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Any inflammatory disease of the mucous membrane of the pharynx or larynx gives the patient severe discomfort. Along with a general malaise, symptoms such as pain and sore throat, hoarseness, partial or complete loss of voice are noted. The latter often happens with laryngitis. It is necessary to know not only how to eliminate the cause of the disease, but how to treat its individual symptoms.

Laryngitis is an inflammatory disease of the mucous membrane of the larynx. It often affects the vocal cords. Regardless of whether the disease is caused by an infectious agent, an allergen, or a mechanical effect, it always manifests itself typically: a person has a fever, a sore throat, a dry, exhausting cough appears. Often these symptoms are accompanied by hoarseness, hoarseness, or loss of voice. The latter in official medicine is called the term aphonia.

This is due to the fact that with laryngitis the vocal cords swell and increase, the mucous membrane lining them swells. When talking, they cannot fluctuate freely, this explains the hoarseness. Aphonia is usually temporary. It will be possible to restore the voice if the inflammation of the larynx is removed.

Treatment of laryngitis under the supervision of a doctor is a prerequisite for recovery. If you start the inflammatory process, let the disease take a chronic course, irreversible changes in the vocal cords are possible, affecting the sonority of the voice. And this is just one of the many negative consequences of the disease.

How to cure aphonia

Treatment of aphonia with laryngitis is complex, it includes:

• drug therapy aimed at eliminating the cause of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx;
• drug therapy aimed at eliminating individual symptoms of laryngitis;
• physiotherapy.

In addition, it is necessary to observe a special regime. It is also possible concomitant treatment with folk remedies.

1. If the loss of the ability to speak normally arose due to inflammation of the larynx, measures must be taken to remove this inflammation. Usually, the larynx and vocal cords swell due to exposure to a virus, less often to fungal bacteria. Therefore, it is necessary to treat aphonia first of all with drugs that eliminate the infectious agent - antiviral agents, antibiotics or antimycotics. The doctor will help you choose the right one from a wide range of items.
2. If the mucous membrane of the larynx is swollen due to allergies, it is necessary to take antihistamines.
   drugs, also prescribed by a doctor.
3. Treatment of both inflammation of the larynx and aphonia includes the use of local anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents: aerosols and throat sprays (Angilex, Chlorphyllipt), rinse solutions (Miramistin), tablets, lozenges, lozenges for sucking (Pharingosept, Efizol, Lysobakt).
4. Aphonia can be treated with inhalations. Steam - with herbal decoctions, through a nebulizer - Dekasan universal antiseptic, alkaline mineral water, sodium chloride.
5. It is possible to quickly restore the voice only under the condition of absolute rest of the vocal cords. During illness, it is necessary to talk as little as possible, especially not to sing or shout.
6. With laryngitis, which is accompanied by hoarseness or dumbness, it is strictly forbidden to smoke, drink strong coffee and alcoholic beverages, breathe cold air. You can forget that you can quickly restore your voice if you eat too hot, spicy and rough food.

How can traditional medicine help with aphonia

It is possible to use one or another folk recipe in order to treat laryngitis or restore the ability to talk normally only after consulting a doctor! It is necessary to make sure that it is effective and that after using this or that preparation of plant or animal origin, an allergic reaction will not occur.

Doctors approve the treatment of aphonia and inflammation of the larynx with such folk methods:

Warm drink made from black radish juice and milk.

The vegetable is rubbed on a grater, using gauze or a bandage, juice is squeezed out of the gruel, after which it is added to warm fat milk. Mix 1 part juice with 2 parts milk. The drug is taken orally 5 times a day, 1 tablespoon.

The anti-inflammatory drink can also be prepared a little differently. A narrow through hole is made in a black radish, a spoonful of honey is laid on top, and then placed on a glass. During the night, honey seeps through the vegetable along with its juice. This therapeutic mixture is combined with the same amount of milk, they also drink a tablespoon 5 times a day.

Throat rinses

Treatment of inflammation of the larynx and accompanying aphonia is possible by gargling with warm herbal infusions. 3 tablespoons of dry raspberry leaves and lime blossom are poured into a glass jar and pour 200 ml of boiling water. The remedy is infused and cools for 30 minutes, after which they gargle with it. You can use the infusion repeatedly during the day. But before rinsing, it must be heated to 40 degrees.

Eggnog

Children really like the treatment with this delicious remedy. Two egg yolks are beaten with sugar into a white foam. To increase the softening properties of the drug, it is recommended to add a small amount of soft butter to the foam, and then whisk for some more time. Eggnog is drunk between meals.

If a patient with laryngitis began to be treated on time, follows all the doctor's recommendations and observes voice rest, his aphonia will pass quickly enough. The ability to talk normally will gradually return after the inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx begins to subside.

With a situation where the voice suddenly disappeared or hoarse, many probably had to deal with. In addition to the fact that this in itself is not very pleasant and causes a lot of difficulties associated with work and even basic communication, hoarseness can be a symptom of quite serious health problems. The voice becomes hoarse either when the cords that give rise to it thicken and become uneven, or when some obstacles arise in the path of the sound wave, creating interference. This may be due to a number of different reasons.

It is not uncommon for a hoarse voice, red throat, and dry cough to accompany upper respiratory infections, but there are a range of other problems that can cause a person to become hoarse. Therefore, you should never rush to diagnose yourself, much less prescribe treatment. What pathologies can provoke hoarseness of voice?

Infectious and inflammatory diseases

With inflammation, swelling of the ligaments occurs, which prevents them from closing sufficiently, thereby changing the sonority and timbre of the voice. This occurs in all types of sore throats, pharyngitis, laryngitis and laryngotracheitis, whooping cough, scarlet fever, measles, as well as influenza and adenovirus infections. In some cases, during the period of illness, the voice may disappear completely, this phenomenon is called aphonia. Usually, with the above diseases, there is also pain and sore throat, dry cough, fever. In such cases, in order to cure a hoarse voice, it is paramount to deal directly with the infection itself.

Excessive ligament tension

In people whose work involves a constant load on the vocal apparatus, the ligaments sometimes do not withstand chronic stress. Singers, actors, announcers, teachers fall into the risk group. An unprepared person can break his voice by simply shouting loudly or singing a song.

