Acute inflammatory diseases of the larynx

Acute larynx inflammatory diseases are caused by viruses or bacteria. Inflammation can only affect the larynx itself or involve similar processes in the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms depend on the cause that causes the illness and the area in which the inflammatory process developed. It is important to treat the proper humidity of the rooms in which we live.

Acute inflammatory diseases of the larynx 

Acute larynx inflammatory diseases are not only inflammation or simple hoarseness, but also voice nodules, laryngeal cancer, edema or polyps. Inflammatory changes can attack not only the mucous membrane of the larynx or other tissues. Depending on the cause affecting the formation of the disease and the area in which the inflammatory process takes place, as well as on the patient's age and its general condition, typical symptoms appear. Unfortunately, laryngeal ailments are sometimes diagnosed too late, because the symptoms initially resemble a cold, which makes patients disrespectful.

Symptoms of acute laryngitis 

Acute laryngeal diseases usually have the same symptoms:
• hoarseness,
• feeling of an obstacle in the throat,
• subfebrile or slightly elevated temperature,
• cough,
• nasal obstruction,
• dry mouth,
• tickling in the throat,
• ache,
• change in the sound of the voice (may also result from disturbed hormone management, eg hypothyroidism),
• trouble swallowing.

It is worth mentioning that symptoms such as burning, pain and feeling of an obstacle in the throat may also indicate gastro-oesophageal reflux. It arises when the stomach content recedes to the lower section of the esophagus and throat, thus causing irritation of the laryngeal mucosa. In this situation, it is worth consulting the gastrologist. In addition, hoarseness or coughing may be due to neurological abnormalities or severe stress. A visit to a psychiatrist or neurologist is indicated.

How does larynx work? 

The air that we exhale from the lungs causes that the vocal folds (vocal cords) located on both sides of the lungs are set in motion, and that's how the sound arises. At the beginning of the exhalation, the folds cling to each other, closing the glottis between them. Under the influence of the pressure of exhaled air, they begin to expand and then return to their previous position. The sound arises when the strings are repeatedly opened and shorted. However, the laryngeal tone is quite weak, but when it passes through the throat, nose and mouth, it takes on the correct strength and color. We speak with a healthy voice when the vocal cords are close together (not dense) and vibrate symmetrically.

Acute larynx inflammatory diseases - causes 

The disease is most often caused by a virus that causes acute rhinitis and throat.

What are the most common acute inflammatory diseases of the larynx? 

1.   Laryngitis. It is caused most often by viruses (sometimes bacteria) and often occurs when the upper respiratory tract infection. Inflammation may attack the vocal cords themselves, but may also affect other parts of the larynx.

• Symptoms: high fever, stuffy nose, cough, hoarseness, purulent secretion (if there was a bacterial infection);
• Treatment: it is important to humidify the air and take a lot of fluids. In addition, patients should save voice and have adequate syrups and lozenges to relieve pain. In the case of inflammation caused by bacteria - it will be necessary to take an antibiotic.

2. Laryngeal edema. This condition is usually allergic, although it may be caused by inflammation or laryngeal injury.

• symptoms: shortness of breath, hoarseness, change of voice;
• treatment: when the cause of the disease is allergy (which, incidentally, is very dangerous and can be suffocating) - it is necessary to give intravenous steroids and antihistamines intravenously. In contrast, swelling caused by inflammation is relieved by antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents. Patients with breathless breathlessness may need tracheotomy. This procedure consists of cutting the tracheal cartilage and inserting a tube that allows you to breathe.

3. Chronic laryngitis. It may appear as a result of voice strain (eg in teachers), smoking, long-term exposure to contaminated air or consumption of large amounts of alcohol. Do not ignore chronic inflammation of the larynx, because it can lead to pre-cancerous conditions.

• symptoms: throat scratching, burning, grunting and hoarseness, which intensifies as long as talking and smoking. There are also lapses of voice;
• treatment: it is important to eliminate the cause that caused the disease, i.e.: reduce smoking, operate the curve of the nasal septum, save voice. Expector syrups and measures to prevent dryness of the larynx are recommended. The inhalations with the addition of essential oils (e.g. eucalyptus oil) also have a healing effect. If the patient has such a possibility - good results are obtained by climatic treatment in the mountains or by the sea.

4. Larynx polyps. This is otherwise gentle lumps located on the larynx that can form on one or both vocal folds. The cause of this ailment is most often voice strain or cigarette smoking.

• symptoms: dyspnoea (if the polyp gets caught in a loud voice) and hoarseness leading to complete loss of voice;
• treatment: first and foremost, you should save voice and use inhalations. Large polyps and pedicled polyps are removed using a laryngoscope. Important! The hygiene of the voice should be taken care of.

5. Papillomas. They usually appear on the vocal cords, caused by the virus.

• symptoms: dyspnea and hoarseness;
• treatment: depends on whether the disease develops aggressively and on the patient's age, e.g. in children, autogenous vaccines are administered, whose role is to strengthen the immune system and antiviral. In contrast, in adult patients, papillomas are removed microsurgically (however, they like to grow back). Some papillomas may become malignant, so patients should be under the constant care of a doctor.

6. Voice nodules. Ailment described otherwise singing bumps. They are small excrescences located on both vocal folds and arising due to chronic inflammation and strain on the vocal cords, eg by singer.

• Symptoms: feeling of an obstacle in the larynx and hoarseness;
• treatment: the main recommendation is to limit speaking and to invest in appropriate rehabilitation. In addition, it is important to remove from the environment all factors that may irritate the larynx. Ignored and untreated bumps can harden, and then it is necessary to remove them using a laryngoscope.

7. Granules. They are inflammatory changes that usually arise due to chronic cough, high voice effort or gastroesophageal reflux.

8. Larynx cancer. It occurs most often in men over 55, mainly smokers. Early detection of cancer has better prognosis in more than 90% of cases.

• symptoms: inconspicuous hoarseness gradually builds up and begins to affect the color of the voice, in addition, the patient often clears throat and feels pain while swallowing. Patients with advanced cancer may experience dyspnea, enlarged lymph nodes and even blood in the saliva. Despite the anti-inflammatory treatment, these symptoms do not go away;
• treatment: depends on how advanced the disease is, it will be either irradiation or surgery during which only the lesions or the entire larynx are removed. Removal of the entire larynx requires permanent insertion of a tracheotomy tube that will allow the patient to breathe. In addition, rehabilitation is required at logopody and phoniatry.

9. Leukoplakia - it is white keratosis, which is characterized by the formation of gray-white changes on the mucous membrane of the larynx (especially on the vocal folds). The complaint usually appears in people who smoke and abuse alcohol. It can occur with swelling, granulomas, papillomas or polyps.

Prevention in acute inflammatory diseases of the larynx 

In the prevention of laryngeal diseases, you need to follow a few tips:
• limit alcohol consumption,
• try to consume fewer spicy and sharp spices,
• try to consume at least 2.5 liters of fluids a day to moisten the throat mucosa,
• in the alleviation of hoarseness due to a cold, it is recommended to drink non-carbonated water and infusion of chamomile or a solution of Eska salt,
• save your vocal cords (do not shout or whisper),
• try to breathe through the nose, and if it is impossible due to the curve of the nasal septum - undergo surgery to repair it,
• remember about humidifying the air in the rooms where you are staying,
• avoid air-conditioning,
• learn to breathe a diaphragm that puts less strain on the vocal cords,
• respiratory infections are conducive to larynx diseases, so try not to let them.