Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx (voice box). Symptoms often include hoarseness and may include fever, cough, pain in the front of the neck, and difficulty swallowing. Typically, this lasts under two weeks.
Laryngitis is categorized as acute if it lasts less than three weeks and is chronic if symptoms persist for more than three weeks. Acute cases usually occur as part of a viral upper respiratory infection. Other infections and traumas such as coughing are another cause. Chronic cases can occur due to smoking, tuberculosis, allergies, acid reflux, rheumatoid arthritis, or sarcoidosis. The underlying mechanism involves irritation of the vocal cords.
Regarding signs that may require further investigation include stridor, history of radiation therapy to the neck, difficulty swallowing, duration longer than three weeks, and smoking history. If the signs concerning the present vocal cords should be checked through laryngoscopy. Other conditions that can produce similar symptoms include epiglottitis, croup, inhalation of foreign matter, and laryngeal cancer.
Acute form generally disappears without special treatment. Resting sounds and enough fluids can help. Antibiotics are generally not useful in the acute form. The acute form is common while the chronic form does not. Chronic forms occur most often in middle age and are more common in men than women.
Video Laryngitis
Signs and symptoms
The main symptom of laryngitis is hoarseness. Because laryngitis can have many different causes, signs and symptoms may vary. They can enter
- A dry or sore throat
- Cough (both causative factors and symptoms of laryngitis)
- Often clears the throat
- Increased saliva production
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Swelling sensation in the larynx area (discomfort at the front of the neck)
- Globus pharyngeus (feels like a lump in the throat)
- Symptoms such as flu or cold (which, like cough, can also be a factor of laryngitis)
- Swollen lymph nodes in the throat, chest, or face
- Fever
- General muscle pain (myalgia)
- Shortness of breath, especially in children
Sound quality
In addition to hoarseness, tone and volume changes may occur with laryngitis. Speakers may experience a lower or higher tone than usual, depending on whether their vocal folds are swollen or stiff. They may also have a better sound, because more air flows through the space between the vocal folds (glottis), the calmer volumes and lower ranges.
Maps Laryngitis
Cause
Laryngitis can be contagious or non-infectious. The inflammation resulting from the vocal cords generates the distorted sound produced there. It usually develops in response to infection, trauma to the vocal cords, or allergies. Chronic laryngitis can also be caused by more severe problems, such as nerve damage, wounds, polyps, or hard and thick lumps (nodules) on the vocal cords. [4]
Acute
Viral
- Most cases of acute laryngitis are caused by viral infections, the most common being rhinovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, coronavirus, and RSV. In patients with impaired immune systems, other viruses such as herpes, HIV, and coxsackievirus can also be a potential cause.
Bacteria
- This is a major cause of other acute laryngitis, and may develop along with or due to viral infection. Common bacterial strains are; group A streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae , C. diphtheriae , M. catarrhalis , Haemophilus influenzae , Bordetella pertussis, Bacillus anthracis, and M. tuberculosis. In developing countries, the cause of more unusual bacteria can occur such as mycobacteria and syphilis, although this can happen in developed countries as well.
Mushrooms
- Laryngitis caused by a yeast infection is common but not often diagnosed on the basis of reviews by BMJ and can cause up to 10% of cases of acute laryngitis. Patients with well-functioning and impaired immune systems may develop fungal laryngitis, which may develop as a result of recent use of antibiotics or corticosteroid inhalation. Certain strains of the fungus that can cause laryngitis include; Histoplasma , Blastomyces , Candida (especially in immunocompromised persons), and Cryptococcus and Coccidioides .
Trauma
- Often due to excessive use of the vocal cords like excessive cries, shouting, singing. Although this often results in damage to the outer layer of the vocal cords, further healing can lead to changes in the fold physiology. Other potential causes of inflammation may be used too often in the vocal cords. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] Laryngeal trauma, including iatrogenic (caused by endotracheal intubation), can also cause inflammation of the vocal cords.
Chronic
Allergic
- The finding is unclear whether asthma can cause symptoms commonly associated with laryngitis. Some researchers have suggested that the cause of allergic laryngitis is often misdiagnosed as a result of acid reflux.
Reflux
One possible explanation for chronic laryngitis is an inflammation caused by gastro-oesophageal reflux that causes subsequent irritation of the vocal cords.Autoimmune disorders
- Approximately 30-75% of people with rheumatoid arthritis report symptoms of laryngitis.
- Symptoms of laryngitis occur only in 0.5-5% of people with sarcoidosis. According to a meta-analysis by Silva et al. (2007), the disease is often a common cause of laryngeal symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as another sound disorder.
