Laryngitis - causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Forms of laryngitis: chronic, acute, allergic, hyperplastic

14381 09/02/2019 7 min.

Laryngitis has another name - false croup. But its essence is the same – inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa. It occurs more often in winter and spring. Its causative agents are bacteria and viruses, and antibiotics must be used. Most often children suffer from it, but it also does not ignore adults. Doctors prescribe an antibiotic to treat laryngitis, which successfully eliminates infections and prevents complications.

Antibiotics in tablets for laryngitis in adults

This disease occurs together with colds and infectious diseases, and less often occurs independently. The reasons for its occurrence include: bad habits, hypothermia, environmental conditions and overstrain of the larynx (when singing, shouting or loud talking). Properly selected antibiotics can speed up recovery, remove inflammation and restore throat function.

The danger of an untreated disease can be complications such as tracheritis and laryngotracheitis. Not in rare cases, pharyngitis is an inflammation of the tissues of the pharynx.

Symptoms of laryngitis in adults are described.

For adults, four groups of antibiotics are prescribed: fluoroquinolones, penicillins, cephalosporins and macrolides.

Fluoroquinolones

These antimicrobial drugs, penetrating into the body, inhibit the vital activity of the enzymes of microbial cells that make up the infection and this leads to the gradual elimination of the infection itself.

Moxifloxacin

Moxifloxacin is a drug for systemic use with a broad spectrum of action. Has a pronounced antibacterial effect on the body. It blocks two enzymes at once that affect the properties of DNA and leads to the death of the pathogen. This antibiotic successfully eliminates anaerobes, staphylococci, acid-fast and atypical bacteria. Each tablet contains 400 mg of moxifloxacin hydrochloride.

In pharmacies, a package of five tablets can be purchased for 860 rubles.

You can find a list of antibiotics for otitis media in children.

Application. The drug is taken orally daily, one tablet. Its use is not associated with food intake. The drug is not chewed, but washed down with plenty of water. The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor. Usually it lasts at least a week.

It should not be used by children under 18 years of age.

Levofloxacin

Levofloxacin is an antibiotic that blocks the enzymes necessary for bacterial DNA synthesis. This leads to consequences that are incompatible with the life of microbes. They not only lose the ability to reproduce, but die completely.

Application. Levofloxacin is prescribed for oral administration once or twice a day before meals. Sometimes you are allowed to drink in between. The tablet should be swallowed completely without chewing and washed down with a glass of clean water. If necessary, they can prescribe half a tablet, then it can be broken along the dividing strip. The duration of the course depends on the severity of the disease, but not less than 10 days.

The antibiotic is available in tablets. One package contains 10 pieces at a price of 615 rubles.

Penicillins

They consist of a synthetically produced waste product of mold fungus, which has a detrimental effect on many harmful bacteria. These drugs inhibit chemical reactions that are necessary for the life of bacterial cells.

Ampicillin

Ampicillin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic. It has a bactericidal effect. Blocks transpeptidase enzymes in bacterial cell membranes. Effectively eliminates gram-positive and gram-negative harmful microorganisms and their anaerobic analogues.

Find out how antibiotics are prescribed for tracheitis.

Application. This medicine is well absorbed when taken orally. Complete decomposition and subsequent effects on the body occur an hour after consumption. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor for each patient individually, based on the severity of the disease, the location of the infection and the nature of the pathogen.

The medicine has a more than modest price. 20 pieces of 250 mg tablets can be bought for 28 rubles.

Adults should take the drug four times a day, 250–500 mg at a time. For children, one dose is 12.5 – 25 mg per kilogram of weight. They take the drug every six hours.

Bioparox

Bioparox is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It has a bacteriostatic effect on various harmful microorganisms, fungi, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, staphylococci and streptococci. It is able to integrate into the membrane of microorganisms and disrupt their synthesis by introducing liquid into the cells, thereby suppressing their work, reproduction and migration.

It is used in the form of inhalations. A bottle of this drug can be purchased for 485 rubles.

Application. Adults and children over 12 years of age are prescribed four injections into the oral cavity. If it is used for the nose, then spray twice into each nasal passage.

Children from 2.5 to 11 years old - two injections in the mouth and one in the nose, but also four times a day. For the mouth and nose, the product comes with appropriate attachments.

Cephalosporins

These include bactericidal antibiotics that can eliminate particularly resistant staphylococci and enterobacteria. They are well tolerated and do not cause allergic reactions.

Ceftriaxone

Ceftriaxone is an effective medicine against streptococci of groups B, C, G, staphylococci, meningococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus, Escherichia coli and Haemophilus influenzae and various infectious diseases. The drug acts at the cellular level, preventing the membrane of the pathogen from being synthesized. When injected, it is quickly absorbed by the body, and then excreted through the kidneys or intestines after two days, we can say that rapid treatment occurs.

It can be purchased in pharmacies in the form of a powder for solution. It is packaged in glass vials of 1 gram, the cost of one is on average 45 rubles.

Application. The drug is administered intramuscularly or intravenously. In the first case, half the bottle is dissolved in 2 ml of water for injection. If it is necessary to use the contents of the entire bottle, then take 3.5 ml of liquid.

For intravenous use, 0.5 ml of powder is dissolved in 5 ml of water specifically for injection. To dissolve one gram, take 10 ml. The solution must be injected very slowly. There are cases when the drug must be used in a dropper, then 2 grams of powder are diluted in 40 ml of a solvent consisting of levulose, sodium chloride solution and glucose. The drip is placed for half an hour.

The treatment regimen and dosage of the drug are prescribed by the doctor.

Macrolides

These antibiotics are compounds of natural origin and are safe and have the lowest toxicity among their analogues.

Clarithromycin

Clarithromycin - inhibits protein synthesis in cells and acts bacteriostatically. A blister with 10 tablets of 250 mg can be purchased for 220 rubles.

Application. The dosage is determined for each individual. For adults and children over 12 years of age, a single dose is 0.25 - 1 gram. It is taken twice a day, regardless of meals.

Medicines for children (which one to buy, how to treat it)

What antibiotics are suitable for children? The structure of a child's larynx differs from that of an adult. They have a large number of vessels, which is why inflammation of this organ is so dangerous. It can cause swelling in the throat and block air flow. Therefore, it is important to ensure proper treatment to prevent it from developing into a more acute form of the disease. Antibiotics are prescribed with extreme caution so as not to cause complications. Let's look at the most commonly used drugs.

Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin – a bacteria-killing antibiotic that can eliminate gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria from the body, as well as some bacilli (coliform, salmonella, shigella). Microorganisms that destroy penicillin may be resistant to it. Prescribed for sore throat and other respiratory diseases.

16 capsules of the drug, 500 mg each, can be purchased for 35 rubles.

Application

It is taken orally regardless of food intake. The dose and duration of the course are prescribed by the doctor. Typically, adults take 500 mg three times a day. In acute forms of the disease, the dose is increased.

You can find a list of antibiotics for purulent sore throat.

Dosage for children:

• up to 2 years old at the rate of 20 mg per 1 kg of child’s weight;
• from 2 to 5 years, 125 mg;
• from 5 to 10 years – 250 mg 3 times.

The course of taking the drug is from 5 to 12 days.

Oxacillin

This is a semi-synthetic penicillin. With its bactericidal effect, it inhibits the synthesis of bacteria, especially those that produce the enzyme penicillinase. Eliminates most viruses, fungi, gram-negative bacteria.

It is produced in powder and in tablets of 0.25 g. The drug is packaged in glass bottles containing 20 tablets and blisters of 10 pieces. The cost of the product is 460 and 320 rubles, respectively. The powder for preparing the solution is sold in glass vials of 10 or 20 ml.

The price of one small bottle is 10 rubles.

Application

The tablet is taken orally one hour before meals or two hours after taking them. The daily dose of medicine for children from six years of age is 1 gram, and for adults – 3 grams.

Injections with this solution are made intramuscularly or intravenously. For children over 6 years of age and adults, 2 to 4 grams of the drug are prescribed. For children, the daily dose is calculated based on body weight:

• for newborns - determined by taking into account 20 - 40 mg per 1 kg of weight;
• up to three months – 60 – 80 mg;
• up to two years – 1 gram;
• from 2 to 6 years – 2 g per kg of weight.

The solution is administered every 4 to 6 hours for a week. The solvent for the powder is 0.9% sodium chloride solution or use water for injection.

