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Throat thoughts
For sure, you’ve suffered from sore throat in the past year. And while for most people, a sore throat is simply shrugged off, it can be a disaster for voice professionals like you. Are all sore throats the same, and should you really just ignore it? What is sore throat? As its name implies, sore throat is a condition where your throat feels painful. The pain is usually due to inflammation of the lining or mucosa of the throat (pharynx), a condition called pharyngitis. The inflammation of the pharynx can be caused by: • • • • •
Viral infections, such as those caused by influenza, infectious mononucleosis (“kissing disease”), and herpes simplex type 1 (aphthous ulcers) Bacterial infections, such as those caused by Streptococcus (which causes strep throat) or Arcanobacterium haemolyticum. Arcanobacterium causes sore throats mainly in young adults and sometimes concomitantly causes a fine red skin rash Fungal infections, usually caused by Candida, which is usually called “thrush”. This infection is common among people with depressed immune systems, such as those who just finished treatment with antibiotics or chemotherapy Nasal or sinus discharge draining at the back of the throat (post-nasal drip) when one has a congested/runny nose or sinuses (sinusitis).* Mouth breathing, especially of cold, dry air. This dries up the throat and weakens its ability to ward off germs.
A Slice of Orange is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team *Learn more about the connection between coughs, colds, and sore throat, in the September 2008 issue of A Slice of Orange.
Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes Voltz Olea, MD
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Markedly swollen or painful neck lymph nodes High fever No cough (and usually no stuffy nose).
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Out with the ouch
Stopping strep throat
Viruses or bacteria? Viruses cause up to 60% of all painful throat infections. Even the viruses that cause the common cold could also show up as a sore throat. Antibiotics are not effective for viral infections.
While most sore throats leave no lasting harm to the patient, strep throat can worsen to various complications. The infection can trigger an exaggerated immune response that, in turn, also damages the joints and heart valves. This condition is called rheumatic fever. A similar process may also damage the kidneys.
However, doctor-prescribed antibiotics would work for sore throat caused by bacteria. In fact, it is necessary when the problem is caused by Streptococcus. This is the most common bacterium to cause sore throat. It leads to a condition called strep throat. The sore throat caused by Streptococcus and that caused by viruses can be very similar. Both will have fever, headache, and muscle and joint pains. However, any two of the following together suggest strep throat: • Marked discharge or pus from the tonsils (sometimes seen as yellow and white spots)
Untreated strep throat can also become an abscess behind the throat. This causes severe pain and illness. A trip to an EarNose-Throat (ENT) specialist is needed to drain this kind of abscess. Because of these complications, and the difficulty in differentiating between
When should the tonsils be taken out? If you experience any of the following, you may need to have your tonsils surgically removed through a procedure called a tonsillectomy: • • •
Frequent episodes of tonsil- litis (especially those caused by Streptococcus) Tonsils that are so large, even when the individual is well, that they obstruct the passage of air into the lungs during sleep (sleep apnea) An uncommon but serious ab- scess of one or both of the tonsils, called a “peri-tonsillar abscess”.
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viral and bacterial sore throat, visit your doctor so he or she can prescribe the appropriate medications for you. Do not take antibiotics unless prescribed by a doctor.
Douse the fire Viral sore throat goes away by itself, eventually. But what can you do for the meantime? Here are a few simple tips: • •
Avoid cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke irritates your throat more, and slows down the healing process. Gargle with warm, dilute saline water. This helps ease the inflammation and prevents your throat from drying up.
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A humidifier may also help relieve symptoms, especially in sore throats caused by mouth breathing and dry air. Get lots of rest, and drink plenty of fluids. If you have a fever or body pains, you may take over-the-counter pain killers such as paracetamol or ibu - profen. Make sure to take ibuprofen only on a full stomach. If your throat is being irritated by a post-nasal drip, over-the-counter cold medicines can help. But be careful when taking these medications. Some of them can cause drowsiness, so avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking cold medicines. Oral lozenges can help soothe throat pain and dryness. In addition, a study showed that throat lozenges containing amylmetacresol and dichlorobenzyl alcohol (two agents with antiviral and antibacterial properties) can prevent viruses, including the influenza virus, from infecting other people.
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When should you seek medical help from a doctor? Seek medical care if: • • • • • •
You have been in contact with someone with strep throat and are now experiencing sore throat. Your sore throat is accompanied by fever, swollen neck lymph nodes, or white patches on the back of your throat. Your sore throat is not accompanied by other cold symptoms (runny nose, watery eyes, sinus congestion). You are having trouble breathing or swallowing liquids (pain with swallowing solids is expected with a sore throat). Your sore throat persists for more than a week. The front of your neck is sore and stiff.
A slice of trivia What are the two active ingredients of Strepsils that kill bacteria and viruses that cause sore throat? Forty more people will win a gift pack from Strepsils, just by sending their answers to the above question to orange@activelink-consult. com. We’ll include the answer in the next issue of A Slice of Orange.
Answer to last issue’s question:
What G word describes the abnormal enlargement of one or both breasts in men? Gynecomastia is the overdevelopment of the male breast as a response to excess
estrogen or a lack of testosterone. In adult males, gynecomastia may be caused by hormone problems, certain cancers, liver disease, certain medicines (such as anabolic steroids), and alcohol. This is different from fat on the chest that makes obese men look like they have breasts. This second condition is called
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelink-consult.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2009 ActiveLink
Benefits Made Better
ActiveLink 104 VA Rufino Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, 1229 Philippines T: +632 817 4606 / 817 7900 www.activelink-consult.com
pseudogynecomastia or false gynecomastia.
The Orange wants to he ar from you! Dying to ask us your health related questio ns? Itching to share your pe rsonal health tips? Want to sugg est topics for future issues? Feel free to contac t us. You can e-m ail our team at orange@activ elink-consult.c om.