Located in the lower part of the pharynx, the larynx, an organ located in the front of the neck, is involved in essential functions such as breathing and speaking. Not only that, it also plays a role in filtering out foreign substances introduced from the outside and at the same time protecting the airways by preventing food from entering the airways when ingesting food. Laryngitis refers to a disease in which the larynx, which plays an important role, becomes red, swollen, and causes heat and pain due to inflammation. When symptoms appear within a few days, it is called acute, and when symptoms persist over several months, it is diagnosed as chronic.
Laryngitis can be classified into infectious and non-infectious causes. In the case of infection, it is known that it is caused by viral infection such as fly influenza virus, adenovirus, influenza virus, etc., and bacterial infection such as diphtheria, pneumococcus, and streptococcus. In addition, if it is caused by a non-infectious disease, it is said that allergies, smoking, drinking, etc., including reflux laryngitis caused by reflux of stomach acid, can be the cause. In addition, various factors such as the use of inhaled steroids, excessive use of vocal cords, burns by chemicals or high temperatures, and tracheal intubation in emergency situations also affect the occurrence. do. Now, let’s learn about the main symptoms that appear when laryngitis occurs, as well as various information about treatment and prevention.
The main symptoms of laryngitis
The main symptom of laryngitis is swelling of the throat and stinging pain when swallowing saliva or food. Also, when you cough, you may have a ringing sound and at the same time a hoarse voice, phlegm, or a feeling as if there is a foreign object in your throat. In addition, when you breathe in, it is called a phonum, and you may make a gurgling sound that is not normally heard, and in severe cases, breathing difficulties may appear between the ribs and the upper part of the breastbone when you breathe in.
This laryngitis has many similarities to the symptoms of a cold, so it is often neglected or delayed in treatment. It is known that most cases get better without complications if appropriate treatment is given after it occurs, but if not treated properly, it can worsen into a chronic form. In addition, laryngitis, which is delayed in treatment, can cause abnormalities in the voice and act as a cause of vocal nodules and vocal cord ulcers. And depending on the patient, laryngitis may progress, causing hypoxia, and death due to respiratory failure. Therefore, if the voice does not return to normal for more than 2 weeks, it is important to visit a hospital to receive appropriate treatment and examination, as it is possible to suspect the occurrence of laryngitis.
Laryngitis Treatment and Prevention
1. Diagnosis and treatment
In addition to the clinical diagnosis process, laryngitis is diagnosed accurately by performing various tests such as culture tests and X-rays. After that, depending on the diagnosis result, treatment is carried out to prevent dyspnea and hypoxia. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids are used for treatment.
2. Maintaining Proper Humidity
In order to prevent laryngitis and relieve symptoms, it is important to maintain proper humidity in the environment or space where you stay for a long time. It is said that using a humidifier can have a good effect because it prevents the air from drying out, and it is important to clean the indoor air by removing dust. In addition, it is recommended to refrain from outdoor activities as much as possible on days with severe fine dust, and it is necessary to wear a mask when going out inevitably. And it is important to wash your hands thoroughly after going out. In addition, it is important to drink enough water to alleviate the symptoms of laryngitis, and drinking warm water is known to help keep the mucous membrane of the larynx moist and help relieve and prevent symptoms.
3. Smoking and drinking abstinence
Smoking is known to be a risk factor that worsens the symptoms of laryngitis by causing irritation and dryness of the larynx, so it is recommended to quit smoking. In addition, drinking also causes irritation of the larynx. In particular, strong alcohol with a high alcohol content is known to be the main cause of aggravation of laryngitis symptoms, so it is recommended to abstain from it.
In addition, excessive intake of spicy and irritating foods, carbonated drinks, and coffee also stimulates the larynx and causes dryness, so it is important to control intake. In particular, if you lie down right after eating oily food, it can cause laryngitis due to reflux of stomach acid, so you need to improve your habits.
4. Eat foods that are good for laryngitis
It is also important to consume foods that not only prevent laryngitis, but also help relieve symptoms in a quick recovery. Foods good for laryngitis include pear, ginger, onion, bellflower, radish, cabbage, plum, and other foods. In particular, pears, which contain abundant water and a large amount of ingredients such as luteolin, have an excellent effect on antitussive expectorant action that relieves cough and discharge of phlegm. .
