Atrophic laryngitis symptoms treatment

Features of the disease

This pathological condition of the pharynx is the initial stage of inflammation developing in it, which was triggered by the entry of an infectious agent (pathogen) into the body. As a result, the vocal cords are affected.

In adults

In the adult population, catarrhal laryngitis is most often observed against the background of colds and infectious diseases, and polluted air, consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking, and excessive tension in the larynx also contribute to its progression. Inflammation of the organ can manifest itself when working in dusty rooms, with malfunctions in the cardiovascular system, or with pathologies in the digestive tract.

In children

In young patients, inflammatory damage to the organ is associated with the anatomical features of the respiratory canals, in particular, with the narrow lumen of the glottis and the shape of the organ similar to an hourglass. Due to the loose structure of the mucous membranes lining the organ, children often experience swelling during increased blood flow to the throat. Since oxygen is supplied in insufficient quantities, the throat constantly spasms and a specific clinical syndrome develops, which limits the flow of air into the lungs. As a result, shortness of breath occurs.

The manifestations of catarrhal laryngitis in children are especially pronounced at night. This is due to changes in blood circulation in the body and the drainage of lymphatic fluid in the neck area. This is also facilitated by a decrease in breathing rate during sleep.

Which doctor treats catarrhal laryngitis?

If any symptoms related to the throat occur, patients traditionally turn to an ENT specialist. An otolaryngologist is a specialist who diagnoses and treats various forms of laryngitis. However, if the disease is mild, you can begin the examination with your family doctor. He will be able to adequately assess the patient’s condition and prescribe the necessary medications.

If difficulties arise or the need for additional specific examinations, the family doctor refers the patient to an otolaryngologist. When the lungs and bronchi or other organs are involved in the process, a pulmonologist, allergist, immunologist and other specialists may be invited to treat the patient, depending on the characteristics of the clinical picture.

Causes of catarrhal laryngitis

Mostly, inflammation of the larynx is diagnosed in the stronger sex, or more precisely in those men who are prone to excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and have a nicotine addiction. Among the provoking factors for the occurrence of catarrhal laryngitis in adults are working in hazardous industries or living in regions with poor environmental conditions.

Often, the larynx is affected in people with a weakened immune system, caused by pathologies of internal organs or imperfections of the immune system, which is important for young patients. Catarrhal laryngitis progresses against the background of:

inhaling cold air;
pathologies of the paranasal sinuses;
damage by fungal infections, staphylococcus, streptococcus, chlamydia;
increased load on the vocal apparatus;
eating very cold or hot food.

The catarrhal form of laryngitis can manifest itself as a result of the body’s reaction to dust particles, smoke, certain foods, and insect bites. This pathological condition contributes to swelling of the entire larynx, which poses a threat to human life. Catarrhal laryngitis occurs in people who:

experience general malaise;
have impaired metabolism;
malnourished;
are under constant stress;
suffer from chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system and respiratory organs.

People of such professions as teachers, singers, speakers, and actors are most susceptible to subglottic laryngitis. This disease often becomes chronic and is aggravated by exposure to negative factors. In children, catarrhal laryngitis can develop due to scarlet fever, measles and whooping cough.

Important! The earlier a laryngeal disease is detected, the faster and easier the treatment will be. Catarrhal laryngitis responds well to treatment .

Features of the course of chronic catarrhal laryngitis

Chronic catarrhal laryngitis is often a consequence of acute catarrhal laryngitis. The main factor predisposing to the development of chronic catarrhal laryngitis is the load on the vocal apparatus. Singers, actors, lecturers and teachers should be considered at risk due to the latter. Climatic and occupational factors also matter. For example, constant inhalation of harmful gaseous substances in various industries or work that involves talking outdoors for a long time in cold weather.

On the left is the appearance of the larynx in chronic catarrhal laryngitis.

Symptoms, unlike the acute form of inflammation, appear gradually. First, the patient notes rapid fatigue of the vocal apparatus, a change in voice timbre after a long conversation. Later, after exercise, hoarseness or even complete loss of voice occurs. Just as with the acute form of the disease, there are symptoms of soreness, a feeling of dryness in the throat, and a feeling of a foreign body in it. If the patient is a smoker, the symptoms are often supplemented by a mild cough that occurs regularly.

