Laryngitis is understood as an inflammatory process that affects the mucous membrane of the larynx and vocal cords. Most often, the disease begins with damage to the upper respiratory tract, which occurs against the background of the development of pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms in them. If the inflammation does not go away for a long time (more than three weeks), then adults and children develop chronic laryngitis.
Features of the disease
The inflammatory process in the larynx and vocal cords can be a huge inconvenience in everyday life. In chronic laryngitis, the affected area extends to the entire larynx.
Laryngitis can appear against the background of overstrain of the vocal cords, which is often found in singers, teachers, and people in other professions where the vocal cords experience increased tension. It is also not recommended to breathe your mouth in cold air with cold air so as not to get inflammation.
The course of chronic pathology most often has a wave-like character and lasts a very long time, even after leaving the profession (teacher, singer), the disease remains with the person for life.
Competent therapy aimed at reducing the intensity of the disease is necessary so that a person can remain socially active and not experience difficulties with voice function. Doctors agree that treating chronic laryngitis requires much more patience and strength than eliminating acute pathology.
Types of Chronic Disease
In accordance with the international classification of diseases of the tenth revision (code J37.0 according to ICD-10), chronic laryngitis is usually divided into three types:
- catarrhal;
- atrophic (dry);
- hypertrophic (hyperplastic).
Each form has its own flow characteristics.
Catarrhal
Catarrhal chronic laryngitis has a non-aggressive course of the disease. This pathology does not cause changes in the tissues of the larynx, and also does not show vivid clinical symptoms. Most often, this type of disease is accompanied by coughing, tickling in the throat and mucus separation. In adulthood, there is a change in the timbre of the voice, especially in the evening.
Atrophic
Dry chronic laryngitis is considered a disease of people of mature age, it does not occur in children. In the process of the disease, the mucous membrane of the larynx atrophies, which most often occurs due to prolonged work in harmful production, as well as against the background of smoking.
Atrophic laryngitis (the name of dry chronic laryngitis according to ICD-10) is accompanied by more pronounced symptoms, primarily - dry cough, tickle, dry throat and regular secretion of viscous secretions. Upon separation of dried crusts, bloody discharge may form. At the same time, the patient has a deterioration in general condition, a feeling of weakness increases, working capacity decreases and attentiveness decreases.
Hypertrophic
Chronic hypertrophic laryngitis causes compaction and enlargement of the laryngeal mucosa. With friction of enlarged surfaces, ulcers can form, erosion can develop. Symptoms of the disease are hoarseness in the voice, sore throat, a constant feeling of irritation. Doctors agree that the development of chronic hyperplastic laryngitis can be a harbinger of cancer.
Causes of the appearance of chronic pathology
Chronic laryngitis does not appear from scratch. There are a number of reasons that contribute to a protracted illness:
- frequent respiratory diseases, acute laryngitis;
- other pathologies of the respiratory tract and nasopharynx;
- disorders in the hormonal background of the body;
- uncontrolled use of antibiotics;
- addiction to alcohol or smoking;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- frequent presence in contaminated rooms;
- excessive load on the vocal cords and sudden changes in temperature.
Despite so many provoking factors, much depends on the human immunity. With a good natural defense of the body, the risk of transition even of acute laryngitis to a chronic form is extremely low.
For an adult, bad habits play an important role. Smoking and alcohol, as well as difficult working conditions (air pollution) significantly increase a person's predisposition to the development of chronic laryngitis.
Causes of the disease in childhood
Chronic laryngitis in children most often appears due to adverse external factors and conditions that surround the child. But health features also cannot be left unnoticed.
Among the main reasons are:
- curved nasal septum;
- polyps in the nasal cavity;
- being in a room with dry air (unventilated room);
- adverse climate and living conditions.
The development of certain diseases leads to a deterioration in the blood supply to the larynx and increases the risk of chronic laryngitis. Such diseases include problems with the gastrointestinal tract, a malfunction of the cardiovascular system, allergy manifestations, and immune disorders.
Specific features of the course of the disease
The main feature of chronic laryngitis is a sore throat, a change in the timbre of the voice (hoarseness appears), and sputum production.
The first complaints about this condition appear in adults, who greatly strain the voice apparatus in everyday life, the degree of intensity of manifestations is individual.
In the case of children, the disease can develop against the background of a long cry, which is typical for babies. However, medical statistics suggest that in children under 4 years of age, chronic laryngitis is a rare case. After this age, pathology manifests itself more often against the background of complex respiratory diseases.
At an older age, pathology can also appear as an independent disease, which is provoked by smoking, alcohol, weakening of the immune system. In adults, the phenomenon of voice loss is more often observed, especially in the evening or immediately after sleep. It has been established that during menopause, menstruation, and pregnancy in women, symptoms become more intense.
