A common ailment is epiglottitis. This is inflammation of the epiglottis and the surrounding tissues of the larynx. With it the patency of the airways is disturbed and their obstruction appears. The disease appears in both children and adults, but usually in boys 2-5 years old. The symptoms and treatment of inflammation of the epiglottis are described in the article.
What it is?
The inflammation of the epiglottis is called epiglottitis. In this process, airway obstruction and air obstruction are provoked. An ailment manifests itself in the form of dysphagia, dysphonia, fever, sore throat, stridor breathing.
Such a disease is dangerous in that there is swelling of the epiglottis and nearby tissues, due to which the airways are narrowed - until they are completely closed. Air does not enter the lungs, which causes acute respiratory failure and, as a result, death.
The form of the course of the disease is acute. The chronic form also occurs if the disease is not manifested for the first time. Inflammation of the epiglottis happens:
- swollen;
- abscessed;
- infiltrative.
There are common symptoms of forms of inflammation, but some may vary. In any case, the patient needs emergency care, and then diagnosis and treatment. With timely medical care, complications can be avoided.
Causes
Why does the epiglottis develop? The reason is considered to be a hemophilic bacillus, constantly present in the nose and sinuses in a passive state. Transmission occurs by airborne droplets, which is why the disease is epidemic.
In addition to hemophilic bacillus, pathogens include pneumococci, Candida fungus, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, as well as those that provoke the development of parainfluenza, herpes, lichen, chickenpox. These microorganisms are not able to penetrate the epiglottis, if there are no favorable factors for this.
More epiglottitis appears due to:
- larynx injuries - wounds, bumps, tears;
- chemical burns with alkalis or acids;
- thermal burn of very hot food;
- smoking abuse;
- addiction.
For any reason, the disease causes discomfort. Only medical methods can alleviate the condition. A greater risk of inflammation in:
- men (boys);
- African American people;
- people who are in a large team;
- allergy sufferers;
- residents of megacities;
- people with reduced immunity or immunodeficiency;
- persons with lymphogranulomatosis - a blood disease;
- children with perinatal encephalopathy;
- persons after removal of the spleen.
How is it manifested?
What are the symptoms of epiglottis inflammation? At first there is a common cold and rhinitis: fever, nasal congestion, sneezing. Then the occurrence is likely:
- sore throat, as with tonsillitis;
- hyperemia of the throat;
- difficulty breathing, as with tracheitis or bronchitis;
- symptoms of intoxication;
- difficulty swallowing due to swollen epiglottis;
- increased salivation;
- muffled voices;
- hoarse, wheezing, noisy breathing;
- blue lips and fingertips;
- fear, irritability, anxiety, as in acute respiratory failure;
- forced posture - elongated neck, open mouth, protruding tongue.
Do not diagnose the disease yourself. This may cause choking. Timely medical care can quickly improve the patient's condition.
In children
The disease usually occurs in children, especially in boys 2-5 years old. It begins with the usual sore throat or SARS. Difficulty breathing, pain during swallowing, and excessive salivation. A similar disease is rapidly progressing.
In a few hours, all the symptoms occur - until absolute obstruction of the respiratory tract. High mortality due to acute oxygen deficiency, hypoxic coma, and aspiration of the masses during vomiting was revealed here.
In adults
Inflammation of the epiglottis in adults is rare. If the disease appears, then more often in men. The reason for this is the structure of the larynx in men, as well as bad habits, which may not be in all women. Symptoms of epiglottis inflammation in adults appear the same as in everyone.
In women, the disease develops due to alcohol or drug abuse. You can detect the disease by the above symptoms. Treatment of inflammation of the epiglottis in adults should be performed under the supervision of a physician.
Diagnostics
As can be seen from the photo, inflammation of the epiglottis manifests itself in the form of unpleasant symptoms. But it is necessary to perform diagnostics only after the restoration of the patient's condition, which is reanimated, eliminating the obstruction.
