Sore throat, barking, dry cough, weakness and fever - familiar symptoms? It is these signs that most often accompany laryngotracheitis. This disease affects both children and adults. It is worth noting that in the absence of timely treatment, as well as against the background of sharply weakened immunity, the disease can lead to extremely dangerous complications. So what is laryngotracheitis? What are the symptoms associated with? When do I need to urgently call a doctor? How to treat laryngotracheitis in a child? The answers to these questions are interesting to many people.
What is laryngotracheitis? General information about the disease
Neither children nor adults are safe from such a problem. What is laryngotracheitis? This is a disease that is accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the larynx and trachea. The ailment is accompanied by cough, sore throat and impaired vocal function. Allocate both chronic and acute laryngotracheitis. ICD assigned the code J04.2 to the acute form of inflammation and J37.1 to the chronic form.
Causes of inflammation
Before considering the treatment of acute laryngotracheitis, it is worthwhile to understand the causes of the development of the disease. Inflammation is the result of penetration and active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
The most common are viral forms of the disease that develop against the background of parainfluenza, acute respiratory viral infections, adenovirus infection, rubella, chickenpox, measles, scarlet fever. Laryngotracheitis can also be bacterial - in this case, the most common culprits are staphylococci, beta-hemolytic streptococci, pneumococci.
Much less often, inflammation of the larynx and trachea is the result of the activity of chlamydia, mycobacterium tuberculosis, pale treponema, mycoplasma. In most cases, the pathogen enters the laryngeal tissue from the external environment by airborne droplets (for example, during close contact with a sick person).
Possible risk factors
You already know what laryngotracheitis is and what causes inflammation. On the other hand, sometimes people, even after long, close contact with carriers of the infection, remain healthy, because in this situation, risk factors that can weaken the immune system are also important. Their list is quite impressive:
- sharp hypothermia of the body (temporarily “turns off” the immune defense);
- weakening, exhaustion of the body caused by chronic diseases, in particular hepatitis, chronic gastritis, pyelonephritis, cirrhosis of the liver, rheumatism, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, pathologies of the heart and blood vessels;
- stagnant processes in the respiratory tract, which are observed with emphysema, bronchial asthma, pneumosclerosis;
- constant breathing through the mouth due to obstruction of the nasal passages caused, for example, by a curvature of the nasal septum, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, etc .;
- continuous inhalation of too hot / dry / cold / humid air;
- inhalation of polluted air (at-risk workers in factories and some other enterprises);
- smoking.
It is worth noting that in the diagnostic process it is very important to determine what exactly caused the development of the inflammatory process, because the choice of treatment for laryngotracheitis (acute or chronic) depends on it.
Classification system
There are many ways to classify a disease depending on certain parameters. For example, if we consider the cause of the development of the disease, then we can distinguish bacterial, viral and mixed laryngotracheitis. Acute and chronic inflammation is distinguished depending on the course of the disease.
They also pay attention to morphological changes in tissues, highlighting three island forms of laryngotracheitis.
- The catarrhal form is accompanied by thickening and severe swelling of the mucous membranes, expansion of blood vessels located in the submucous region, and the appearance of small hemorrhages.
- Hypertrophic chronic laryngotracheitis is accompanied by hyperplasia (proliferation) of the mucous epithelium, as a result of which the structure of submucosal tissues, muscles, and vocal cords changes.
- The atrophic form of inflammation is also chronic. In this case, there is atrophy of the mucous membranes, mucous glands, and intracutaneous muscles. The ailment is accompanied by a thinning of the vocal cords.
Symptoms of acute laryngotracheitis
How does laryngotracheitis occur? Reviews and statistical studies suggest that the ailment begins with fever, weakness and other symptoms of intoxication. Nevertheless, the most striking sign of the disease is a cough. It is usually dry, barking and appears in the form of seizures. Patients note that the most severe cough is in the morning and also at night. An attack can be triggered by inhaling too dry, dusty or cold air. Sometimes crying, laughter, physical activity and even just a deep breath sometimes lead to the same result.
At the initial stages, the cough is accompanied by the release of a small amount of viscous, thick sputum, but as the disease progresses, the secretions become more fluid, plentiful, and acquire a mucopurulent character.
In addition, the voice of a sick person becomes hoarse, hoarse. Patients complain of burning, dryness and discomfort in the larynx, as well as pain behind the sternum, which usually occurs during or after a coughing fit.
Acute laryngotracheitis is often accompanied by an increase in lymph nodes in the neck. Palpation of the nodes causes discomfort, even soreness.
Features of the clinical picture in the chronic form of the disease
Symptoms of chronic inflammation are less pronounced, but nevertheless it is impossible not to notice them. Cough with this form of the disease is permanent, however, the patient is not too worried. Attacks occur only during periods of exacerbation.
The most striking sign is dysphonia - a violation of the voice. Some patients complain of a hoarse voice, which manifests itself only in the evenings or in the mornings, and during the day does not make itself known. Other patients note that the voice disappears or changes after a long voice load (singers, speakers, teachers often face this problem). Dysphonia may worsen amid a changing climate. A throat discomfort is also present.
Possible complications
Laryngotracheitis is a dangerous disease, which in the absence of therapy leads to a mass of dangerous complications.
- The infectious process from the tracheal tissue sometimes extends to the lower parts of the respiratory system, which can lead to the development of tracheobronchitis, pneumonia, and other pathologies.
- Particularly dangerous laryngotracheitis is for newborns. The fact is that sputum accumulates in the lumen of the larynx. At the same time, a spasm of the laryngeal muscles occurs, which leads to the development of the so-called false croup. And this, in turn, can result in asphyxia, which is deadly for a small patient.
