In this article, Niketrainers.com.co will tell you:
What is laryngeal edema and what are its causes?
Laryngeal edema may involve various anatomical elements (including the epiglottis, vocal folds). Possible causes of laryngeal edema include inflammation, trauma, allergic reactions, angioedema, and systemic diseases (e.g. acuteglomerulonephritis,nephrotic syndrome).
The most common causes of laryngeal edema are inflammations (subglottic laryngitis, acute laryngitis, cartilage inflammation of the larynx,epiglottitis). Inflammatory reactions causing edema may concern not only lesions in the larynx itself, but also in adjacent structures (e.g. abscess of the parapharyngeal space,peritonsillar abscess).
Edema of a non-inflammatory etiology is caused by both internal (burns, foreign bodies) and external injuries (e.g. traffic accidents), and may also result from extensive head and neck surgery.
Allergic reactions causing laryngeal edema may be the body’s response to various factors. These include: insect venoms (hornets, wasps, bees), food (peanuts, seafood, eggs), drugs (antibiotics, painkillers) and many others. They are divided into immediate and delayed reactions.
Quincke’s edema, also known asangioedema, is the result of an immune disorder. There are two types of it – congenital and acquired. The first appears already in childhood, while acquired edema is associated with systemic diseases (e.g. chronic lymphocytic leukemia). The factors that triggerangioedemaare similar to those that trigger an allergic reaction. The body can also react to physical factors such as cold, stress, and exercise. However, sometimes it is difficult to determine what exactly contributed to the edema, then it is called idiopathic edema.
How is laryngeal edema manifested?
Symptoms of laryngeal edema may vary in severity depending on the location of the edema and its extent. The patient may complain ofshortnessof breath , drycough, voice disorders,hoarseness, foreign body sensation.
If the swelling is inflammatory, additionally there may be increased body temperature, pain, and difficulty swallowing.
Quincke’s edema is characterized by sudden swelling of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and mucous membranes. It is most often located on the face (lips, eyelids), limbs, trunk, throat, mouth, larynx and tongue.
What to do in the event of symptoms?
In the event of symptoms of laryngeal edema, an ambulance should be called immediately. Allergic reactions caused by an insect venom allergy pose a direct threat to the patient’s life.Adrenalineis used in the emergency procedure . People with a previously diagnosed insect venom allergy are usually equipped with pre-filled syringes with the appropriate dose of adrenaline , which can be administered by the patient himself or by someone around him.
How does a doctor diagnose laryngeal edema?
The diagnosis of laryngeal edema is made by a physician on the basis of an interview collected from the patient or people around him and of indirect laryngoscopy. In the event of allergic reactions, it is very important to establish the factor that provoked the swelling.
What are the treatments for laryngeal edema?
Treatment of laryngeal edema is closely related to its cause. In the case of inflammation of a bacterial etiology, it is necessary to include an antibiotic. Injuries may require surgery. Glucocorticosteroids are administered to the patient to reduce edema. If the occurrence of laryngeal edema is associated with a systemic disease, treatment mainly consists in appropriate therapy of the underlying disease. In the case of severe allergic or angioedema of the larynx, it may be necessary to perform a tracheotomy. Pharmacological treatment includes administration of intravenous glucocorticosteroids and intravenous or intramuscular antihistamines. A patient stung by an insect with laryngeal edema requires immediate adrenaline.
What to do to avoid laryngeal edema?
If the swelling of the larynx is caused by an allergic reaction, it is very important to avoid the allergen responsible for the reaction. In practice, this means giving up certain foods, not using medications that sensitize, and adequate protection against insects. In the case of allergy to the venom of Hymenoptera (wasps, bees, hornets), immunological therapy, i.e. desensitization, is possible. Its effectiveness is close to 97%, and the effect is long-lasting.