Bad habits

In alcoholics and heavy smokers, the voice changes over time. This is explained by the fact that ethyl alcohol, as well as nicotine and tars, although they do not act instantly, however, the chronic burn of the mucous membrane caused by them leads to swelling of the ligaments, and the so-called “drunk” or “smoky” voice appears.

When a hoarse voice is a symptom of a more dangerous disease

Why should you not neglect the examination by a doctor? In some cases, the resulting hoarseness can be a sign of a life-threatening condition, when you need to react instantly.

allergic reactions

With allergies, Quincke's edema often develops, which includes the occurrence of stenosis of the larynx (partial or complete narrowing of its lumen). A hoarse voice at the same time is a very dangerous symptom, which can be a precursor to suffocation. There is a cough, hard breathing with a whistle, pallor occurs, and then - cyanosis of the face and fingers. At the first signs indicating an allergic edema of the larynx, it is necessary to call an ambulance, since the count goes on for minutes.

Chemical damage and burns

Vapors of substances such as ammonia, fluorine and chlorine, along with other severe manifestations of poisoning, can cause hoarseness and complete loss of voice. Chlorine is contained in many household chemicals commonly used in everyday life, and when their vapors are inhaled, hoarseness, coughing, laryngeal spasm occur, and it becomes difficult for the victim to breathe. In severe cases, pulmonary edema develops.

Acetic acid, inadvertently taken orally, leads to an acute burn of the larynx and ligaments. Voice changes after this may be irreversible due to the remaining scar formations. These conditions require immediate medical attention.

Tumors of the larynx

Growing, tumors put pressure on blood vessels and nerves, thereby violating the structure and mobility of the ligaments. There are hoarseness, barking cough, with malignant tumors - pain in the throat. Tumors that are too large can cause suffocation.

In addition to the above reasons, hoarseness can also be caused by such factors as dehydration, mechanical injuries of the ligaments, thyroid diseases, paralysis and paresis of the nerves responsible for the functioning of the larynx, vascular pathology and damage to the brain stem. Therefore, if you have a hoarse voice, it is best to leave it to a qualified specialist to decide what to do. Only he is able to accurately determine the cause of the problem and prescribe adequate treatment.

The occurrence of hoarseness in children

In children, there are also specific causes of voice pathologies, in particular:

1. A small foreign object stuck in the larynx.
2. Cysts of the larynx, manifested already in early childhood.
3. Constant scream. With regular overload of the ligaments, so-called nodules can form, which in the future will lead to voice disorders.
4. Hormonal changes in adolescence. In boys, in connection with puberty, the voice begins to “break”. The cords lengthen, the hoarse low voice suddenly gives way to high shrill notes. Normally, the mutation is completed in a few months.

Otherwise, the causes of hoarseness and hoarseness in children are the same as in adults.

However, it should be remembered that the child's airways are narrower, in the same situations, edema develops more rapidly, and severe respiratory disorders can appear in a matter of minutes.

Treatment of voice disorders

With a hoarse voice and sore throat, treatment should be prescribed by an otolaryngologist, in some cases it is necessary to consult a phoniatrist - a doctor who specializes directly in voice problems. To restore the voice, first of all, you need to reduce the load on the ligaments to the maximum. Voice peace is the first rule. How to treat each individual disease, only the doctor decides, however, there are general recommendations in order to alleviate the condition. If the voice is hoarse and a cough appears, it is allowed to use the following remedies:

1. Lozenges and lozenges for resorption - "Falimint", "Septolete", etc. But it should be remembered that such pills are suitable if the voice of an adult is impaired, but they are not recommended for children under five years of age.
2. Various local antiseptics. Based on iodine - "Joks", "Lugol", chlorine-containing - "Miramistin", "Korsodil", vegetable - "Chlorophyllipt", calendula infusion.
3. Sprays for inhalation "Kameton", "Ingalipt" and others that the attending physician may recommend.
4. Irrigation of the throat with a 5% solution of ascorbic acid.
5. Anti-inflammatory drugs - "Erespal", "Eladon", which relieve inflammation and swelling of the larynx, expand the bronchial gaps.
6. Inhalation with a nebulizer using special solutions suggested by the doctor.

Remedies for the treatment of a sore and hoarse throat

In any case, if you are thinking about how to quickly cure a hoarse voice and not harm yourself, you should contact competent specialists who, if necessary, will prescribe antibiotics, antihistamines and other drugs that help eliminate the root causes of the disease.

Folk remedies for the treatment of hoarseness

Various folk remedies can help relieve symptoms such as a sore throat and hoarseness, but keep in mind that they do not fight a viral or bacterial infection. If there is no fever and other signs indicating a more serious illness, it is permissible to use traditional medicine recipes.

Steam inhalation

For inhalation, it is enough to bring water to a boil with various ingredients added to it, and then inhale the steam. You can use eucalyptus leaves, calendula, sage, chamomile, a solution consisting of soda and salt (preferably sea).

Eggnog

Mogul-mogul was invented to use many years ago. Opera singers before and now drink it to enhance their voices and ligaments. For it, raw egg yolks are used, beaten with sugar and butter or milk. You can add honey. It is recommended to drink between meals, not exceeding the amount of 2-3 eggs per day.

Milk with honey

Mix half a glass of Borjomi, half a glass of warmed milk, add 2 teaspoons of honey. It is best to drink gradually, in small sips.

Milk and honey are friends of a healthy throat

anise seeds

A glass of anise seeds is added to boiling water, kept on low heat for about 20 minutes, then cooled, honey is added. The medicine is taken 3-4 times a day, three tablespoons.

A decoction of carrots in milk

To prepare a decoction, take 100 g of grated carrots for half a liter of milk, boil over low heat, and then cool, carefully filter and drink 3 times a day, two teaspoons.

Also, traditional medicine advises to use syrup from black radish juice with honey, herbal decoctions to strengthen ligaments, use juice squeezed from raw beets for rinsing. However, when choosing how to treat a sore throat, it should be remembered that some methods are contraindicated for people who are allergic to the components of such drugs.

Such a nuisance as a cold can happen to anyone. The peak of colds occurs during the off-season, when it is damp and chilly outside, and immunity naturally decreases. One of the most common manifestations of such ailments is considered to be discomfort and sore throat, as well as hoarseness. Let's talk on www.site, what is right and how to treat hoarseness at home.

