What is the palate and where is it located in the oral cavity?
As mentioned above, this is a horizontally located partition that separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. Approximately 2/3 of its surface suggests the presence of a bone base. These are solid processes in the form of plates that have a concave shape and are located in a horizontal position on the upper jaw. They are covered by a thin mucous membrane, which turns into the velum palatine. This is already a muscular formation with a fibrous membrane, also covered with mucous membrane.
The upper palate is the wall located in the mouth from above in the horizontal plane
It is the soft part that represents the barrier between the mouth and pharynx, and on its far edge there is the uvula. The palate is directly involved in the process of chewing food and swallowing, helps in the reproduction of sounds, which makes it an important component of the articulatory apparatus.
What is the larynx?
Many people, even those who know anatomy well, may confuse the larynx with the pharynx, throat, or trachea. The larynx is not a separate organ, but a section of the respiratory system that is especially important and very complex in structure.
The larynx is located in the upper part of the trachea, at the level of 4-6 cervical vertebrae. Its position is ensured by its attachment to the thyrohyoid gland and connection with the hyoid bone. Air passing through the larynx forms vibrations in a person’s vocal cords - from here the human voice is born1.
The structure of the larynx includes a combination of many cartilages (epiglottis, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage and others) with muscle joints and ligaments. Inside, the larynx is covered with a mucous membrane, which is so loved by viruses and various bacterial infections.
Causes and symptoms of inflammation
At the initial stage of the pathological process, primary inflammation is diagnosed. First, blood circulation in the tissues is disrupted, and the person begins to experience moderate discomfort or even pain, which is especially noticeable when touching the palate with the tongue. Slight swelling appears. When the problem enters the stage of secondary inflammation, the pathological process takes over more space, and the pain noticeably intensifies. When the upper palate hurts, there can be a variety of reasons. Let us consider the main prerequisites in more detail.
Infections in the mouth
Infections of a bacterial and fungal nature (candidiasis) can provoke inflammatory processes, including on the mucous membrane of the palate. With this clinical picture, a whitish coating usually appears, painful ulcers, red areas and swelling may appear. If the problem is not addressed in time, the burning and pain will intensify, which will subsequently create serious difficulties in chewing food and swallowing.
The photo shows candidiasis in the mouth
Mechanical, thermal and chemical injuries to the mucous membrane
The palate is easily scratched by hard foods, such as seed shells or crackers. The problem may also be the appearance of a thermal or chemical burn after eating too hot food/drinks or sour, salty, spicy foods. Such microtraumas in conditions of insufficient hygiene become a favorable aid for the formation of pathogenic microflora and infection of tissues. The result will be redness and soreness. The mucous membrane usually swells, ulcers and blisters appear.
Dental diseases
Pathologies such as caries, pulpitis and stomatitis can also lead to the appearance of painful ulcers on the palate and along the entire perimeter of the mucous membrane. The inflammatory process often spreads to the surrounding soft tissues, including the palate and tongue, causing corresponding complications. A similar clinical picture also occurs with severe periodontitis or periodontal disease.
Another possible problem is leukoplakia, the development of which is accompanied by the formation of compactions in the mucous membrane and the appearance of dense whitish plaques, which can also be localized in the palate. The cause of this pathological phenomenon may be trauma, frequent rough mechanical impact on the mucous membrane, excessive smoking and consumption of low-quality alcohol.
The photo shows leukoplakia
Other Possible Prerequisites
In some cases, symptoms of inflammation appear after the installation of metal crowns or braces. Here, the appearance of redness, itching, and swelling can be provoked by the influence of galvanic currents and a corresponding change in the natural environment in the oral cavity. The reason why the soft palate in the mouth hurts may be associated with infectious diseases of the ENT organs.
It should also be noted that adult heavy smokers and those who abuse low-quality alcohol are especially susceptible to frequent dental problems. It also happens that inflammation of the palate is caused by disturbances in the functioning of the submandibular, sublingual and minor salivary glands. Sometimes, as a result of such disorders, various neoplasms arise in the oral cavity - from small benign to serious malignant tumors, including fibromas, papillomas, lymphangiomas and other painful phenomena. In any case, if you suspect a problem, you should definitely contact a specialist.
Diseases of the ENT organs can cause this symptom
Causes of laryngeal edema
The mechanics of edema are simple. In the larynx, as a result of one or another effect, there is a sharp or gradual increase in the volume of mucous tissue, which begins to block the lumen of the respiratory tract. In medicine, this condition is called laryngeal stenosis2.
