Pain in the throat and ear is a clinical manifestation of a number of otolaryngological diseases, and much less often - neoplasms of a malignant nature. Most often it is one-sided and signals the presence of inflammatory processes occurring in the sinuses, tonsils, lymph nodes and larynx. Treatment of chronic sore throat is aimed at eliminating inflammatory processes and pain symptoms. For this, the otolaryngologist prescribes medications.
The otolaryngology department of CELT offers diagnosis and treatment of chronic ear pain. Our multidisciplinary clinic has been operating in the paid medical services market in Moscow for almost thirty years. Our specialists operate with international treatment standards and have everything necessary for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment in accordance with them.
At CELT you can consult an otorhinolaryngologist.
- Initial consultation – 3,000
- Repeated consultation – 2,000
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Causes of chronic pain in the throat and ear
Pain in the throat and ear, without or with fever, is one of the most common complaints of patients visiting an otolaryngologist. On average, about 15% of patients seek professional help. As already mentioned, most often the pain occurs on one side; There are also cases when it covers both sides.
The reasons for this phenomenon lie in pathological processes affecting several anatomical structures, but not necessarily. There are often cases when the pain radiates to the ear when the throat is affected. The features of human anatomy are such that the ear, throat, mouth and nose form a communicating system, interconnected by channels.
When inflammation develops in any of the organs, the process spreads through these channels, affecting other structures of the system - the organs of hearing and the pharynx - which provokes pain in the throat and ear. The patient may complain of a sore throat radiating to the ear - or, conversely, the appearance of pain in the organ of hearing and spreading to the throat. It also happens that the patient cannot accurately determine the source of pain.
Symptoms in the form of pain are characteristic of a wide range of pathological conditions, which you can learn about by reading our tables presented in the following sections.
Treatment
Help before diagnosis
The appearance of neck pain on the right or left can be a sign of various pathological conditions, so the patient needs to consult a specialist. Until an accurate diagnosis is established, the patient must maintain physiological rest for the neck, avoid heavy physical exertion and prolonged work at the computer. In case of severe pain, taking painkillers and NSAIDs is allowed. The use of physiotherapeutic methods of treatment and warm compresses until the cause of the disease is determined is prohibited.
The Shants collar fixes the neck and eliminates pain
Conservative therapy
Medical tactics for neck pain depend on the cause of the disorder. If cervicalgia is short-lived, caused by sudden turns of the head, uncomfortable position of the neck during sleep or work, you can limit yourself to physical therapy. To relieve muscle spasm, it is recommended to wear a Shants collar for 2 weeks. After excluding the tumor cause of pain, thermal procedures and compresses are prescribed. For chronic pain, reflexology and exercise therapy are used. The following medications are used as etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy:
- Analgesics
. The drugs are indicated for all types of severe neck pain that causes discomfort and impairs performance. NSAIDs, in addition to analgesic, have an anti-inflammatory effect. - Antibacterial agents
. Purulent processes in the retropharyngeal space serve as the basis for the initiation of massive antibacterial therapy. Antibiotics are selected taking into account the sensitivity of pathogenic microorganisms. The course usually lasts at least 14 days. - Local remedies
. Blockades with injection of anesthetics are recommended for unbearable pain that cannot be treated with NSAIDs. Compresses with topical corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs diluted with dimexide can also be applied. - Chondroprotectors
. For osteochondrosis, preparations of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate are indicated to slow down degenerative processes in the cartilage tissue of the vertebrae. The products improve the nutrition of cartilage and promote rapid regeneration. - Cytostatics
. To treat the oncological cause of neck pain, drugs from the group of antimetabolites and alkylating compounds are used. If necessary, chemotherapeutic agents are combined with radiation therapy.
Surgery
In severe cases of osteochondrosis, it is necessary to carry out surgical interventions aimed at decompressing the spinal canal. Discectomy, laminectomy and foraminotomy are used. If the disease is complicated by an intervertebral hernia, surgical removal is necessary. For retropharyngeal abscesses, surgical opening of the abscess is performed and subsequent rinsing of the cavity with antibiotic solutions. To correct torticollis, dissection of the fibers of the damaged muscle and excision of keloid scars on the skin are used.
