Laryngitis (cont.)
What is the treatment for laryngitis?
As with any other structure in the body that gets inflamed, rest is the key
to recovery. For laryngitis, that means limiting the amount of talking. If
talking is required, one should avoid whispering and instead talk in a regular
voice, regardless of how it sounds. Whispering requires the vocal cords to be
stretched tightly and requires more work by the surrounding muscles.
- The treatment for viral laryngitis is supportive: plenty
of fluids, humidified air, acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain, and the investment of time
for recovery.
- For patients with significant laryngitis, a short course
of steroids (prednisone,
prednisolone, or dexamethasone) may be used to decrease
the inflammation and shorten the course of symptoms. Dexamethasone as a single
dose given orally (Decadron,
DexPak) or by intramuscular injection (Adrenocot,
CPC-Cort-D, Decadron Phosphate, Decaject-10, Solurex) may be used to treat croup.
- The treatment of chromic laryngitis will be determined by the cause of the
inflammation or loss of function. Discontinuation of smoking and alcohol use
will always have a positive effect.
What are the complications of laryngitis?
For those patients in which vocal cord paralysis is the
cause of hoarseness, aspiration pneumonia may be a concern. Particles of food,
fluid, and saliva may be inhaled into the lungs during the swallowing process,
since the muscles of the larynx may fail to close and protect the upper
airway.
Similarly, repeated episodes of gastroesophageal reflux may cause small
amounts of acid to get past the inflamed larynx and enter the lung, causing
pneumonia.
Prior to the advent of Haemophilus influenza immunization,
epiglottitis due to this infection was always considered as a possible
alternative diagnosis for children with croup. This was a true emergency because
the epiglottis could massively swell, blocking air from entering the larynx and
lungs. X-rays of the neck may be taken to visualize the epiglottis and look for
swelling. The diagnosis was often confirmed in the operating room where the
otolaryngologist and anesthesiologist would use laryngoscopy to look at the epiglottis and vocal
cords and decide whether to insert a breathing tube in the child's airway to
prevent the airway from swelling shut. Fortunately, because of immunization,
this disease is rarely seen.
Next: Laryngitis At A Glance »
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