An ENT doctor collects complaints and medical history, examines the epiglottis, and then tests and procedures are prescribed. It will be possible to diagnose with:
- fibrolaryngoscopy;
- radiography;
- laryngoscopy;
- blood test;
- pharyngoscopy;
- microbiological examination of pharynx.
Diagnostic nuances
A clinical examination requires caution, because even with normal pressure with a spatula on the root of the tongue, reflex laryngospasm may appear. Therefore, procedures should be performed in a hospital where an intensive care unit is present. It is advisable that instrumental methods be used - fibrolaryngoscopy is considered informative and safe. The study will reveal an increase and hyperemia of the epiglottis, swelling of the arytenoid cartilage and ligaments. An abscess is presented in the form of a yellow spot, which is visible through the mucous membrane.
You can get information using radiography. The image will show an enlarged epiglottis. But its absence does not indicate that there is no epiglottitis. To determine the causative agent of the infection, swabs from the larynx are taken, after which a bacteriological study is performed. The nature of the process is revealed by a blood test.
It is necessary to differentiate the ailment in a child with false croup, foreign bodies, a pharyngeal abscess, stridor, whooping cough and other conditions in which similar symptoms are detected. Thanks to the clinical picture and additional examination, the doctor will make an accurate diagnosis.
First aid
If you have any symptoms of the disease, you need to call an ambulance to hospitalize the patient. Before the arrival of the doctors intramuscularly injected medicine that relieves swelling. This is Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime. Antipyretic medicines are also used.
It is important that the person is in a sitting position. It is required to provide an influx of fresh air, eliminate tight clothing. Hospitalization is a must. In stationary conditions, the doctor decides on the methods of treatment, taking into account the results of the diagnosis.
How to treat?
Treatment of inflammation of the epiglottis is performed in a hospital. In this case, folk remedies and diet are ineffective. Home treatment can only lead to death. Therefore, at the first symptoms of the disease, you must call an ambulance to transport the patient in a sitting position.
Doctors will relieve respiratory obstruction before arriving at the hospital. How to treat the disease at this stage? Inhalation with moist oxygen, an oxygen mask, tracheal intubation, percutaneous puncture tracheostomy.
After arriving at the hospital, the same procedures are performed as before eliminating air obstruction. What else is treated for epiglottitis? The resuscitator and otolaryngologist prescribe medications:
- Antibiotics - "Cefotaxime", "Ceftazidime", "Cefuroxime".
- Immunocorrectors - Bronchomunal, Lycopid, Polyoxidonium.
- Saline infusion solutions - “Disol”, “Lactosol”, “Ringer”.
- Sedatives.
- Inhalation with glucocorticoids.
- Dimexide based compresses on the neck.
When infiltrative epiglottitis occurs, notches are made on the epiglottis in areas of greater swelling. With an abscess, the epiglottis is opened.
Surgical method
In difficult cases, when the respiratory lumen of the larynx is greatly narrowed, an emergency surgery is required. Treatment in this situation is performed by introducing a special tube into the larynx and trachea, with the help of which an artificial expansion of the respiratory clearance is carried out. This normalizes breathing and protects against the development of asphyxiation. After the operation, antibiotic therapy is prescribed.
Prevention
It is about vaccination. There are vaccines for children under 5 years of age and older and for adults who have low immunity. Another prevention is:
- hand washing;
- playing sports;
- hardening;
- balanced nutrition;
- strengthening immunity;
- smoking cessation;
- lack of eating hot food to prevent burns;
- lack of self-medication when symptoms of the disease occur.
Life span
How long do they live with such an ailment? Life expectancy is influenced by whether medical care has been provided. Cases of death with a running illness make up 30-40%. With timely treatment, deaths are 1%. It is important to call an ambulance in time for the onset of symptoms so that the condition cannot worsen from oxygen deficiency.
Complications
The most serious complication is acute asphyxia, when the airways are blocked by the edematous epiglottis. A dangerous complication is pulmonary edema, which appears with an acute lack of oxygen. The spread of infection leads to pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. If you see a doctor in a timely manner, the prognosis is usually positive.