Diseases of the throat and ear, in which pain in the throat radiates to the ear
| Pathology causing symptoms | What is it characterized by? |
| Lymphadenitis | Inflammatory damage to the lymph nodes due to damage by bacteria or viruses. It can occur in acute or chronic form and manifests itself:
|
| Rhinitis | Inflammatory processes of the nasal mucosa, which can develop due to viral lesions. They appear:
|
| Sinusitis | Inflammation that covers the paranasal sinuses, developing when they are damaged by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Depending on the localization of pathological processes, sinusitis is divided into sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, and ethmoiditis. Their clinic provides for increased body temperature, headaches, sore throat, radiating to the organ of hearing. |
| Tonsillitis | Inflammatory lesion of the tonsils, developing as a result of damage by pathogenic microorganisms. The pain during the disease is acute and radiates to the ear, and in the chronic form it is sticky. The patient's throat has a burning sensation and soreness, and a reflex cough develops. |
| Otitis | Inflammation that affects the external, middle or internal parts of the hearing organs, and occurs in acute or chronic form. Pain with it is accompanied by a significant deterioration in well-being. Often otitis media occurs along with tonsillitis, causing a sore throat. |
| Pharyngitis | Inflammatory damage to the mucous membrane of the pharynx due to damage by bacterial or viral agents. Very often it occurs together with tonsillitis and, in addition to pain in the ear and throat, is manifested by the following symptoms:
|
Causes of neck pain in the front
Thyroid diseases
Organ damage can occur in people of all ages, including children. Pain in the front of the neck can be a consequence of both inflammatory processes and endocrine pathology. The pain intensifies with head movements, especially when tilting the head forward. The symptom is accompanied by elevated temperature, increased sweating, constant feeling of heat, and rapid heartbeat. Pain is often caused by the following reasons:
- Acute thyroiditis
. Soreness develops suddenly, more often after an acute respiratory viral infection or other infections. Characteristic complaints are severe acute pain in the anterolateral part of the neck, which extends to the mastoid process and collarbone. - Toxic goiter
. Painful sensations of a pressing or bursting nature are localized along the cervical midline; in the case of a single thyroid nodule, the pain is more pronounced on one side. Patients themselves notice an enlargement of the neck. - Hashimoto's thyroiditis
. In the phase of thyrotoxicosis, patients note severe discomfort in the front of the neck, which is not associated with changes in head position. Neck pain is accompanied by irritability, tremors (shaking) of the limbs, and sleep disturbances.
Sialadenitis
When the submandibular salivary glands are affected, complaints are usually made of sharp pain in the front of the neck, radiating to the ear and lower jaw. Unpleasant sensations tend to intensify when turning the head, chewing and swallowing movements. A swelling and compaction up to several centimeters in size very quickly forms. Due to a decrease in the amount of saliva, it becomes difficult to eat, and there is a constant dry mouth. Often sialadenitis occurs with disturbances in the general condition - low-grade fever, chills, weakness.
Purulent inflammation
Frequent causes of sharp pain are purulent processes in the pharynx, which spread to the adjacent tissue with the development of a retropharyngeal abscess. Patients complain that the neck begins to hurt in the front, the skin in this part is hot to the touch and bright pink. The pain is strong and throbbing. Due to severe discomfort, a person refuses food and water. The symptom occurs against the background of febrile fever. Similar manifestations can be detected with extensive paratonsillar abscesses, complicating bacterial tonsillitis.
Myositis
Inflammation of the neck muscles causes sharp shooting or dull pain in the neck that lasts for several days or even weeks. Pain with myositis often occurs after hypothermia or exposure to drafts. As a rule, pain is noted in the front of the neck, moving to the chin, collarbone and shoulders. The intensity increases with prolonged stay in one forced position and heavy physical activity. If symptoms worsen over time and interfere with daily work, you should consult a specialist to determine the cause of your neck pain.
Cervical plexitis
The severity of symptoms depends on the number of damaged nerves. The most common symptoms are sharp pain on the anterolateral surface, difficulty when trying to talk loudly or cough. Painful sensations can radiate to the ear, occipital region, and chest. Characterized by paresthesia, a feeling of “crawling goosebumps.” Patients associate the appearance of unpleasant symptoms with hypothermia, complications after vaccination, and injuries. Damage to the cervical plexus - plexitis - is also provoked by other causes: diabetes mellitus, infectious diseases.
Rheumatic diseases
Pain in the front of the neck is observed in systemic pathologies of connective tissue (collagenosis) with predominant damage to muscle tissue and skin - scleroderma, dermatomyositis. Typical are constant painful sensations of a pulling or aching nature, which are accompanied by thickening and swelling of the skin. Shooting pains radiating to the anterior surface of the neck are possible when the spinal column is involved due to rheumatoid arthritis. With collagenosis, along with local symptoms, signs of damage to other systems develop.
Lymphadenitis
Frequent causes of pain in the upper neck are inflammatory processes in the lymphoid tissue. Patients report severe local pain in the submandibular region on one side. The discomfort is aggravated when talking or tilting the head towards the affected area. The symptom is accompanied by a swelling ranging in size from a pea to a walnut. The skin over the formation is swollen and hyperemic. With inflammation of the lymph nodes, high body temperature, general weakness, and possible myalgia are observed. A similar clinical picture is also typical for lymphangitis.
