Polyps in the throat are very common benign neoplasms on the mucous membrane, which are small in size. Most often they appear in the larynx and vocal cords. Their shape and color can be very different. A polyp consists of connective fibers, cellular elements and a small amount of fluid. Its growth time can range from several months to several years. Almost all singers have these neoplasms. Therefore, the polyp in the common people is called the "song nodule."
Before you begin to fight this disease, you need to find out the causes of its occurrence.
Causes of neoplasm
To date, a large number of factors affecting the formation of polyps have not yet been fully studied. Therefore, we consider only those reasons that have a scientific basis. These include:
- systematic overstrain of the vocal cords (screaming, singing, whispering);
- allergy - it can also cause the formation of polyps, especially if the source that provokes its appearance is completely eliminated, there is no possibility;
- smoking - under the influence of this addiction, not only polyps in the throat can form, but also other diseases that pose a threat to life;
- frequent use of coffee and alcoholic beverages;
- violation of the thyroid gland;
- difficult working conditions, for example, people working in a car factory, constantly inhaling impurities of heavy metals;
- heredity.
Due to the fact that all the causes of this neoplasm are unknown, the annual consultation of the ENT will be the best option for prevention.
Symptoms
The presence of a polyp in the throat can produce the following symptoms:
- hoarseness of the voice, which may be accompanied by pain, this symptom is relevant if the likelihood of a cold illness is completely absent;
- hoarseness simultaneously with the sensation of a foreign body in the throat.
How to determine that there are polyps in the throat (a photo of them is presented above)? Visually. With a thorough examination of the throat, you can find red, pink or blue-pink pronounced spots that stand out strongly against the general background and are attached to the mucous membrane with a thin leg or a thick base. A favorite place for polyps is the middle of the vocal cords. Multiple injuries of the mucous membrane of the throat and vocal cords can lead to an increase in their number. This phenomenon is called polyposis.
Polyps in the throat can also form in children under five years of age. These are the so-called juvenile polyps that disappear during adolescence.
In rare cases, the appearance of such formations may be accompanied by pain in the neck, blood cough, breathing problems and a complete lack of voice. Most often, this process is asymptomatic.
Diagnosis
Diagnose this ailment helps examination and consultation of the ENT specialist. The procedure for specular laryngoscopy remains by far the most common.
The main task is to differentiate this neoplasm from others. In order to make sure that the formation is not malignant, a histological examination is performed after its removal.
Treatment
In the treatment of this neoplasm, voice therapy plays an important role. Of course, it is impossible to completely cure an ailment in this way. But this allows you to restore the voice and significantly reduce the size of the polyp. Therefore, upon detection of it, experienced otolaryngologists recommend for some time completely eliminating voice communication.
To completely get rid of the polyp, surgery is indispensable. Removal occurs under local anesthesia. Currently, there are several ways to remove an education, but the most common of them are:
- Endoscopy With this method, laryngeal forceps and a special loop are used. To remove the polyp in this way is possible only on condition of its small size.
- Laser therapy or electrocoagulation.
- Cauterization with liquid nitrogen (cryodestruction). This method is used only if the probability that the tumor is malignant is completely absent.
If the polyp was not completely removed, the probability of relapse is high.
In order to recover faster after the operation, experts advise giving your vocal chords a break, stop smoking and moisten the air in the house for two weeks.
Folk remedies
In order for polyps in the throat to become smaller, traditional medicine is often used. Such treatment will only help delay the removal procedure and eliminate the symptoms, but the formation will not disappear.
People in this situation use propolis, since it is a good anti-inflammatory agent. A small piece of propolis is simply chewed in the morning on an empty stomach. Thus, you can not only reduce the size of the polyp, but also significantly increase immunity.
A geranium decoction is also a good tool to combat such tumors. To do this, two tablespoons of ground leaves are poured with water and boiled for five minutes after boiling. You need to use this decoction twice a day in a cooled form.
Infusion of Grushanka removes inflammatory processes in the body and eliminates all the symptoms of the formation of polyps. Two teaspoons of the plant will require 200 ml of boiling water. Brew this infusion in a thermos and insist for three hours. Such a volume must be drunk in small portions throughout the day. The course of treatment continues until the symptoms disappear completely.
Tips
As the saying goes, the disease is easier to prevent than to treat. This remark applies to polyps. How to avoid their appearance? To do this, you do not need to overload the vocal cords, it is necessary to overcome all bad habits, and also visit the laura once a year.
People working in the factory and breathing in harmful fumes must wear a respirator mask.
Polyps are generally an unpleasant phenomenon, despite the fact that the fight against them does not always take a long period of time, and the recovery process after therapeutic intervention does not exceed two weeks.
Conclusion
Now you know how polyps appear in the throat, we examined their symptoms. We also talked about how to treat this ailment. As you know, in this matter, you can’t do without a doctor’s consultation. Therefore, if it seems to you that you have polyps in your throat, photos of which each ENT has seen more than once, then do not hesitate, but immediately go to the otolaryngologist.