Hoarseness is classified by physicians as the loss of the ability of the vocal cords to perform their functions normally. Such a nuisance can be provoked not only by colds, but also by allergic reactions, and other adverse factors. Hoarseness is often accompanied by sore throat and dry cough.

What do doctors advise to do with hoarseness?

If a hoarse voice suddenly arose against the background of a cold, most likely this problem is caused by acute laryngitis. In this case, patients are recommended to use Bioparox, Kameton sprays and other products that contain emollient components (for example, menthol or sage). Injection in this case should be carried out exclusively at the stage of deep inspiration. Also, the use of lozenges with the same menthol, sage or eucalyptus has a good therapeutic effect.

With the appearance of hoarseness, it is worth paying maximum attention to inhalations and taking certain medicinal formulations. Gargling will be ineffective if hoarseness is not accompanied by severe pain in the throat.

Combine a handful of dried raspberries with a tablespoon of honey and a teaspoon of vegetable oil. Add three to five grams of ginger powder to this mixture. Brew the resulting composition with three glasses of only boiled water. Infuse the future medicine wrapped up throughout the night. Strained infusion should be consumed in a glass of warm twice a day. It is best to drink such a remedy in small sips.

Grind horseradish by rubbing it on a grater. Combine the resulting slurry with high-quality honey and mix well. Eat this composition in a teaspoon with an interval of half an hour to an hour.

Dissolve three to four drops of medicinal sage or lavender oil in a glass of hot water. Perform inhalations over such a composition three to four times a day.

You can also combine three grams of string grass with five grams of violets. Steam the resulting mixture with boiling water. After the collection settles, use it for inhalation.

A good option for inhalation with hoarseness will also be dill. Brew a couple of tablespoons of the seeds of this plant with half a liter of water. Boil such a composition over a fire of minimum power for five minutes, then cool slightly and use for inhalation.

Brew a tablespoon of crushed marshmallow with one glass of just boiled water. Set aside for just a few minutes, then strain. Add a tablespoon of honey to the resulting drink, then take it in warm small sips at an interval of an hour.

Heat homemade milk to a boil, then cool slightly. Beat one egg, a teaspoon of honey and a little butter into a container. Shake the resulting mixture and drink it in small sips.

Anise in the form of seeds will also help to cope with hoarseness. Brew half a glass of such raw materials with a glass of boiling water. Boil such a composition on a fire of minimum power for a quarter of an hour, and then strain. After the broth has cooled down a bit, combine it with some quality honey and a tablespoon of cognac. Take the received medicine with an interval of half an hour in the amount of one tablespoon.

If you only feel the appearance of hoarseness, take three hundred milliliters of beer, heat it up to forty-five to fifty degrees. Dissolve a tablespoon of honey in this composition and drink it while lying in bed, in small sips. Then wrap up and sleep until the morning.

A combination of beer and milk also has a good effect. Place an enameled container on a small fire, pour a glass of beer and milk into it alternately. Stir the future medicine and bring it almost to a boil. Then remove the container from the stove, cool the mixture a little and drink it in small sips. After that, it is best to go to bed, wrap yourself up and sleep.

Combine ten grams of viburnum bark and the same amount of oak bark. Brew such a composition with one glass of only boiled water and place it on a fire of minimum power. Boil the medicine for twenty minutes, then set it aside for another hour to brew. Use the resulting decoction for inhalation and gargling.

Pound a couple of homemade egg yolks with sugar until white, combine with a small piece of butter. Take this composition between meals, dissolving it in your mouth.

In most cases, hoarseness can be easily managed at home. But if such a symptom occurs in a child, it will not be superfluous to consult a doctor.

Hoarseness of voice is one of the symptoms that often accompany colds. However, few people know that the appearance of a hoarse voice can also be observed in many other diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux, Quincke's edema, cerebral stroke, burns of the larynx, etc.

For the most effective treatment of hoarseness, you need to know exactly what is causing it. Establishing the cause is based on the data of the anamnesis ( medical history), laboratory and instrumental studies. For the diagnosis of each of the causes, there is a certain list of studies.

In most cases, hoarseness is transient ( sharp) a symptom that disappears after the cure of the cause that caused it. If this symptom does not disappear after a maximum of 5 to 7 days from the moment of its occurrence, additional medical attention should be sought in order to exclude more serious causes of its occurrence in a timely manner.

Anatomy of the larynx, how is speech formed?

Knowledge of the anatomy of the larynx is necessary in order to fully understand the mechanism of occurrence of such a symptom as hoarseness.

The human larynx is one of the most complex anatomically organs. Its functioning requires the coordinated work of the skeleton of the larynx, its muscular apparatus and mucous membranes, as well as appropriate innervation and adequate blood supply. Violation at the level of at least one of the above links leads to insufficiency of this organ, from which its highest function, voice formation, suffers.

The larynx is a cavity organ in the upper part of the respiratory system, resembling a tube with a complex relief. It is located along the center line of the neck on its front surface at the level of C 4 - C 7 ( fourth to seventh cervical vertebrae). In front of the larynx are the sublingual muscles and the thin subcutaneous muscle of the neck. On the sides of it are large blood vessels of the neck. In the lower part, in front and on the sides, the thyroid gland is adjacent to it. Her palpation becomes possible when swallowing, when the larynx rises up. Behind the larynx is bordered by the pharynx and esophagus. In addition, two openings are distinguished in the larynx. The upper opening is called the entrance to the larynx. Through it, this organ communicates with the lower pharynx ( laryngopharynx). During swallowing, this hole is covered by the epiglottis - flat cartilage on a thin stalk. The lower opening opens into the tracheal cavity.

For a simpler understanding of the anatomy of the larynx, it should be presented systematically, divided into several main sections.

The main sections of the anatomy of the larynx include:

• skeleton ( cartilaginous skeleton);
• cartilage connections;
• muscles;
• mucous membrane;
• cavity;
• innervation;
• blood supply;
• lymphatic system;
• voice mechanism.

Cartilaginous skeleton of the larynx

The cartilages of the larynx are divided into paired and unpaired. Since unpaired cartilages are somewhat more massive than paired ones, it is with them that the description should begin.

The unpaired cartilages of the larynx include:

• thyroid;
• cricoid;
• epiglottic cartilage ( epiglottis).