Diagnosis
- Acute laryngitis
- Chronic laryngitis
- granulomatous laryngitis
- Pseudomyxomatous laryngitis
Visual diagnosis
The larynx itself will often show erythema (redness) and edema (swelling). This can be seen by laryngoscopy or stroboscopy (the method depends on the type of laryngitis). Other features of the larynx network may include
- Redness of the (acute) laryngeal tissue
- Blood vessels dilate (acute)
- Dense and dry (chronic) laryngeal tissue
- Rigid vocal folds
- Sticky secretion between the vocal cords and nearby structures (interaritenoid region)
References
Some signs and symptoms indicate the need for early referral. This includes
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stridor vocals
- Ear pain
- Recent weight loss
- Smoking history
- Current or recent radiotherapy treatment (in the neck area)
- Latest neck surgery or surgery involving endotracheal tubing
- People are professional voice users (teachers, singers, actors, call center workers, and so on)
Treatment
Treatment is often supportive, and depends on the severity and type of laryngitis (acute or chronic). Common measures to reduce laryngitis symptoms include behavior modification, hydration and humidification.
Sound cleanliness (sound care) is very important to relieve symptoms of laryngitis. Sound cleanliness involves such actions
- Rest sounds
- Drink enough water
- Reduces caffeine and alcohol intake
- Quit smoking
- Restrict throat cleaning
A sound cleaning program is provided by a speech-language pathologist. These programs usually include the following components:
- Overcome the number and type of voice usage
- Reduce behavior that damages the vocal cords
- Increases hydration
- Customize lifestyles (eg, restrict caffeine and manage medical conditions)
Acute laryngitis
In general, acute laryngitis treatment involves vocal hygiene, painkillers (analgesics), humidification, and antibiotics.
Viral
The recommended treatments for viral laryngitis involve vocal breaks, pain medications, and mucolytics for frequent coughing. Home remedies such as tea and honey can also help. Antibiotics are not used for the treatment of viral laryngitis.
Bacteria
Antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial laryngitis, especially when symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection are present. However, the use of antibiotics is highly contested for acute laryngitis. It deals with issues of effectiveness, side effects, costs, and possible antibiotic resistance patterns. Overall, antibiotics do not appear to be very effective in the treatment of acute laryngitis.
In severe cases of bacterial laryngitis, such as supraglottitis or epiglottitis, there is a higher risk of blocked airways. Urgent referral should be made to manage the airway. Treatment may involve humidification, corticosteroids, intravenous antibiotics, and adrenaline nebulisation.
Mushroom
Fungal laryngitis can be treated with oral antifungal tablets and antifungal solutions. It is usually used up to three weeks and treatment may need to be repeated if the yeast infection returns.
Trauma
Laryngitis caused by excessive use or misuse of sound can be managed despite vocal hygiene measures.
Chronic laryngitis
Reflux
Treatment of laryngaringeal reflux mainly involves behavioral management and treatment. Behavioral management involves such aspects
- Wear loose clothing
- Eat smaller, eat more often
- Avoid certain foods (eg caffeine, alcohol, spicy food)
Anti-reflux drugs may be prescribed for patients with chronic laryngitis and hoarseness. If anti-reflux treatment does not cause decreased symptoms, other possible causes should be examined. Drugs free to neutralize acid (antacid) and acid suppressants (H-2 blockers) may be used. Antacids often act briefly and may not be sufficient for treatment. A proton pump inhibitor is an effective type of drug. It should only be prescribed for a certain period of time, after which symptoms should be reviewed. Proton pump inhibitors do not work for everyone. Physical reflux barriers (eg Gaviscon Liquid) may be more suitable for some people. Antisecretory medications can have several side effects.
When necessary, anti-reflux surgery may be beneficial to some individuals.
Inflammation
When treating allergic laryngitis, topical nasal steroids and immunotherapy have been found to be effective for allergic rhinitis. Antihistamines can also help, but can create dryness in the larynx. Inhaled steroids used for prolonged periods can cause problems with the larynx and sound.
Autoimmune
Mucosal membrane pemphigoid can be managed with drugs (cyclophosphamide and prednisolone).
Granulomatous
Sarcoidosis is usually treated with systemic corticosteroids. Less frequent treatments include intralesional injection or laser resection.
Prognosis
Acute
Acute laryngitis may persist, but will usually heal itself within two weeks. Recovery tends to be fast if the patient follows a treatment plan. In viral laryngitis, the symptoms may persist for a long time, even when upper respiratory inflammation has been resolved.
Chronic
Laryngitis that continues for more than three weeks is considered chronic. If laryngeal symptoms persist for more than three weeks, referral should be made for further examination, including direct laryngoscopy. The prognosis for chronic laryngitis varies depending on the cause of laryngitis.
References
External links
- Laringitis in Curlie (based on DMOZ)
- Mayo Clinic
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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