Colds mainly occur in the autumn and winter months. However, if there are additional complaints such as pain radiating into the ear with pressure-sensitive lymph nodes in the upper neck area, this can be due to a Lateral cord angina indicate.
What is a side strand angina?
In the Lateral cord angina it is a special form of pharyngitis (sore throat). It occurs much less often than acute pharyngitis and causes problems, especially in the lymphatic system running along the side of the pharynx.
These are also known as side strands and, in the event of inflammation, are reddened and swollen and populated with white specks. A lateral cord tangina can also be associated with ear pain due to the spatial proximity of the lateral cords to the Eustachian tube. This forms the connection between the ear and the nasopharynx. The patient also has difficulty swallowing and a scratchy throat, as well as a general feeling of malaise with fatigue and possibly fever.
In addition, there is irritation of the throat, which is caused by irritation in the throat area. However, painful swollen lymph nodes in the neck area are characteristic of a lateral cord angina. Especially when swallowing there is pain that can radiate into the ears.
causes
A Lateral cord angina occurs more frequently in patients whose tonsils have been surgically removed, as the tonsils no longer have an automatic protective function and pathogens can thus penetrate the pharynx unhindered.
It usually arises as a result of a virus-related cold, which first affects the nasal mucosa and triggers a cold. The inflammation then spreads to the throat, causing a sore throat and coughing. The side strands of the patients weakened by the previous cold are now colonized by bacteria. The causative agents of the lateral cord angina are mainly pneumococci or staphylococci.
Symptoms, ailments & signs
The first signs of the lateral cord angina are a severely reddened throat that is swollen on the sides. Sometimes yellowish dots or specks and coatings can be seen in the throat and on the tongue.
Compared to classic angina, the pain in the throat and pharynx is more pronounced in the lateral cord angina. Often there is a compulsion to clear the throat and swallow, which is perceived as very unpleasant. The pain in the neck area usually affects one side in particular.
The throat feels dry and rough, and swallowing is painful. In addition to a general feeling of illness, accompanied by classic symptoms such as runny nose and fatigue, there is a fever, which is lower than with classic angina. In addition, earache radiating from the throat, as well as headache as an accompanying symptom, can complement the clinical picture.
The doctor can determine whether an otitis media has developed through the lateral cord angina. The lymph nodes under the ears are tender and swollen from the acute inflammation. In severe cases, the lymph nodes are already visible from the outside. As the disease progresses, there is usually a cough, which can develop into a strong, dry cough.
Diagnosis & course
Diagnosing a Lateral cord angina is characterized by the complaints that arise. Above all, the pain radiating into the ears and an existing cold are trend-setting.
When inspecting the pharynx, the doctor can identify the inflamed side cords. The exact pathogen can be determined by taking a smear from the affected area. In the event of additional ear pain, the doctor can view the ear with the otoscope and assess whether the inflammation has also spread to the inner ear or the eardrum.
A possible complication of the lateral cord angina is otitis media, which manifests itself as severe ear pain. The lateral cord angina pathogens can also cause an abscess in one of the tonsils or in the pharynx. The course of the disease, however, depends on the patient's individual immune system.
Complications
A lateral cordangina runs in most cases without major complications. However, it should not be viewed as a harmless infection that can be ignored even if the patient suffers from just a mild form. There is a risk of unpleasant sequelae if the disease is treated insufficiently or not at all.
Complications are primarily threatened with a pronounced lateral cord angina, in the course of which the bacteria multiply rapidly. Whether there are any sequelae also depends on the general health of the patient. For example, if there are previous illnesses or weaknesses in the immune system, the risk of secondary symptoms increases. This is mainly about intense pain and an abrupt rise in fever.
Sometimes the lateral cord angina also occurs repeatedly. The effects of a lateral cord angina also include otitis media (otitis media) or a tympanic effusion. There is also the risk of abscesses (accumulations of pus) in the region of the throat or palate.
Other conceivable complications of the lateral cord angina are secondary diseases such as inflammation of the kidneys, rheumatic fever, inflammation of the pericardium (pericarditis), inflammation of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis) or myocarditis.