The reasons that can cause swelling of the larynx are extremely varied. It is generally accepted to divide laryngeal edema into two main types - inflammatory and non-inflammatory.
Pathologies and inflammatory diseases that provoke laryngeal edema include:
- Viral and bacterial infections - acute tonsillitis (tonsillitis), chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, abscess and most diseases of the ARVI group.
- Chronic infectious diseases - tuberculosis, syphilis and others.
- Acute infectious diseases - scarlet fever, measles, typhus.
- Vasomotor edema and allergic edema of the larynx. The cause is an allergy familiar to many, which provokes inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx. The laryngeal mucosa is very sensitive to the influence of allergens and the reaction in the form of swelling is quite common.
Non-inflammatory causes are no less diverse; these include swelling due to mechanical, chemical (toxic) or thermal effects. Burns from food that is too hot or cold is a common cause, especially in children. Swelling can also be caused by a foreign object in the throat or a piece of food.
In addition to the nature, inflammatory or non-inflammatory, there are two forms of edema - limited and diffuse (spill). With limited swelling, a person may not even be aware of the condition of the larynx, he is not bothered by severe pain and can breathe freely. Diffuse edema is characterized by severe narrowing of the larynx and damage to a large area of mucous tissue; breathing is almost always difficult2.
The nature of the pain and the need to contact a specialist
If the roof of your mouth hurts, the nature of the course of this symptom usually depends on the cause that led to the inflammatory process. To understand what exactly caused this reaction, you will have to seek medical help. If this is simple damage from rough food, the wound may swell for several days, but the sensations will be tolerable, and the discomfort should gradually subside.
To speed up the healing process, experts recommend being careful when eating and rinsing your mouth with a light antiseptic solution or a soothing herbal infusion. You should consult your doctor personally about suitable medications for symptomatic therapy.
If the pain does not go away within 3-4 days and only gets worse, you should definitely visit a dentist. If the situation is ambiguous, the specialist will suggest undergoing a diagnostic examination. To determine the cause of the pathological process, you may have to undergo x-ray diagnostics, as well as visit other specialized doctors, for example, an ENT specialist, an infectious disease specialist, a therapist or an oncologist.
Main symptoms of laryngeal edema
Despite the fact that in most cases laryngeal edema itself is a symptom, it is not always possible to detect it promptly. Professional medical diagnostics or special signs characteristic of laryngeal edema3 come to the rescue:
- Severe cough, most often of the “barking” type;
- Hoarseness, loss or severe changes in voice - given that the human voice apparatus is located in the larynx, this is a quite obvious sign;
- Gradual progression of suffocation, breathing becomes difficult.
Laryngeal edema does not always develop slowly and unnoticeably. In rare cases, an emergency condition occurs in which swelling occurs immediately (laryngospasm). In such a case, the symptoms of laryngeal edema will be pronounced:
- The appearance of cyanosis on the face;
- Severe suffocation and oxygen starvation, complete asphyxia is possible.
Additional signs of the development of laryngeal edema may include more general symptoms that are characteristic of many other diseases:
- Temperature increase;
- Feeling of a foreign object in the throat, while the exact position cannot be determined;
- Discomfort and pain in the larynx area, especially when swallowing;
- Intoxication of the body - general weakness, nausea, headaches, muscle pain, etc.;
- Shortness of breath, even at rest.
How is differential diagnosis performed?
As mentioned above, if the doctor has doubts about the cause of the symptoms, the patient will have to undergo a differential diagnosis. It is necessary to make a correct diagnosis, excluding all other pathologies with similar symptoms. As part of such a survey, the following activities may be required:
- visual examination and medical history,
- x-ray examination,
- general blood tests and allergy tests,
- consultation of specialized specialists,
- full examination of the body, including ultrasound and CT.
For diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo tests.
But such in-depth diagnostics are not needed in all cases. If the clinical picture is obvious, the doctor will not require additional procedures. However, it is very important to establish an accurate diagnosis, because the further course of treatment will directly depend on it.
Diagnosis of laryngeal edema
In most cases, an experienced doctor (otolaryngologist, pulmonologist or even a therapist) can easily diagnose laryngeal edema. A visual examination or laryngoscopy will give an understanding of the condition of the sick person’s larynx. Endoscopy will show the most complete condition of the larynx. With edema, redness is almost always present, as is swelling of the laryngeal mucosa, and the glottis will be noticeably narrower4.