Cefixime

This is an antimicrobial agent that eliminates many harmful bacteria. In the pharmacy it is found in the form of tablets and suspensions. The first type of medicine is presented in blisters. Each of them contains 10 oval pills. Powder in 25 gram bottles can be purchased for 640 rubles.

The cost of the tablets is 680 rubles.

You will find a list of antibiotics for pharyngitis.

Application (how to take/drink, good and quick treatment)

• Pills. The daily dose for children over 12 years of age and adults should not exceed 400 mg. The duration of the course is a week, sometimes it can reach 10 days. For children under 12 years of age, the dose is determined based on the number of doses of the drug. If once, then 8 mg per kilogram of weight, and if every 12 hours, then 4 mg.
• Suspension. To prepare it, the medicine in the bottle is diluted in boiled water. Moreover, it must be added gradually to the mark indicated on it. The bottle must be shaken before each use. It is used before and after meals.

Video

This video will tell you about the treatment of laryngitis.

For children from six months to 12 years of age, the daily dose is 4 mg per 1 kg of weight. Typically, the course of treatment lasts from three to 14 days. Taking antibiotics for laryngitis is necessary to eliminate/treat the cause of the disease. The dosage and course of treatment should be agreed with your doctor. At the same time, he needs to take medications that will restore the intestinal microflora after the use of antibiotics. In addition to laryngitis, children may suffer from other throat diseases. Symptoms and treatment of tonsillitis in children are described.

As a rule, laryngitis occurs due to the penetration of a viral infection and the influence of certain factors such as hypothermia, inhalation of chemicals and weakened immune function. In most cases, the disease affects only the larynx area. But there are situations when the symptoms spread to the nasal or oral cavity, as well as to the bronchi. This indicates that a secondary infection has occurred. So when should you take antibiotics for laryngitis?

Many patients wonder whether antibiotics are needed for this disease and when to start taking them. It is worth noting that in most cases, laryngitis occurs as a result of a viral infection entering the body. The disease can develop as a consequence of a cold or flu.

The disease is characterized by unpleasant symptoms in the form of a sore throat, a barking cough, an increase in temperature to 39-40 degrees, general malaise and loss of voice. Respiratory failure may occur due to swelling of the larynx.

On average, the disease lasts from seven to ten days, and the symptoms gradually disappear. Upon recovery, the patient's voice returns, the temperature is restored, and the pain goes away.

Laryngitis of viral origin in adults often resolves without adverse consequences. It is enough to follow the doctor’s recommendations and carry out the treatment process. But in childhood everything is much more complicated. Very often, viral laryngitis is accompanied by a secondary infection, resulting in tracheitis or bronchitis. In addition to all this, children under three years of age have a high probability of developing false croup. This disease leads to a narrowing of the larynx. It is quite difficult to cure this type of disease without taking antibiotics. But doctors have several indications for prescribing antibacterial therapy. These include:

• bacterial laryngitis, which is confirmed by tests;
• manifestation of purulent or mucopurulent sputum;
• the appearance of purulent films on the larynx;
• complications that arose after laryngitis;
• the occurrence of stenosing laryngitis of the second, third and fourth degrees;
• high fever that lasts more than five days;
• prolonged course of the disease;
• constant exacerbations of chronic laryngitis.

Types of antibacterial agents for laryngitis

What drugs to choose for the treatment of laryngitis? In practice, it is customary to distinguish three main groups of antibiotics that are used to treat laryngitis:

• medications included in the penicillin group. These include Amoxiclav, Amoxillin, Augmentin;
• drugs belonging to the group of cephalosporins. These include Ceftriaxone;
• drugs included in the macrolide group. Of these, Azithromycin and Sumamed are isolated.

Drugs for treatment are chosen depending on what pathogen has affected the body and what age the patient is.

Effective treatment of laryngitis with antibiotics

Antibiotics for laryngitis are often prescribed in childhood. In adults, the disease occurs in a milder form and does not leave behind complications.

The most effective antibiotics for laryngitis:

1. Amoxiclav. Broad-spectrum antibiotic. Included in the penicillin group. It contains amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. The components of the drug perfectly fight against various bacterial pathogens. Such antibiotics for laryngitis in children are prescribed in the form of a suspension for ten days. Daily intake is up to three times a day. The dosage is calculated based on the age and weight of the patient. Amoxiclav is well tolerated by patients, but in rare cases it can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
2. Sumamed. An antibiotic that belongs to the group of macrolides. Refers to modern drugs that can cure the disease in a few days. The drug is available in the form of granules and powder for the preparation of suspension and in the form of capsules and tablets. Used in adults and children. Sumamed for laryngitis is recommended to be taken once a day for five days. It is recommended in situations where the penicillin group does not have a positive effect or there is an allergic reaction to the components. In rare situations, it causes side effects, which are expressed in abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea.

Contraindications to the use of antibiotics for laryngitis

Antibiotics for laryngitis are not always prescribed. Experts say that these are simply incompatible things. But many patients, at the first manifestations of the disease, run to the pharmacy for antibiotics, and therefore do the wrong thing.

Experts say that it makes no sense for a child or an adult to drink antibacterial agents during hypothermia. The body is able to cope with the disease on its own. In such situations, laryngitis can be treated with warm compresses, rinsing, drinking warm drinks, and irrigating the throat.

Since most laryngitis occurs as a consequence of colds and flu, antibiotics are not prescribed for viral infections. They simply cannot cope with viruses. Such a process, on the contrary, can cause harm to the patient. First, the immune function loses its ability to fight viruses. Secondly, the microflora in the intestines is disrupted. And this causes even greater harm to health.

Recovery after antibiotic therapy

If the patient has been treated for laryngitis with antibiotics, then the body needs to be helped to recover quickly. The thing is that antibacterial drugs lead to the development of harmful consequences, which affects the digestive system, mucous membranes of the oral cavity and genital organs. Medicines that children and adults take destroy not only harmful bacteria, but also beneficial microorganisms.

To recover faster, the patient is advised to follow several recommendations in the form of:

1. transition to a balanced diet. Harmful foods in the form of spicy dishes, marinades, fatty soups, and carbonated drinks should be excluded from the diet. The patient needs to eat healthy food in the form of vegetables and fruits, boiled or steamed meat and fish, cereals, and cereals. You also need to drink fermented milk products;
2. taking medications that have an astringent or laxative effect. It is desirable that such products are only of plant origin;
3. the use of enzymes to facilitate the digestion of food. These include Mezim or Creon;
4. the use of drugs that contain probiotics and bifidobacteria. These include Normabact, Linex. These remedies will quickly restore the intestinal microflora.
5. use of specialized products for women. Often, in the female half of the population, the microflora in the vagina is disrupted. To bring everything back to normal, you need to take antifungal drugs and suppositories with lactobacilli. A gynecologist will help you choose;
6. taking mineral water daily in the form of Essentuka or Borjomi. Their action is aimed at regenerating the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, cleansing the liver and skin;
7. drinking plant-based teas. They improve the functioning of the gastric and intestinal organs. You can drink infusions of flax seeds, blueberry or currant leaves;
8. use of immunomodulatory drugs to improve immune function. Only a doctor should prescribe them.

For hypertrophic laryngitis, aerosol types of steroid-based drugs are prescribed. They can be perfectly combined with antibacterial drugs. As an additional treatment, patients are prescribed physiotherapy in the form of ultrasound or ultraphoresis.

The treatment process for laryngitis is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process. These problems are treated with antibiotics. But in parallel, it is necessary to activate blood flow in the affected area and normalize metabolic processes in the tissues of the larynx. For such purposes, UHF inductothermy and therapy using pulsed currents are prescribed.

For antibacterial therapy to work, you need not only to drink antibiotics, but also to adhere to several recommendations in the form of:

• taking antitussive medications in the first two to three days;
• the use of mucolytic agents to liquefy and remove sputum;
• carrying out inhalations using a nebulizer with the addition of saline solution;
• using warm compresses on the throat or hot foot baths. Such procedures can be carried out only when the patient’s temperature is no higher than 37.5 degrees;
• gargling with a solution of sea salt or infusions of medicinal herbs. Manipulations should be carried out up to ten times a day;
• irrigating the throat with antiseptic solutions;
• resorption of tablets with an antibacterial effect.