To make a diagnosis of chronic catarrhal laryngitis, not only the symptoms of the disease are important, but also the picture revealed during examination of the larynx - laryngoscopy. During examination, redness of the larynx is usually detected, more pronounced in the area of the vocal folds. In this case, the patient has injected, that is, dilated, pronounced, small vessels of the mucous membrane of the larynx. They are clearly visible during laryngoscopy.

Symptoms

The main symptom of the disease is a feeling of severe pain in the affected throat. The patient experiences a feeling of constriction in the throat, it hurts to swallow, there is a dryness in the throat, and there is also a desire to cough, and the timbre of the voice is disturbed. Sometimes there may be complete numbness. In addition to these manifestations of catarrhal laryngitis, others occur:

Barking and debilitating cough. At the initial stage of the disease, the cough is non-productive, because of this the throat is very irritated. As the disease progresses, sputum formations begin to appear.
Enlargement of the cervical submandibular lymph nodes. During palpation, the person feels severe pain.
Increased body temperature. If the form of the pathological condition is chronic, then the temperature readings will be within 37-37.5 degrees, with an acute form - 39-40 degrees.
Sensation of a foreign body in the throat.
Difficulty breathing due to swelling of the mucous membrane.
General weakness of the body.
Painful manifestations in muscles and joints.
Difficulty in nasal breathing.

In addition, with catarrhal laryngitis, symptoms of concomitant diseases may be observed.

Features of the course of acute catarrhal laryngitis

Acute catarrhal laryngitis usually occurs when saprophytic microorganisms, that is, under normal conditions living in the larynx but not causing disease, are activated. Activation factors for these microorganisms may include the following:

Hypothermia. Irritant effect of tobacco smoke. Irritating effects of dust or gases in production. Talking in the cold for a long period of time. Reduced general immune and defense forces of the body. Diseases of the stomach and intestines. Allergy phenomena. A period of massive hormonal changes. During puberty, for example.

Among the most common pathogens, mention should be made of β-hemolytic streptococcus, pneumococcus, influenza A and B viruses, as well as parainfluenza virus, rhinovirus and fungi. Acute catarrhal laryngitis is accompanied by impaired blood circulation in the mucous membrane of the larynx, its redness and swelling.

On the left is a diagram of acute catarrhal laryngitis. The area of the larynx is swollen, hyperemic, that is, reddened.

Symptoms of the disease usually include hoarseness, sore throat, a feeling of discomfort and a foreign body in it. In addition, symptoms of the inflammatory process appear: increased body temperature, usually up to 37-37.5 degrees, weakness, lethargy, headache. Symptoms may also appear indicating that the inflammatory process has affected the mucous membrane of the trachea: a dry cough, at times with the release of a small amount of thick sputum.

The diagnosis of acute catarrhal laryngitis is usually made based on its symptoms. As a rule, the patient associates the appearance of hoarseness with anything: hypothermia, eating cold food, or prolonged stress on the speech apparatus. The examination also reveals symptoms of inflammation: redness of the mucous membrane of the entire larynx, or just the vocal folds, their thickening and swelling, and their incomplete closure.

If the acute form of the disease lasts more than three weeks, it should be considered that catarrhal laryngitis has transitioned to a chronic form. Treatment in this case should be prescribed as for a chronic inflammatory process.

Forms of the disease

There are two types of pathological condition: acute and chronic. Unlike the chronic form of catarrhal laryngitis, the acute form has a pronounced character and is accompanied by painful symptoms. And chronic laryngitis is characterized by vague clinical manifestations and periodic exacerbations.

Spicy

When symptoms of catarrhal laryngitis appear, it is recommended to begin therapeutic procedures in the form of gargling, warming and inhalation procedures as quickly as possible. At the beginning, the disease develops like a cold, the patient experiences:

hoarseness of voice;
increased body temperature;
severe sore throat.

In children, such manifestations are classified as false croup. When the first signs are detected, it is necessary to immediately take appropriate measures to prevent further narrowing of the glottis due to severe swelling of the mucous membrane.

Chronic

Chronic damage to the larynx is most often observed in the adult population, who, due to their professional activities, subject their vocal apparatus to increased stress. Among the characteristic symptoms of the pathology are:

voice timbre disturbances;
hoarseness;
dry mouth;
painful symptoms when swallowing.

