Managing Pharyngeal and Oral Mucosal Pain

Abstract Oropharyngeal pain is a common chief complaint in the emergency department and primary care offices. Etiologies include pharyngitis from viral or bacterial infections, tonsillitis, oral mucositis from chemotherapeutic agents, infections such as the herpes simplex virus, aphthous stomatitis and dental pain from abscesses, decay and post-extractions. Patients present for evaluation of their disease, but importantly, patients also seek pain control. This review focuses on pain management of the simple acute sore throat, dental pain, and oral mucosal pain. Common medications such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS), corticosteroids, topical agents, and natural agents may be utilized for oropharyngeal and dental discomfort. With the exception of two societies that recommend NSAIDs and acetaminophen as first line medications for managing pain from acute pharyngitis, no other guidelines or useful recommendations are currently available. Thus, while this review does discuss several options for pain control, it will be up to the clinician to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the medications and find the right one for each patient and his or her condition.
Source: Current Emergency and Hospital Medicine Reports - Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research