Treatment of acute laryngitis: symptoms, causes, drug review

In the article, we consider the symptoms and treatment of acute laryngitis in adults.

This ailment is a serious inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa. Such disease can even affect underlying tissue (cartilage). Often, acute laryngitis is one of the manifestations of otolaryngological pathology. Next, we find out which medications and home healing techniques are suitable for eliminating the disease.

Treatment of acute laryngitis should be timely and comprehensive.

Symptomatology

The main symptom is the appearance of hoarseness up to aphonia (that is, the absence of a sonorous voice). In addition, the following manifestations are usually observed:

• Dry throat.
• The appearance of scratching, scratching.
• The appearance of a dry barking cough.
• The appearance of a sore throat or neck, which can significantly increase during swallowing or talking.
• The appearance of enlargement and soreness of the cervical and submandibular lymph nodes.
• There may be a deterioration in overall well-being, along with weakness, fever, most often no more than 37.5 degrees. In the presence of a severe form, a temperature increase of up to 40 degrees is possible in combination with a pronounced deterioration in well-being.
• Other symptoms may be present in the form of a runny nose, nasal congestion.
• Edematous laryngitis is characterized by shortness of breath in combination with a sensation of a coma in the throat.
• The phlegmonous form and abscesses of the larynx (purulent type of disease) are characterized by severe pain along with impaired swallowing (we are talking about choking, including liquid food).
  

The incubation period, as a rule, proceeds from several hours up to several days. Symptoms and treatment of acute laryngitis are interrelated.

Forms of pathology

The following types of this ailment are distinguished:

• Catarrhal laryngitis (this form will be discussed in more detail below) is a superficial inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa.
• The infiltrative type manifests itself in the form of laryngeal edema, the leading symptom is shortness of breath with difficulty breathing.
• The development of phlegmonous laryngitis, it is a purulent lesion of the submucosal layer, which can spread to the adjacent tissue of the neck.
• The occurrence of chondroperichondritis of the larynx, which is a serious disease, against which inflammation can spread to the cartilage of the larynx.
• An abscess (the presence of an abscess located on the cartilage that closes the entrance to the larynx) is referred to the localized form of acute laryngitis.

Now we find out what are the main reasons that affect the occurrence of the ailment in question. Symptoms and treatment of acute catarrhal laryngitis are described below.

Causes

There can be many reasons for the development of this pathology, for example:

• Consequence of contact with a patient with SARS.
• Obtaining hypothermia of the whole organism or individual areas (head, legs, etc.).
• Due to inhalation of cold air.
• Infectious pathologies, for example, influenza, which is an acute viral disease characterized by severe intoxication in the form of weakness, weakness, aching muscles and joints, headache, fever up to 40 ° degrees. Pertussis (acute bacterial infection accompanied by paroxysmal spasmodic cough) can cause laryngitis.
• Due to inhalation of irritants (caustic or hot steam, very dusty air).
• The ingestion of a foreign body into the larynx (for example, fish bone).
• The result of overstrain of the vocal folds (due to a strong scream, prolonged loud speech, especially in the cold).
• Smoking along with alcohol abuse.
• The spread of a particular infection from neighboring nearby organs (nose, paranasal sinuses, palatine tonsils, teeth).
• Against the background of esophageal reflux, when there is a reflux of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus. For this reason, irritation of the laryngeal mucosa may occur. The manifestation of heartburn, belching is not excluded.
• The occurrence of allergies.
• The presence of chronic pathology, along with reduced immunity, contributes to the development of the disease.
  

Diagnostics

Before treatment of acute laryngitis, an examination is necessary. As part of the diagnosis, the following studies are prescribed to patients:

• Conducting an analysis of complaints and an anamnesis of pathology. In this case, the doctor is usually interested in whether the patient is worried about hoarseness, sore throat, shortness of breath. It is necessary to understand how long these complaints arose, whether hypothermia, contacts with ARVI patients, and also voice loads preceded their development.
• Performing a general inspection. As part of the external feeling, the larynx can be painful, the lymph nodes often enlarge. With a severe form of laryngitis, inflammation can spread to the neck tissue, which can be manifested by its edema, redness.
• Laryngoscopy is performed using a laryngeal mirror or special endoscopes. Attention is drawn to the color of the mucosa (in the presence of acute inflammation, it is usually very reddened), there is swelling, mucus or pus in the larynx. In addition, it is important to analyze the width of the glottis (is there difficulty in breathing), disorders of the larynx mobility, limited swelling ulcers.
• You may also need to consult a physician.