Also follows:

• limit yourself to talking and remain silent for three to four days;
• humidify the air in the room;
• maintain bed rest;
• drink milk with honey, mineral water or soda.

To prevent laryngitis in children from leading to serious consequences, it is necessary to call a doctor as soon as possible. You should not prescribe antibiotics yourself, as they can cause even more harm. The entire treatment process must be agreed with the treating doctor.

Laryngitis is an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the larynx. Symptoms may include a dry and sore throat, difficulty breathing, a dry, barking cough, hoarseness or loss of voice.

There are the following types of this disease:

• Acute laryngitis: in the early stages can be treated without antibiotics, lasts 7-10 days, accompanies an infectious disease or occurs as a result of hypothermia, overstrain of the vocal cords.
• The chronic form can develop due to constant exposure to harmful factors: smoking, alcohol, polluted and dry air.
• False croup (laryngospasm) - narrowing of the glottis, accompanied by a “barking cough” and difficulty breathing. It is extremely dangerous for children under 3 years of age; if this condition occurs, you must call an ambulance.

Antibiotics are prescribed only by the attending physician. He makes a decision on the need for antibacterial therapy depending on the stage of the disease, the cause of its occurrence, and the individual characteristics of the patient’s body. Often this disease occurs against the background of acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections.

In this case, in parallel with the treatment of the primary disease, symptomatic treatment is recommended: rinsing, irrigating the throat with antiseptic agents, topical medications, a gentle diet (cold and hot, spicy, sour, solid foods are excluded), warm alkaline drinks, inhalations.

If the bacterial nature of the disease is suspected, treatment of laryngitis with antibiotics is indicated. There are various possible reasons for this situation:

• The main disease is caused by bacterial infections. In this situation, there is no relief of symptoms during the use of antiviral drugs. Laboratory tests will help determine the cause of the disease and resolve the issue of prescribing antimicrobial agents. In most cases, the therapist, based on the results of a general blood test, determines whether antibiotics are needed in the treatment of laryngitis.
• Against the background of a viral infection, bacterial complications develop on the mucous membranes. To confirm the diagnosis and clarify the pathogen, a bacterial culture from the throat is performed. The procedure itself is not complicated: you need to make a swab from the nose and the mucous membrane of the back of the throat, but you have to wait, on average, 2 weeks for the test results. If it is not possible to delay treatment, physicians must choose which antibiotics to take for laryngitis in adult patients with moderate to severe disease based solely on symptoms.

In the chronic course of the disease, treatment with antibiotics is also possible, but before using them it is necessary to exclude other possible causes of laryngitis, including:

• gastroesophageal reflux;
• fungal infection;
• work with chemicals, industrial hazards (dry and hot air in workshops, work in mines, etc.);
• allergy;
• smoking.

Types of antibiotics used for laryngitis

As part of antibacterial therapy for the treatment of laryngitis, drugs from the following groups are used:

• penicillins:, And ;
• macrolides and azalides:(sumamed ® , ), ;
• cephalosporins:, cefuroxime ® ;
• fluoroquinols:, Levoflaxin ® , .

Penicillins

Others

Sumamed ® (azithromycin ®)

– an antibiotic of the macrolide group, has a bacteriostatic effect. Fights against certain strains of staphylococci, streptococci, mycoplasmas, chlamydia and other bacteria and intracellular microorganisms. Acquired microbial resistance to the drug is possible.
Available in different dosage forms:

• strawberry flavored powder for diluting the suspension 100 mg;
• tablets in two dosages: 125 and 500 mg;
• capsules 250 mg;
• for injections - lyophilisate for preparing a solution of 500 mg.

The powder is approved for use from 6 months, tablets of 125 mg - from 3 years, capsules - from 12 years. Not recommended for nursing mothers. Do not take at the same time as ergotamine and dihydroergatomine.

Antibiotics for laryngitis in children

It is important to remember that antibiotics should only be prescribed by a doctor. The pediatrician, having assessed the clinical picture, anamnesis, and individual characteristics of the patient, must decide whether laryngitis in your child can be cured without antibiotics.

Usually, they are in no hurry to prescribe ABPs to a newly ill child, with the exception of acute laryngitis with loss or hoarseness of voice in a patient under 3 years of age. This precaution is associated with the still weak respiratory system of babies and the risk of developing false croup - a condition in which the glottis narrows, breathing becomes difficult, and whistling appears when inhaling.

If laryngospasm does occur, you need to call an ambulance, provide cool, moist air in the room, calm the child; if you have a nebulizer, you can inhale with Ventalin ® or Berodual ®.

In other cases (except for advanced ones - then an antibiotic is prescribed at the discretion of the doctor), laboratory tests are required to prescribe the correct treatment: a general clinical blood test and bacterial culture from the throat. The latter includes determining sensitivity to various drugs. Based on the data obtained, the pediatrician determines which antibiotic is best suited for laryngitis in children in this case.

Antibiotics for laryngitis in a child are prescribed by a pediatrician if:

• test results indicate the presence of a bacterial infection;
• the disease is combined with bronchitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis, etc.;
• a child under 3 years of age has a barking cough, shortness of breath, hoarseness of voice, cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle and other signs of laryngospasm;
• Long-term therapy does not give positive dynamics.

In no case should you ignore the prescriptions of a specialist, since correctly selected and justifiably prescribed antimicrobial substances will help stop the inflammatory process and avoid complications.

Not all antibiotics can be given to children. The most common permitted ones are:

• Sumamed ® (approved for use from 6 months);
• Klacid ® -clarithromycin ® in the form of syrup (suspension), indicated for children over 3 years of age,
• Augmentin ® suspension – for children from 3 months.
• Cephalosporin antibiotics are usually administered to children intramuscularly or intravenously; suspensions (Zinnat ®) can be used.

Is it harmful to treat laryngitis in pregnant and nursing mothers with antibiotics?

Antibiotics are not recommended throughout pregnancy, but may be prescribed for severe stages of the disease. Before doing this, the doctor must balance the expected harm from the drug to the fetus and the risk to the patient in case of refusal to take the drug.

Breastfeeding mothers will have to stop breastfeeding for the duration of the medication and its effect (until it is completely removed from the body). Some antibacterial agents are approved for use during feeding (Augmentin ®). If the baby is not temporarily switched to formula, you need to ensure that the baby does not develop thrush and give probiotics to both mother and baby.

Rules for taking antibiotics

1. Strictly follow the frequency and timing of medications recommended by your doctor. This will allow you to maintain the required concentration of the drug in the blood.
2. Do not arbitrarily interrupt the course of antibacterial therapy and do not change the prescribed dosage.
3. Read the instructions carefully, pay attention to contraindications and possible side effects.
4. Follow the recommendations specified in the instructions regarding how to take antibiotics for laryngitis: before, during or after meals, what to drink with it.
5. Follow a gentle diet: exclude fatty, heavy foods and gas-forming foods. Take a course of probiotics. This will prevent the development of dysbiosis and digestive problems.
6. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.
7. Prevent candidiasis with medications intended for this purpose, for example, nystatin ® or.

How to cure laryngitis without using antibiotics?

Treatment should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor and depends on the severity of the patient’s condition.

The main ways to treat the disease without antibiotics:

• Rinse with soda, herbal decoctions (chamomile, calendula). It is not recommended to use tinctures, as alcohol dries out the mucous membrane.
• Inhalation with saline solution or mineral water. Only with the help of a nebulizer. You can't breathe above the steam!
• Treating the throat with local antiseptics.
• Diet. Light fractional meals. Drink plenty of warm (not hot!) drinks. Warm milk with 1 teaspoon of honey, the same amount of butter and baking soda on the tip of a knife will soften your throat.
• If your voice has disappeared, gargle with flax seed infusion (brew 1 tsp per 1 cup of boiling water).

Laryngitis– a disease of the respiratory system that affects the mucous membrane of the larynx. The disease is accompanied by a change in voice, up to its complete loss, coughing, and breathing problems. The most severe complication of laryngitis is complete occlusion of the upper respiratory tract (larynx stenosis), which most often occurs in children.

What are the larynx and vocal cords?

