What causes acute laryngitis? How can we effectively prevent it?

Acute laryngitis is an acute inflammation, which is a common acute infectious disease of the respiratory tract. Acute laryngitis develops very quickly and is generally caused by bacteria and viruses. It not only affects the normal breathing of the human body. In severe cases, it can also affect the patient's diet. So what causes acute laryngitis? How can we effectively prevent it?

Causes

1. Systemic factors

This disease is easily induced when the body's resistance is reduced due to stimulation from tobacco and alcohol, cold and fatigue. This disease is often associated with colds, usually with viral invasion first, followed by bacterial infection. Common pathogenic viruses include: influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus; common pathogenic bacteria include hemolytic streptococci, pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, catarrhalis, etc.

2. Occupational factors

Inhalation of excessive industrial dust and harmful gases (such as chlorine, ammonia, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, etc.) can cause acute inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa. Improper vocalization or excessive use of the voice can also cause acute laryngitis, especially in occupations that use the voice a lot, such as teachers, actors, salespersons, etc.

3. Trauma

Foreign bodies in the throat, trauma to the neck and throat, and damage to the laryngeal mucosa by examination instruments can also cause laryngeal mucosal edema or submucosal hematoma, leading to secondary acute laryngitis.

4. Allergies

Specific foods, gases or drugs can cause edema of the laryngeal mucosa in patients with specific constitutions, resulting in acute laryngitis.

treat

1. Vocal cord rest (vocal rest)

The most important treatment measure for acute laryngitis is to rest the vocal cords, not to make sounds or to minimize the number of times and intensity of sounds, so as to reduce vocal cord edema caused by bilateral vocal cord movement and mutual friction caused by pronunciation. We should avoid replacing normal vocalization with whispering, because whispering increases the subglottal pressure and fails to achieve the purpose of resting the vocal cords.

2. General treatment

Keep indoor air circulating and moist, avoid cold and high temperature stimulation; ensure adequate sleep and rest, adjust body condition and enhance resistance; avoid dry mouth and tongue, drink plenty of water, eat a light diet, eat vegetables and fruits regularly, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and refrain from smoking and drinking. Avoid allergic foods and irritating gases. Actively treat upper respiratory tract infections and adjacent lesions such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, etc.

3. Antiviral and antibiotic treatment

For acute laryngitis caused by viral infection, antiviral drugs can be used on the basis of general treatment, while acute laryngitis secondary to bacterial infection should be treated with oral or injected antibiotics to control inflammation in time.

4. Glucocorticoid therapy

Those with obvious congestion and swelling of the vocal cords can take glucocorticoids orally or intravenously to quickly eliminate laryngeal mucosal edema and reduce the degree of hoarseness. For patients with subglottic laryngitis, oxygen should be administered and breathing should be closely monitored, and intravenous glucocorticoids should be administered in a timely manner to prevent worsening of dyspnea.

5. Ultrasonic nebulization inhalation therapy

Oral nebulization inhalation therapy can be performed with an antibiotic solution containing steroid hormones, which allows the mist drug to act directly on the throat, helping to reduce inflammation and swelling, thin throat secretions, and relieve throat pain.

6. Symptomatic treatment

For those with severe cough, the violent vibration of the vocal cords caused by coughing should be controlled and cough suppressants should be used. For those with more sputum, mucus-stimulating agents can be used. Throat pain can be treated with appropriate throat lozenges and local sprays. Cooperate with traditional Chinese medicine treatment, etc.

prevention

1. Carry out appropriate physical exercise, maintain a healthy and regular schedule, ensure adequate sleep and rest, adjust your physical condition and have a good attitude to improve your overall immunity and avoid colds.

2. Avoid excessive use and abuse of your voice.

3. Eat a light diet, avoid the stimulation of tobacco and alcohol, avoid dry mouth, drink more water, eat a light diet, eat vegetables and fruits regularly, avoid spicy and irritating foods, such as excessive consumption of chili peppers, strong tea, strong coffee, carbonated drinks, fried foods, puffed foods and dried fruits, overly sweet and salty foods such as chocolate, candy, etc.

4. Keep the indoor air circulating and moist, avoid the stimulation of cold and high temperature; avoid contact with dust, irritating and harmful gases, poor air quality environment and all other stimuli that are harmful to the laryngeal mucosa.

5. Try to avoid contact with allergens that cause chronic allergic pharyngitis. Avoid allergenic foods.

6. Actively treat upper respiratory tract infections and adjacent lesions such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, etc.