This form of laryngitis is much milder, but it cannot be ignored. If you miss the moment and do not start treatment procedures on time, the disease will acquire a hyperplastic or atrophic form. In the first case, the pathological process is associated with the growth of the laryngeal mucosa, which occurs gradually.

The atrophic form of laryngitis occurs with the formation of a viscous and purulent secretion. Dark spots form on the mucous membrane. When the patient coughs, sputum containing blood is released.

For information! The chronic form of this pathology does not pose any threat to the patient’s life, but significantly reduces his performance.

Therapeutic measures necessary for chronic catarrhal laryngitis

In the case of a chronic form of the disease, non-drug treatment, first of all, involves eliminating the factor that led to laryngitis. For example, tobacco smoke or industrial gases. It is also important to maintain a gentle vocal routine.

During periods of exacerbation of the disease, the following treatment can be used: infusion into the larynx for 10 days, 2 times a day, 1-1.5 ml of a mixture of 4 ml of isotonic solution, 150,000 units of penicillin and 30 mg of hydrocortisone. This composition has both an anti-inflammatory and calming effect on the mucous membrane of the larynx, and an antibacterial effect on microorganisms in the larynx.

Nowadays, treatment with special aerosols for irrigating the larynx, which contain combinations of an antibacterial drug, an anesthetic and an antiseptic, can be quite effective.

Lugol spray has an antiseptic and softening effect on the larynx.

(NB) If treatment for chronic catarrhal laryngitis is chosen correctly, then the prognosis for the patient is very favorable. Usually you have to repeat the course of treatment several times. If treatment is insufficient, laryngitis can become atrophic or hypertrophic. These forms of chronic laryngitis have a more severe symptom complex for the patient and are less amenable to therapeutic measures.

We recommend reading: Antibiotic treatment for laryngitis in adults and children

Diagnostic methods

To establish an accurate diagnosis, the doctor:

Conducts a physical examination of the cervical region, palpating the lymph nodes.
Performs an examination using a laryngoscope equipped with a flashlight. This way it is possible to detect enlarged vocal folds and severe overflow of blood in the vessels of the circulatory system of the larynx.
Refers for a general blood test to determine the range of leukocytes and ESR. A microbiological study is also required to clarify the source of the disease by collecting sputum secretions or a smear from the inflamed area.
Conducts differential diagnosis, taking into account the similarity of laryngitis manifestations with diphtheria, retropharyngeal abscess, foreign body, laryngeal papillomatosis.

Complications

In the absence of adequate therapy and continued exposure to negative factors on the body, the patient is likely to develop the following complications:

impaired motor activity of the vocal cords
loss of voice
narrowing of the lumen of the glottis, which can cause suffocation
formation of benign and malignant neoplasms on the laryngeal mucosa
contact ulcer formation

Chronic laryngitis is an inflammatory process in the larynx, which is characterized by periodic exacerbations. To reduce their number and prevent the development of complications, it is necessary to carry out complex treatment in a timely manner, including taking medications, treating the pharynx and sinuses, as well as inhalations. To prevent the disease, it is important to stop smoking, avoid hypothermia, strengthen the immune system, choose a place of residence with a favorable environmental situation, and monitor nutrition and dental health.

Where to go? ENT clinics in Moscow:

ENT Clinic No. 1 in Moscow City Moscow, Presnenskaya embankment, 6, building 2, floor 2, room 221 SM-Clinic in Staropetrovsky Proezd (formerly Cosmonaut Volkov) Moscow, Staropetrovsky Proezd, 7A, building 22 Euromedklinik 24 Zhulebino Moscow, Lyubertsy, mn Gorodok B, st. 3rd Post Office, 102 Medical Center MedCenterService in Otradnoye Moscow, Pestelya, 11 ABC medicine on Baumanskaya Moscow, Pleteshkovsky lane, 4 Zbyshko Yaroslav Bogdanovich Moscow, Olkhovskaya, 27 All ENT clinics in Moscow on map

How to treat catarrhal laryngitis?

Having determined, thanks to diagnostic measures, the form of the pathological condition and the causes of its occurrence, the doctor draws up a treatment regimen aimed at destroying the infectious agent and painful manifestations.