The larynx is an organ of breathing and voice production. Located on the front surface of the neck, level 4-6 cervical vertebrae (in children at the level of the 3rd cervical vertebra, in older people it drops to the 7th cervical vertebra). It looks like a tube that opens into the pharynx at one end and goes into the trachea at the other. In front, the larynx borders the thyroid gland, in the back with the pharynx and esophagus, on the sides of it there are large vessels and nerves of the neck (carotid artery, vagus nerve, etc.). The larynx is formed by cartilage, ligaments and muscles, which makes it a mobile organ. When talking, breathing, singing, swallowing, the larynx makes active movements. So, when producing high-pitched sounds, exhaling, and swallowing, the larynx rises, and when producing low sounds, it lowers.

The framework of the larynx is created by cartilages: 3 paired (arytenoid, sphenoid and corniculate) and 3 unpaired (thyroid, epiglottis and cricoid).

All cartilages are connected to each other by strong ligaments and joints. The largest and most clinically significant of them are: the conical ligament (connects the cricoid and thyroid cartilages) and the thyrohyoid ligament (connects the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage).

Two paired joints, the cricothyroid and cricoarytenoid, help the larynx perform active movements. Thus, the cricothyroid joint allows the thyroid cartilage to tilt forward and backward, which helps to tighten or relax the vocal cords. Movements in the cricoarytenoid joints make it possible to narrow and expand the glottis (convergence and divergence of the vocal folds).
The muscles of the larynx play a major role in the implementation of motor activity of the larynx.

There are the following groups of muscles of the larynx: external and internal.

External(sternothyroid, thyrohyoid) muscles help raise and lower the larynx. Due to the contraction of the internal muscles, the cartilage of the larynx moves, which in turn changes the width of the glottis. There are muscles that help expand the glottis and muscles that narrow it. Glottis dilators: the paired posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, which moves the arytenoid cartilages along with the vocal folds.

Muscles that narrow the glottis: 1) lateral cricoarytenoid, 2) transverse interarytenoid, 3) arytenoid oblique muscle, 4) cricothyroid muscle, 5) vocalis muscle. The internal muscles also include the muscles that elevate and depress the epiglottis (the thyroepiglottic and aryepiglottic muscles).

The cavity of the larynx is narrowed in the middle section and expanded upward and downward, thus resembling an hourglass in shape. The mucous membrane lining the inside of the larynx is a continuation of the mucous membrane of the nose and pharynx. There are sections of the larynx where under the mucous membrane there is a layer of loose fiber (folds of the vestibule, subglottic space, lingual surface of the epiglottis). If inflammation and swelling develop in such places, this leads to difficulty breathing (stenosis), up to complete closure of the airways (obstruction). Between the folds of the vestibule and the vocal folds is the ventricle of the larynx. This ventricle contains lymphatic tissue and when it becomes inflamed, “laryngeal sore throat” develops.

Vocal cords. Speech therapists use the term “vocal cords” more often in professional vocabulary than vocal folds. However, the "vocal cords" are folds of mucous membrane that project into the laryngeal cavity, containing the vocal cord and vocal muscle. The muscle bundles in the vocal folds are located in a special way in different mutually opposite directions. This unique structure of the vocal folds allows them to vibrate not only with their entire mass, but also with one part, for example, the edges, half, third, etc.

Why can the laryngeal mucosa become inflamed?

There are a number of reasons that can cause inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa. Here are the main ones: infectious, physical, allergic and autoimmune causes.

• Infection. The laryngeal mucosa can be affected primarily after direct entry of an infectious agent into the body and onto the laryngeal mucosa. So it can be affected secondarily as a result of the spread of infection from foci of long-term chronic infection (sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, etc.). When an infectious agent (bacterium, etc.) gets on the mucous membrane, it releases a number of toxic substances, which disrupts the integrity of the protective barriers and destroys the cells of the mucous membrane. In response to this, an inflammatory reaction is launched and immune defense cells are attracted in order to limit the infectious process and eliminate the causative agent of the disease. In this case, there is a sharp reddening of the mucous membrane, vasodilation, accumulation of leukocytes, and swelling. Laryngitis is most often caused by a nonspecific infection (bacteria, viruses, fungi), less often by a specific infection (tuberculosis, syphilis, etc.). The most common causative agents of laryngitis:

• Viruses: influenza virus, Haemophilus influenza, parainfluenza, microviruses, adenoviruses (1,2,3,4,5), rhinoviruses, coronavirus, Coxsackie viruses, measles virus.
• Bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiela pneumonia, Branhomella cataralis, Streptococcus viridans, Streptococcus pneumonia, etc.
• Fungal infection often develops in people suffering from immunodeficiency or after long-term antibiotic therapy.

• Physical reasons. General and local hypothermia, eating irritating food (usually very cold), cold drinking, breathing through the mouth, occupational hazards (dust, smoke, etc.), excessive vocal stress (long, loud conversation, singing, screaming) - all this leads to a violation local defense systems, damage to the cellular structures of the mucous membrane and the development of the inflammatory process. In the future, infection may occur.
• Allergic causes. Inflammation in the larynx can also occur if an allergic reaction develops. More often, the triggering factors of allergies are: various chemical powders that get on the mucous membrane of the larynx, dust, smoke, ingestion of a number of food products (chocolate, eggs, milk, citrus fruits, etc.). With the development of inflammation as a result of an allergic reaction, edema may develop, which sometimes threatens the patient’s life.
• Autoimmune causes. In rare cases, inflammation of the larynx can develop as a result of a violation of immune defense mechanisms. When your own tissues, and in particular the mucous membrane of the larynx, are attacked by your own immune defense cells. More often, autoimmune laryngitis develops against the background of systemic autoimmune diseases such as: Wegener's granulomatosis, amyloidosis, relapsing polychondritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.
• Other reasons. Laryngitis can develop if stomach contents enter the larynx (gastroesophageal reflux). This condition can develop in case of weakness of the esophageal sphincters, which normally prevent gastric contents from entering the esophagus, pharynx, and larynx.

Predisposing factors in the development of laryngitis: smoking, alcohol abuse, metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency, chronic diseases of the kidneys, heart, liver, occupational hazards (dust, smoke, etc.), prolonged vocal stress, hypothermia, dry, unhumidified air.

What are the symptoms of laryngitis?

Symptoms of acute laryngitis:

• Voice change. The voice coarsens, becomes hoarse, hoarse, and may lose sonority until it is completely absent (aphonia).
• Burning sensation, dryness, sensation of a foreign body in the larynx (soreness), possible pain during inhalation and exhalation.
• Painful cough with sputum discharge. Laryngitis often occurs together with other diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, tracheitis, etc.)
• General condition moderately impaired, body temperature increased, chills possible.

Symptoms of chronic laryngitis:

• Persistent voice disorder. Voice weakness, hoarseness, loss of voice sonority. During the day, the voice can change its character, sometimes the patient speaks only in a whisper and with tension.
• , burning, itching, pain when swallowing
• Cough is dry and produces sputum, a painful cough is possible in the morning, especially in heavy smokers
• General condition practically undisturbed

Symptoms of allergic laryngitis:

• Sudden development, after contact with an allergic agent (dust, smoke, chemical, etc.).
• Difficulty breathing, severe lack of air, asthma attack
• Persistent cough, while the voice usually does not change (acute laryngitis)
• In chronic allergic laryngitis, the symptoms are the same as in ordinary chronic laryngitis (change in voice, sore throat, coughing, etc.), but there is an allergic factor that causes the disease (dust, chemicals, smoke, etc.).

Symptoms of hyperplastic (hypertrophic) laryngitis:

• Voice disorder. The voice is rough, wheezing, sometimes turning into falsetto, sonority is reduced until it is completely absent.
• Sensation of a foreign body in the throat, rawness, cough.
• The disease mainly occurs in smokers who produce copious amounts of sputum in the morning and experience a painful cough.
• In severe cases, breathing problems may occur.

What are the symptoms of laryngitis in children?

Acute laryngitis most often occurs in children aged one to 6 years; boys are affected three times more often. During this period, the child is most acutely susceptible to this disease. This is due to the anatomical and immune features of the development of the child’s body (narrow glottis, high percentage of allergic reactions, instability of the immune system).