In rare cases, the triggering germs penetrate into the bloodstream, which in turn causes dangerous blood poisoning (sepsis). The patient must then be treated in a hospital.
When should you go to the doctor?
Since a lateral cord angina does not usually self-heal itself, this disease must always be treated by a doctor. Correct medical treatment can only prevent and limit further complications. The earlier the doctor is consulted, the better the further course of the lateral cord angina.
See a doctor if the patient has severe pain in the throat. These occur permanently and do not go away on their own. Difficulty swallowing also suggests this disease. A doctor should also be consulted in the case of lateral cord angina if the person concerned suffers from severe pain in the ears or from fatigue and fever. This also leads to a swelling of the lymph nodes and the ears are very sensitive to noise.
The lateral cord angina can usually be treated by a family doctor or an ENT doctor. Complications usually do not occur and the disease can be treated well.
Treatment & Therapy
A Lateral cord angina Does not require antibiotic treatment if it is mild. The patient should take it easy and stay in bed if possible. Nasal drops and regular gargling are usually sufficient therapy. A warm neck wrap can also help.
A cloth soaked in warm water is tied around the neck and covered with a dry scarf. The wrap should be worn for at least an hour. If there is no improvement within three to six days and the fever does not decrease, an antibiotic must be taken.
Taking a painkiller, which also has a fever-lowering effect, can also help against the sore throat. It is important for the patient to drink a lot. However, milk and dairy products should be avoided, as these increase the formation of mucus and thus the difficulty in swallowing.
prevention
Preventing a Lateral cord angina is particularly difficult for patients without tonsils, as possible pathogens can penetrate their throat unhindered. When a sore throat occurs, it is important to drink a lot and, if possible, to take it easy in order to enable the body's own immune system to fight the pathogens.
A balanced diet and sufficient exercise generally help to strengthen the immune system. In addition, it is important to always wash your hands thoroughly in order to counteract the additional spread of pathogenic germs and thus possibly avoid a side cord angina.
Aftercare
A lateral cord angina usually does not heal satisfactorily without medical treatment. For this reason, follow-up care for a lateral cord angina by the family doctor is important in order to monitor the healing process. A control is particularly advisable when antibiotics are given, as this treatment method may only be used for a limited period of up to two weeks.
Otherwise the effectiveness would decrease and the healing process would be delayed. If the prescribed medication does not work as expected and the healing process is prolonged as a result, the patient will be given more adequate medicine to combat the symptoms as part of the follow-up care. In this way, chronic angina is prevented and healing is accelerated. The options for follow-up care for a lateral cord angina are very limited. The primary goal is to alleviate and eventually eliminate symptoms.
If the patient's condition worsens unexpectedly, if the inflammatory process in the side cords is accompanied by a high fever or if the symptoms recur after the treatment has been completed, a specialist will also be consulted. In this case, the previous treatment process is resumed or therapeutic alternatives are discussed with the person concerned. A chronic side cord angina can heal completely with regular medical check-ups.
You can do that yourself
The lateral cord angina can often be significantly alleviated by means of self-help. The scratching in the throat can often be controlled by hydration. This starts with a sufficient amount of fluids, which at the same time also stabilizes the circulation of weakened patients. In this context, still water and herbal teas, hot lemon or milk with honey are recommended. Sage is particularly helpful because of its anti-inflammatory effects and can be gargled as a solution, drunk as tea or sucked as candy. Inhalations, for example with freshly scalded chamomile flowers from a pharmacy or health food store, are valuable support in recovery. Rest helps the immune system to fight the infection efficiently.
The classic neck wrap can also be used very well for the side cordangina as part of self-help. A special form is the potato wrap: For this, potatoes are boiled until they are soft and then crushed with a fork. Put them in a soft kitchen towel and place them around the patient's neck. A dry towel is wrapped over this again. The potatoes can stay on the neck until their heat subsides.
A damp cloth in the room can make breathing much easier for the person concerned. A bowl of water in the person's bedroom, which is simply placed on a radiator, has the same effect.
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