Laryngitis is an inflammatory lesion of the mucous membrane of the larynx. The causes are infectious diseases, colds, as well as weakened immunity. Accompanied by swelling, local hyperemia of the throat, pain and other symptoms of intoxication. Treatment should be carried out on time, otherwise the trachea and other respiratory organs may be involved in the inflammatory process, provoking the appearance of laryngotracheitis and other pathological conditions.
Causes of laryngitis
The occurrence of laryngitis, in most cases, is facilitated by:
- Pneumonia.
- Bronchitis.
- Colds and flu.
- Allergic processes.
- Various injuries to the larynx.
- Polluted dry air.
- High load on the vocal cords.
- Burns of the mucous surface of the larynx due to chemical substances.
- Infections of viral, microbial and bacterial origin.
- Acute and chronic pathologies in the nasopharynx (sinusitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis).
The emotional state also plays an important role in the development of laryngitis. Systematic stress and nervous strain can contribute to the disease.
Acute laryngitis - symptoms and treatment
The larynx (Larynx) is a conventional boundary separating the upper and lower respiratory tract. This is a kind of musical instrument in the human body that gives voice. It is built on the principle of a movement apparatus - it contains a skeleton (cartilages of the larynx) and its connections (ligaments and joints). This frame has two bands of muscle (vocal cords) that run along the top of the windpipe (trachea). The movements and vibrations of these muscles allow us to speak, sing and whisper.
In addition to the voice-forming function, the larynx also performs a protective function. When we swallow, the larynx closes its opening so that food and liquids enter the esophagus rather than the airways [4].
Regardless of the cause, inflammation causes swelling of the vocal cords and narrowing of the space between them. Protein breakdown occurs, which leads to an increase in osmotic and oncotic pressure in damaged tissues. Due to the difference in pressure, fluid rushes into the damaged area, which leads to the appearance of edema. Changes appear in the mucous membrane of the larynx:
- Catarrhal (associated with inflammation of the mucous membranes): hypersecretion of the mucous glands, swelling, redness. Observed during viral infections.
- Severe swelling - with allergies.
- Infiltrative (accumulation of cells mixed with blood and lymph in the tissues of the body) - characteristic of neoplasms and chemical lesions (when exposed to acids, alkalis and other caustic liquids);
- Purulent - for bacterial infections [5].
In response to irritants, the mucous membrane of the larynx begins to produce mucus, which can also clog the respiratory lumen, like a plug. Mucus is produced by special cells called goblet cells. They are located in the mucous membrane and submucosal glands. Mucus serves to protect epithelial cells from infectious agents, allergens and irritants. This is why smokers suffer from a constant cough with sputum production. Increased mucus secretion in the respiratory tract is a marker of many common diseases, such as acute respiratory viral infections or allergies.
Due to swelling of the mucous membrane, the vocal cords thicken and cannot vibrate, the voice changes, becomes hoarse or disappears altogether. In severe cases, the ligaments can practically close, causing shortness of breath and noisy, hoarse breathing due to the inability to take a breath. This condition is called laryngeal stenosis, another name is false croup (from the Scottish “croup” - to croak). This life-threatening condition, which is characterized by a barking cough, is often accompanied by inspiratory dyspnea (difficulty breathing) and hoarseness of the voice. Usually observed in children aged 6-36 months, most often against the background of a viral infection: parainfluenza - 50%, influenza - 23%, adenovirus infection - 21%, rhinovirus infection - 5% [6].
Clinical picture
As a rule, pathology manifests itself gradually. At first there are no symptoms. Subsequently, weakness, malaise, and possible fever are noted.
Unpleasant sensations occur in the larynx area. These are pain, burning, tickling, tickling and dryness. Afterwards a cough is registered, at first it is dry, then a copious amount of productive sputum appears. It may contain mucus, as well as admixtures of pus and sometimes blood.
As a result, the larynx becomes very inflamed, swollen, and becomes bright red. The voice shrinks, becomes hoarse, low and sometimes can disappear completely.
WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOULD YOU CONSULT AN OTOLARINGOLOGIST?
Symptoms of diseases of the ENT organs cannot be ignored. You should consult an otolaryngologist if you are concerned about the following symptoms:
- breathing complications;
- whistling when breathing;
- pain when swallowing;
- redness of the throat;
- enlarged lymph nodes under the jaw;
- hoarseness and sore throat;
- fatigue, dizziness;
- cough;
- pain in the ear when swallowing;
- sensation of a foreign body in the larynx;
- hemoptysis;
- pain in the throat area.
Treatment methods
In the case of laryngitis, therapeutic measures must be comprehensive. Patients, according to the form of the pathology, are prescribed medications, inhalations, physiotherapy, also bed rest and warm, abundant fortified drinks.
It is necessary to avoid straining the vocal cords; it is forbidden to eat hot, cold, or spicy food. To correct dry air, it is useful to use a humidifier.
To speed up the healing process, it is necessary to increase the body's defenses. For this purpose, vitamins, immunomodulators and a delicate balanced diet are prescribed.
our employees
Ostroukhov Ivan Mikhailovich
Chief physician, doctor of the highest category. Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation General management of the branch's activities
Grigorieva Alla Alexandrovna
Deputy Chief Physician for Outpatient Clinics
Coordination of scientific activities of the branch
Otorhinolaryngologist of the highest category. Associate Professor of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology of ASMU, Doctor of Medical Sciences
Surgical treatment of pharyngeal pathology in children and adults, surgical treatment of benign neoplasms of the ENT organs, surgical interventions for reconstruction of the facial skeleton
Kharitonov Dmitry Anatolievich
Deputy Chief Physician for Medical Affairs, Senior Researcher, Associate Professor of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology of ASMU
Otorhinolaryngologist of the highest category, Candidate of Medical Sciences
Control over the medical activities of the branch. Rhinosurgery, otosurgery
Efremov Alexander Lvovich
Deputy Chief Physician for Organizational and Methodological Work
Organization of branch activities, communication with healthcare institutions, ministries, insurance companies
Mukhtarov Kairat Maksutovich
Head of the otolaryngology department.