- A chronic form of inflammation can lead to the formation of a benign tumor of the larynx. Moreover, there is always a risk of malignant tissue degeneration and the development of cancer.
After laryngotracheitis (especially if it was associated with complications), patients are advised to undergo additional tests and regularly undergo preventive medical examinations.
Diagnostic measures
If any of the above symptoms occur, be sure to consult a doctor, especially when it comes to sick children. Only a specialist can correctly diagnose and decide how to treat laryngotracheitis in a child (or adult). Diagnostics, as a rule, includes the following procedures:
- initial inspection and percussion;
- examination of the larynx, ligaments and trachea using a laryngoscope;
- auscultation of the lungs;
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- bacteriological culture (to determine the nature of the pathogen);
- chest x-ray and computed tomography (if complications are suspected).
Medication for laryngotracheitis
How and with what is laryngotracheitis treated? Drugs are selected depending on the symptoms of the disease, because the main goal of therapy is to relieve inflammation and weaken the existing clinical manifestations.
- Antihistamines help relieve laryngeal edema, facilitate breathing. Effective are Fenistil, Zirtek, Zodak, Parlazin.
- Cough medicine, expectorant drugs help relieve bouts of dry cough, stimulate sputum production.
- Means that help relieve unpleasant sensations in the throat are also included in the treatment regimen. Effective drugs are such as Faringosept, Strepsils, Lugol's solution. These drugs have antiseptic and antibacterial properties, relieve pain in the throat.
- Antipyretic drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (in particular, Nurofen, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol) help relieve temperature and pain.
- As for antibiotics, with laryngotracheitis, you can take such drugs only if the bacterial nature of the inflammation has been proven. Antibacterial drugs are selected individually, but, as a rule, cephalosporins, penicillins, macrolides are effective. Again, antibiotics cannot be taken without specific instructions from the attending physician.
- If inflammation is associated with the activity of viruses, then antiviral drugs, in particular, Remantadin, Interferon, are included in the treatment regimen.
Physiotherapeutic Activities
If we are talking about prolonged laryngotracheitis or a chronic form of the disease, then doctors often prescribe inhalations to patients, because moist, warm air is a very important factor in recovery. Inhalations can be carried out both in the hospital and at home using a nebulizer. Effective in this case are mineral water, soda solution, herbal teas of their mint, chamomile. As for drugs for inhalation, most often experts recommend the use of "Sinupret" and "Lazolvan."
In more severe cases, patients are sent to other procedures, in particular, UHF, inductothermy, drug electrophoresis. A therapeutic massage will also be beneficial.
Surgery
Surgical intervention, as a rule, is required only in extreme cases, for example, with hypertrophic or atrophic chronic inflammation. The doctor may decide to remove the tumor or cyst, if there is a chance of their malignant transformation. Sometimes surgery is required to restore the normal functioning of the vocal cords, excision of excess tissue in the larynx.
Laryngotracheitis: clinical recommendations
Most often, inflammation (if there are no serious complications) is treated at home. The drugs, of course, help to alleviate the patient’s condition, but certain conditions must be created for a quick recovery.
What you need to know about the treatment of laryngotracheitis? Komarovsky, a world-renowned pediatrician, advises providing appropriate environmental conditions. In particular, the air in the room should not be too cold, but also not hot - the optimum temperature is from 17 to 19 degrees Celsius. It is worth getting a humidifier for air - this will help relieve spasm from the larynx and prevent the appearance of nighttime coughing attacks.
What else can be done with laryngotracheitis? Doctor's recommendations include plenty of water. A rosehip broth, warm milk with a pinch of soda, herbal teas, fruit drinks, compotes are suitable. If the body temperature is not elevated, but in the evenings it is useful to make warm foot baths - after the procedure you need to put on warm socks and go to bed.
Traditional medicine
Is it possible to treat laryngotracheitis in children at home? Yes, traditional medicine offers a lot of recipes, but you should understand that any self-medication is a huge risk. In no case should you carry out any procedures or take unknown medications without first consulting a doctor.
- Gargling will be helpful. As a solution for the procedure, decoctions of any herbs with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that have an expectorant effect can be used. Effective, is considered a decoction of chamomile, as well as warm water with honey. Gargle regularly, at least 3 to 4 times a day.
- Other warming methods will also be effective, for example, mustard plasters (to be placed on the chest or on the back), foot baths with mustard powder.
- Boil two cups of milk. Place a medium-sized onion in a hot liquid (first you need to peel it and grate it or grind it in a blender). The mixture should be infused for an hour, after which it can be filtered. The medicine is taken in a glass twice a day: in the morning, after sleep, and in the evening.
- Wash the whole apple (with a peel), cut into pieces, pour a liter of water. Prepare the broth by boiling water with slices of apples, then leave the mixture to infuse for 30 minutes. After the product has cooled slightly, add two tablespoons of honey to it and mix. The medicine is taken twice a day in half a glass. By the way, it not only helps to get rid of the symptoms of laryngitis, but also has a pleasant taste and smell - the child is unlikely to protest against such therapy.
Remember that alternative medicines can only be used as adjuvants. In no case should you give up medicines in favor of home-made preparations. Laryngotracheitis is a dangerous disease. So, is it worth the risk of health, and maybe life?
Preventive actions
You already know what laryngotracheitis is and why inflammation develops. Unfortunately, there are no specific prophylactic agents, because a variety of microorganisms can act as pathogens. Of course, you should try not to communicate with sick people, but, you see, sometimes this is impossible.
The only thing that can prevent the development of inflammation even with infection of the body is a strong immunity. That is why it is important to eat right, provide the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals, often walk in the fresh air, temper, play sports, lead an active lifestyle. When the first symptoms appear, you need to seek qualified help.