Laryngitis is a chronic or acute inflammatory process in the vocal cords and the mucous membrane of the larynx. As a rule, the disease has a viral nature of origin.
The content of the article:
Classification of laryngitis
Symptoms of laryngitis
Diagnosis of laryngitis
Complications of laryngitis
Treatment of laryngitis
Laryngitis
The main manifestations of laryngitis are sore throat, dryness, “barking” cough, lack of voice and the like. In young children, the development of false croup is observed, the mucous membrane of the larynx swells, as a result of which the passage of air is blocked. In most cases, the prognosis is favorable. However, there is a risk that the disease will turn into a chronic form.
Classification of laryngitis
Such a disease as laryngitis is divided into two types — acute and chronic, each of which has its own characteristics.
Acute laryngitis rarely develops as an independent disease. In most cases, it is a manifestation of SARS, influenza, measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough and a number of other diseases. Acute laryngitis is seasonal.
The development of acute laryngitis is provoked by local or general hypothermia, smoking, alcohol abuse, overstrain of the vocal cords, inhalation of irritating substances and dusty air. Risk factors are age-related changes in the larynx (muscle atrophy, insufficient moistening of the mucous membrane, deformation of the vocal cord).
Acute laryngitis , depending on the depth and nature of the lesion , has two forms:
acute phlegmonous laryngitis is characterized by purulent lesions of the surface layers, ligaments and muscles of the larynx, in some cases cartilage and periosteum;
acute catarrhal laryngitis — under the influence of the disease, the mucous membrane, internal muscles and the submucosal layer of the larynx are affected.
Chronic laryngitis occurs as a result of acute laryngitis or prolonged exposure to irritating factors (smoking, inhalation of irritating substances, dustiness of the air, etc.).
By the nature of the lesion , chronic laryngitis is divided into:
hyperplastic (diffuse or limited);
catarrhal;
atrophic chronic.
Laryngitis in people of some professions (lecturers, artists, speakers) occurs due to the fact that the muscle and ligament of the larynx are in constant overstrain. In such cases, limited hyperplastic laryngitis develops (nodules of the vocal cords are called nodules of screamers or nodules of singers).
Symptoms of laryngitis
Acute laryngitis. As a rule, the disease begins acutely against the background of a slight malaise or complete health. The patient complains of dryness, scratching sensations in the larynx, tickling, burning. Sometimes it may seem to the patient that a foreign body has got into the larynx, soreness appears when swallowing and a convulsive dry cough. The voice “sits down”, becomes hoarse and rude. The symptoms and treatment of laryngitis of this type are of a specific nature, since the disease can progress.
In addition, acute laryngitis often causes the development of aphonia, under the influence of which the patient speaks only in a whisper. The patient’s body temperature is subfebrile or normal. The cough becomes moist after a while, mucus and mucopurulent sputum appear.
Basically, acute laryngitis lasts 7-10 days, after which recovery occurs. There is a possibility of transition to chronic or subacute laryngitis.
Chronic laryngitis. In this case, the general condition is not violated. There is rapid fatigue of the voice, a feeling of tickling in the throat, hoarseness. From time to time there is a cough, sometimes sputum. If the process worsens, the symptoms of laryngitis may worsen.
Diagnosis of laryngitis
Acute laryngitis. An otolaryngologist makes a diagnosis based on the results of a laryngoscopic examination and a characteristic clinical picture. Laryngoscopy allows you to detect edema and diffuse hyperemia of the laryngeal mucosa, hyperemia and thickening of the vocal folds. The surface of the vocal cords may be covered with pieces of sputum. Also, with the flu, hemorrhages in the mucous membrane may appear.
In addition, blood is taken to determine the level of white blood cells. Bacteriological examination of flushes and discharge from the oropharynx is carried out in case of suspicion of the bacterial nature of the infectious agent.
Chronic laryngitis. The doctor also diagnoses after conducting a laryngoscopic examination and general examination of the patient. Laryngoscopy reveals hyperemia and congestive swelling of the laryngeal mucosa.
The laryngoscopic picture of diffuse hyperplastic laryngitis includes:
hyperemia;
puffiness;
fusiform thickening of the free edges of the vocal yuletide;
thickening of the mucous membrane.
Symmetrical nodular formations are observed with limited hypertrophic laryngitis. Thick mucus can fill the lumen of the larynx.
In the case of chronic atrophic laryngitis, the patient is found to have thinning and dryness of the laryngeal mucosa.
Complications of laryngitis
Acute laryngitis. In the case of the spread of the inflammatory process to the sublingual space, acute laryngeal stenosis may appear. Acute laryngitis can sometimes be accompanied by severe swelling of the laryngeal mucosa (false croup).
Due to problems with air access, the child suffocates, cries, worries. The functioning of the brain may also be impaired, but this applies only to severe cases of hypoxia. The child may lose consciousness and even fall into a coma. False croup is a dangerous disease that requires immediate hospitalization immediately after its first manifestations.
Chronic laryngitis. Hyperplastic laryngitis in adults is classified as a precancerous disease. That is why the patient who has been diagnosed with this should be treated on an outpatient basis. In such cases, dispensary supervision and periodic monitoring are used. Individual treatment is prescribed depending on the characteristics of the course of the disease.
Treatment of laryngitis
Acute laryngitis. Treatment of laryngitis of this type is carried out on an outpatient basis. If laryngitis has arisen under the influence of ARVI, then the patient should observe bed rest. In other cases, people who often perform (teachers, announcers, actors) should be released from work.
It is also possible to change the diet, you need to give up spicy, hot and cold food. It is recommended to talk a little. It is strictly forbidden to take alcoholic beverages and smoking.
You can reduce inflammation with the help of steam inhalations and warming compresses. In case of ineffectiveness of treatment and prolonged course of acute laryngitis, antibiotic therapy is performed. Expectorants (pertussin, mukaltin, stoptussin) are prescribed for thick viscous sputum. In addition, it is recommended to take medications that will dilute sputum — solvin, ambroxlol, ACC, bromhexine. You should also drink warm alkaline water. Perform distracting procedures (moderately hot foot baths, mustard plasters).
In most cases, complete recovery occurs, but there is a possibility of degeneration into chronic laryngitis.
Chronic laryngitis. Many people do not know how to treat chronic laryngitis, so the disease often gives complications. First of all, it is necessary to exclude factors that support inflammation and monitor the voice mode. Patients are prescribed physiotherapy (UHF, quartz, magnetotherapy), warm drink, oil and alkaline inhalations.
In chronic hypertrophic laryngitis, areas of hypertrophy are cauterized with 5% silver nitrate. Large nodules are fought with the help of a surgical method. The essence of the operation is to remove excess tissue of the vocal folds.
Patients who have been diagnosed with chronic atrophic laryngitis are recommended to lubricate the larynx daily with Lugol glycerin solution. To soften the crusts and their discharge, aerosol preparations of proteolytic enzymes (chymopsin, chymotrypsin) can be prescribed.