Thyroid cartilage
The thyroid cartilage is located in front of all other cartilages. In shape, it resembles two rectangular plates connected by their front edges. Thus, the middle part of the thyroid cartilage protrudes forward. The upper part that protrudes most through the skin is called the Adam's apple or Adam's apple. Also on top of the midline of the thyroid cartilage is a small depression called the thyroid notch. The posterior edges of both plates thicken, forming the upper and lower horns of the thyroid cartilage. On the front surfaces of the plates there are oblique lines - the places of attachment of the thyroid-hyoid and sternothyroid muscles.

Cricoid cartilage
The cricoid cartilage consists of a semi-arc, oriented anteriorly, and a plate, oriented posteriorly. On the lateral surfaces of the semi-arch are articular surfaces for articulation with the lower horns of the thyroid cartilage. The plate of the cricoid cartilage is somewhat thicker and in the upper part forms the articular surfaces for articulation with the paired arytenoid cartilages.

epiglottic cartilage ( epiglottis)
The epiglottis is a flat oval cartilage on a thin base, located behind the root of the tongue above the superior thyroid notch. On its back surface, there are several depressions corresponding to the places where the mucous glands occur. Unlike other cartilages, which structurally belong to the hyaline class, the epiglottis is an elastic cartilage with greater flexibility. Due to this feature, the epiglottic cartilage tightly closes the entrance to the larynx ( superior opening of the larynx) while swallowing food, preventing it from entering the respiratory tract.

The paired cartilages of the larynx include:

• arytenoid;
• corniculate;
• wedge-shaped cartilage.

arytenoid cartilages
The arytenoid cartilages are shaped like trihedral pyramids with an elliptical base. The top of each of the pyramids is oriented backwards and inwards. Three angles are distinguished at the base of the pyramid, the most significant of which ( anterior and posterolateral) form processes. From the anterior angle, a vocal process is formed, to which the vocal cord and muscle are attached. From the posterolateral angle, a muscular process is formed, to which some muscles of the larynx are attached. During their contraction, the arytenoid cartilages turn about the vertical axis, changing the degree of tension of the vocal cords and changing the distance between them. As a result of this, the frequency of the trembling of the vocal cords and the pitch of the sounds that are formed change.

cartilages
The corniculate cartilage is about the size and shape of a sunflower seed or even smaller. They are located in the thickness of the aryepiglottic fold at a small distance from the tops of the arytenoid cartilages. On the mucous membrane of the above folds, they are defined as small corniculate tubercles.

Sphenoid cartilages
The sphenoid cartilages are also located in the thickness of the aryepiglottic fold, slightly above the horn-shaped cartilages. On the mucous membrane of the aforementioned folds, they form wedge-shaped tubercles.

Cartilage joints of the larynx

The connections of the cartilages of the larynx are carried out through numerous ligaments and several joints. Ligaments are designed to limit movement in the joints of the larynx, as well as maintain the anatomical relationship between its cartilages. The joints of the larynx are mobile structures that provide displacement of its cartilage relative to each other. Cartilage mobility is important in the process of voice formation.

In the larynx, such joints are distinguished as:

• cricoarytenoid ( paired);
• cricoid ( paired).

Cricoarytenoid joints
These joints are formed by the arytenoid articular surfaces in the upper part of the plate of the cricoid cartilage, as well as by the cricoid articular surfaces of the bases of the arytenoid cartilages. Movements occur in them only around one axis - the vertical one. In other words, the arytenoid cartilages rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, resulting in tension and relaxation of the vocal cords. As a result of this, there is a change in the frequency of their vibration and a change in the pitch of the emerging sound. This joint is surrounded by its own connective tissue capsule.

Cricothyroid joints
The cricothyroid joints are formed between the articular surfaces of the lower horns of the thyroid cartilage and the lateral surfaces of the cricoid cartilage semi-arc. In this joint, the thyroid cartilage approaches and moves away from the paired arytenoid cartilages. Since the vocal cords are stretched between these cartilages, a change in the distance between them will lead to a change in the degree of tension of the vocal cords.

These joints are surrounded by their own joint capsules. Their central part thickens somewhat, forming the median cricothyroid ligament. The fibers of the capsule, directed downward and backward, form the carob-crico-shaped ligaments.

In order not to get confused in a large number of connectives and their derivatives ( tendon membranes), it is recommended to classify them according to the place of attachment.

The thyroid cartilage is the site of attachment for:

• thyroid membrane;
• thyroid-epiglottic ligament;
• cricothyroid ligaments;
• vocal cords;
• ligaments of the vestibule of the larynx.

Thyrohyoid membrane
The thyroid-hyoid membrane is a connective tissue plate stretched between the hyoid bone and the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage. In the middle and lateral parts, this membrane thickens, forming the median and lateral thyroid-hyoid ligaments.

Thyroid-epiglottic ligament
This ligament connects the inner corner of the thyroid cartilage ( slightly below the thyroid notch) with the base of the epiglottis.

Cricothyroid ligaments
The cricothyroid ligament is a broad connective tissue mass extending from the superior margin of the cricoid cartilage to the inferior margin of the thyroid cartilage. The lateral sections of this ligament become thinner, passing into the fibrous-elastic membrane of the larynx, which, in turn, consists of the upper and lower parts. The upper part is a quadrangular membrane, and the lower part is an elastic cone, from the upper edge of which the vocal cords are formed.

Ligaments of the vestibule of the larynx
The ligaments of the vestibule of the larynx are otherwise called false vocal cords, since they run parallel and slightly higher than the true vocal cords. They extend from the tops of the arytenoid cartilages to the inner angle of the thyroid cartilage.

The epiglottic cartilage is the site of attachment for:

• sublingual-epiglottic ligament;
• thyroid-epiglottic ligament;
• median and lateral lingual-epiglottic folds.

Hyoid-epiglottic ligament
This ligament connects the anterior surface of the epiglottis to the hyoid bone.

Thyroid-epiglottic ligament
This ligament is located between the base of the epiglottic cartilage and the inner angle of the thyroid cartilage, slightly below the thyroid notch.

Median and lateral lingual-epiglottic folds
These three folds form between the epiglottis and the root of the tongue. To the central part of the root of the tongue follows the median lingual-epiglottic fold, and to the lateral - lateral folds.