However, it is not recommended to diagnose this condition yourself. A doctor should examine it, since complications or severe forms are possible, in which there is a risk of suffocation, and swelling can directly indicate the development of a dangerous disease.
What to do if your palate hurts. Treatment methods
First of all, it is necessary to treat exactly what served as the impetus for the development of the pathological process. As part of supportive symptomatic therapy, special solutions for oral baths and mouth rinses are usually prescribed. These may be antibacterial, anti-inflammatory or antifungal agents, depending on the nature of the problem.
Gels and ointments are also often prescribed for external use, with a similar therapeutic effect or, for example, antihistamine action, if swelling, redness and itching are an allergic reaction. If a serious infection occurs, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. It is important to remember that only a professional doctor can select adequate treatment in your particular case.
Various gels may be prescribed for treatment
What drugs are used in different clinical cases
The choice of treatment must be justified by the cause of the problem. So, all the drugs that are prescribed if the palate is inflamed or if the gums also hurt can be divided into 3 large groups:
- antifungal: these include broad-spectrum antimycotics that effectively combat the development of candidiasis and trichomonas. They are usually prescribed for trauma to the mucous membrane, for stomatitis and thrush - “Levorin”, “Nystatin”, “Candide”,
- antibacterial: these include antibiotics that specifically prevent the proliferation of bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms. So, for example, “Metronidozole” and “Amoxicillin” can only be prescribed by a doctor, and their help is usually resorted to when there is a serious infection of tissues and an increase in temperature. But antibacterial rinsing solutions are used as maintenance therapy, and these include “Chlorhexidine”, “Stomatofit” and others,
- antiviral - as a rule, used in the early stages of the disease and for preventive purposes, they suppress the reproduction of viruses. Such drugs include “Acyclovir”, “Oxolin”, “Interferon”1.
Drugs can only be prescribed by a doctor.
Any of the above drugs, and especially antibiotics, can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. Remember, if suspicious symptoms appear, it is better to consult a doctor immediately. The longer you delay visiting a specialist, the higher your chances will be of encountering very serious consequences and complications.
Treatment
Help before diagnosis
If swelling occurs, you should ensure a sufficient supply of fresh air, comfortable humidity and temperature in the room, and avoid taking food and drinks that are too cold, too hot, or irritating the mucous membrane of the throat. For swelling of infectious and inflammatory origin, you can gargle with herbal decoctions and use local remedies. In case of allergic reactions, it is necessary to use antiallergic drugs.
An increase in body temperature and signs of intoxication are reasons to contact a therapist or otolaryngologist. Self-administration of antibiotic therapy is prohibited due to the ineffectiveness of this type of treatment without taking into account the characteristics of the pathology, the possible development of side effects and adverse consequences.
Conservative therapy
The treatment regimen may include drug and non-drug methods. For diseases with swelling of the throat, the following are used:
- Local preparations
. Sprays, lozenges, lozenges, and other local dosage forms with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are effective symptomatic remedies for viral and bacterial infections and help reduce swelling and discomfort in the throat. - Antiallergic medications
. To quickly eliminate throat swelling and other allergy symptoms, antihistamines and mast cell membrane stabilizers are used. - Antibiotics
. Antibiotic therapy is indicated only for bacterial diseases and is ineffective for viral infections. First, broad-spectrum agents are prescribed, then the treatment regimen is adjusted taking into account the antibiotic sensitivity of the pathogens, as determined by the results of smear culture. - Physiotherapy
. For throat diseases, inhalations, ultraviolet irradiation, UHF, laser therapy, ultraphonophoresis, medicinal electrophoresis, and other methods are prescribed. - Intubation.
Necessary for the development of severe swelling of the throat, the threat of asphyxia.
Gels and ointments for treating inflamed mucous membranes
External agents, which include gels and ointments, are also prescribed to relieve pain and acute signs of inflammation. Below, as an example, are the most effective and popular drugs from this pharmacological group:
- “Nystatin” ointment - it is prescribed for candidiasis. The active ingredients in the composition destroy fungal cells and create a reliable barrier that prevents the further spread of infection,
- "Levomekol" ointment - has an antibacterial effect and promotes tissue regeneration processes. The active components of the product help reduce inflammation and actively fight the population of harmful microorganisms,
- “Solcoseryl” – this product contains an extract of calf’s blood (dialysate), which has a powerful therapeutic effect. The gel restores oxygen metabolism, triggers tissue regeneration processes at the cellular level and promotes collagen production, thereby accelerating damage processes,
- "Cholisal" is an anesthetic gel with a slight cooling effect. Helps relieve swelling and inflammation, destroys pathogenic microflora.
