structures that can contribute to discomfort.

Common Causes of Front Neck Pain

Front neck pain can be attributed to several conditions, ranging from minor to more serious:

1. Sore throat: Often caused by viral or bacterial infections like the common cold, flu, laryngitis, tonsillitis, or strep throat
2. Environmental factors: Dry air, allergies, or air pollution can irritate the throat and cause discomfort
3. Muscle cramps or strains: Overuse or sudden movements can lead to muscle tension in the neck
4. Cervical spine issues: Degenerative conditions or injuries affecting the cervical vertebrae can cause referred pain to the front of the neck
5. Thyroid problems: Inflammation or enlargement of the thyroid gland can cause pain or discomfort in the front of the neck

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

While most cases of front neck pain are benign and resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention:

• Severe, sudden-onset pain
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Neck pain accompanied by chest pain, which could indicate a heart attack
• Neck pain following a traumatic injury or accident
• Persistent pain that doesn’t improve with self-care measures

In rare cases, front neck pain could be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as cancer. However, this is uncommon and would typically be accompanied by other symptoms.

Holistic Approaches to Throat and Neck Health

Maintaining optimal throat and neck health involves a multifaceted approach that goes beyond addressing acute pain or discomfort. By incorporating holistic strategies into your daily routine, you can promote overall well-being and potentially prevent future issues.

Vocal Hygiene and Care

For individuals who frequently use their voice professionally or recreationally, practicing good vocal hygiene is essential:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption, which can dehydrate the vocal cords
• Use proper breathing techniques when speaking or singing
• Take regular vocal breaks during prolonged periods of voice use
• Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke

Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques

Chronic stress can contribute to muscle tension in the neck and throat area. Implementing stress-reduction strategies can have a positive impact on overall neck and throat health:

• Practice mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercises
• Engage in regular physical activity to release tension and promote relaxation
• Consider yoga or tai chi, which combine physical movement with mindfulness
• Explore progressive muscle relaxation techniques to identify and release areas of tension

Ergonomic Considerations

Poor posture and ergonomics can contribute to neck strain and referred throat pain. Pay attention to your work and living environments:

• Ensure your computer screen is at eye level to avoid neck strain
• Use a headset or speakerphone for long phone conversations to prevent cradling the phone between your ear and shoulder
• Invest in a supportive chair that promotes good posture
• Take regular breaks to stretch and move during prolonged periods of sitting

Nutritional Support

A balanced diet can contribute to overall throat and neck health:

• Consume foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties, such as fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids
• Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas
• Consider supplements like vitamin C and zinc to support immune function and throat health (consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplements)

By integrating these holistic approaches into your lifestyle, you can promote optimal throat and neck health, potentially reducing the likelihood of experiencing muscle-related throat pain and other associated issues.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in Throat Pain Management

As our understanding of the complex interplay between neck muscles, throat structures, and pain perception evolves, new avenues for diagnosis and treatment continue to emerge. Researchers and clinicians are exploring innovative approaches to address muscle-related throat pain more effectively.

Advanced Imaging Techniques

The development of high-resolution imaging technologies is enhancing our ability to visualize and understand the intricate structures of the neck and throat. These advancements may lead to more precise diagnoses and targeted treatment strategies:

• 3D ultrasound imaging for real-time visualization of muscle activity
• Functional MRI studies to map pain pathways and referred pain patterns
• AI-assisted image analysis for identifying subtle structural abnormalities

Interdisciplinary Approaches

The complex nature of throat pain often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Future treatment protocols may increasingly involve collaboration between various specialists:

• ENT doctors for primary evaluation and ruling out throat-specific issues
• Physical therapists specializing in orofacial and neck disorders
• Pain management specialists for comprehensive pain assessment and treatment
• Speech-language pathologists for voice-related issues and swallowing difficulties
• Psychologists or cognitive-behavioral therapists to address the psychological aspects of chronic pain

Personalized Treatment Plans

As we gain a deeper understanding of individual variations in anatomy and pain perception, treatment approaches are becoming more personalized. Future interventions may be tailored based on:

• Genetic factors influencing pain sensitivity and muscle function
• Individual biomechanical profiles and movement patterns
• Psychosocial factors affecting pain experience and coping mechanisms

Technological Innovations

Emerging technologies are opening up new possibilities for both diagnosis and treatment of muscle-related throat pain:

• Wearable devices for continuous monitoring of muscle activity and tension
• Virtual reality applications for pain management and relaxation training
• Telemedicine platforms for remote assessment and follow-up care
• Smart phone apps for tracking symptoms and guiding self-care practices

These advancements in research and technology hold promise for improving our ability to diagnose, treat, and manage muscle-related throat pain more effectively in the future. As these innovations continue to develop, individuals suffering from persistent throat discomfort may have access to increasingly sophisticated and personalized treatment options.