Drug treatment

Medicines are prescribed to patients with acute catarrhal laryngitis. To treat the pathological condition of the larynx, use:

Broad-spectrum antibiotics - penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides. This antibacterial therapy is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process and preventing the spread of infection.
Local antimicrobial agents - aerosols Kameton, Laripront.
Mucolytic drugs for better expectoration of sputum. These are Lazolvan, Ambroxol, Ascoril, Bromhexine, Erespal.
Antiallergic medications to relieve swelling and prevent an allergic reaction from taking antibiotics. Loratadine, Diazolin, Diphenhydramine have proven themselves well.
Vitamin complexes to support a weakened body.

Folk remedies and recipes

Rinsing with herbal decoctions, especially those based on sage or chamomile, has a positive effect in the treatment of the affected larynx. Among the effective recipes used for catarrhal laryngitis are the following.

Recipe No. 1

Mix eucalyptus leaves, calendula flowers, chamomile, sage, St. John's wort, oregano and horsetail in equal proportions.
Measure out 4 tbsp. l. phyto-raw materials and fill with hot water (0.5 l).
Let it brew for 15 minutes.
Strain before use.
Drink 1 tbsp three times a day. l.
Gargle.

Recipe No. 2

Mix lemon balm (10 hours), string (3 hours), plantain leaf (2 hours).
Pour 20 g of herbal raw materials with cold water (200 g).
Let it brew for 30 minutes.
Reheat and let it brew for about an hour.
Strain.
Use ½ tbsp before meals. three times a day.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic methods such as UHF, alkaline and oil inhalation procedures are particularly effective for lesions of the larynx. Darsonvalization and laryngeal electrophoresis are also highly effective.

Important! It is not recommended to use heat compresses and hot steam inhalations for inflammatory lesions in the larynx, otherwise there is a high probability of developing purulent processes.

Features of therapy in children

As a rule, the catarrhal form of laryngitis in childhood is of viral origin. To reduce body temperature (above 38 degrees), children are given antipyretic drugs. Nasal breathing is controlled, optimal conditions are created in the room with a humidity level of 55-70% and an air temperature within 18-20 degrees. In order not to cause a dangerous disease - false croup, instead of expectorants they are prescribed Strepsils, Faringosept, Lizobakt, Ingalipt.

Specifics of treatment during pregnancy

To alleviate the condition, pregnant women are recommended to use decoctions of medicinal herbs, suck Lizobakt and Septolete lollipops, and do warm steam inhalations, for example, based on calendula. But using raspberries and viburnum after 20 weeks of pregnancy is contraindicated. To lower body temperature with laryngitis, paracetamol can be used. To moisturize the mucous membrane during catarrhal laryngitis, it is effective to use a nebulizer using saline solution.

Therapeutic measures necessary for acute catarrhal laryngitis

If it is possible to prescribe adequate treatment for acute catarrhal laryngitis, then the disease goes away in 10-14 days. The first and main non-drug prescription should be a gentle voice mode or silence mode. This means that the patient needs to speak as little as possible until the inflammation in the larynx subsides. If the patient does not maintain silence, acute inflammation threatens to become chronic, which will require different medical approaches. In addition, treatment of acute catarrhal laryngitis

should include a diet that excludes all foods that irritate the vocal apparatus: salty and spicy foods, alcoholic drinks. The patient also needs to stop smoking, since tobacco smoke also irritates the vocal folds.

Drug treatment of acute catarrhal laryngitis is predominantly local in nature. The patient is prescribed oil inhalations, for example, peach or olive oil. The prescription of alkaline-oil inhalation mixtures with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Bioparox, for example, is also encouraged.

Treatment carried out by infusing the larynx with medicinal mixtures of glucocorticosteroids and antibacterial drugs for 7-10 days may also be effective. It is better to maintain high air humidity in the room in which the patient is located.

(NB) If the patient experiences severe signs of intoxication: high fever, severe weakness, headaches, sweating, systemic treatment with antibacterial drugs must be prescribed. Similar phenomena usually occur if the causative agents of the disease are streptococci or pneumococci. In such cases, penicillin drugs are usually suitable for systemic exposure: phenoxymethylpenicillin 0.5 g 4-6 times a day, or ampicillin 500 mg 4 times a day.

You can also use macrolides: erythromycin 500 mg, 4 times a day.