The cricoid cartilage is the site of attachment for:

• fibrous-elastic membrane of the larynx;
• cricotracheal ligament.

Fibro-elastic membrane of the larynx
This membrane is a lateral continuation of the cricothyroid ligament. It consists of upper and lower parts. The upper part is called a quadrangular membrane, and the lower part is called an elastic cone.

Cricotracheal ligament
This ligament extends between the lower edge of the cricoid cartilage and the upper edge of the first cartilage of the trachea.

Muscles of the larynx

The muscles of the larynx are divided into two groups. The first group includes muscles that lead to displacement of various cartilages of the larynx relative to each other. The second group includes muscles that change the position of the entire larynx as an organ relative to the rest of the anatomical formations of the neck. The first group can be otherwise called the internal muscles of the larynx, and the second - external.

The internal muscles of the larynx according to their function are divided into:

• muscles that open and close the epiglottis;
• muscles that provide speech formation ( operation of the voice box).

The muscles that open the entrance to the larynx include the thyroid-epiglottic muscle. With its contraction, the epiglottis is raised and the upper laryngeal opening opens. The muscles that close the entrance to the larynx include the paired scoop-epiglottic muscles. With their contraction, the epiglottis approaches the superior laryngeal opening.

The above muscles are involved during swallowing. When food masses pass near the entrance to the larynx, the epiglottis fits snugly against it, preventing food from entering the respiratory tract.

• vocal muscles;
• lateral cricoarytenoid muscles;
• transverse arytenoid muscle.

Muscles that expand the glottis include :

• posterior cricoarytenoid muscles.

Muscles that tense the vocal cords include:

• cricothyroid muscles.

Muscles that relax the vocal cords include:

• thyroid muscles;
• vocal muscles.

The external muscles of the larynx are somewhat larger, as they are responsible for the displacement of the entire larynx. These include all the muscles attached to the hyoid bone. When they contract, this bone moves up, and when relaxed, it moves down. Since the larynx is tightly connected to the hyoid bone with the help of the thyroid-hyoid membrane, when the external muscles contract, they move together.

The mucous membrane of the larynx

The mucous membrane of the larynx is mainly represented by ciliated ( respiratory) epithelium. A feature of this epithelium is a special structure, which implies a coating of microscopic villi that have the ability to unidirectional oscillation. As a result, when dust from the inhaled air settles on the surface of this epithelium, after some time, with the help of villi, together with mucus, it moves into the nasal cavity, from where it is subsequently removed during sneezing or cleaning the nose.

The mucous glands of the larynx in the bulk are small and evenly distributed over the mucous membrane. Their accumulations are noted only in the region of the epiglottis and ventricles of the larynx. The ventricles of the larynx are located between the vocal and scoop-epiglottic ( false voice) folds. The mucus that forms in them drains onto the vocal cords, maintaining the optimal level of moisture necessary for the formation of sounds during their vibration.

larynx cavity

The cavity of the larynx looks like an hourglass. The upper section is called the vestibule of the larynx. Its upper border is the entrance to the larynx, and the lower one is false vocal ( scoop-epiglottic) folds.

The middle section is called the voice section, since it contains all the main structures of the vocal apparatus. Its upper border is the false vocal folds, and its lower border is the true vocal folds. Between the vocal folds there is a space called the glottis. It, in turn, is also divided into two parts - anterior and posterior. The narrow front is called the intermembranous, and the wider back is called the intercartilaginous.

Innervation of the larynx

The larynx receives sympathetic, parasympathetic motor and sensory innervation. Sympathetic innervation is carried out by the laryngopharyngeal nerve - a branch of the sympathetic trunk. Parasympathetic and sensory innervation above the glottis is carried out by the superior laryngeal nerve. The inferior laryngeal nerve provides parasympathetic, sensory, and motor innervation below the glottis.

Blood supply of the larynx

The larynx is supplied by the superior and inferior laryngeal arteries, which in turn are branches of the superior and inferior thyroid arteries. The outflow of blood is carried out through the veins of the same name.

Lymphatic system of the larynx

Lymph from the tissues of the larynx flows into the deep anterior and lateral lymph nodes of the neck ( prelaryngeal, pretracheal and paratracheal lymph nodes).

The mechanism of voice formation

Voice formation is a complex complex process. Directly the origin of sound occurs at the level of the vocal cords through their vibration during the passage of air flow through them. However, not many people know that this process is not passive, that is, the vocal cords do not vibrate due to the fact that air passes through them. Fluctuations are the result of rhythmic contraction of the vocal muscles, impulses to which are sent by the brain.

However, the sounds formed by the vocal cords are not yet a voice. Only after their change in natural resonator cavities ( larynx, oral cavity, paranasal cavities) they take on a familiar hue.

Causes of hoarseness

Hoarseness of voice is the result of a change in the shape or dysfunction of the vocal cords. A change in shape is more often observed in the inflammatory process, less often in tumors of the larynx. A change in the function of the vocal cords always accompanies a change in shape, however, it can be noted and isolated, for example, in strokes of the brain, some degenerative diseases.

• mechanical injury of the larynx;
• acute respiratory infection ( SARS);
• chemical or thermal burn of the larynx;
• functional overload of the vocal cords;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease;
• compression syndromes;
• compression by pathological formations ( aneurysms, tumors, cysts, varicose veins);
• cancer of the vocal cords;
• allergic edema ( );
• brain stroke;
• aura in some diseases of the central nervous system;
• degenerative diseases of the central nervous system, etc.

This type of hoarseness is typical for situations where the larynx is damaged due to mechanical trauma ( punch with the edge of the palm, strangulation, etc.). In this case, the cartilaginous skeleton of the larynx is temporarily deformed, which changes the correct location of the vocal folds. As a result, the voice turns out to be greatly altered, hoarse or completely disappears. In addition, the victim experiences extremely unpleasant sensations caused by irritation of the mucous membrane of the larynx.

For hoarseness with a mechanical injury of the larynx, as a rule, rapid reversibility is characteristic. Since the tissues of the cartilage that make up the skeleton of the larynx consist of a large number of elastic fibers, the restoration of its shape and the return of the voice is only a matter of time. Usually the period of hoarseness after injury is a few minutes. In more rare cases, recovery is delayed for hours or even days.

