Question
How can childhood pharyngitis be cured? There is phlegm in the throat behind the bed, coughing, dry heaves, and sometimes the phlegm is purulent, almost for a year. It may be related to fever. What kind of assistance is needed: what medications should be taken, and what should be paid attention to in terms of diet…?
Answer
Chronic pharyngitis is a common disease caused by chronic infection leading to diffuse inflammation of the pharynx, primarily involving the mucosal inflammation of the pharynx. It is more common in adults, with main causes including frequent acute pharyngitis, long-term exposure to dust or harmful gases, excessive smoking and alcohol consumption or other bad habits, nasal sinus secretion irritation, allergic constitution or decreased body resistance. Chronic pharyngitis can also be a regional manifestation of certain systemic diseases, such as anemia, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, and chronic nephritis. Treatment should be implemented by a doctor based on the etiology. Regional symptomatic treatment can include traditional Chinese medicine preparations such as Lianyan Ling, Shuishaoshen Lozenges, and Baofang San. These can be taken with tea made from equal parts of Shuanghua (Plum blossom), Maidong (Ophiopogon), Pangaodai (Seaweed), and Shenggancao (Licorice). Boil hot water and frequently drink the tea. For Qingyan Drink (Throat Soothing Drink), use 50 grams each of Wumei (Prune), Shenggancao (Licorice), Shashen (Adenophora), Maidong (Ophiopogon), Jiegeng (Platycodon grandiflorus), and Yuanshen (Panax notoginseng). Cut them into pieces, mix well, take 15 grams about three times a day, and drink with boiling water. Pay attention to oral hygiene and consistently rinse your mouth with water before and after meals. Reduce smoking and alcohol consumption and dust exposure, and correct the bad habit of breathing through the mouth. Strengthen physical exercise to enhance body (constitution), prevent upper respiratory tract infections, reduce smoking and alcohol consumption, actively treat diseases around the pharynx. Arrange life reasonably, always maintain a pleasant mood, and prevent irritability and depression. Always keep the indoor temperature and humidity appropriate.