The throat seemed to be squeezed by a vice, it is hard to swallow, the tongue does not listen well - almost every person faced a similar phenomenon. Laryngeal edema is not an independent disease - as a rule, it acts as a symptom of a particular pathology. Most often, people are faced with a disease associated with colds.
Features
The danger of this phenomenon depends on the causes of laryngeal edema and the severity of the clinical picture. In some cases, the pathology only causes slight discomfort, and sometimes it can pose a serious threat to life. That is why it is very important not to ignore the problem, but to quickly identify the cause of laryngeal edema, the symptoms and treatment of which depend, for the most part, on this factor.
Usually, the prerequisite for the development of a pathological condition lies in the progression of another disease, which entails very unpleasant consequences. Only after detecting the cause of laryngeal edema can certain therapeutic measures be taken to eliminate the clinical picture.
general information
There is swelling of the larynx due to a vasomotor-allergic pathological process, which rapidly progresses in the mucous membrane of the pharynx and provokes a significant narrowing of its lumen. At the time of swallowing, this closes the passage with the epiglottis.
Laryngeal edema indicates the presence in the body of a more serious disease, the signs of which it manifests. Untimely assistance is often fatal. That is why it is so important to timely engage in treatment and detection of the causes of laryngeal edema.
This disease is equally affected by both children and the elderly. However, most often it is encountered by men aged 17-35 years.
Causes of pathology
The etiology of the disease can be inflammatory and non-inflammatory in nature.
The causes of laryngeal edema of the first type may be:
- angina;
- purulent-inflammatory phenomena in the zone of the cervical spine, pharynx and its cartilage, as well as in the oral cavity, tonsils and root of the tongue;
- epiglottis abscess;
- phlegmonous laryngitis;
- infectious pathologies of acute or chronic form - for example, tuberculosis, scarlet fever, syphilis, flu, typhoid;
- secondary defects provoked by chronic laryngitis or severe hypothermia.
Non-inflammatory causes
The second type of disease can lead to:
- malignant and benign neoplasms;
- vascular pathology;
- malfunctioning kidneys;
- abnormal heart function;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- mechanical, thermal, or chemical damage to the larynx;
- poisoning by harmful or hot gases and vapors;
- surgical intervention in the pharynx;
- allergic reactions of the body;
- clenching of blood vessels in cases of blood flow disorders in the larynx;
- eating too hot foods and drinks;
- radiation or x-ray irradiation, as well as radiotherapy aimed at the neck.
Causes of laryngeal edema and tongue
The worst variant of the disease is the one in which the patient manifests Quincke's edema, the throat and small tongue swells, and in some cases the pathology extends even to the neck, lower face and genitals. In this case, usually, the patient begins a panic attack, which only worsens the overall situation. In this case, we can talk about allergic edema of the throat, which needs urgent care. Such a reaction can appear literally on any component, but most often the causes of laryngeal edema in adults and children are:
- all kinds of products - usually, honey and seafood;
- insect bites;
- various medicines.
The prerequisites for the development of such a process can be varied, but it is not always possible to establish them even taking into account the existing symptoms. The causes of allergic laryngeal edema may be undetected even after a qualified diagnosis and all the necessary laboratory tests. In this situation, we can talk about the idiopathic phenomenon.
But the main symptoms of Quincke's edema are absent pain in the pharynx. The patient may feel suffocation, panic, but do not notice discomfort. It should be borne in mind that the causes and treatment of laryngeal edema and tongue are closely related. After all, it is best to start therapy after identifying the prerequisites for the development of pathology.
Clinical picture
The inflammatory process in edema begins in the submucous membranes of the pharynx, which consists of soft connective fibers. The mechanism for starting this process are toxins that are produced by pathogens of infectious diseases. Injured pharyngeal tissues produce exudate - a substance that seeps through the walls of blood vessels.
Inflammation of the submucous throat is also called edematous laryngitis. In this case, edema occurs against a background of chronic, acute infections, as well as scarlet fever or flu. In some cases, inflammation in edematous laryngitis covers the soft tissues of the cervical spine.
With a non-inflammatory type of edema, exudate in the larynx is absent. The cause of abnormal tissue changes in this pathology is serous transudate - another type of fluid secreted by the vessels. It gradually corrodes the fibers of the mucous membrane of the throat, which leads to the appearance of a pain syndrome.
Non-inflammatory laryngeal edema often acts as an aggravating sign of many diseases:
- cardiac disorders;
- hypothyroidism;
- cachexia;
- renal failure.