In conclusion, understanding the intricate relationship between neck muscles and throat pain is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment. By recognizing the signs of muscle-related throat discomfort and seeking appropriate care, individuals can find relief and improve their quality of life. As research continues to advance our understanding of this complex issue, we can look forward to even more effective and personalized approaches to managing throat pain in the future.

What is causing your throat pain?

Throat pain that is persistent with no underlying reason can come from tension to the muscles of the neck. Small muscles that control the hyoid bone or Adam’s apple can develop trigger points and be overactive due to changes to jaw and neck motion or injury to these areas.

Injury to the upper neck with pain and loss of mobility, even changes to the bone as seen with imaging, can refer pain into the throat. These structures are very close to each other. At Cornerstone we may order a Cone Beam CT to assess your TMJ, neck, throat and airway. Bone spurs in the upper neck, signs of injury to the front of the cervical or neck joints, can easily refer pain into the throat.

This is a cone beam CT, mid sagittal view or the middle of the head and neck. The front teeth are on the right and the neck bones are on the left. The colored area is the airway or throat. This one is narrow and suggests a possibility of a higher risk of sleep apnea.

Look at how close the upper neck is to the back of the throat! Injury and pain from the front of the upper neck can can refer pain into the throat. This image shows bone spurs to the dens and anterior arch of the atlas of the upper neck. The back of the throat is 1 to 2 millimeters from the front of the upper neck. Pain to this area can confuse the brain into thinking your ‘throat hurts’, referred throat pain.

Is your throat pain coming from the neck?

Here are some symptoms to look for…

Pain with swallowing that remains the same

No changes to your throat pain with gargling

Worse after increased speaking

Loss of voice or hoarseness

A sensation or pressure in the back of your throat

Neck tension or stiffness

Other symptoms include…

Headaches, especially if they are one sided

Ear pressure or pain, difficulty clearing your ears

Jaw clicking or pain

Here is a video of a patient with hoarseness and loss of her voice that showed immediate improvement with physical testing. This is a common finding that suggests these problems can have a musculoskeletal foundation and improve with Physical Therapy. Cornerstone routinely sees clients with this type of problem successfully! Think you have throat pain that is a muscle tension problem? Call us at 719-596-5000 to schedule an evaluation.

Here is a physician that shares her story of neck and throat pain and how she figured out the connection of the muscles of the neck and shoulder and her pain. Check out her video.

You can feel around your Adam’s apple or hyoid bone. Any tenderness or pain to the sides of your throat? Any pain to the front of your neck?

Other reasons for throat pain

Inflammation or illness

vocal cord strain

GERD or reflux from the stomach

lesions or tumors to the throat (very unlikely)

Who should I see about my throat pain?

An ENT or Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor will confirm if there is an underlying problem such as reflux or GERD, or if there are any lesions or signs of injury in your throat. They do this by putting a camera up your nose to see the back of your throat and the vocal cords. This is called a laryngoscopy.

If your medical team is unable to find the source of your pain then it is very likely that it is coming from the structures of the throat and neck. Good news! This is treatable. It also means a detailed clinical evaluation is recommended.

Throat pain coming from the neck or jaw can be treated!

You can call Cornerstone at 719-596-5000 or text us at 719-249-5850 if you have questions or would like to get started on finding a reason for your throat pain and a resolution to your problem.

Dry Needling is commonly used to treat muscle knots in the throat and neck at Cornerstone Physical Therapy. It is a fast and very effective method of reducing muscle pain and can help with our diagnosis of throat pain related to the muscles of the throat and neck.

Pain in Front of Neck: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Your neck connects your head to your torso. In the front, your neck starts at the lower jaw and ends at the upper chest.

Pain in this area can be due to many possible conditions. Most causes are minor and don’t require attention. Usually, it’s caused by a sore throat or muscle cramp.

In rare cases, it might indicate a serious condition like a heart attack or cancer. You might also have front neck pain after an accident or injury.

Let’s look at the causes of pain in the front of your neck, and when you should see a doctor.

The possible causes of neck pain range in type and severity. To determine what you have, take note of your other symptoms.

