All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Chronic atrophic pharyngitis.
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
Chronic atrophic pharyngitis is the last stage of chronic pharyngitis, ending with progressive sclerosis of all organs of the mucous membrane, submucosal layer, glandular and lymphoid apparatus.
The secretion becomes increasingly viscous and difficult to separate, drying into dense crusts, causing considerable discomfort to the patient. Crusts formed in the nasopharynx cause various paresthesias, unpleasant sensations of a foreign body in the patient. Sometimes these crusts, with considerable effort on the part of the patient, are released in large fragments or even casts of the surface of the nasopharynx.
[ Symptoms of chronic atrophic pharyngitis
The mucous membrane of the back wall of the pharynx becomes pale, dry, shiny (varnished), thin tortuous blood vessels are visible through it, lymphoid granules are atrophic, their stroma is formed by highly hypertrophied cicatricial connective tissue. Pharyngeal reflexes, sharply expressed in the initial stages of chronic pharyngitis, gradually decrease and completely disappear in the atrophy stage. This also indicates that the nerve endings are subject to the atrophic process, and not only sensory nerves, but also trophic (vegetative). It is the latter that draws a disappointing line under the hope of achieving a reparative effect in the treatment of the last stage of chronic atrophic pharyngitis.
Considering chronic atrophic pharyngitis as the final stage of all previous forms of chronic pharyngitis, therefore, as a result of a banal inflammatory process in which the decisive role is played by chronic pathological processes in the nasal part of the pharynx, one should not forget about the so-called essential or genuine atrophic pharyngitis, as a primary constitutional disease, included as a syndrome in a systemic dystrophic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by hypotrophy of all structures of this tract (glandular, vegetative-trophic, vascular, lymphadenoid and motor systems), reducing their functional level of physiological functions. These dysfunctions include hypo- and anacid gastritis, intestinal hypotension, various functional disorders of the hepatosplenic system, etc. As a rule, with the listed dystrophic disorders, which probably represent a predisposition to them, congenital or acquired as a result of certain external causes, the syndrome of primary atrophic pharyngitis is simultaneously observed, the clinical manifestations of which occur in the absence of any infectious origin. Along with dysgenesis of the stomach and intestine, functional disorders of the pharyngeal-esophageal complex are also observed. A qualified ENT specialist, having determined atrophic pharyngitis in a patient, will always inquire about the condition of his gastrointestinal tract and in many cases the patient will refer to certain diseases in this area. It happens that effective treatment of the gastroenterological system leads to an improvement in the condition of the pharynx even without any local treatment. It should also be noted that, on the contrary, chronic colitis is accompanied by chronic catarrhal pharyngitis, the treatment of which should be closely linked to the treatment of the underlying disease.
Where does it hurt?
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
Treatment of chronic atrophic pharyngitis
Treatment of atrophic pharyngitis is a long process, the success of which depends on the degree of atrophy of the mucous membrane, the causes that caused it, and the general condition of the body. When affecting the mucous membrane with one or another medicinal substance or physiotherapeutic method, it is first necessary to at least approximately assess the blood picture, the functional state of the digestive and urinary organs, the viability of the endocrine organs, and the patient's living and working conditions.
Treatment of chronic atrophic pharyngitis is divided into local and general. Local medicinal action aims to increase the activity of the glandular apparatus of the mucous membrane of the pharynx to increase mucus secretion, reduce its viscosity, increase the amount of biologically active substances in it, promoting the activation of reparative processes. Most of the above-recommended remedies for treating ozena of the pharynx are applicable for this purpose, however, to achieve their pharmacological action, open access to the mucous membrane of the pharynx is necessary, which is obstructed by viscous secretions that dry into crusts, therefore, before each use of an active medicinal substance (eucalyptus oil, carotolin, sea buckthorn and rosehip oils, solcoseryl gel, propolis extract, honey rinses, etc.), it is necessary to clear the pharynx of crusts and mucus by irrigating it with solutions of proteolytic enzymes, using alkaline rinses, mechanical removal with cotton-gauze swabs soaked in peach, petroleum jelly or any vegetable oil. After this, an activating physiotherapy session is performed (UHF, weak UV radiation, laser exposure) in order to cause a rush of blood to the atrophic mucous membrane and then apply an active medicinal product to it.
Treatment of atrophic pharyngitis with folk methods
Honey, like propolis, contains many biologically active substances, so some authors recommend so-called honey rinses, prepared ex tempore every morning: 2 teaspoons per 150 ml of warm boiled water for 2 rinses per day. It is also recommended to prepare ex tempore a protein mash from the white of a chicken egg: separate the white from the yolk, add 1 ml of rosehip oil or 3 ml of carotolin, or 0.5 ml of sea buckthorn oil and beat until liquid; this mixture is applied to the mucous membrane of the pharynx by lubricating it or drinking this liquid in small sips. It is advisable to perform the procedure in the morning after thoroughly rinsing the throat with a warm alkaline solution.
Persons with atrophic pharyngitis are subject to periodic treatment in specialized sanatoriums for patients with non-specific diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
How to prevent chronic atrophic pharyngitis?
Prevention of atrophic pharyngitis consists of timely sanitation of the upper respiratory tract, treatment of previous forms of chronic pharyngitis, and elimination of household and industrial hazards.