Hoarseness is one of the common symptoms of an acute respiratory infection. The mechanism of its occurrence lies in the direct pathogenic effect of the virus on the epithelium lining the mucous membrane of the larynx. Penetrating into the cell, the virus begins to use its resources for its own reproduction. As a result, cellular metabolism is first disrupted. Subsequently, the virus breaks the cell membrane, destroying the cell itself and, at the same time, releasing millions of copies of itself into the surrounding space.

Upon contact of the virus with the cells of the immune system, the inflammatory process is initiated. Thus, the inflammatory process is a protective mechanism designed to isolate the virus within a single focus and prevent its spread. One of the integral components of the inflammatory process is edema. In fact, it is he who leads to a change in the shape of the vocal folds, which, in turn, leads to the development of hoarseness.

Chemical and thermal burns of the larynx occur mainly during hostilities, accompanied by the use of weapons of mass destruction. However, there is also a risk of getting such burns in the household way. Thermal burns occur during fires, and mainly in patients with a total area of ​​burned skin of more than 50%. Chemical burns most often develop when using high concentrations of household chemicals, in particular those containing active chlorine.

Both chemical and thermal burns are characterized by relative reversibility. If the patient does not die from burns of the skin, then after a few days the inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx begins to subside and the hoarseness of the voice disappears. In more severe cases, mucosal recovery can take weeks. In places of greatest damage, connective tissue can form, as a result of which the shape of the larynx can change significantly. In such cases, hoarseness persists throughout life. It is possible to return the voice only through complex surgical intervention, if such is possible.

Functional overload of the vocal cords means prolonged use of the vocal apparatus in emergency mode, that is, when talking in raised tones. This condition is often found in teachers, lecturers, orators, etc.

The mechanism of hoarseness of voice involves the drying of the vocal folds. This process occurs much faster than the evaporation of liquid from the surface of the skin. This is largely facilitated by the vibration of the vocal folds, in which microscopic particles of fluid break away from the mucous membrane and are carried away by the air stream. When crying, the existing mucous glands do not have time to maintain the optimal level of moisture in the vocal folds, as a result of which their resistance to mechanical stress decreases. The vibration of the folds, at which the sound is formed, is in itself a mechanical stimulus. In the absence of sufficient moisture, the surface of the vocal folds is covered with microscopic cracks, into which microbes soon penetrate, and an inflammatory process develops.

The inflammatory process, in turn, leads to swelling of the vocal folds and a change in their shape. The width of the glottis decreases, and the vibration of the swollen folds becomes much weaker. As a result of the above changes, the voice becomes hoarse.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease can lead to hoarseness. The reason is the reverse reflux of the acidic contents of gastric juice into the esophagus and oral cavity. The entry of gastric juice into the lumen of the larynx most often occurs when the pharyngeal reflex decreases, that is, during sleep or in patients with damage to certain lobes of the brain in stroke conditions.

Since gastric juice consists mainly of hydrochloric acid, its contact with the mucous membrane of the larynx causes lesions characteristic of a chemical burn. However, due to the fact that at night the concentration of gastric juice decreases, the effect of hydrochloric acid is smoother and imperceptible. As a result, chronic inflammation of the pharynx develops over time, called chronic inflammation. laryngitis. One of the manifestations of this disease is hoarseness of voice, which is noted mainly in the morning, immediately after sleep. After some time, the voice is completely restored. One of the evidence of the connection of gastroesophageal reflux with hoarseness is the disappearance of the latter on the background of taking drugs that reduce the acidity of gastric juice.

With compression syndromes

Compression syndromes are pathological conditions accompanied by compression of the arteries or nerves, as a result of which the blood supply or innervation of a certain part of the body is disturbed. Most often, compression of the intervertebral nerves occurs from the bodies and arches of the vertebrae. Less commonly, smaller nerves are compressed ( recurrent laryngeal nerve, superior and inferior laryngeal nerve, etc.). Pressure on them can be exerted from spasmodic muscles, cysts, hematomas, tumors, aneurysms, etc.

Compression of the above nerves leads to a deterioration in metabolism in the axonal ending of the motor neuron, as a result of which its ability to transmit nerve impulses decreases or completely disappears. The vocal muscles that do not receive adequate innervation are in a relaxed state, due to which the vocal folds cease to vibrate and form sound. Ultimately, there is such a symptom as hoarseness of voice.

Similar disorders can occur when one of the arteries that supply blood to the muscles and mucous membrane of the larynx is compressed. However, this rarely leads to significant dysfunction of the vocal cords, since they are supplied with blood by a whole network of arteries, and the cessation of blood flow through one of them is usually successfully compensated by the remaining vessels.

With compression of the larynx by pathological formations ( aneurysms, tumors, cysts, varicose veins)

These conditions should be differentiated from compression syndromes, in which the function of the vocal cords is impaired due to compression of certain nerves or arteries. In this case, pathological formations, such as vascular aneurysms, tumors, cysts and varicose veins, directly compress the vocal folds or their places of attachment to the walls of the larynx. As a result of this, the vocal cords change shape, and the emerging sound changes timbre, becomes dull or completely disappears.

For cancer of the vocal cords

Cancer of the vocal cords is one of the types of malignant tumors of the mucous membrane of the larynx. Histologically, it may originate from mutated multicellular squamous or respiratory epithelium. The degree of malignancy is determined by the level of atypia of its cells. The higher the level of atypia, the less similar the tumor cells are to the normal epithelium from which they originate, and the more aggressive the tumor is considered.

Tumor growth can be either endophytic ( inside the vocal fold), and exophytic ( outside the vocal fold). In the first case, hoarseness of voice occurs somewhat delayed, since the contours of the vocal fold do not change much. In the second case, hoarseness appears earlier, due to the fact that even a small growth of the tumor changes the contours of the vocal fold. In this case, patients seek medical help earlier, as a result of which this disease is successfully and timely cured. Patients with endophytic tumor growth, unfortunately, are less likely to suspect it in a timely manner. Because of this, it is often too late to radically treat the tumor.

With allergic edema ( angioedema, angioedema)

Hoarseness of the voice may be a sign of one of the manifestations of an allergic reaction called angioedema or angioedema. Its development is associated with the penetration of a certain allergen into the body, and the route of penetration often does not really matter. This edema is most pronounced in tissues rich in loose connective tissue. That is why, first of all, the lips, the nasolabial triangle, the space around the eyes, the earlobes, the labia and the scrotum swell. The spread of the process to the tissues of the neck is fraught with swelling of the loose tissue of the vocal folds. At first, this leads to a sharply appeared hoarseness of voice, and subsequently the vocal folds increase so much that, closing, they completely block the airways.

