Laryngotracheitis in children and adults: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

What is laryngotracheitis?

Laryngotracheitis in adults causes intense coughing and breathing problems.
In childhood, inflammation of the trachea can lead to blockage of the airways and suffocation (false croup). The mechanism of development of laryngotracheitis

The trachea is the connecting link between the bronchi and the larynx. The tubular hollow trachea is not only an air-conducting channel, but also serves as a resonator for the vocal cords. During the inflammatory process in the respiratory tract, the epithelium of the tracheal mucosa becomes viscous and increases in volume, which leads to swelling and impaired air circulation. This physiological process of narrowing the airways causes chest discomfort and a continuous spasmodic cough when inhaling.

The affected vocal cords also react with swelling, and the irritated paraligamentous tissue begins to put pressure on the larynx area. Therefore, as a result of laryngotracheitis, hoarseness and wheezing appear in the voice.

Prevention

Prevention of laryngotracheitis consists of a set of measures:

• breathing exercises;
• hardening from an early age;
• diet excluding spicy, salty, sour, hot or cold foods;
• sports are required;
• prevention of ARVI;
• prevention of inflammatory processes in the larynx;
• prevent hypothermia of the body;
• taking immunomodulatory drugs.

If laryngotracheitis proceeds normally, without complications, then recovery occurs within a week. You should not self-medicate; the treatment process should be under the supervision of the attending physician.

Causes of laryngotracheitis

Inflammation of the larynx and trachea can occur against the background of decreased immunity, hypothermia, exacerbation of chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, gastritis, tuberculosis, hepatitis), stagnant processes in the respiratory organs, as a complication of acute infection.

Causes of laryngotracheitis and tracheitis:

• Allergy.
• Sinusitis.
• Choanal atresia.
• Chemical agents.
• Herpes lesions.
• Bacterial lesions.
• Mycoplasma lesions.
• Deviation of the nasal septum.
• Respiratory viral lesions.

Children suffer from tracheitis and laryngotracheitis more often than adults. In most cases, the nature of laryngotracheitis is infectious.

The development of viral laryngotracheitis can be caused by:

• Measles.
• Flu.
• ARVI.
• Rubella.
• Scarlet fever.
• Chicken pox.
• Adenoviral infections.

The main causes of bacterial inflammation of the trachea:

• Pneumococci.
• Staphylococci.
• Treponema pallidum.
• Chlamydial infection.
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

Provoking factors for weakening of the ligaments and trachea can also be: sinusitis, smoking, alcohol, hypothermia, inhalation of polluted air.

Acute tracheitis

The acute form of tracheitis occurs in parallel with acute diseases of the respiratory systems located above the trachea. That is, the disease occurs suddenly and does not last long, especially with complex treatment of all affected areas of the respiratory system.

Acute tracheitis occurs in primary and secondary forms. The primary form means that the disease arose on its own. The secondary form is that tracheitis was the result of another infectious disease. The first form is extremely rare.

The following types of infections can cause infectious tracheitis:

• Bacterial – staphylococci and streptococci (bacterial tracheitis);
• Viral – all types of ARVI (viral tracheitis);
• Fungal – aspergillus, actinomycetes and candida (candidal tracheitis);
• Viral-bacterial infection (viral-bacterial tracheitis).

Symptoms of laryngotracheitis

Characteristic symptoms of laryngotracheitis are: severe barking cough, sputum production, discomfort in the larynx, a pressing feeling in the chest, hoarseness.

The disease may have atypical side symptoms:

• Neuroses.
• Intermittent sleep.
• Voice disorders.

Manifestations of acute laryngotracheitis are:

• Dry wheezing.
• Soreness in the larynx.
• Spasm of the vocal cords.
• Temperature increase.
• Dryness and burning in the throat.
• Painful dry cough.
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
• Coughing attacks when taking a deep breath.
• Sputum of a viscous-mucous nature with pus.

If you notice similar symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. It is easier to prevent a disease than to deal with the consequences.

Folk remedies

It is usually possible to achieve complete recovery from laryngotracheitis in 7-10 days if you follow the doctor’s prescriptions and follow general recommendations, including the use of folk remedies:

• inhalations with soda;
• inhaling steam from boiled potatoes;
• inhalations with healing essential oils: fir, juniper, eucalyptus, tea tree oil.

The medicinal properties of onion inhalations and decoctions of onion pulp are described. There is a healing anti-inflammatory effect of honey and garlic mixed with various herbs, roots, fruits and plants.

The herbs of St. John's wort, wild rosemary, oregano, coltsfoot, plantain leaves, mullein and nettle flowers, marshmallow and licorice roots, and fennel fruits have a positive effect. Radish juice with honey, potato and beet juice, a decoction of anise seeds, carrot juice with milk, a herd of raisins with onions will help restore your voice and ease your breathing.

Diagnosis of laryngotracheitis

To make a diagnosis and select a therapeutic regimen, the following is carried out:

• Initial examination.
• Percussion (analysis of sound phenomena).
• Laryngoscopy or tracheoscopy (examination of the larynx and ligaments with a laryngoscope).
• Auscultation of the lungs with a stethoscope or phonendoscope.
• Bacteriological culture.
• CT diagnostics.
• X-ray.

The symptoms of acute laryngotracheitis are similar to laryngeal papillomatosis (benign tumor), diphtheria, and retropharyngeal abscesses. To confirm the diagnosis, a specialist may prescribe additional tests: a general urine test, a blood test, serological tests (detection of respiratory infection viruses).

