
What Is The Reason For Difficulty In Swallowing,throat Pain And Red And White Patches On Throat?

Thanks for the query and detailed history
According to the history you have mentioned, the cause of your problem could be an ulcer over the base of the tongue or a candid infection (also called as Oral thrush). Both of these conditions present with severe pain with difficulty in swallowing. As you have already taken one course of antibiotics and on the second one now, if it were to be of bacterial infection it would have definitely subsided by now.
An ulcer with the slough over the floor of the ulcer can look like a white patch. Similarly, even candid infection can also present as a white patch with the above mentioned signs and symptoms. Hence, you require a thorough examination of the throat by an apt ENT specialist followed by telescopic laryngoscopy.
Secondly, you need to stop certain medicines like, aspirin and antihistaminic, the former will induce gastritis and the latter one will cause dryness of the throat leading to worsening of the symptoms.
I would suggest you to drink plenty of warm water, as it improves the blood circulation and reduces the inflammation. If it is only an ulcer, then you might require steroids to reduce the inflammation and Vitamin B-complex to help in faster healing of the ulcer. And, if it turns out to be a candid infection then you will require antifungal medicines.
Finally, malignancy cannot be ruled out, which has to be confirmed by laryngoscopic examination and biopsy if required.
Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon


Thank you again for such a comprehensive response.
Yours faithfully, Elspeth McPherson
Welcome back
1. Would both cause much accumulation of 'gunk' at the base of the throat which I cannot clear?
Yes, during any inflammation involving the mucosa, there will be increased production of the secretions in order to reduce the effects of inflammation. If these secretions are viscid in consistency it can affect the swallowing mechanism and sometimes induce vomiting.
2. Would both cause general feeling of malaise and being unwell?
Yes, again both of these conditions can cause generalized weakness, because of the inability to take adequate food and water due to pain, leading to electrolyte imbalance.
Finally I would like to suggest you to consult a good ENT specialist and then start on antifungal drugs if required. Beware! Self medication can prove XXXXXXX And also, drink plenty of XXXXXXX warm water so that the inflammation will subside and the secretions will clear.
Wish you good health
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Answered by

Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2545 Questions
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