Damage to the cartilage of the larynx
Severe dull pain in the midline of the neck may be a manifestation of a tuberculous process in the cartilaginous tissue of the larynx. Men note local discomfort in the Adam's apple area. In addition to pain, prolonged low-grade body temperature and increased night sweats are detected. With chondroperichondritis of the larynx, sharp pain occurs in the upper and middle third of the neck. Also in this area, a round, painful formation is palpated, the skin over which becomes bright red. Symptoms are also caused by other causes: recurrent perichondritis, developmental abnormalities.
Angina pectoris
With atypical variants of angina attacks, instead of squeezing pain in the heart, patients feel pain in the front of their neck. The pain is very strong, combined with a feeling of lack of air, it becomes difficult to talk and swallow. In addition to pain, other symptoms are noted: severe weakness, cold sweat and paleness of the extremities, shortness of breath. Intense pain in the cervical region, arising against the background of discomfort in the heart, accompanied by a faint state, pallor and fear of death, may indicate the development of myocardial infarction.
Injuries
Severe pain can occur after blows to the front of the neck, sports injuries, or car accidents. In case of minor injuries or bruises, the pain syndrome persists for several days; breathing and swallowing problems are usually absent. With injuries to internal organs, primarily injuries to the larynx, patients complain of unbearable pain, which is combined with shortness of breath and hemoptysis. In any case, after injuries to the cervical region, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible to determine the extent of the damage and provide medical assistance.
Diseases of internal organs
In inflammatory diseases of the mucous membrane of the trachea or esophagus, pain can be localized in front along the surface of the neck. In this case, they are called referred pain. With esophagitis, in addition to pain, problems with swallowing are disturbed, constant heartburn and chest discomfort are observed. In the case of tracheitis, pain in the front of the neck occurs against the background of a painful dry cough, an increase in body temperature to subfebrile levels, and sometimes shortness of breath develops. Pain syndrome can be a sign of widespread mediastinitis involving the cervical tissue.
Rare causes
- Spinal lesions:
spinal osteochondrosis, ankylosing spondylitis, spinal stenosis and intervertebral hernia. - Tumor metastases.
- Staying in an awkward position for a long time
. - Congenital pathologies
: short neck syndrome (Klippel-Feil), hypoplasia of the axis tooth, accessory cervical rib syndrome. - Cervical compression syndrome
.
Common diseases that cause pain in the throat and ear
| Pathology | What is it characterized by? |
| Diphtheria | An acute infectious disease that develops as a result of exposure to bacterial agents. It is manifested by the development of fibrinous inflammatory processes in the area where the latter is introduced. Most often these are the upper respiratory tract, bronchi or oropharyngeal mucosa. |
| Measles | An acute infectious viral disease, manifested by the appearance of a rash on the skin, fever and pain in the throat, radiating to the ear. Its complication is often otitis media, which also causes pain. |
| Scarlet fever | Acute infectious processes that begin with a sore throat and are characterized by primary damage to the oropharynx, as well as pronounced intoxication. |
Other causes of sore throat and ear pain
In addition to sore throat and ear pain, all of the above inflammatory pathologies have one more common symptom: increased body temperature. However, there are other reasons for which pain symptoms occur, and they are not associated with inflammation. Therefore, there is no elevated temperature with them or occurs only when the process is neglected.
| Initiating factor | What is it characterized and manifested by? |
| Traumatic injuries to the mucous membrane | Pain can occur due to a burn (thermal or chemical), ingress of a foreign body, or mechanical impacts. |
| Neoplasms of benign and malignant etiology | Benign and malignant neoplasms of the larynx are a fairly rare phenomenon that can make it difficult to eat and cause pain. Requires seeking professional medical help. |
When do you need to see a doctor urgently?
- after 7-10 days the pain does not subside or intensifies
- the pain is sharp, prevents you from falling asleep, does not subside in any position;
- general health worsens (weakness, severe dizziness, nausea, etc.);
- one or both hands go numb.
Stretch your neck, do simple exercises with smooth turns and bends even if there is no discomfort, warm up every hour if you work while sitting, watch your posture - this is an excellent prevention of diseases of the muscles and cervical spine.
