Laryngitis – causes, symptoms & therapy

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx is also referred to by doctors as laryngitis and is a serious disease of the larynx mucosa that should definitely be treated. In this case, part of the larynx is inflamed by viruses or bacteria .

What is laryngitis?

There are two forms of laryngitis: acute and chronic laryngitis.

While acute laryngitis usually occurs as a side effect of a cold , it can quickly develop into chronic laryngitis if not treated in time. Therefore, you should definitely consult a doctor at the first sign of this disease.

Incidentally, heavy smokers and men between the ages of 50 and 60 are particularly often affected by laryngitis – but in general it can occur at any age.

After all, every fifth patient develops from an acute to a chronic laryngitis. This is so dangerous because one often speaks of a precancerous stage and laryngeal cancer can develop.

causes

Influenza and cold viruses are the most common causes of laryngitis. Infection with bacteria, such as pneumococci, can also lead to laryngitis. If such bacteria or viruses are the cause of the disease, it is quite contagious. You should therefore be particularly careful, especially in winter.The reasons for chronic laryngitis, on the other hand, are often deeper. Excessive exposure can lead to this disease, as can constant inhalation of pollutants. However, dry and dusty air can also trigger laryngitis.

Experts continue to assume that the so-called reflux disease can also cause laryngitis. In this condition, the contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus.

Changes in the larynx can also occur during pregnancy , which are often confused with laryngitis. After delivery, however, these symptoms go away on their own.

symptoms and course

Possible signs of laryngitis:

  • Swelling of the larynx mucosa

Hoarseness is a clear symptom of both acute and chronic laryngitis. This can manifest itself in a number of ways, ranging from a hoarse voice to complete loss of voice.

Coughing also occurs more frequently in many of those affected. Pain is rare, but it can also affect some patients. Some patients, on the other hand, report a foreign body sensation in addition to inexplicable sore throats. A dry cough and possibly even fever are other symptoms that can occur.

When to the doctor?

Acute or chronic laryngitis is painful and has unpleasant consequences. She should always be presented to the doctor. This applies in particular to smaller children, who often develop severe symptoms as part of a flu-like infection due to an immature immune system. In children, laryngitis may even need to be observed and treated in a clinic. Swollen vocal folds can cause breathing problems.

Inflammation of the larynx mucosa should definitely be treated by an ENT doctor. Fast and professional treatment can prevent acute laryngitis from developing into a chronic disease of the larynx. It is also known that a certain number of people with chronic laryngitis can gradually degenerate inflamed mucosal cells. Laryngeal cancer can later develop from cell degeneration. In addition, without medical treatment, there is an increased risk of a functional voice disorder. Laryngitis should therefore be treated as soon as possible.

A distinction must be made between laryngitis and pharyngitis or throat inflammation. This is similarly unpleasant and should also be treated by an ENT doctor because of the symptoms. But the temporary loss of voice is usually not associated with it. A visit to the doctor in the case of laryngitis is also advisable because a sick note is required.

Diagnose

Signs of laryngitis are a dry cough, hoarseness and sore throat – especially if the symptoms last longer than about three weeks. A doctor examines the pharynx with a wooden spatula and sees a reddened mucosa. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor can also perform a laryngoscopy. A larynx endoscopy is carried out with a so-called magnifying laryngoscope – a hand-held device that is used specifically for examining the larynx. If the vocal folds and the larynx mucosa are swollen and reddened, it is an acute laryngitis. In addition, a stronger vascular pattern of the tissue can be seen. With a normal laryngitis, the mobility of the vocal folds is not restricted.

If pale red thickening can be seen in the lower area of ​​the larynx, it is usually pseudocroup , an acute, viral infection of the upper respiratory tract in the area of ​​the larynx. This infection mostly occurs in children. With this diagnosis, the vocal folds are only slightly reddened.

In the case of chronic laryngitis, the doctor also performs a larynx endoscopy. The mucous membrane is heavily supplied with blood and swollen. It is partially covered with white mucous membrane changes like plaster stone. It is usually very dry and has yellowish-brown crusts and viscous mucus. If the diagnosis is not clear, a malignant change should always be ruled out using a tissue sample.

complications

Bacterial throat infections can cause abscesses in the larynx area. This is accompanied by severe difficulty swallowing and painful larynx irritation. The inflammation can spread and spread to the laryngeal cartilage. As a result, cartilage melting can occur. An untreated laryngitis can also lead to the development of what is known as Reinke’s edema – a growth in the area of ​​the vocal cords. Severe inflammation is accompanied by a temporary loss of voice , which sometimes puts a psychological strain on those affected. Prolonged pain and feelings of illness can also affect mental health and lead to long-term problems.

If laryngitis is not treated properly, it can develop into a chronic disease. In the worst case, this leads to throat cancer. When treating laryngitis with antibiotics, side effects such as nausea and vomiting, ringing in the ears, tremors in the eyes and dizziness can occur. If the drugs are combined with other preparations, serious hearing and kidney damage can occur. The nerves and muscles are also at risk when taking amikacin, enoxacin and other preparations. Other interactions can occur when taking diabetes, kidney or heart medication at the same time.

treatment and therapy

In order to ensure optimal treatment, the doctor treating you will first want to find out whether it is chronic or acute laryngitis. This can usually be recognized from the symptoms, but in some cases a mirroring of the larynx is also necessary.A distinction is made here between direct and indirect reflection of the larynx – direct reflection of the larynx is only possible under anesthesia. If the hoarseness has lasted longer than three weeks, the doctor will also take tissue samples for examination in the laboratory. Antibiotics are usually prescribed during laryngitis – these help very well.

During treatment, it is also extremely important that those affected protect their voice, because this is the only way to guarantee the success of the treatment. Inhalations with expectorants can have an additional beneficial effect during the treatment of laryngitis.

There are also other useful home remedies, such as warm compresses for the throat or a drink made from ginger and honey. Tobacco, alcohol and hot spices should definitely be avoided during laryngitis.In general, you can hardly prevent a laryngitis. Of course, it is advisable to strengthen your immune system through sufficient exercise and a healthy diet . This is so important because laryngitis usually occurs in connection with colds.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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