Laryngitis in children is characterized by a number of features, such as:

• As a rule, develops against the background of acute respiratory viral infection or influenza
• Severe swelling of the larynx
• High likelihood of developing airway spasm
• High risk of developing acute shortness of breath with severe complications (respiratory failure)
• Swallowing problems, pain when swallowing
• Often develops suddenly during sleep (child in a supine position).
• An attack of suffocation occurs, the child wakes up from a sudden lack of air, blue lips
• The attack is accompanied by a convulsive barking cough, the voice is often unchanged
• The attack may be repeated within 15-20 minutes
• It is possible that the attack will stop on its own
• In most cases, acute laryngitis requires hospitalization of the child

What is chronic laryngitis?

Chronic laryngitis is a long-term inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx. The disease is quite common in various social strata and age groups. But still, men are more often susceptible to this disease, this is directly related to their working conditions and addiction to bad habits. A variety of factors contribute to the development of chronic laryngitis. First of all, this includes untreated acute laryngitis and other diseases of the respiratory system, unfavorable working conditions (dust, gas pollution), overstrain of the vocal apparatus, bad habits (smoking, alcohol), etc.

There are 3 clinical forms of chronic laryngitis: catarrhal (usual), hyperplastic (hypertrophic) and atrophic. In general, these forms of laryngitis have similar symptoms (change in voice, cough, discomfort in the throat), but there are some individual characteristics for each of the forms.
So, for example atrophic laryngitis characterized by painful dryness in the throat and larynx, as well as significant impairment of voice formation. As a result of a long-term inflammatory process with atrophic laryngitis, the vocal cords become thinner, which leads to the impossibility of their complete closure. In addition, a viscous secretion accumulates in the larynx, crusts form, which causes a sensation of a foreign body in the throat and frequent coughing attacks. With atrophic laryngitis, breathing is difficult. Atrophic laryngitis is the most complex and difficult to treat form of chronic laryngitis.

Another form of chronic laryngitis such as hypertrophic laryngitis, unlike atrophic laryngitis, is characterized by thickening of the laryngeal mucosa. Excessively thickened areas of the larynx in the form of whitish or transparent elevations can become so large that they interfere with the closure of the vocal cords. Also, with this form of laryngitis, deformation of the vocal folds occurs, which is accompanied by a violation of voice formation (a wheezing, rough, dull voice). This form of laryngitis, like atrophic laryngitis, is accompanied by difficulty breathing.
At usual form (catarrhal) Laryngitis does not cause breathing problems. This form is characterized by persistent voice impairment, hoarseness and cough with sputum production. The voice can change its character during the day, sometimes there are periods when the patient can only speak in a whisper. In the catarrhal form of laryngitis, the laryngeal mucosa looks like classic inflammation (redness, swelling, slightly thickened).

How to treat laryngitis at home?

• Compliance with the regime. First of all, you should follow the voice mode. Talk as little as possible, and it is better to remain completely silent. Under such conditions, the processes of restoration and healing of the laryngeal mucosa proceed much faster. Under no circumstances should you speak in a whisper. With this type of conversation, the tension and trauma to the vocal cords is several times greater than with normal speech.

• Environment. It is necessary to maintain a favorable indoor microclimate. The room should be well ventilated, maintain an optimal temperature of 20°-26 °C, and monitor the air humidity level (50% - 60%). Since dry air contributes to microdamage to the laryngeal mucosa, this aggravates the course of the disease and slows down the recovery process. You should keep your throat warm, for this it is better to wrap your neck with a warm scarf or make warm compresses. Avoiding going outside, especially in cold weather, can make the situation significantly worse.

• Water or drinking regime. The patient needs to drink plenty of fluids in order to quickly remove toxins from the body, as well as in order to reduce the viscosity of sputum and maintain the necessary moisture of the laryngeal mucosa. Moisturized vocal folds are not as susceptible to trauma and the processes of restoration of damaged tissue are more likely to occur in them. You should drink up to 2-3 liters of fluid per day. It is better to drink liquid in the form of warm herbal teas (chamomile, lemon balm, thyme, sage, etc.), berry fruit drinks. Warm milk with mineral water (Borjomi, Essentuki, etc.) helps well in liquefying and removing phlegm.

• Diet for laryngitis. The patient should avoid excessively cold, hot, spicy, and salty foods. All this can injure the laryngeal mucosa and reduce the body's resistance. In addition, foods that help relax the lower esophageal sphincter (chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, fried foods, mint, etc.) should be excluded from the diet. This diet should be followed especially strictly by patients with so-called “chemical” laryngitis, which occurs due to gastric juice entering the larynx. This occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter is unable to properly close the esophagus and prevent stomach contents from entering it. In this case, gastric juice from the esophagus enters the pharynx, and then into the larynx, burning its mucous membrane, thereby causing inflammation (laryngitis).

• Eliminate smoking and alcohol. Smoke entering the laryngeal mucosa significantly reduces its protective and restorative abilities.

• Hot foot baths, mustard plasters on the calf muscles help reduce swelling of the laryngeal mucosa and make you feel better. This effect is mainly achieved due to the redistribution of blood from the upper part of the body to the lower.

• Rinse. Another effective way to treat laryngitis at home. Frequent rinsing at least 5-7 times a day reduces swelling, reduces inflammation, and accelerates healing processes. Recommended rinses:
  • Sea salt solution (1-1.5 tsp per 500 ml)
  • Soda solution (1 teaspoon per 200 ml),
  • Herbal infusions (chamomile, sage, linden, calamus rhizomes, raspberries, eucalyptus leaves,
  • Beetroot juice, fresh potato juice diluted with warm water,
  • Warm milk with carrots (boil 1 carrot in 500 ml of milk, then rinse with this milk),
  • Decoction of onion peels, etc.

• Inhalations An excellent method for treating laryngitis at home. This does not require complex devices or expensive medications. An ordinary teapot can be used as an inhaler, with a long funnel made of thick paper attached to the neck, through which the healing process is carried out. Of course, you can just cover yourself with a towel and breathe over the pan. You should breathe through the pores at least 10 minutes after the water has boiled. It is important to ensure that the procedure is as comfortable as possible and does not cause pain. Under no circumstances should the pores burn the mucous membrane of the larynx. The following can be used as solutions for inhalation:
  • Alkaline soda solution
  • Mineral water (Borjomi, Essentuki, etc.)
  • Herbal infusions (chamomile, mint, thyme, sage, calamus, etc.)
  • A few drops of essential oil added to water for inhalation (menthol, eucalyptus, etc.)

• When treating, and especially at home, it is important to listen to your body! If you experience significant discomfort and worsening symptoms, it is better not to tempt fate and change the treatment method to a more proven one. Or better yet, you should contact a specialist for qualified help.

How to treat laryngitis with inhalations?

Inhalation is an effective method in the treatment of laryngitis. When inhaled, the drug naturally reaches the affected areas of the larynx, penetrates well into the underlying layers and spreads evenly throughout the mucous membrane, which significantly increases the therapeutic effect.

Type of inhalation	Medicinal Means	Method of preparation and use	Effects
Steam inhalations	Decoction, infusion of medicinal plants (sage, chamomile flowers, calamus, coltsfoot, linden flowers, freshly crushed juniper, pine, cedar, fir, eucalyptus leaves, etc.)	Prepare an infusion, 1 tbsp. collection, pour 200 boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. Then add the required amount of boiling water for inhalation. Make sure that the water is not too hot, so as not to burn the mucous membrane.	Mainly, there is an anti-inflammatory effect, swelling is relieved, pain is reduced, and it promotes the removal of sputum. Recovery processes are improved. It turns out to have an antibacterial effect.
	Aromatic oils (mint, fir, menthol, eucalyptus, etc.)	A few drops of oil in 500 ml of hot water. 10-15 minutes at least 3 times a day.	Aromatic oils enhance local immune mechanisms, have an antimicrobial effect, improve metabolic processes, relieve inflammation, and accelerate the recovery process of affected tissue.
	Garlic	Pour the juice from 2 surviving cloves of garlic into 500 ml of boiling water. Let cool for 7-10 minutes so as not to burn the mucous membrane. 10-15 minutes 3-5 times a day.	Garlic primarily has an antimicrobial effect, the allicin contained in garlic acts against most known bacteria, fungi and viruses.
	Saline solution Mineral water (Essentuki, Borjomi, etc.)	Heat without bringing to a boil. Inhalation duration is 10-15 minutes. Every day at least 5 times a day.	Well moisturizes the mucous membrane, helps to liquefy viscous secretions and remove them.
Aeroionization inhalations using a nebulizer (a device that sprays tiny particles of a drug)	Substances that help to liquefy and remove sputum (mucolytics): salgim, pulmosin, lazolvan, ambroxol, astalgin, etc.; Antiseptics, antibiotics, antifungals (calendula, propolis, furatsilin, chlorophyllipt, etc.; Antiallergic drugs Slightly alkaline mineral waters (Essentuki, Borjomi) Hormonal drugs (pulmicort, etc.)	Pre-warm the medicinal substance to room temperature. Turn on the compressor, inhalation time is 7-10 minutes. After the procedure, rinse the nebulizer with hot water or soda solution.	The effect depends on the drug used (expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, wound healing, etc.). It is worth noting that the therapeutic effect of inhalation using nebulizers is higher than that of steam inhalation. And also the risk of side effects is minimized.