To identify pathogens and provoking factors of protracted chronic laryngotracheitis, diagnostics of all body systems and tissue sampling for biopsy are required.

Classification of laryngotracheitis

All laryngotracheitis are divided into:

1. Primary. With a properly selected treatment regimen, primary inflammatory processes resolve quickly, without complications.
2. Recurrent. Repeated inflammation requires additional laboratory and x-ray examinations of the respiratory organs. As a rule, basic drug treatment, a course of physiotherapeutic procedures and complex administration of immunomodulators are prescribed.

Chronic and acute laryngotracheitis is diagnosed. Acute laryngotracheitis can occur suddenly from severe hypothermia or against the background of acute respiratory infections. Chronic laryngotracheitis is the result of professional activity or develops as a result of untimely treatment of acute laryngotracheitis.

There are the following forms of chronic disease:

• Hyperplastic – growth of the mucous membrane of the larynx and trachea, which causes loss of voice and respiratory function.
• Catarrhal - redness and swelling of the trachea and vocal cords appear.
• Atrophic – the mucous membrane atrophies and loses its protective properties. This form is typical for smokers, miners, and workers at chemical plants.

Acute stenosing laryngotracheitis

Stenosing laryngotracheitis is an acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx and trachea, which is accompanied by hoarseness, barking cough, respiratory distress, laryngeal spasm and swelling. Infection can occur through airborne droplets or household contact.

For children, acute stenosing laryngotracheitis is dangerous due to unfavorable pathologies: stenosis of the larynx, development of false croup (suffocation).

Symptoms of acute stenosing laryngotracheitis:

• Appears 2-3 days after ARVI.
• Blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle.
• The jugular fossa sinks during inspiration.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Redness of mucous membranes.
• Temperature up to 39° C.
• Whistling breathing.
• Hoarseness of voice.
• Dyspnea.

Depending on the immune system, existing pathologies of the respiratory system and the cause of its occurrence, acute laryngotracheitis occurs in waves (with obstruction and recessions) or with a continuously increasing intensity. If such symptoms occur, you should call an ENT specialist to your home.

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Forecast

The acute form of laryngotracheitis, which is not accompanied by complications, has a favorable prognosis. For those people whose profession is related to singing and speaking, it worsens in terms of professional unsuitability.

Full recovery can be expected after about 2 weeks. But only if the treatment is complete, comprehensive and correct.

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Treatment of laryngotracheitis

As a rule, treatment of laryngotracheitis does not require hospitalization and is carried out at home. Care should be taken to humidify the patient's room, drink plenty of warm water (teas, compotes, breast milk) and not strain the vocal cords.

For viral laryngotracheitis, etiotropic treatment is carried out:

• Inhalations (oil and alkaline).
• Antipyretic drugs.
• Antiviral drugs.
• Antibacterial therapy.
• Mucolytic agents.
• Electrophoresis.

For chronic laryngotracheitis, a specialized specialist additionally prescribes physiotherapeutic procedures, immunomodulators and vitamin complexes. For children with a severe form of the disease, degenerating into false croup, urgent hospitalization is necessary.

In rare cases, laryngotracheitis requires surgical correction using endoscopic techniques: removal of cysts, ventricular prolapse, and excess mucosal tissue.

For respiratory tract infections, medications are prescribed:

• Macrolides (Klacid, Sumamed).
• Penicillin antibiotics (Augmentin, Amoxiclav).
• If complications develop, take cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone).

Treatment of laryngotracheitis according to Komarovsky

Laryngotracheitis is characterized by high fever (up to 39-40°C) and intense nighttime coughing attacks. The famous pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky advises to immediately call a pediatrician

or
Laura for a child at home
. The specialist will be able to quickly assess the patient’s condition, the nature of wheezing and prescribe an effective treatment regimen.

If a child gets sick with laryngotracheitis, it is necessary:

• Provide cool (17-18°C) and humid air in the room - this will ease laryngospasms.
• Inhalations with a nebulizer. Swelling of the mucous membrane in children is effectively relieved by inhalation with a suspension of Pulmicort, Lazolvan, and alkaline solutions.
• If there is no fever, you can do warm foot baths.
• Provide plenty of warm drinks: milk with a pinch of soda, fruit drinks, rosehip decoction, herbal teas, compotes.

First aid

With laryngotracheitis, it is very important to provide assistance to the sick person even before a medical visit. And the point here is not only in the own symptoms of the disease, but also in the peculiar psychological stress that manifests itself in the sick person, especially in a child.

• It is necessary to reassure the patient, since his increased excitement can provoke an increase in frequency and deepening of spasmodic attacks.
• Be sure to provide fresh air into the room.
• In case of acute laryngospasm causing suffocation, urgently induce a gag reflex using an accessible method (for example, by pressing on the root of the tongue).
• Give the patient a warm drink - milk, dried fruit compote, mineral water, preferably a slightly alkaline one. You can add a pinch of baking soda to the milk - this is very helpful in narrowing the larynx.
• The humidity in the room where the sick person is located should be high.
• Warm foot baths (water temperature - 38-40 degrees) help relieve acute attacks. However, they cannot be done against the background of elevated body temperature.

Preventive actions

The best prevention will be strengthening the immune system and timely treatment of colds. Don't forget about seasonal flu vaccination, regular walks in the fresh air, morning exercises and good nutrition. Maintain a sleep and rest schedule.

If you still have questions and need specialist help, make an appointment. The doctor will tell you how to treat chronic laryngotracheitis in a child and how to help the baby at the first signs of stenosis. Sign up on the website and by phone.

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