Three throat emergencies you need to know to avoid panic

Author: Li Qing, First People's Hospital of Pingjiang County Follow @HunanMedicalChat for more health science information! Title: Three throat emergencies you need to know to avoid panic Introduction: During the Spring Festival, throat illnesses peak; know when to seek medical care for acute throat symptoms to ensure your health. Keywords: ['Health Warning', 'Otorhinolaryngology'] The Spring Festival is a time for family reunions, but it is also a peak period for emergencies in the ENT department. This week, there has been a significant increase in patients visiting the ENT department of Pingjiang County First People's Hospital due to throat pain. It is important to remind everyone that not all throat pain is suitable for home observation—some can be alleviated by drinking more water and taking adequate rest, while others may pose risks and require prompt medical attention.

Three Types of Throat Emergencies: Understanding to Avoid Panic 1. Acute tonsillitis: the most common. Symptoms: The onset is sudden, with chills, high fever, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, general discomfort, and severe sore throat, possibly accompanied by difficulty swallowing. The tonsils may appear red and swollen, with yellowish-white spots on the surface. Causes: Often triggered by viral or streptococcal infections, commonly occurring when the body is exposed to cold, fatigue, poor diet, or reduced immunity. Treatment: After the doctor's diagnosis, antibiotic therapy should be initiated, along with mouthwash to maintain oral hygiene and ensure good airflow to prevent droplet or contact transmission. Generally, following standard treatment can provide relief. 2. Peritonsillar abscess: severe pain may inhibit mouth opening, known as the 'severe version' of tonsillitis. Symptoms: Persistent severe pain localized to one side of the throat, radiating to the ear; difficulty swallowing saliva and slurred speech; inability to open the mouth, and sustained high fever. Why it is dangerous: Pus accumulates around the tonsils and must be drained by an ENT specialist through puncture or incision. A delay of just one day can lead to further enlargement of the pus cavity, potentially compressing the airway. Treatment: Seek immediate attention at the otolaryngology department; do not presume that drinking more water will suffice. 3. Acute epiglottitis: the most dangerous, it can cause suffocation—one of the acute emergencies in otolaryngology. The epiglottis serves as the 'breathing valve' of the throat; it covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent food from entering. Inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis can obstruct the airway like a cork. Danger signals: - Severe throat pain worsening progressively, with significant pain during swallowing. - Difficulty in swallowing, a sensation of a foreign body in the throat, coughing when drinking, and refusal to eat. - The voice becomes muffled, resembling someone holding a hot potato in their mouth. - Breathing becomes labored, characterized by wheezing upon inhalation. Difficulty increases when lying flat, and the condition may progress rapidly, leading to asphyxiation. - Children may demonstrate involuntary posture changes, such as sitting up, leaning forward, and extending their head and nose upward to ease breathing. Treatment: Rush to the emergency room without delay; time is critical. The physician will promptly administer antibiotics and hormones for swelling reduction; in severe cases, establishing an artificial airway may be urgently required. During transit, keep the patient seated upright and do not force them to lie flat. Tips for quick recovery from throat soreness and recommended dietary choices: 1. Warm liquids: Consuming warm teas, soups, or honey and lemon water can soothe the throat and provide relief. 2. Soft foods: Easy to swallow options such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, or smoothies remain nutritious yet gentle on your throat. 3. Cold treats: Ice cream or cold smoothies can momentarily alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. 4. Nutrient-rich foods: Incorporating fruits and vegetables, especially those high in vitamin C like oranges and leafy greens, can aid in boosting your immune system. 5. Avoid irritants: Steer clear from spicy, acidic, or rough-textured foods that could further irritate your throat. Staying hydrated is also vital for recovery, so consume plenty of water. Recommended foods: warm, smooth, and easy to swallow. 1. Warm and cool liquid or semi-liquid staples: plain rice porridge, soft noodles, lotus root powder, steamed egg custard, millet porridge—these reduce friction during swallowing and lessen strain on the throat. 2. Soothing foods for throat discomfort: rock sugar stewed pear, snow fungus and lily soup, warm honey water, and white radish soup—these are warm and smooth, effectively alleviating dryness and pain while providing hydration. 3. Light and soft fruits and vegetables: steamed pumpkin, boiled yam, steamed apple—supplying vitamins to aid recovery. Note: During the acute phase, it is wise to avoid highly acidic fruits (like kiwi and oranges) as direct consumption may exacerbate irritation. Wait until improvement occurs before consuming them. Foods to temporarily avoid: 1. Spicy and hot foods: hot pot, barbecue, chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, fried foods—these directly irritate the throat lining, worsening redness and inflammation. 2. Hard and rough textures: nuts, sunflower seeds, hard candies, biscuits, fried snacks—these can easily scratch and irritate the throat, leading to abscesses and bleeding. 3. Products like tobacco and alcohol: alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and scalding hot tea or soup—high temperatures and smoking can burn the mucous membranes, aggravating inflammation and raising the risk of acute epiglottitis. Hunan Medicine Chat Special Contributor: Li Qing, First People's Hospital of Pingjiang County (Edited 92)