Treatment of acute laryngitis

As part of the treatment, doctors prescribe the following therapy:

• First of all, patients are advised to limit the voice load, it is better to give the ligaments complete peace. You need to talk in a calm voice, whispering is completely contraindicated, since with such a speech the load on the larynx is even higher.
• It is recommended to exclude hot, spicy, cold and salty foods with alcohol from the diet.
• It is recommended to abstain from smoking.
• Indoor air must be humidified.
• Inhalation with anti-inflammatory antibacterial drugs is prescribed. Inhalations with the use of mineral alkaline water are considered effective.
• In the otolaryngologist’s office, drugs are injected into the larynx using a special syringe.
• If necessary, patients are prescribed antibiotics.
• Physiotherapy is carried out, for example, electrophoresis (the movement of particles of a medical component under the influence of an electric field).
• At the stage of calming down the disease, in the presence of complaints of hoarseness, breathing and voice exercises are prescribed, a lesson with a phonologist is possible.
• Treatment of edematous laryngitis and abscesses of the larynx, and in addition, complicated forms that are accompanied by the development of stenosis (narrowing of the lumen and impaired passage of air into the respiratory canal), is carried out in a hospital.
• In the presence of edematous laryngitis, antiallergic, decongestant, and hormonal medications are prescribed.
• In an emergency, in case of suffocation, a tracheotomy is performed (incision of the skin and underlying tissue on the neck and insertion of a special tube into the trachea).
• An abscess of the larynx is opened surgically, usually with local anesthesia.
  

If treatment of symptoms of acute laryngitis in adults does not start on time, the development of serious complications is not excluded.

Complications and consequences

Various complications are possible, for example, the transition of a pathology into a chronic form. With severe laryngitis or allergic edema, choking is possible. Purulent types of pathology can lead to the development of the following serious complications:

• The occurrence of phlegmon of the neck when purulent inflammation of the tissues is observed.
• The development of mediastinitis, which is inflammation of the mediastinum (space in the middle areas of the chest cavity).
• The appearance of sepsis, when the infection spreads throughout the body through the blood.
• The appearance of a lung abscess, which consists in the formation of a cavity with pus in this organ.

The treatment time for acute laryngitis depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

Prevention

In the framework of prevention, first of all, it is necessary to be protected from otolaryngological pathologies:

• It is important to avoid hypothermia and drafts.
• A healthy lifestyle is required in the form of walks in the fresh air, playing sports and the like.
• No less hardening is necessary.
• Contacts with patients with otolaryngological pathologies should be avoided.
• The use of personal protective equipment (we are talking about masks, gauze dressings, respirators) during contact with patients.

Among other things, as part of treatment and prevention, you will need:

• A course of multivitamins and immunomodulators (drugs that affect the local immunity of the nose and throat) in the cold season.
• Compliance with voice mode (you must avoid excessive speech loads without talking for a long time in the cold).
• We must abandon bad habits.
• The prevention and treatment of diseases of the stomach.
• Do not inhale irritants (caustic or hot vapors, very dusty air).
• Avoid getting foreign bodies into the larynx (e.g. fish bones).
• Treatment of allergic pathologies.

Below we consider medications for the treatment of acute laryngitis in adults.

Drug Overview

Drug treatment of a disease such as acute laryngitis is prescribed depending on the symptoms of a particular patient:

• In the presence of pain and sore throat, it is advisable to use locally working antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of Tera-flu spray, along with Ingalipt, Givaleks, Angileks, or Strepsils, Faringosept, Traysils lozenges "And" Decatilen ".
• In the case of a dry paroxysmal painful cough, codeine-containing antitussive drugs, for example, Sinecode, are suitable.
• Against the background of dry cough, expectorant medicines on a plant basis are suitable. For example, in the tool "Prospan" contains ivy extract. The medicine "Alteyka" has an extract of Althea, and in the "Herbion" there is an extract of plantain.
• Against the background of a productive cough, mucolytics will certainly be suitable for thinning sputum. For example, drugs based on ambroxol (first of all, Ambrobene and Lazolvan). Medicines with acetylcysteine ​​- “ACC” and carbocysteine ​​- “Fluditec”.
• If bacterial infections are suspected, a topical antibiotic called Bioparox may be prescribed.