Sore throat

Typically, front neck pain is caused by a sore throat. This is usually due to a minor condition, such as:

• common cold
• flu (influenza)
• laryngitis
• tonsillitis
• strep throat

You might also get a sore throat from:

• dry air
• allergies
• air pollution

The symptoms of a sore throat depend on the specific cause. In addition to pain in the front of the neck, it can lead to:

• scratchiness
• difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• pain when swallowing or talking
• swollen tonsils
• hoarse voice
• white patches on your tonsils

Swollen lymph nodes

Another common cause is swollen lymph nodes. Your lymph nodes are small, oval-shaped structures that contain immune cells. They help keep you healthy by filtering out germs like bacteria and viruses. Lymph nodes are located throughout your body, including your neck.

When you’re sick, the immune cells in your lymph nodes can multiply as they fight germs. This can make the lymph nodes in your neck swell, causing pain and discomfort.

Swollen lymph nodes may be caused by:

• common cold
• flu
• sinus infections
• mononucleosis
• upper respiratory infections
• strep throat
• skin infection
• cancer (rarely)

Along with front neck pain, swollen lymph nodes can cause:

• ear pain
• runny nose
• tenderness
• soreness
• fever
• sore throat

Cramp

Neck cramps are the sudden, spontaneous tightening of one or more muscles in your neck. They’re also known as neck spasms.

When a neck muscle suddenly contracts, it can make the front of your neck hurt. Possible causes for muscle cramps include:

• overexertion
• dehydration
• extreme heat
• extreme temperature changes
• sleeping in an awkward position
• emotional stress

Other symptoms of neck cramps include:

• stiffness
• weakness
• shoulder pain
• headache

Muscle strain

A muscle strain happens when muscle fibers are stretched or torn. It’s sometimes called a pulled muscle.

In the neck, muscle strains usually occur due to overuse. This might be caused by activities like:

• bending over a smartphone
• looking up for too long
• sleeping in an awkward position
• reading in bed

You may have front neck pain, especially if you strain a muscle in the side of your neck. Other symptoms include:

• shoulder pain
• headache
• soreness
• difficulty moving your head

Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury where your head suddenly moves forward, backward, or sideways. The abrupt movement can damage the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck.

The injury can happen during a:

• motor vehicle collision
• fall or slip
• blow to the head

You can develop pain in your neck, including the front area. Other symptoms include:

• difficulty moving your head
• stiffness
• tenderness
• headache

If you were in a collision, visit a doctor immediately.

Heart attack

A less common cause of front neck pain is a heart attack. The pain from your heart can travel to the front part of your neck.

While some heart attacks appear suddenly, others begin slowly. It’s important to get emergency help even if you have mild symptoms.

Medical emergency

If you think you might be having a heart attack, call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room. Symptoms include:

• chest pain
• pressure or squeezing in the chest
• pain in the jaw, back, or stomach
• pain in one or both arms
• shortness of breath
• cold sweat
• nausea

These symptoms can appear with or without chest pain.

Cancer

In rare cases, pain in the front of the neck indicates cancer. This may be due to swollen lymph nodes or a tumor in the area.

The following types of cancer can cause front neck pain:

• Throat cancer. Throat cancer can affect the throat, voice box, or tonsils. It can cause pain in the neck and throat, especially when you swallow.
• Esophageal cancer. In cancer of the esophagus, swallowing problems can lead to neck pain. Sometimes, it also causes chest pain, which may radiate to the neck.
• Thyroid cancer. Symptoms of thyroid cancer may include swelling and pain in front of the neck. The pain can spread to the ears.
• Lymphoma. Lymphoma, or cancer of the lymphatic system, causes swollen lymph nodes. If it develops in your neck, you may have pain and discomfort.

Carotidynia

The carotid arteries bring blood to your brain, scalp, face, and neck. You have one carotid artery on each side of your neck.

Carotidynia happens when the carotid artery is painful and tender. It’s a rare condition that can cause pain in front of the neck.

Scientists don’t fully understand what causes carotidynia. However, the condition has been associated with:

• taking certain drugs
• viral infections
• chemotherapy
• migraine

Other possible symptoms include:

• throbbing over the carotid artery
• tenderness
• ear pain
• pain when chewing or swallowing
• difficulty turning your head

When you see a doctor, they’ll do various tests to diagnose your neck pain. This might include:

• Medical history. A doctor will ask questions about your lifestyle and physical activity. They’ll also want to know if you’ve had an injury and when you started feeling symptoms.
• Physical exam. During a physical exam, a doctor will check your neck for tenderness and swelling. They’ll also examine your shoulders, arms, and back.
• Blood test. A doctor might test your blood for signs of infection.
• Imaging tests. If the doctor suspects a serious cause, or if you were in a vehicle collision, they might have you get an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan. These tests let them examine the bones and tissues in your neck.

