Otolaryngology >>>> Acute laryngitis

Acute laryngitis.

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx (the mucous membrane covering it), acute or chronic. The causes of laryngitis, as a rule, are complications of the course of other diseases affecting the nasopharynx, throat and pharynx: tonsillitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, flu, ARVI, scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough, croup. Against the background of these diseases, the conditionally pathogenic microflora begins to colonize the damaged mucous membrane of the larynx.

But laryngitis can also occur as an independent disease as a result of overstrain of the vocal cords (as an occupational disease of singers, speakers, teachers), as an allergic reaction to various factors, in a dusty atmosphere, dry air, breathing mainly through the mouth, hypothermia, as a result of acid release from stomach.

Laryngitis has very characteristic symptoms: the sound of the voice changes, hoarseness appears, sore throat, the voice may disappear . In addition, a feeling of dryness is created in the mouth and throat, pain develops during the swallowing reflex, and this can all be accompanied by a headache, an unproductive barking cough and a low temperature.

On examination, a sharply hyperemic laryngeal mucosa, inflamed, swollen, is found. Often, the inflammatory process captures the territories adjacent to the larynx: the epiglottis, the vestibule of the larynx, vocal folds, and sometimes descends to the trachea (then they talk about laryngotracheitis).

False croup may develop (especially in children). False croup is a form of acute laryngitis - subglottic laryngitis, which affects the larynx, located under the vocal cords. With this course of the disease, the lumen of the larynx narrows, causing coughing fits and wheezing. Shortness of breath and cyanosis of the lips appear. Attacks can occur suddenly and also suddenly stop, sometimes last about half an hour and are repeated after a few days.

Complication of laryngitis can cause swelling and stenosis of the larynx and, as a result, impaired respiratory function, therefore, laryngitis must be treated strictly under medical supervision.

Laryngitis treatment includes:

Drug treatment, provided that the cause of the disease is pathogenic microorganisms. Antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal drugs are used only after a specific pathogen has been identified.
Oral and throat infections are absorbable tablets if bacterial infections are suspected to be the cause of the laryngitis.
Inhalation will keep the mucous membrane of the larynx moist, prevent it from drying out and thereby complicate the patient's condition. For inhalation, oil solutions are used and / or herbs with antiseptic effects are brewed .
Rinsing with the addition of St. John's wort, chamomile, sage, eucalyptus, oil drops will relieve inflammation of the mucous membrane, accelerate the regeneration of the mucous membrane.
You can gargle with bacteriophages (pre-warmed in your hands) and then swallow. For this, polyvalent pyobacteriophage, intestinal bacteriophage, staphylococcal (if staphylococcus bacteria became the cause of laryngitis) and other bacteriophages designed for bacterial strains that have been identified by laboratory tests are suitable.
Physiotherapy procedures: quartz, UHF.
Food is taken crushed and soft, which is easy to swallow. Exclude sour, bitter and overly salty foods from the diet so as not to irritate the mucous membrane once again.
If the cause of laryngitis is periodic discharge of acid from the stomach, then gastroesophageal reflux disease is treated , sleeping on a bed with an elevated headboard.
It is necessary during treatment not to strain the vocal cords, not even to speak in a whisper, to regulate breathing through the nose, to drink more warm liquids.