Causes and symptoms of laryngeal edema
Depending on the pathogenesis of the pathology, it can progress rapidly or develop gradually over several days. The disease is characterized by certain symptoms:
- deterioration of voice function - first the tone becomes hoarse, and then an aphonia may appear;
- pain at the time of swallowing;
- sometimes neck swelling;
- fever and fever up to 39 degrees, the condition is accompanied by severe weakness and other signs of intoxication;
- sensation of a "foreign object" inside the throat during swallowing;
- dry coughing attacks that provoke increased pain and the spread of infection, leading to purulent complications;
- shortness of breath - for each breath you need to make an effort;
- the occurrence of inspiratory dyspnea;
- blanching of the skin, blueness of the tips of the fingers and lips;
- an excited state in which a person feels the fear of death;
- arrhythmia mixed with chills.
If you do not pay attention to the disease in time and do not begin treatment, the patient’s excited state will gradually change to depression, while the pressure will drop and a weak pulse will begin to be felt.
Signs such as growing pains radiating to the ear, a changed voice, and general malaise can speak of phlegmon of the pharynx.
Death can occur due to cerebral hypoxia and sudden suffocation.
First aid
Having revealed in a person signs of laryngeal edema, it follows:
- the first thing to call emergency care - only a doctor can prescribe competent treatment;
- with symptoms of allergic laryngeal edema, the cause of the pathology should be eliminated by isolating the patient;
- place the person in a horizontal position, raising his legs and turning his head to the side;
- provide the patient with fresh oxygen;
- remove from it all objects that make breathing difficult - a chain, belt, tie;
- try to reassure a person so that his health does not get worse;
- in case of allergic edema, something cold should be placed on the neck to reduce it;
- when insect bites, a tourniquet must be applied so that the allergen does not penetrate further;
- to remove toxins from the body, the patient should be provided with plenty of water;
- in the absence of proper breathing, an artificial procedure must be done;
- if there is no pulse, an indirect heart massage is necessary.
Diagnostics
Due to the fact that swelling of the pharynx can be a sign of a wide variety of defects, it is extremely difficult to make a specific diagnosis in the early stages of development. Examination of the larynx by an otolaryngologist is not enough. Qualified specialists at the time of diagnosis pay close attention to the clinical manifestations of the pathology, which make it possible to determine the non-inflammatory or inflammatory type of the disease. Separately, in this case, one should highlight an increase in body temperature, chills and fever, as well as general malaise in the form of severe drowsiness, weakness, lack of appetite.
Clinical manifestations are then compared with the results of laryngoscopy - a thorough examination of the pharynx and vocal cords using a special device. This is the main method for detecting edematous laryngitis and other defects of the submucosa. With inflammatory edema of the larynx, a specialist notices the secretion of exudate. In combination with high body temperature and general malaise, this symptom with almost 100% probability involves an infectious type of disease.
A non-inflammatory kind of edema, in addition to laryngoscopy and general tests, is determined using differential diagnosis. During the examination by means of a laryngoscope, the doctor notices a swelling of the mucous membrane, which changes color from pinkish to yellow. The results of this examination are compared with urine and blood tests for pathological inflammatory changes. With this type of edema, acetone is absent in biological fluids.
Treatment of adult patients
First of all, the doctor should determine the type of edema: its inflammatory nature or not. It is on this that further therapy depends.
Diuretics like Furasemide help remove excess fluid from the body, thus reducing the size of the pathology.
In addition, antihistamines are often prescribed to patients. After all, usually, edema becomes a consequence of an allergic reaction of the body.
It is very important to constantly ventilate the room in which the patient is located: he needs clean air without any impurities.
Significantly ease the patient's condition will help inhalation with a nebulizer. Such simple procedures are very good for both adults and children. In some cases, such an inhalation can even save a life. As solutions for the procedure are suitable:
- hydrocortisone;
- ephedrine hydrochloride.
Additional recommendations
If laryngeal edema develops too rapidly, vasoconstrictive drops instilled in the nose will help to slow down its development. Perfect in this case, for example, "Naftizin". As for the literally lightning progression of pathology, only urgent surgery can save a life.
Hydrocortisone is usually used as an intramuscular injection, and Prednisolone is used for intravenous injection. A proven excellent effect is obtained by blockade with the use of novocaine in the nasal cavity.
It will be useful to recall that the causes and treatment of laryngeal edema are almost always interconnected. An experienced specialist always tries to use conservative methods of therapy, which are possible only when taking into account the initial prerequisites for the occurrence of pathology.
Treating small patients
The cause of laryngeal edema in a child most often becomes a false croup - an infectious disease in acute form. One of the main signs of this phenomenon is stenosis: starting with mild difficulties and ending with the complete inability to breathe.
If a child has a disease that involves systematic bouts of swelling, then stock up on special medicines in advance for first aid. To do this, you may need Prednisone for injections and Rectodelt candles.
If swelling of the pharynx is provoked by allergens, regular inhalation with saline will come to the rescue. These procedures perfectly eliminate the tension of the muscles of the throat, remove cramps and stabilize the free flow of air.