Some rules for inhalation:

• The duration of the procedure is 10-15 no less and no more
• It is better to carry out 2 inhalations in the morning and 2 in the evening
• It is better not to inhale after eating; you should wait at least 30-50 minutes
• You cannot talk during inhalation and for another 30 minutes after the procedure.
• The order of drug inhalation: 1) bronchodilators, 2) expectorants (15 after the previous one), 3) after sputum discharge, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory drugs

Traditional methods of treating laryngitis

Directions for use	Ingredients	How to cook?	How to take?
Rinse	Red beet juice	Grate the beets and squeeze out the juice. Add 1 tsp apple cider vinegar to 200 ml juice	Rinse 3-4 times a day
	Raw potatoes or raw cabbage	Grate and squeeze out the juice.	Rinse 4-5 times a day.
		Add 1 tsp to a glass of water. honey, boil for 1 minute. Let cool.	Gargle with a warm solution 2-3 times a day.
Inhalations (decoctions, infusions)	Collection: tricolor violet 5 g, tripartite string 5 g	Grind, mix, pour boiling water (200 ml), leave for 1 hour.	The frequency of inhalations is 3-5 times a day.
	Collection: Elder flowers 15 g, linden flowers 15 g;	Grind, mix, pour 20 g of the collection into 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 40-60 minutes.	For inhalation use 50-100 ml.
	Coltsfoot	Grind dry leaves, 1 tbsp. pour 400 ml of boiling water, leave for 40-60 minutes.	Use 50-100 ml of infusion for inhalation. You can take 1 tbsp orally. per day.
	Collection: sage leaves 1 tbsp, burnet root 2 tbsp, white birch leaves 2 tbsp.	Prepare an infusion of sage and birch leaves, and make a decoction of burnet root (boil for 20-30 minutes, then let cool for 10-15 minutes)	Mix, heat, inhale 2-3 times a day. Effective for chronic hypertrophic laryngitis.
Inside	Milk Garlic	For 1 glass of milk, add 1-2 cloves of garlic, boil. Cool to room temperature.	Drink in small sips, try to stretch one serving to 30-40 minutes. You can repeat it 2-3 times a day.
	Anise seeds, cognac, honey	Add half a glass of anise seeds to 200 ml of water, boil for 15 minutes, strain and add cognac (1 tbsp), honey (2 tbsp) to the broth. Boil the resulting mixture for 3-5 minutes.	Cooled to room temperature, take 1 teaspoon every 40-60 minutes. Promotes rapid voice recovery.
	Carrots, milk	Boil 100 g of carrots in 500 ml of milk. Strain.	Drink warm, in small sips. Up to 3-4 times a day.
		Warm up	Drink in small sips.

Treatment of laryngitis at home

Do I need to use antibiotics to treat laryngitis?

It is necessary, but only if there is a need for it. Modern antibacterial drugs easily cope with most bacteria that cause various diseases, including laryngitis. However, bacteria are not the only cause of laryngitis. And if the question arises whether it is worth taking an antibiotic, you should first consider the cause of the disease. Dozens of reasons can cause laryngitis, treatment of which with antibiotics will not have any effect. For example: allergic laryngitis, laryngitis in case of a burn from gastric juice, laryngitis from occupational hazards (smoke, dust, etc.), laryngitis as a result of vocal strain (screaming, singing, etc.), autoimmune laryngitis, fungal laryngitis, etc.

If you do not want to harm yourself, and especially your child, antibiotics should be prescribed only by your doctor and after a series of additional studies. Since there are a number of features that only a doctor knows. Firstly, for effective treatment with antibiotics, it is necessary to take material for research from the laryngeal mucosa, determine the causative agent of the disease and determine how sensitive the microorganism is to a particular antibiotic. A situation often arises when a patient takes an expensive and not entirely harmless drug, but there is no result, or, even worse, there is a result, but not entirely positive, the functioning of the liver, kidneys and other organs is disrupted. Unfortunately, in most cases, laryngitis must be treated with antibiotics. But with the right approach to treatment, you can avoid unpleasant consequences and quickly achieve the desired recovery.

• Conduct a bacteriological examination to determine the causative agent of the disease and its sensitivity to antibiotics (antibioticogram)
• If after 3 days of antibiotic treatment the temperature does not decrease and the condition does not improve, the antibiotic should be replaced or the cause of the disease should be reconsidered
• After long-term use of antibiotics (7-10 or more days), you should take antifungal drugs to prevent fungal laryngitis or other fungal diseases (candidiasis, etc.) from developing.

The most common and effective treatment regimens with broad-spectrum antibiotics are:

• Duration of treatment 7-10 days
• Amoxicillin 1 gram 4 times a day, intramuscularly
• Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid 1.2 grams 2 times a day intravenously
• Cefuroxime 1 gram or Ceftriaxone 1 gram or Cefaclor 1 gram + lidocaine solution 1%-1 ml 2 times a day, intramuscularly
• Ciprofloxacin 100 mg/10 ml - 200 mg with 200 ml saline intravenously 2 times a day
• Metronidazole 200 ml 3 times a day, intravenously

What is allergic laryngitis?

Allergic laryngitis is an inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa, which is caused by the action of an allergic factor (allergen). Microparticles of various powders, dust, smoke, plant pollen, etc. can act as an allergen. Once on the mucous membrane, the substances cause a chain of allergic reactions, which manifests itself in the form of inflammation (redness, swelling, pain). A number of foods can also provoke such inflammation of the larynx (chocolate, eggs, milk, etc.).

Depending on the sensitivity of the body, the amount of the allergic factor and the time of its exposure to the body, acute or chronic allergic laryngitis may develop. In case of acute allergic laryngitis, emergency care is required. Since this type of laryngitis is accompanied by rapidly increasing swelling of the larynx of varying degrees, leading to difficulty breathing and often threatening the patient’s life.

Chronic allergic laryngitis does not develop so rapidly and dramatically, but it does cause a number of unpleasant symptoms. Typically, patients complain of discomfort, soreness in the larynx, cough, and impaired voice production (hoarseness, hoarseness, loss of voice sonority, etc.). The main feature of chronic laryngitis is that it exists as long as there is an allergic factor. Once contact with the allergen is eliminated, the patient will recover on his own.

How to treat laryngitis during pregnancy?

Treatment of laryngitis during pregnancy has some features. Mainly, it is not possible to use strong systemic drugs such as antibiotics, etc. Most drugs, entering the mother’s blood, pass the placental barrier and affect the fetus. Thus, all emphasis in the treatment of laryngitis must be directed to local therapy and strengthening the body’s general defense mechanisms. Inhalation and rinsing are indispensable methods of local treatment. They are mainly carried out on the basis of medicinal plants (sage, chamomile, linden, coltsfoot, calamus and many others).

An excellent means for removing viscous sputum are inhalations based on slightly alkaline mineral waters (Borjomi, Essentuki, etc.). Rinsing and inhalation procedures should be carried out at least 3-5 times a day. Traditional methods of treating laryngitis during pregnancy may come in handy. When choosing the appropriate method, be sure to consult your doctor. To remove toxins and better discharge of sputum, it is necessary to take a sufficient amount of fluid. Drink more juices, fruit drinks, herbal teas (chamomile, thyme, mint, etc.). Honey and milk will also be good helpers in treatment. Nutrition should be rich in vitamins and minerals. During illness, you should not overload the digestive tract with heavy food. Since this takes away energy that should be aimed at fighting the disease.