Gels and ointments are prescribed to relieve pain and acute signs of inflammation.
The choice of a suitable remedy remains at the discretion of the attending physician and directly depends on the cause of the development of the inflammatory process in the palate. Before use, you should carefully read the instructions and then follow all the instructions of the treating specialist.
A Brief Overview of Mouthwashes
Pharmacy rinses help relieve acute signs of inflammation, relieve pain and reduce swelling. Among the most effective drugs in this category, experts identify the following medications:
- Chlorhexidine is an inexpensive antimicrobial agent that helps to significantly reduce inflammation and stop the spread of infection. It is recommended to use for rinsing no more than 3 times a day,
- “Stomatofit” is a herbal remedy that helps with gingivitis and periodontitis,
- "Furacilin" - prescribed for inflammatory processes in the throat, palate and oral cavity. Has a pronounced antimicrobial effect and ensures the destruction of pathogenic microflora,
- “Chlorophyllipt” - a composition based on eucalyptus helps to soothe an irritated throat and palate during colds.
Pharmacy rinses help relieve acute signs of inflammation
“For some reason, my palate gets irritated about once every six months. I don't know, maybe it's too sensitive. And it happens that the pain is simply unbearable, you have to swallow painkillers. But in such cases, I usually rinse my mouth with chlorhexidine and after a week everything goes away completely.”
MariaS., from correspondence on the forum www.32top.ru
You should start using any of the drugs described above only after consulting a specialist. First, you should visit your dentist and determine the exact cause of the inflammation.
What does traditional medicine offer?
Some remedies prepared from herbal ingredients based on folk recipes also help relieve inflammation and reduce pain in the palate. Tannins and astringents in their composition have a disinfectant and analgesic effect. The most popular and proven recipes are described below, but it is better to first discuss their use with your doctor.
Calendula tincture
Used for pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis and fungal infections in the oral cavity. To prepare the tincture, you can dissolve a teaspoon of the product in 200 ml of warm water. Or pour raw calendula flowers with a tablespoon of boiling water, strain and use for rinsing while warm.
Calendula tincture will relieve pain
Chamomile decoction
Soothes, relieves acute inflammation, helps with colds and fungal infections. A tablespoon of dried flowers is brewed in 200 ml of boiling water, allowed to cool, filtered and used for rinsing 3-4 times a day.
Chamomile decoction helps well in treatment
Sage based rinse solution
Recommended for laryngitis, as well as for scratches on the palate, pharynx or larynx. The solution perfectly relieves inflammation and relieves pain. Sage leaves and flowers (1-2 tablespoons) are brewed in 200 ml of boiled water. The product is infused until it cools completely, then filtered and then used for rinsing up to 6-7 times a day.
Oak bark decoction
Effectively relieves bleeding and inflammation, eliminates swelling. To prepare the solution, 2 tablespoons of crushed oak bark are diluted in 200 ml of water and heated in a water bath for 15-20 minutes. Remove, leave to brew for an hour, filter and then use for rinsing 4-5 times a day.
Gargling with a decoction of oak bark will help in treatment
Honey with tea or milk
Honey has an enveloping and soothing effect and effectively fights the proliferation of fungi and the spread of infection. To enhance the healing effects, it is recommended to eat honey with a warm drink or dilute it in tea.
You can relieve pain in the palate and reduce inflammation with the help of a medicinal mixture, for the preparation of which butter and honey should be mixed in equal proportions. The composition must cool completely, after which it can be taken 0.5-1 teaspoon 5-7 times a day.
Tea with honey is used to treat throat
Possible complications
Severe consequences of the pathological process are possible if you ignore obvious symptoms for too long and do not consult a specialist in time. The following manifestations become frequent accompaniments of inflammation of the palate mucosa:
- increased salivation,
- further spread of the lesion,
- the appearance of bad breath,
- bleeding gums,
- purulent processes.
In severe cases, the body temperature rises and there is a real risk of developing sepsis, that is, a general infection of the body. Such dangerous complications can result from tonsillitis, stomatitis, candidiasis or any other dental disease.
Therefore, if you experience pain in the oral cavity, you should immediately see a specialist. If it is a simple wound, the doctor will recommend suitable disinfectant, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing rinse solutions. If the reason is not so obvious, you will have to undergo a full examination and receive direct recommendations from a specialist.
1Lukinykh L.M. Diseases of the oral mucosa, 2000.