Treatment of sore throat and ear
To relieve a patient of a sore throat, it is necessary to accurately determine the cause that provokes it. CELT specialists conduct comprehensive diagnostic studies that eliminate the risk of error. For this, the patient is prescribed to undergo general laboratory tests, bacterial culture, X-ray and pharyngoscopy. Treatment tactics are developed based on the results obtained and the patient’s individual indications.
| Pathology | Treatment |
| Lymphadenitis | The acute form is treated conservatively: taking antibiotics and vitamins, as well as UHF. The purulent process is opened and drained. The chronic form requires elimination of the underlying disease, which provokes inflammatory processes in the lymph nodes and pain. |
| Rhinitis | The acute form is treated with medications, heat treatments and antibiotics if a bacterial agent is identified. As for chronic, it requires the use of astringents, antibacterial ointments, instillation of antiseptics and UHF. According to indications, cauterization of the nasal mucosa or cryodestruction is performed. |
| Sinusitis | Treatment is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process and ensuring the outflow of purulent masses from the paranasal sinuses. The latter allows you to eliminate pain. The patient is prescribed antibacterial or antiviral drugs, and a maxillary sinusotomy is performed according to indications. |
| Tonsillitis | Treatment tactics are selected depending on the form and stage of the disease and provide an integrated approach. In the process, local procedures and drug treatment with the use of immunostimulants and immunocorrectors are used, which reduces pain and improves the general condition of the patient. Surgical treatment is aimed at removing the tonsils and is carried out according to indications if lymphoid tissue has been replaced by connective tissue. |
| Otitis | Treatment depends on which part of the hearing organ is affected. It is possible to use antiseptics that are injected into the ear canal. In addition, warm compresses, physiotherapeutic procedures, and the use of topical anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended. If the above does not give the desired result, the eardrum is pierced to ensure the drainage of pus. This automatically reduces pain and the patient feels relief. |
| Pharyngitis | It is important to eliminate the factors that provoke the disease. The patient should avoid consuming foods that can cause irritation to the mucous membrane. If a bacterial agent is detected, antibiotic therapy is administered. Local treatment involves rinsing with antiseptics and inhalation. |
Having decided to undergo a course of treatment for chronic pain in the throat and ear at CELT, you will have an appointment with doctors of the highest category and candidates of medical sciences. They will help you get rid of unpleasant symptoms by eliminating the cause of their development. You can make an appointment with them online or by contacting our operators.
Make an appointment through the application or by calling +7 +7 We work every day:
- Monday—Friday: 8.00—20.00
- Saturday: 8.00–18.00
- Sunday is a day off
The nearest metro and MCC stations to the clinic:
- Highway of Enthusiasts or Perovo
- Partisan
- Enthusiast Highway
Driving directions
Diagnostics
If a patient’s neck hurts in the front, he needs to consult a general practitioner, who either prescribes an examination on his own or refers the patient to a specialist. The diagnostic search includes instrumental imaging techniques to identify pathological changes that are causing pain in the front of the neck. Laboratory methods are used to clarify the diagnosis. The most informative for identifying the cause of the disorder are:
- Ultrasonic method
. Ultrasound of the neck allows you to study in detail the condition of soft tissues and organs in order to detect signs of inflammation, neoplasms and structural anomalies. A targeted scan of the thyroid gland is required to exclude an endocrine cause of pain in the front of the neck. - X-ray examination
. X-rays of the neck are performed to identify damage to the cartilage of the larynx and vertebrae. For more detailed visualization, computer and magnetic resonance imaging methods are used. During the examination, attention is paid to the presence of space-occupying formations, ulcers and median cysts of the neck. - Radioisotope scintigraphy
. A highly informative research method using a contrast agent is prescribed to assess the functional capacity of the thyroid gland and the degree of degenerative changes. If there is a defect in contrast accumulation, nodular formations are visualized; diffuse changes are characteristic of thyroiditis. - Electromyography
. To study the functional state of the neck muscles, the bioelectrical activity of individual muscle fibers is recorded. Depending on the method of performing the study, surface, stimulation and needle electromyography are distinguished. The technique allows us to identify the level of damage to the neuromuscular system. - Electroneurography
. A special study is recommended for plexitis and injuries of the cervical region to assess the speed of impulses along the peripheral nerves. This painless and non-invasive diagnostic method is necessary to accurately determine the location of nerve fiber damage and clarify the condition of the myelin sheath. - Laboratory research
. To confirm the cause of pain in the front of the neck, general and biochemical blood tests and a coagulogram are performed. Be sure to examine the level of thyroid hormones and insulin. If an infectious process is suspected, bacteriological culture of blood, throat swabs, and serological tests are indicated. - ECG
. To exclude myocardial ischemia, with a sudden onset of neck pain, which is accompanied by pale skin, dizziness, and cold sweat, an electrocardiogram is required. If pathological signs are detected on the ECG, an ultrasound of the heart and Dopplerography of blood vessels are additionally prescribed.
If suspicious mass formations of the thyroid gland are detected on radiographs, it is necessary to perform a biopsy of the node to exclude malignant degeneration of the cells. A diagnostic puncture of the lymph node may also be performed. To verify the rheumatic cause of neck pain, blood is examined for rheumatoid factor and specific antibodies. The patient may need to consult an osteopath or endocrinologist.
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland
