The throat seems to be squeezed in a vise, it is hard to swallow, the tongue does not obey well - almost every person has encountered a similar phenomenon. Laryngeal edema is not an independent disease - as a rule, it acts as a symptom of a particular pathology. Most often, people are faced with a disease associated with colds.
Features
The danger of this phenomenon depends on the causes of laryngeal edema and the severity of the clinical picture. In some cases, the pathology only causes minor discomfort, and sometimes it can pose a serious threat to life. That is why it is very important not to ignore the problem that has arisen, but to identify the cause of laryngeal edema as quickly as possible, the symptoms and treatment of which depend, for the most part, on this factor.
Usually, the prerequisite for the development of a pathological condition lies in the progression of another disease, which entails very unpleasant consequences. Only after finding the cause of laryngeal edema can certain therapeutic measures be taken to eliminate the clinical picture.
General information
There is swelling of the larynx due tovasomotor-allergic pathological process, which is rapidly progressing in the pharyngeal mucosa and provokes a significant narrowing of its lumen. At the moment of swallowing, the epiglottis closes the passage.
Swelling of the larynx indicates the presence in the body of a more serious disease, the signs of which it shows. Untimely assistance often leads to death. That is why it is so important to treat and detect the causes of laryngeal edema in time.
This disease affects both children and the elderly equally. However, most often it is experienced by men aged 17-35.
Causes of pathology
The etiology of the disease can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory.
Causes of type 1 laryngeal edema can be:
- angina;
- purulent-inflammatory phenomena in the area of the cervical spine, pharynx and its cartilage, as well as in the oral cavity, tonsils and root of the tongue;
- epiglottis abscess;
- phlegmonous laryngitis;
- infectious pathologies of acute or chronic form - for example, tuberculosis, scarlet fever, syphilis, influenza, typhoid;
- secondary defects caused by chronic laryngitis or severe hypothermia.
Non-inflammatory causes
The second type of illness can lead to:
- malignant and benign neoplasms;
- pathologyvessels;
- failures in the work of the kidneys;
- abnormal functioning of the heart;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- mechanical, thermal or chemical damage to the larynx;
- poisoning with harmful or hot gases and vapors;
- surgical intervention in the throat area;
- allergic reactions of the body;
- squeezing of blood vessels in case of blood flow disorders in the larynx;
- eating too hot foods and drinks;
- radiation, x-rays, and radiotherapy directed to the neck.
Causes of swelling of the larynx and tongue
The worst variant of the disease is the one in which the patient shows Quincke's edema, the throat and small tongue swell, and in some cases the pathology even extends to the neck, lower face and genitals. In this case, usually, the patient begins a panic attack, which only worsens the overall situation. In this case, we can talk about allergic swelling of the throat, which needs urgent help. Such a reaction can literally appear on any component, but most often the causes of laryngeal edema in adults and children are:
- all kinds of food - usually honey and seafood;
- insect bites;
- various medicines.
The prerequisites for the development of such a process can be varied, but it is far from always possible to establish them even taking into account the existing symptoms. Causes of allergic laryngeal edema may not be identified even afterqualified diagnostics and carrying out all necessary laboratory tests. In such a situation, one can speak of an idiopathic phenomenon.
But the main symptoms of Quincke's edema are absent pain in the pharynx. The patient may feel suffocation, panic, but not notice the discomfort. It should be borne in mind that the causes and treatment of swelling of the larynx and tongue are closely related. After all, it is best to start therapy after identifying the prerequisites for the development of pathology.
Clinical picture
The inflammatory process with edema begins in the submucosal membranes of the pharynx, which consists of soft connective fibers. The mechanism for starting this process is toxins, which are produced by pathogens of infectious pathology. Injured tissues of the pharynx produce exudate - a substance that seeps through the walls of blood vessels.
Inflammation of the submucosal throat is also called edematous laryngitis. In this case, edema occurs against the background of chronic, acute infections, as well as scarlet fever or influenza. In some cases, inflammation in edematous laryngitis covers the soft tissues of the cervical region of the spine.
With a non-inflammatory type of edema, there is no exudate in the larynx. The cause of abnormal tissue changes in this pathology is serous transudate - another type of fluid secreted by the vessels. It gradually corrodes the fibers of the mucous membrane of the throat, which leads to the appearance of pain.
Non-inflammatory laryngeal edema often aggravatessymptom of many diseases:
- disorders in cardiac activity;
- hypothyroidism;
- cachexia;
- kidney failure.
Causes and symptoms of laryngeal edema
Depending on the pathogenesis of the pathology, it can progress rapidly or develop gradually, over several days. The disease is characterized by certain symptoms:
- deterioration of voice function - at first the tone becomes hoarse, and then aphonia may appear;
- pain when swallowing;
- sometimes neck swelling;
- fever and fever up to 39 degrees, the condition is accompanied by severe weakness and other signs of intoxication;
- feeling inside the throat of a "foreign object" in the process of swallowing;
- attacks of dry cough that provoke increased pain and spread of infection, leading to purulent complications;
- difficulty breathing - you need to make an effort for each breath;
- occurrence of inspiratory dyspnoea;
- blanching of the skin, blue fingertips and lips;
- excited state in which a person feels the fear of death;
- arrhythmia mixed with chills.
If you do not pay attention to the disease in time and do not start treatment, the patient's excited state will gradually change to depression, while the pressure will drop and a weak pulse will begin to be felt.
Signs such as growing pains radiating to the ear, changedvoice, general malaise can talk about phlegmon of the pharynx.
Lethal outcome may occur due to cerebral hypoxia and sudden suffocation.
First Aid
Having identified signs of laryngeal edema in a person, one should:
- first of all, call for emergency help - only a doctor can prescribe competent treatment;
- with symptoms of allergic laryngeal edema, the cause of the pathology should be eliminated by isolating the patient;
- put the person in a horizontal position, lifting his legs and turning his head to one side;
- provide patient with fresh oxygen;
- remove from him all objects that make breathing difficult - chain, belt, tie;
- try to calm the person down so they don't feel worse;
- in case of allergic edema, to reduce it, something cold should be placed on the neck;
- in case of insect bites, it is necessary to apply a tourniquet so that the allergen does not penetrate further;
- to remove toxins from the body, the patient should be provided with plenty of fluids;
- in case of lack of proper breathing, an artificial procedure should be done;
- if there is no pulse, chest compressions should be performed.
Diagnosis
Due to the fact that swelling of the pharynx can be a sign of a wide variety of defects, it can be extremely difficult to make a specific diagnosis in the early stages of development. Just examining the larynx by an otolaryngologist is not enough. Qualified specialists at the time of diagnosispay close attention to the clinical manifestations of pathology, which make it possible to determine the non-inflammatory or inflammatory type of the disease. Separately, in this case, it is necessary to highlight the increase in body temperature, chills and fever, as well as general malaise in the form of severe drowsiness, weakness, lack of appetite.
Clinical manifestations are then compared with the results of laryngoscopy - a thorough examination of the pharynx and vocal cords using a special device. This is the main method for detecting edematous laryngitis and other defects of the submucosa. With inflammatory edema of the larynx, the specialist notices the release of exudate. In combination with high body temperature and general malaise, this symptom is almost 100% likely to indicate an infectious type of disease.
Non-inflammatory type of edema, except for laryngoscopy and general tests, is determined using differential diagnosis. During an examination with a laryngoscope, the doctor notices swelling of the mucous membrane, which changes color from pinkish to yellow. The results of such an examination are compared with urine and blood tests for pathological inflammatory changes. With this type of edema, there is no acetone in the body fluids.
Treatment of adult patients
First of all, the doctor should determine the type of edema: whether it is inflammatory or not. Further therapy depends on this.
Diuretic drugs like Furasemide help to get rid ofexcess fluid in the body, thus reducing the size of the pathology.
In addition, patients are often prescribed antihistamines. After all, usually, swelling becomes a consequence of an allergic reaction of the body.
It is very important to constantly ventilate the room in which the patient is located: he needs clean air without any impurities.
Significantly alleviate the patient's condition will help inhalation with a nebulizer. Such simple procedures are very good for both adults and children. In some cases, such inhalation can even save a life. Suitable solutions for the procedure:
- hydrocortisone;
- ephedrine hydrochloride.
Additional recommendations
If laryngeal edema develops too rapidly, vasoconstrictor drops instilled into the nose will help to slow down its development a little. Perfect in this case, for example, "Naphthyzin". As for the literally lightning-fast progression of the pathology, only urgent surgical intervention can save a life.
Hydrocortisone is usually used as intramuscular injections, and Prednisolone is used for intravenous injections. A proven excellent effect is given by blockades using novocaine in the nasal cavity.
It would be useful to recall that the causes and treatment of laryngeal edema are almost always interconnected. An experienced specialist always tries to use conservative methods of therapy, which are possible only if the initial prerequisites for the occurrence of pathology are taken into account.
Treatment of little patients
The cause of laryngeal edema in a child is most often false croup - an infectious disease in an acute form. One of the main signs of this phenomenon is stenosis: from mild difficulty to complete inability to breathe.
If a child has a disease that involves systematic bouts of swelling, then you should stock up in advance with special medicines for first aid. This may require "Prednisolone" for injections and candles "Rektodelt".
If swelling of the pharynx is provoked by allergens, regular inhalations with saline solutions will come to the rescue. These procedures perfectly eliminate the tension of the muscles of the throat, remove spasms and stabilize the free flow of air.