Mild neck pain won’t stop you from doing daily activities. In this case, you probably won’t need to see a doctor. The pain will likely go away on its own.

But if your neck pain is severe, or if it doesn’t go away, see a doctor.

You should also seek medical help if you have:

• neck pain after a collision or injury
• neck pain that gets worse
• headache with nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light
• trouble moving your arms or fingers
• balance problems
• problems with bladder or bowel control

Front neck pain is usually caused by a sore throat or muscle cramp. Depending on the cause, the pain should get better within 1 or 2 weeks.

If you were recently in a vehicle collision, or if you think you’re having a heart attack, seek medical help immediately. You should also see a doctor if the pain gets worse or doesn’t go away.

Sore throat and other signs of chronic tonsillitis – Saiko

Tonsils are our body’s first line of defense against viruses and bacteria. They are located on the back of the pharynx and consist of lymphoid tissue. In terms of structure, the tonsils are similar to a rock pitted with caves, that is, they consist of a porous tissue with lacunae. That is why ordinary tonsillitis, if it is not completely cured, can turn into chronic, when the gaps are filled with dead bacteria or viruses, protective cells, pus and cannot recover. Because of this, with any hypothermia or contact with an infection, the tonsils become inflamed and another exacerbation begins.

Most often, children suffer from chronic tonsillitis: they have not yet developed the mechanisms of the body’s immune defense, and constant contacts in children’s groups provoke frequent inflammation of the tonsils, which easily becomes chronic.

How it manifests itself

Chronic tonsillitis is manifested by pain in the throat – it can be either a uniform pain over the entire surface of the throat, or one-sided. It also becomes painful to swallow, and with enlarged tonsils, snoring or difficulty breathing may occur. Small children refuse to eat and sleep poorly. And there may be common manifestations of SARS: high fever, runny nose, cough and others.

What complications can there be? Chronic untreated tonsillitis can lead to sleep apnea (temporary cessation of breathing during sleep), as well as to the spread of infection beyond the tonsils, then a peritonsillar abscess develops, which is treated only in the operating room.

If the cause of the disease is streptococcus bacteria, then antibiotic treatment is necessary, otherwise the disease can lead to inflammation of the joints, heart and kidneys – this is how rheumatic fever, a serious complication of streptococcal infection, manifests itself. Therefore, it is so important to consult a doctor for the treatment of tonsillitis in order to reduce the risk of complications and the transition to a chronic form.

How to make a diagnosis

On examination, the doctor will pay attention to the tonsils, their shape, color and size. He will also look at the lymph nodes on the neck and behind the ears, ask about well-being and general condition, find out how often they got sick and with what symptoms.

To determine the cause of the disease, a complete blood count and a test for streptococcal infection are ordered.

How to treat

During exacerbations, treatment depends on the source of the infection. Viral tonsillitis is treated symptomatically: antipyretic, warm drink, antiseptic rinse and pain lozenges. With a bacterial infection, antibiotics are necessarily added to the treatment regimen.

In the interval between exacerbations of chronic tonsillitis, ENT doctors recommend washing the tonsils – this can reduce the frequency of exacerbations and reduce the risk of surgery. You can rinse with a syringe or the Tonsillor apparatus. Both methods have their pros and cons.

Syringe flushing is cheaper and can be done at any clinic, but the result depends on the skill of the otorhinolaryngologist and in any case damage to the tonsils is possible. In addition, it is more difficult to wash the most distant lacunae with a syringe, and this increases the risk of exacerbations of chronic tonsillitis.

Tonsillor device is more expensive, it can be found not in all clinics and not all specialists know how to use it. There are also contraindications to it, for example, it cannot be used to treat tonsillitis during pregnancy. On the other hand, the vacuum cleans the lacunae much more thoroughly, and the administration of the drug using low-frequency ultrasound accelerates the healing of damaged lacunae. As a result, pathogenic foci are destroyed and the likelihood of recurrence of the disease is reduced.

The procedure is carried out two weeks after the last exacerbation. If necessary, the back wall of the pharynx is anesthetized, and the whole procedure lasts about 15 minutes.

When to operate

The operation is performed if the tonsils do not perform their function and the usual treatment has ceased to help. Indications for surgery are:

• persistent tonsillitis with high fever;
• purulent plaques on the tonsils that do not go away after washing and treatment with antibiotics;
• severe enlargement of the tonsils interferes with night sleep and nasal breathing.