The rate of swelling may vary. Acute Quincke's edema develops within a few minutes, which is why it is considered the most life-threatening. Chronic Quincke's edema can progress within a few days, especially if contact with the allergen has not been stopped.

With a brain stroke

Hoarseness of voice and various kinds of dysarthria ( pronunciation disorders) are often one of the residual effects of cerebral stroke. In a stroke, there is an acute disruption of the blood supply to a certain part of the brain, as a result of which some of its cells die. If the cells responsible for the innervation of the muscles involved in the process of voice formation die, then a symptom such as hoarseness appears. Over time, the function of the dead neurons can be taken over by other brain cells, then the hoarseness gradually disappears. However, it should be noted that the recovery process is lengthy, does not occur in all cases and not always completely.

With aura accompanying certain diseases of the central nervous system

Under the aura that accompanies certain diseases of the central nervous system ( migraine, epilepsy, etc.), understand the special symptoms that the patient may experience during an attack of the disease or immediately before it. For example, with some types of migraine, the patient may hear non-existent sounds, experience sensations that he has never experienced outside of an attack. Before an epileptic attack, some patients experience olfactory and gustatory hallucinations, for example, the pungent smell of garlic, gasoline or burning, as well as the taste of metal, etc.

These symptoms are caused by pathological electrical changes in the brain. They can be extremely diverse, depending on which area of ​​the brain is the focus of excitation. The literature describes cases when, before an epileptic attack, a hoarseness of voice appeared in a patient, which completely disappeared after it. Thus, when this patient suddenly developed hoarseness, he took antiepileptic drugs and lay down on the ground. As a result, he medically shortened the duration of an epileptic seizure and prevented injuries that he could have received during a fall.

For degenerative diseases of the central nervous system

Hoarseness may be one of the symptoms of a degenerative disease of the central nervous system ( multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, etc.). Due to certain metabolic disorders or autoimmune aggression, the myelin sheath of various parts of the brain is damaged. As a result, the speed of conducting impulses along their fibers decreases many times, and the function of the affected area of ​​the brain gradually disappears. This is the difference between degenerative diseases and stroke, in which lesions occur suddenly, due to impaired blood supply.

Hoarseness of voice occurs when the corresponding part of the cerebral cortex is affected. However, it cannot be argued that this symptom is typical of a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Moreover, in such diseases, it is observed quite rarely and can occur at any stage, both at the onset and after a long-term course.

Diagnosis of the causes of hoarseness

Methods for diagnosing the causes of hoarseness are conventionally divided into:

• clinical;
• laboratory;
• instrumental.

All of the above methods should be used in parallel to obtain the maximum amount of information about the patient's health status.

Clinical Methods

Clinical diagnostic methods are extremely important because they allow the patient to be examined using only a small range of devices available to a doctor of any specialty.

The most applicable methods for examining the larynx area include history taking, general examination and palpation. Percussion and auscultation of the lungs, heart, and abdomen may be required to rule out comorbidities.

Collection of anamnesis
It is no coincidence that taking an anamnesis is the first item on the list of clinical studies, since it allows you to suspect a particular diagnosis before the doctor touches the patient for the first time. Based on the first impression, the doctor will subsequently build a strategy for examining the patient to confirm or refute his hypothesis.

Taking an anamnesis involves a series of questions aimed at clarifying the characteristics of the disease in a particular patient. First of all, you need to ask about the features of the main symptom, that is, hoarseness. The doctor is usually interested in how long ago she appeared, suddenly or gradually, she progresses, does not change or gradually decreases, with which the patient associates the occurrence of hoarseness, what he did the day before. It is important to know what the patient was trying to be treated with before going to the doctor, and what were the results of the treatment.

After determining the characteristics of hoarseness, it is necessary to ask about concomitant symptoms - fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, pruritus, redness of the skin, impaired motor skills or sensitivity, etc. These symptoms complement the clinical picture of the disease, within which hoarseness of voice may appear.

In addition, it is necessary to find out past diseases ( especially tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, neoplastic processes, HIV), serious injuries and surgical interventions. Lifestyle, occupation and living conditions can place the patient in a particular risk group for certain diseases. Be sure to ask the patient about the substances to which he develops an allergic reaction.

The more frankly and in detail the patient tells the doctor about his past and present, the better. Nothing should be hidden. The information that may seem insignificant to the patient may be of exceptional diagnostic value to the doctor.

General inspection
A general examination of the larynx area involves an assessment of the condition of the skin ( color, humidity, temperature), symmetry, determination of swelling of the jugular veins, etc. In addition to the neck area, the entire patient should be carefully examined. In particular, it is necessary to determine the external signs of obesity or malnutrition, chronic respiratory failure or heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, hematopoietic system, etc.

Palpation
Palpation of the soft tissues of the neck with hoarseness can help identify enlarged lymph nodes and other volumetric formations ( wen, malignant neoplasms, cysts, aneurysms, etc.).

Laboratory methods

Laboratory research methods greatly simplify the diagnosis of many diseases. However, one should not blindly trust their results, since in a certain percentage of cases their results are false positive or false negative. In addition, the same results can be interpreted differently depending on the rest of the clinical picture.

Hoarseness of the throat may require laboratory tests such as:

• cytological examination of the smear of the nasopharynx and oropharynx;
• bacteriological culture of the contents of the nasopharynx;
• polymerase chain reaction method;
• determination of H.Pylori on the gastric mucosa;
• determination of tumor markers ( specific markers of malignant tumors);
• determination of the levels of immunoglobulin E, circulating immune complexes, etc.

General blood analysis
A complete blood count is one of the mandatory studies for hoarseness. When evaluating it, attention should be paid to the level of hemoglobin, the number of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. If the level of leukocytes is elevated, then it should be determined by which fraction their increase occurs. If stab nuclei are elevated ( young forms) neutrophils, then a bacterial infection is suspected. If the increase occurs due to lymphocytes and monocytes, then the diagnosis should be sought among viral infections.