Prevention

To avoid the development of catarrhal laryngitis, qualified specialists advise:

Carry out hardening procedures. First, warm water is used for dousing, and then its degree is gradually lowered.
Treat colds correctly and until complete recovery. Follow the doctor's instructions, drink plenty of fluids, put minimal stress on the vocal cords, and avoid stressful situations and physical activity.
Do not overcool the body.
In cold weather, breathe through your nose.
To live an active lifestyle.
Give up harmful addictions.

In addition, for a speedy recovery, it is recommended to adhere to a diet so as not to injure the inflamed organ and minimize pain when swallowing. It is best to use ground food, warm, without hot spices. Irritating food only aggravates the inflammatory process in catarrhal laryngitis.

Treatment

Treatment of catarrhal laryngitis in adults is carried out comprehensively, individually, taking into account the characteristics of each patient. The first step is to exclude the influence of the provoking factor. The patient should not smoke, inhale cold air, succumb to the effects of allergens, etc.

The basic aspects of laryngitis treatment are:

Gargling with warm saline and antiseptic solutions. Soda mixed with 3-4 drops of iodine remains popular. Chlorophyllipt helps to quickly cope with the problem.
Inhalation of alkaline solutions.
The use of sprays with an anesthetic component - Orasept and others. They help reduce discomfort in the affected area and accelerate tissue recovery.
Antibacterial agents. This group of medications is rarely used for catarrhal laryngitis. The doctor prescribes antimicrobial agents. Representatives: Amoxicillin, Ceftriaxone and others. Read more about antibiotics for laryngitis→
Antihistamines. Effective medications in the presence of an allergic component during the development of the disease. Representatives: Suprastin, Eden, Tavegil.
Mucolytic drugs. They thin mucus and promote expectoration. Representatives - Mukolvan, Lazolvan, Ambroxol.

At the same time, doctors prescribe physiotherapeutic treatment methods. UHF demonstrates good performance. The method is based on treatment with a pulsed or continuous electromagnetic field.

To enhance the effectiveness of basic therapy, traditional methods can be used. They are mainly based on the use of herbal decoctions and infusions, warming the throat using compresses.

Symptoms

The first sign of the disease is a sharp change in voice timbre due to an adverse effect on the vocal cords. The patient complains of hoarseness and hoarseness. This condition is especially noticeable in the morning and in the evening. Then dryness and sore throat appears.

After a few hours, the person complains of pain when speaking and swallowing, fever and chills, and the feeling of a foreign object in the larynx. In childhood, a dry and persistent cough is observed, which interferes with sleep at night. In the absence of timely treatment measures, the swallowing reflex is lost.

If atrophic laryngitis is suspected, treatment should be prescribed as soon as possible. But for this you should visit a doctor. On examination, the larynx is greatly expanded. The vocal cords are exhausted, the mucous membrane becomes pale pink. Dense formations of connective tissue are formed. When you cough, mucus comes out, which contains blood streaks.

If laryngitis is detected at the initial stage, the development of serious complications can be avoided. If the cause is not identified, and it continues to adversely affect the tissue, then bone tissue atrophy develops.

In adults

This pathology is more often diagnosed in adults during professional activity and in older people. Therefore, it is necessary to know what symptoms accompany the disease.

The main features include:

dry and barking cough that does not bring significant relief;
feeling of the presence of a foreign object in the larynx;
throat irritation, burning and soreness against the background of dry mucous membrane;
formation of crusts on the surface of the epithelial layer;
voice change;
partial or complete loss of voice.

These symptoms may indicate both atrophy and hyperplasia of the mucous membrane. Both of these diseases are dangerous for the patient. But the main difference is that with hypertrophic laryngitis, tissue proliferation is observed, which leads to difficulty breathing.

In children

The atrophic form of the disease is also diagnosed in children of different ages, but is less common than in adults. Doctors identify several main symptoms as:

shallow but persistent dry cough. In the evening he becomes a barker;
painful sensations in the throat even after minor exertion;
loss of voice, appearance of hoarseness and hoarseness due to overstrain of the ligamentous apparatus;
a slight increase in temperature to 37.5 degrees.

Sometimes children perform such actions while trying to remove something from their throat. An exacerbation of symptoms is observed when staying in a stuffy room. In children, bone tissue atrophy practically does not occur, since parents pay attention to the problem in a timely manner.