The stage of exacerbation in children becomes more dangerous, accompanied by an increase in temperature. For a small child, the disease can be dangerous and provoke severe complications, so it is extremely important to diagnose laryngitis in time and undergo the necessary course of treatment.
Complications of the disease
From a medical point of view, the catarrhal is considered the mildest form of chronic laryngitis. With proper and timely treatment, the disease is not accompanied by complications. However, if you provoke a deterioration in smoking, harmful working or living conditions, and poor ecology, then this form can degenerate into another, more dangerous one.
The chronic form of laryngitis leads to a number of complications:
- failure in the motor function of the larynx, which can provoke a significant change in the voice and paresis of the vocal cords;
- complete loss of the ability to talk;
- the appearance of shortness of breath;
- narrowing of the larynx, which can lead to suffocation;
- development of cysts, polyps and other formations on the surface of the mucous membrane of the larynx.
Hyperplastic laryngitis is recognized as the most dangerous form, which in some cases requires immediate treatment and mandatory hospitalization. This form of pathology leads to the development of ulcers and false cysts of the larynx, which have the peculiarity of suddenly bursting. The worst and most difficult complication is the formation of cancerous tumors and carcinomas of the larynx.
How to diagnose a disease
Treatment of chronic laryngitis begins with a diagnosis of the patient's condition and determining the form of a developing pathology. Examination by a doctor includes a number of necessary procedures:
- medical history during the consultation;
- examination of the pharynx, the identification of deviations from the norm;
- determination of the presence of risk factors for the development of a chronic form of the disease;
- examination using laryngoscopic mirrors and endoscopes;
- checking the functioning of the vocal cords.
If hypertrophic laryngitis is detected, a more serious examination may be required, which includes computed tomography, magnetic resonance therapy, and a tissue biopsy. If there are suspicions of cancer complications, the doctor gives a referral to an oncologist to confirm or refute the risks identified.
How to treat chronic laryngitis without drugs?
The methods of treatment directly depend on the form of the disease and the individual state of health of the patient. At the same time, there are general rules for therapy, which is divided into non-drug and drug.
Non-drug recommendations include:
- complete cessation of smoking;
- decrease in tension of vocal cords;
- avoidance of being in dusty rooms, harmful production, use of special protective equipment;
- humidification of air;
- avoid overheating;
- if possible, plan a trip to the area with a marine climate;
- treatment of concomitant diseases of the nose, throat, maintaining immunity;
- change in diet, getting rid of heavy and annoying food.
Such actions will greatly weaken the speed of development and the intensity of the disease, which will help the body cope with the disease faster.
Drug treatment
Treatment of chronic laryngitis in adults and children also includes taking medications in the complex:
- taking antibiotics, which is often prescribed for exacerbation of the disease;
- carrying out inhalation procedures (alkaline) using Lazolvan;
- the use of drugs whose action is aimed at suppressing cough;
- the use of drugs with an expectorant effect;
- carrying out irrigation of the throat, which is also possible when absorbing lozenges and plates.
It is believed that the catarrhal form of the disease can be cured quickly at home. On the recommendation of a doctor, immunomodulators are added to the listed medicines, and a course of physiotherapy may also be recommended. If it is necessary to restore the voice, then special oils and solutions are used, a course of speech and vocal phonopedics is conducted.
With the development of chronic atrophic laryngitis, proteolytic enzymes that enter the body through special inhalation procedures are usually added to the specified complex of drugs. This therapy allows you to speed up the process of restoring injured tissues of the larynx. Mandatory are laser therapy, electrophoresis, the use of a complex of vitamins B.
Hypertrophic laryngitis in most cases requires surgical intervention, conventional methods of therapy are effective exclusively in the early stages of the disease. Antibiotics are necessary in this case; local cauterization methods are also used.
Surgical treatment
Surgery is resorted to in cases where conservative methods of therapy have not had the desired effect. Such a development is possible with atrophic and hyperplastic chronic laryngitis.
The operation is performed using a laser under the control of a videoscope. The main task is to remove the affected tissues of the larynx. If papillomas, cysts, fibromas, and other formations are present in the larynx, then they must be excised in order to further conduct their complete histology.
In some cases, removal of growths that are localized around the vocal cords is required.
Mistakes that cannot be made
In the process of treating chronic laryngitis, it is very important not to harm. To do this, remember a number of rules and strictly follow them:
- it is contraindicated to use funds for which an allergic reaction may occur;
- in no case use mustard plasters in the treatment;
- Do not use alcohol for irrigation of the throat;
- alcohol is contraindicated;
- Do not use hot inhalation;
- must be excluded from eating onions and garlic;
- In no case do not ignore the doctor’s recommendations and do not skip the prescribed procedures.
It is important to understand that the main way to avoid an unpleasant disease is to carefully monitor your health. Timely and completely treat respiratory diseases, monitor the condition of the nasopharynx, strengthen immunity and carefully treat your own vocal cords (avoid over-exertion and hypothermia).