An important part of treatment is the voice mode, talking as little as possible, or better yet, being silent for a while. Do not go outside, especially during the cold season. Keep your throat warm (wrap your neck with a scarf). The above measures should help with mild to moderate laryngitis. However, laryngitis is a disease that should not be underestimated, especially during pregnancy. Therefore, at the first symptoms of the disease, you should contact an experienced specialist who will competently assess the severity of the disease and prescribe effective treatment without undesirable consequences.

Hyperplastic laryngitis - what is it?

Hyperplastic laryngitis is one of the forms of chronic laryngitis, in which inflammation of the larynx is accompanied by significant thickening of its mucous membrane. Thickening of the mucous membrane can be either limited or widespread. An example of local hyperplastic laryngitis are the so-called singers' nodules or screamers' nodules in children. At the border of the anterior and middle thirds of the vocal cords, dense cone-shaped elevations are formed. Such compactions arise as a result of increased closure of the vocal folds in this area during the period of voice formation. Such thickenings of the mucous membrane can become so large over time that they interfere with the normal closure of the vocal cords.

With hypertrophic laryngitis, the vocal cords become flabby, increase in size, and their free edge thickens. All this leads to significant changes in voice production. Patients mainly complain of a wheezing, rough, dull voice, cough and discomfort in the throat.
In most cases, this form of laryngitis is observed in smokers who produce a significant amount of sputum and experience a painful cough. Often the disease occurs together with diseases such as chronic sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis. The cause of hypertrophic laryngitis can be any of the unfavorable factors that act for a long time on the laryngeal mucosa (see “Why can the laryngeal mucosa become inflamed?”).

Adverse factors reduce local and general immunity, the activity of pathogenic microorganisms increases, which leads to the development of a chronic inflammatory process. The final diagnosis of “hypertrophic laryngitis” is made by an ENT doctor based on a patient interview (complaints, medical history, etc.), examination (laryngoscopy), additional instrumental studies (tomography of the larynx, laryngeal fiberoscopy, video laryngostroboscopy, etc.), laboratory tests (general blood test, bacteriological examination, and, if necessary, biopsy of the larynx).

Treatment of hyperplastic laryngitis primarily involves eliminating the cause that caused the disease and sanitizing chronic foci of infection. In addition, it is necessary to maintain a voice regime (reduce vocal stress), stop smoking and drinking alcohol. Oil, soda and corticosteroid inhalations can relieve swelling and alleviate the condition. In most cases, hypertrophic laryngitis requires radical treatment, microsurgical intervention with removal of areas of excessively enlarged mucous membrane.

Available about laryngitis

How does laryngitis occur in infants?

Infants quite often suffer from acute laryngitis, and moreover, laryngitis can develop in newborns up to 1 month old, despite the fact that babies of this age often suffer from congenital rather than acquired diseases.

The most common cause of laryngitis in children under 1 year of age is viral infections, especially parainfluenza virus , which is common among the population in the spring and autumn periods. In addition, children with atopic or allergic reactions may develop allergic laryngitis. Bacteria and fungi rarely cause laryngitis in infants.

The development of laryngitis and its complications is facilitated by the following features of infancy:

1. Age-related anatomical feature of the structure of the larynx:

• narrow opening in the larynx area, only 4-5 mm;
• thin and shortened vocal cords;
• anatomically higher location of the larynx, which makes it easier for infections and allergens to enter;
• a large number of nerve receptors in the muscles of the larynx, that is, their increased excitability;
• predisposition to the rapid development of submucosal edema.

2. Features of the immune system:

• still unformed immunity;
• a tendency to develop atopic (allergic) reactions when encountering new foods and other foreign proteins coming from outside.

Symptoms of acute laryngitis in infants:

• the disease develops acutely, sometimes within a few hours, during or even a week after ARVI;
• increase in body temperature noted only in half of the cases;
• restless child, sleep disturbance, refuses to eat;
• the child's voice changes, the cry becomes hoarse, rough, in rare cases there is a loss of voice;
• Laryngitis in infants is almost always accompanied by respiratory failure and hypoxia(due to disruption of the passage of air through the narrowed larynx), this manifests itself noisy breathing, may be accompanied by a whistle, breathing quickens, against this background you can see cyanosis(cyanosis) of the nasolabial triangle, limb tremors;
• cough with laryngitis, the baby always has paroxysmal, sometimes painful attacks; attacks often develop against the background of screaming; many compare this cough to the barking of a dog (barking cough).

If the baby develops such symptoms, then all parents need to be especially vigilant, since at any moment the child may develop laryngeal stenosis (stenotic laryngitis or false croup), simply put, suffocation. And the worst thing is that this condition in most cases develops at night, often unexpectedly.

Various factors can predispose to the development of false croup:

5. Eliminate factors affecting the voice(smoking, alcohol, temperature changes, and so on).

6. Peppermint candies, lozenges, chewing gum help improve the condition of the vocal cords.

2. Formation of various tumors, including cancer. Any chronic process contributes to a failure in cell division and mutation. Therefore, various neoplasms of the larynx can form.

3. Vocal cord paralysis, as a result - permanent loss of voice. This complication occurs when the laryngeal nerves are involved in the inflammatory process - neuritis. This condition can lead not only to aphonia (loss of voice), but also to breathing problems and suffocation. If breathing is impaired, tracheal intubation (tracheostomy) is required - a tube is inserted into the trachea through the skin, and air enters the lungs not through the upper respiratory tract, but through the tracheostomy. After drug treatment, nerve function is gradually restored, and the voice may also be restored, partially or completely. In some cases, surgery is required.

Laryngitis, like any other disease, must be treated promptly and correctly, since self-medication and lack of treatment can lead to serious consequences.

Prevention of laryngitis and its consequences, how to prevent the development of chronic and hyperplastic laryngitis?

General strengthening regime, increasing protective forces:

• healthy balanced diet , rich in vitamins, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids;
• giving up bad habits , smoking especially predisposes to the development of laryngitis and its complications, negatively affects the vocal cords;
• hardening – this is the most effective method of preventing all diseases, including exacerbations of chronic laryngitis, this is especially important in childhood;
• physical activity , movement is life;
• frequent walks in the fresh air, it is especially useful to take a walk near bodies of water;
• normal mode work, sleep and rest;
• if possible avoid nervous stress .

Prevention of ARVI, influenza and their complications:

• avoid contact with sick people and staying in public places during the flu period;
• vaccination against flu in the autumn season;
• if ARVI starts , it is necessary to start treatment in a timely manner, any flu also needs to be treated.

During laryngitis, it is necessary to eliminate factors that negatively affect the larynx and vocal cords:

• smoking;
• voice loads;
• hot and too cold food or drinks;
• food that irritates the larynx;
• high and low air temperatures, as well as high and low humidity;
• other factors.

For people whose profession requires vocal stress(singers, actors, teachers, announcers, sports fans):

It is easier to prevent any disease than to treat it later, and you will be healthy.

According to statistics, about 10% of the population have suffered or continue to suffer from various forms of laryngitis. The disease is an inflammation of the larynx caused by a cold or various ailments of infectious origin, such as scarlet fever and measles. The disease has pronounced manifestations and is fraught with the development of serious complications, including phlegmon, inflammation in the neck, lung abscess, that is, the formation of pus in it, suffocation, and blood poisoning (sepsis).

Traditional treatment used for laryngitis is designed to eliminate symptoms and eliminate possible consequences of the disease.

Causes and symptoms

The condition for the occurrence of various forms of laryngitis is damage to the mucous membrane of the larynx, the upper region of the trachea. As a result, inflammatory processes develop. The immediate causes of this may be: severe hypothermia, overexertion, damage to the vocal cords, adverse effects of microorganisms in the presence of acute infections (for example, measles or influenza). The disease can, as a complication, acquire a chronic form, and also occur in the acute stage. According to the degree of spread of the inflammatory process, the following types are distinguished:

• catarrhal laryngitis. As a rule, inflammation affects the mucous surface of the larynx.
• false croup Occurs in children under 10 years of age, with inflammation of the larynx, subglottic region, and vocal cords themselves.
• phlegmonous laryngitis. The process of inflammation spreads deep into the mucous membrane, cartilage and ligaments of the larynx, as well as muscle tissue.

There are also hypertrophic, atrophic, diphtheria, tuberculosis, and syphilitic laryngitis.

The following symptoms are typical for laryngitis:

• temperature increase (in some cases) up to 37-38°C, sometimes up to 39°C or higher.
• hoarseness or lack of voice, dryness, burning in the nasopharynx.
• swelling of the larynx, making breathing difficult.
• pain when swallowing or eating food.
• general weakness.