What other drugs are used?

As a rule, these are the following drugs for the treatment of acute laryngitis in adults:

• In the presence of severe laryngeal edema, patients are prescribed antihistamines, anti-allergic drugs - “Lorano”, “Tsetrina”, “Zodaka” and “Aleron”.
• In order to improve immunity, multivitamins can be prescribed as the "Alphabet", "Multitabs", "Duovita" and immunomodulating drugs, for example, echinacea extract along with "Ribomunil".
• Syrup "Doctor MOM" contains an extract of medicinal plants with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator, expectorant effects. The drug is recommended for use in the presence of laryngitis, accompanied by an unproductive cough. Sputum discharge improves, a dry cough translates into a productive form. It is used by adults and children from the age of three years. What else is used in the treatment of acute pharyngitis and laryngitis?
• The use of vegetable lozenges "Doctor MOM". This form of the medication contains extracts of plants with antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic properties. Pastilles are the best choice for colds with dry cough among adults and are suitable in cases of lecture laryngitis, including.
• Ointment "Doctor MOM" is suitable when laryngitis is accompanied in patients with headaches or muscle discomfort. This ointment helps to remove this symptomatology. Essential oils that are in its composition are distinguished by antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Ointment can be prescribed to children from three years of age and adult patients too.

It is worth noting that acute laryngitis does not appear to be a common cold, but is a serious illness that can lead to dangerous complications. In this regard, it is very important to start therapy in a timely manner.

Treatment of acute laryngitis at home

When treating laryngitis in the home, you can use the following proposed recipe for alternative methods:

• If laryngitis occurs, the onion is rubbed on a grater and the gruel is put in boiling milk, the product does not need to be boiled, but simply filtered. Drink it warm at night. Repeat this for several days. Treatment of acute laryngitis with folk remedies can be very effective.
• When hoarseness appears or a voice sets, or disappears altogether, they take 100 grams of carrots and boil in 0.5 liters of milk, filter and drink a little. In the presence of laryngitis, rinsing with fresh cabbage juice helps. It can be drunk in small sips.
• Eating a few oranges a day is an excellent way to prevent colds and flu, and at the same time, quickly recover.
• In the presence of acute laryngitis, a decoction of dry apples is very effective. It is taken half a cup in hot form with honey twice. Treatment of acute laryngitis with folk remedies should be under the supervision of a doctor.
  

A warm chamomile bath should be accompanied by inhalation of the vapors of this plant. Such treatment is very useful at the initial stage of a cold and acute respiratory illness. For this, 400 grams of inflorescences are poured with a bucket of boiling water, insisted for an hour and a half, filtered and poured into the bath. The water temperature is from thirty-eight to thirty-nine degrees. The duration of such treatment for acute laryngitis is from ten to fifteen minutes.

About the catarrhal form

Catarrhal laryngitis is a disease of the larynx, which is inflammatory in nature and is manifested, as a rule, by an acute clinic in the form of sore throat, fever and general malaise.

This form of the disease is a widespread ailment, which happens at least once in everyone’s life. Such laryngitis is found in adults and children, it does not depend on gender. It is worth saying that it is the catarrhal type of laryngitis that is considered the easiest form with the flow, since it manifests itself with not very pronounced symptoms and is often not accompanied by any complications.

True, this does not mean at all that such a disease in this form can be started and not paid attention to the treatment of acute catarrhal laryngitis. Despite the fact that the disease almost never leads to complications, it can develop into a chronic stage, which will be much more difficult to get rid of. This should not be forgotten, and in the event of the appearance of the first symptoms of such a disease, one should begin to apply those methods that allow one to get rid of the disease. High-quality and fast therapy of catarrhal laryngitis is carried out today in any clinic. The main thing is not to neglect the help of specialists.

We examined the symptoms and treatment of acute laryngitis.