Otorhinolaryngologist of the highest category, Candidate of Medical Sciences
Otosurgery, cochlear implantation, rhinosurgery, surgical interventions to restore the function of the larynx and trachea
Kolokolov Oleg Vladislavovich
Head of outpatient department
Audiologist-otorhinolaryngologist of the first qualification category
Organization and implementation of activities for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with diseases associated with hearing impairment
Sokolova Alina Igorevna
Phoniatrician of the highest qualification category
Treatment of diseases associated with voice disorders
Obetanov Anton Andreevich
Otorhinolaryngologist
Rhinosurgery. Treatment of purulent-inflammatory diseases of the neck. Otosurgery
Dolotkazin Stanislav Khalilovych
Otorhinolaryngologist of the first qualification category
Otosurgery, rhinosurgery, surgical treatment of benign neoplasms of ENT organs. Surgical treatment of pharynx pathology in children and adults
Startseva Victoria Valerievna
Otorhinolaryngologist
Conducting initial outpatient visits to patients, surgical treatment of pharyngeal pathology in children and adults
Abdulzagirova Raisat Magomedsalamovna
Audiologist-otorhinolaryngologist
Audiology, audiology – otorhinolaryngology
Drug treatment
To combat infections that act as the main cause, antibiotics are indicated. Medicines are used as prescribed by a doctor. Mainly attributed to drugs from the groups of macrolides, penicillins and cephalosporins. The duration of the course of therapy is determined by a specialist based on clinical data.
Symptomatic medications are prescribed:
- Antiseptics - Ingalipt, Septolete, Faringosept. Available in aerosol and tablet form.
- Antitussives and expectorants - Aflubin, Brombexin, Travisil.
- Vitamin complexes. All groups of vitamins are used, but especially ascorbic acid.
- Essential oils, saline solution and dry raw materials of medicinal plants for inhalation.
The main drugs in the treatment of laryngitis are:
- Berodual - used at the beginning of the disease, when there are no obvious signs. Helps liquefy and remove mucus. Used as a spray or in a nebulizer system.
- Lizobakt - has a pronounced antiseptic effect. Available in tablet form for adults and children.
- Lugol - has some irritating and bactericidal effects, helps fight the causes of pathology and eliminates unpleasant symptoms.
- Pulmicort is an excellent remedy with strong anti-edematous properties. More often used in pediatric practice to prevent swelling of the pharynx.
- Hexoral is a drug with a wide spectrum of therapeutic action. Has antimicrobial and antifungal effect. Used in the form of syrup or spray to irrigate a sore throat.
Chronic atrophic pharyngitis
A disease in which the mucous membrane of the larynx thins (atrophies) and its function is impaired. The mucous membrane of the larynx consists of multirow ciliated epithelium (except for the vocal folds). On its surface there are special cilia that are responsible for the movement of mucus in the programmed direction; in the thickness of the mucosa there are goblet cells that secrete viscous mucus, and in the submucosal layer there are tubular glands that secrete liquid mucus. With chronic atrophic pharyngitis, the number of cilia of the ciliated epithelium decreases (sometimes almost to their complete absence). The quantity and quality of mucus secreted by the glands decreases, and the thickness of the mucous membrane decreases. This disease occurs as a consequence of long-term catarrhal laryngitis. Iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency may also be causes. Prof. plays an important role. hazards - hot and dry air, industrial dust, particles of volatile compounds. Atrophic laryngitis often occurs after radiation and chemotherapy. One of the factors, but little studied, is the genetic factor.
Symptoms: dry cough, sore throat, discomfort in the throat, dryness, change in timbre and voice fatigue. Complaints of dryness, sore throat, and sore throat come first, as this greatly worries the patient; complaints of a change in voice fade into the background.
Upon examination, the mucous membrane of the larynx is dry or drier than normal, with overlays of mucous crusts, and often has a “varnished” appearance. The vocal folds do not change much; breathing difficulties, as a rule, are not noted.
Treatment: it is difficult to treat this disease, since changes in the mucous membrane can be irreversible. If occupational hazards are identified, they must be excluded. Drug treatment is the prescription of alkaline inhalations for a long time and oral medications with a regenerative effect (Aloe extract, Mumiyo, vitamins, dexpanthenol), iron supplements for iron deficiency.
Inhalations
To moisturize the mucous surface and eliminate unpleasant symptoms of laryngitis, inhalations are prescribed. They are carried out using traditional methods and pharmaceutical preparations.
Most often, manipulations are done with saline solution, essential oils, mucolytics, hormonal, anti-inflammatory and decongestant agents. Infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs and alkaline mineral waters are also used.
The procedure can be carried out using a special device, or in the usual way at home. Its duration should not exceed 15 minutes in one approach.
Symptoms of the disease
Laryngitis begins with sharp intense pain, soreness and a feeling of a “lump” in the throat. It is difficult and painful for the patient to speak, the voice becomes hoarse. Against the background of hyperemia of the larynx, difficulties with swallowing and breathing may occur. As the disease progresses, symptoms of intoxication appear - headache, fever, chills, weakness. Inflammation is accompanied by a convulsive, hysterical cough that does not bring relief, during which a large amount of sputum is released, sometimes mixed with pus.