Patients have a strong dry cough accompanied by expectoration of sputum.

The main methods of treating laryngitis are:

• medicinal, that is, the use of medications.
• use of traditional medicine.

Effective drugs

Drugs for laryngitis, according to the mechanism of action and focus, are divided into immunomodulatory, mucolytic, antibacterial or antiallergic groups. They are also divided into:

• symptomatic. Designed to alleviate the patient's condition.
• etiotropic. They influence the cause of the disease.

In general, a wide range of medications are used for laryngitis:

• antibiotics (Sumamed, Azithromycin, Amoxicillin).
• Antiseptics (Tonsilgon is an excellent herbal remedy).
• antihistamines.
• corticosteroids (Hydrocortisone).
• antiviral drugs.
• remedies for coughs of varying intensity (Ambrobene, solution for an inhalation course of Ventalin, prescribing Ascoril for laryngitis will make sputum less viscous).
• antipyretic drugs.
• homeopathic remedies (Tonsilgon).

In some cases, one drug combines several properties, and the drugs themselves are available in various dosage forms:

• pills.
• syrups - Ascoril for laryngitis will remove viscous sputum.
• solutions.
• Aerosols, sprays.
• Drops, including the popular Tonsilgon.

Sinekod can be used in dragees, drops, syrup.

Special lozenges are also used as treatment aids.

Tantum verde for laryngitis can be used as a spray, inhalation or rinse solution.

Most practitioners prescribe antibiotics for laryngitis as an effective treatment for the disease. The correct regimen and dosage of antibiotics must be followed, otherwise the bacteria may become immune to their effects.

Antibiotics of various groups are used. Penicillin includes Amoxicillin, Ecoclav suspension, Amoxiclav, Augmentin and Flemoclav solutab. Cephalosporins are presented in the form of syrups, such as Cefix and Cefadox, or as injections of the drug Ceftriaxone.

In severe cases of the disease, macrolide antibiotics are used, such as Makrapen and Azitox, Sumamed.

The course of antibiotics lasts 6-7 days for adults, usually the same (sometimes a little longer) for children.

The use of corticosteroids will quickly help eliminate inflammation; drugs based on hydrocortisone are effective here.

Among the antiseptics, the most effective, with virtually no contraindications for use, are Povidone iodine, Hexetidine and Benzylimine in the form of sprays and solutions. Hexoral for laryngitis quickly relieves inflammation.

The main indication for the use of antihistamines is swelling of the throat. They are prescribed in tablet form; typical representatives of such drugs are Cetizine and Loratadine.

Antiviral drugs are over-the-counter drugs and are divided into three subtypes:

• vegetable.
• homeopathic. They are used mainly for laryngitis in children, represented by the drugs Oscillococinum, Tonsilgon and Anaferon.
• synthesized, for example, Arbidol.

These drugs are used to prevent the disease from becoming chronic. In case of complications, taking antibacterial drugs is indicated - for example, Sumamed, hormonal drugs - hydrocortisone and its analogues.

Antitussives are divided into drugs for thinning sputum (mucolytics), for dry cough, and expectorants. Prescribing Lazolvan for laryngitis will soften the cough and improve the condition of the respiratory tract. Medicines can be made from various herbs. In this case, they have almost no contraindications, are recommended for adults and children, their use is less irritating to the mucous membrane of the throat. These include Gerbion plantain syrup, Alteyka syrup, tableted Mucaltin, as well as Gedelix based on medicinal ivy.

The use of aminophylline for laryngitis is justified; it guarantees relief from spasm. Hydrocortisone acts at the cellular level: it has a stabilizing effect on the membranes of infiltrates.

Mucalytics are represented by drugs such as Bromhexine and Ambroxol, and for a dry cough, take drugs containing Buramirate, for example, Sinekod.

Also an effective cough remedy are 2% saline solutions with the addition of the effect-enhancing drugs Berodual or Lazolvan for rinsing and inhalation.

The use of products - oily Chlorphillipt, the usual Lugol - to lubricate the throat is mainly due to their antibacterial properties. A drug such as Lugol's solution is in demand. It contains free iodine, is used to treat the throat, and is traditionally considered an effective remedy in the treatment of laryngitis.

Inhalations are useful. Ventolin for laryngitis is especially effective as a nebulizer filler.

Drops for laryngitis

In the case when the disease spreads throughout the nasopharynx cavity, various agents that relieve local inflammation are needed in combination with other types of treatment. For this purpose, nasal drops are used.

Antibiotic-based drops, such as Isofra, as well as vasoconstrictor drops Nazol and Naphthyzin are used as treatment.

Isofra is made from the local antibiotic framycetin and is used for laryngitis in cases of prolonged severe runny nose. The course of treatment lasts 9-10 days (but no more) and should not be interrupted. The drug has no contraindications or side effects, except for fairly rare cases of allergies.

Nazol drops are widely used and are quite effective. They have a vasoconstrictor effect, eliminate congestion, inflammation of the nasal mucosa and soften the epithelium. However, the drug is contraindicated for atherosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmia, glaucoma and during pregnancy and lactation. In addition, there are a number of side effects of the drug, the manifestation of which is possible depending on the characteristics of the body. These include dizziness, nausea, and sleep disturbances.

Standard Nazol is contraindicated for children; it was created specifically for their treatment, and Nazol baby is successfully used.

Naphthyzin is also a vasoconstrictor. It is used in the treatment of laryngitis, in chronic or acute course of the disease. The drops help eliminate swelling of the nasal mucosa and also reduce the amount of mucus produced. Naphthyzin is contraindicated for children under one year of age.

Tonsilgon drops are taken orally according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor.

Lollipops for laryngitis

Lollipops used in the treatment of laryngitis most contain substances necessary to fight microbes. They consist of:

• several (usually no more than two) antiseptics.
• improving the effect of additional components.

The latter may include lemon, honey, and essential oils of various herbs. These substances have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Used for 3-4 days, they also serve to relieve sore throat.

In some cases, the product sometimes contains antibiotics, which increases the antimicrobial effect. Among these, Trachisan containing the antibiotic tyrothricin should be noted.

Other varieties of such lollipops contain powerful antiseptics that affect not only microbes, but also fungi and viruses. These include Fervex. They may also contain local anesthetics - for example, Antiangin.

In some cases, a good anti-inflammatory effect is achieved by the presence of a natural antiseptic. Such drugs are Hexalize and Lisobact. The use of most agents, as follows from the above, has enhanced antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Traditional methods

When treating laryngitis, it will be useful to combine the previously mentioned methods with proven methods described in the specialized literature, as well as the use of traditional medicine. Their use is aimed at combating the symptoms and causes of the disease and has an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and softening effect.

At the initial stage of the disease, at the first signs of fatigue, hoarseness or loss of voice, you should boil 100 grams of chopped carrots added to 0.5 liters of milk. After straining, drink in small portions. Taking chamomile baths also has a positive effect. For this purpose, 400 grams of pharmaceutical dried chamomile flowers should be infused in 10-12 liters of boiling water for an hour (to maintain the temperature, the container can be wrapped in a blanket), strain, and add to a bath of water. The procedure lasts fifteen minutes.

Another effective remedy using anise is prepared as follows. Its fruits, as well as quince seeds, dried lungwort leaves (20-25 g each) are poured with 0.5 liters of water, boiled with the addition of a tablespoon - 25-30 g - of natural honey for 15 minutes. After straining, drink throughout the day.

Treatment is carried out subject to the elimination of the causes that led to the occurrence of the disease. It is necessary to remain silent to reduce the load on the vocal cords and larynx. It is also recommended to exclude spicy or salty foods from the diet, since eating these types of food irritates the mucous membranes, avoid alcohol and smoking. Physiotherapeutic procedures help well: various inhalations, warming compresses using herbal solutions.

Ginger decoction is also useful. Approximately a quarter glass of grated ginger root should be poured with 200 grams of honey and boiled. Add a teaspoon of the decoction to hot tea and drink, several glasses in a row. Then wrap yourself in a warm blanket. It is better to carry out the procedure before bed and repeat several evenings in a row.

Popular folk methods do not replace drug treatment; Sumamed, Hydrocortisone, and other pharmaceutical drugs are indicated to relieve complications.