Tonsil removal is performed only as a last resort and after a thorough examination by an otorhinolaryngologist and if there are no contraindications to the operation.

Is it possible to recover

Chronic tonsillitis can be cured if you harden the body, eat well and strengthen the immune system in other ways. It also helps washing the tonsils in a calm period of illness and less pain so that the tonsils can recover. To do this, you need to wash your hands and wash your face after the street and reduce the number of contacts during the period of colds.

Select an ENT for the appointment

What should I do if my throat hurts?

Sore throat is a common symptom of colds.

In many cases, the manifestations of viral infections begin precisely with a sore throat and sore throat, which may be accompanied by difficulty in swallowing, a desire to cough, and hoarseness.

A sore throat, especially in children, can be manifested by a rise in temperature and cause severe discomfort.

What to do if your throat hurts?

To get rid of a sore throat, a plentiful warm drink, tea with honey, linden blossom decoction, throat lozenges that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects help.

Gargles are of particular importance in the treatment of sore throat. To alleviate the condition, it is advisable to gargle every 3-4 hours with special antiseptic solutions that are sold in a pharmacy or herbal decoctions. Decoctions of chamomile, sage, string have an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect.

It is important from the very beginning of the appearance of a sore throat to change the nature of the diet, including sparing dishes: broths, cereals, compotes, steamed vegetables and meat and excluding spicy seasonings and roughage. This will reduce irritation of the mucous membrane and relieve pain.

However, it is necessary not only to get rid of the symptom, and sore throat is just a symptom, but also to understand the cause of its appearance. It must be remembered that a sore throat may be the first sign of a more serious infectious disease. Early diagnosis is always the key to effective treatment and speedy recovery.

A sore throat can be the result of inflammation caused by a bacterial or viral infection. In such cases, there may be other manifestations of infection: weakness, swollen lymph nodes, headaches and muscle pain, nasal congestion and runny nose, and on examination – redness and enlargement of the tonsils (tonsils).

Environmentally polluted industrial air, tobacco smoke, strong-smelling technical fluids, and chemicals can cause sore throats, exacerbate them, cause swelling, and increase inflammation. For a speedy recovery from the very first days, it is important to stop smoking.

Reduced immunity, hypothermia, drinking cold drinks and ice cream, especially in hot weather, staying in an air-conditioned room, dry air predispose to a throat infection.

With a bacterial infection, there is a rise in temperature to high numbers, a viral infection is not always accompanied by an increase in body temperature. In the initial stages of an infectious disease, there may be a borderline or subfebrile temperature. The new coronavirus infection COVID-19 can also cause sore throats with normal body temperature in some cases.

How to understand the source of sore throat in order to get rid of it correctly and quickly?

Specialists of the LabQuest laboratory for sore throat recommend examining, first of all, the “Complete blood count + ESR and leukocyte formula” (K001). According to the results of a general blood test, you can see the inflammatory process in the body and the degree of its severity, as well as indirectly suggest the viral or bacterial nature of the inflammation.

With a sore throat, a swab from the nasopharynx and oropharynx is informative and extremely important, this is the analysis P072 “Comprehensive diagnosis of SARS”. An analysis of ARVI pathogens allows you to accurately establish the diagnosis and begin effective treatment. Most often, diseases of the upper respiratory tract are caused by influenza viruses, paramyxoviruses (parainfluenza viruses 1-4, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus), coronaviruses, picornaviruses (rhinoviruses), adenoviruses (types B, C, E), parvoviruses (human bocavirus). It is especially worth being attentive to children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases, viral infections in these groups can be more severe and with more pronounced symptoms.

Also, do not forget about the diagnosis of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19, the laboratory offers a whole range of tests to determine the strain. The omicron strain is characterized by pain and sore throat.

If inflammation in the throat lasts a long time or the effect of treatment is insignificant, sowing is necessary to determine the causative agent of the disease. LabQuest offers two assays – P264 and P265 Culture of respiratory secretions for aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacterial flora with determination of sensitivity to the main (or extended) spectrum of antimicrobials and bacteriophages. These studies on the microflora make it possible to assess the qualitative and quantitative composition of the flora of the studied biomaterial, as well as to assess the sensitivity of the identified pathogens to an extended range of antibacterial drugs and bacteriophages, thereby choosing a more targeted treatment.

We would like to remind you that in case of a sharp increase in temperature, you cannot self-medicate. The right decision is to contact a specialist, this is an ENT doctor or therapist / pediatrician who will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe a competent treatment.