General urine analysis
Urinalysis is performed to exclude renal pathology, which often develops in parallel with chronic tonsillitis ( inflammation of the palatine tonsils) in some rheumatoid diseases. A sign of kidney damage is the appearance of protein, leukocytes and cylinders in the urine. For a more accurate interpretation of the analysis, it is necessary to compare its data with other clinical studies.

Cytological examination of the smear of the nasopharynx and oropharynx
A cytological examination of a nasopharyngeal smear is carried out in order to determine the type of epithelium lining it. This study can help identify superficially located malignant neoplasms of the nasal cavity and mouth. This method can also be used to diagnose cancer of the larynx, however, to take a smear, local anesthesia and a special instrument, a laryngoscope, are required.

Bacteriological culture of the contents of the nasopharynx
Sowing the contents of the nasopharynx is necessary when hoarseness has developed against the background of an acute respiratory infection and does not go away after several days of treatment. In this case, there are suspicions that the antibacterial substances used are poorly destroying the microorganisms that cause the inflammatory process.

The material is taken by taking a swab from the nasopharynx. Then the resulting material is sown on various nutrient media in order to determine the presence of aerobic ( which require oxygen to grow) and anaerobic ( able to grow in anoxic environment) microorganisms. Further, cultured pathogens are tested for resistance to various types of antibiotics. Thus, as a result, the patient receives a conclusion, which indicates all the microorganisms present in the nasopharyngeal cavity along with their concentration and types of antibiotics to which they are resistant and sensitive. With the help of this study, the doctor can adjust the treatment of the inflammatory disease of the pharynx for the most effective destruction of its pathogen.

polymerase chain reaction method
Polymerase chain reaction can be used for early diagnosis of the type of virus that causes inflammation in the pharynx and larynx, which, in turn, is the cause of hoarseness. This method is most valuable during periods of influenza epidemics, the mortality from which even today remains high.

DefinitionH.pylori on the gastric mucosa
As a result of numerous studies, it has been proven that the high acidity of gastric juice in combination with gastroesophageal reflux provokes the development of inflammatory changes in the mucous membrane of the larynx and leads to hoarseness. An increase in the acidity of the stomach develops during gastritis ( inflammation of the gastric mucosa), which in approximately 80% of cases are caused by a pathogenic microorganism called H. Pylori. Thus, its timely detection and destruction is the prevention of not only gastritis and stomach ulcers, but also hoarseness.

The definition of a given microorganism is carried out in many ways. The most common of these include isolation of antigen from feces, detection of specific antibodies in the blood, cytological examination of the biopsy ( a section of mucous membrane from the edge of a gastric or duodenal ulcer) and breath urease test.

Definition of tumor markers
Tumor markers are special substances that are released into the blood by malignant neoplasms or appear as a result of their interaction with the immune system. Each type of tumor has its own tumor markers, and malignant neoplasms of the larynx are no exception. Their determination in the blood or an increase in concentration above the norm is not an absolute sign of the presence of a tumor in the body, but it is considered a serious reason for additional research in this direction.

Determination of IgE levels and circulating immune complexes
The above laboratory studies are performed when it is assumed that hoarseness develops against the background of an allergic component.

Instrumental Methods

To date, instrumental methods for diagnosing the causes of hoarseness are among the most reliable. They allow you to clearly visualize the entire anatomical structure of the neck area. The degree of resolution of the devices used is increasing all the time, since progress does not stand still, therefore, with the help of instrumental research methods, it is increasingly possible to make the correct diagnosis.

• laryngoscopy/bronchoscopy;
• ultrasonography ( ultrasound);
• radiography of the cervical spine;
• scintigraphy, etc.

Laryngoscopy/bronchoscopy
Laryngoscopy is an instrumental examination, with the help of which a flexible LED conductor with a light bulb at the end is inserted into the cavity of the larynx to the level of the vocal folds. In order to direct the conductor into the cavity of the larynx, and not into the cavity of the esophagus, a device called a laryngoscope is used, which has a metal tip in the form of a curved groove. The conductor slides freely along the groove described above and enters the larynx. During laryngoscopy, the examining physician is given the opportunity to see with his own eyes the entire internal structure of the larynx and determine the pathologically altered areas.

Bronchoscopy is a similar study, however, the length and width of the conductor is somewhat larger. The bronchoscope guide is also inserted into the larynx using a laryngoscope, but to a greater depth. Thus, with the help of this apparatus, it is possible to examine the middle and lower third of the tracheal cavity, which is considered technically impossible with laryngoscopy. In addition, in addition to visual examination with a bronchoscope, it is still possible to take tissue sections for biopsy and even perform minimally invasive ( less traumatic) surgery.

Ultrasonography ( ultrasound)
Ultrasound examination of the larynx is extremely rare due to the fact that this organ is poorly visualized due to the cartilage tissue that makes up its skeleton. However, ultrasound is extremely useful when hoarseness is caused by compression of the larynx by volumetric formations located next to it, such as tumors, cysts, aneurysms, etc.

X-ray of the cervical spine
X-ray of the cervical spine may be useful for diagnosing hoarseness that has developed against the background of compression syndrome caused by severe osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. In this disease, the spinal nerves can be compressed by osteophytes ( bone outgrowths) formed on the vertebral bodies. As a result of compression, the transmission of motor nerve impulses to the muscles of the larynx is disrupted, which causes hoarseness of the voice.

In addition, it should be remembered that chest x-ray is a necessary study for suspected pneumonia, in which a pronounced intoxication syndrome and hoarseness can be observed.

CT scan ( CT)
Computed tomography is the most advanced x-ray method of research today. It is designed in such a way as to simultaneously take a series of images from different angles, in order to subsequently combine them and create a three-dimensional reconstruction of the internal structures of a particular part of the body. A feature of computed tomography is a better visualization of dense bone structures, while soft tissues are visualized less clearly.

A CT scan of the neck may reveal masses that put pressure on the vocal cords and lead to hoarseness. When using special substances for intravenous contrast, it is possible to better visualize malignant neoplasms. This is because malignant tumors have a particularly good blood supply.

It should be remembered that, like all radiological methods, CT involves some radiation exposure of the patient, so it should be performed no more than once a year. This study is contraindicated for children and pregnant women.

Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI)
MRI along with CT is one of the most advanced instrumental studies to date. The principle of its operation is fundamentally different. Special sensors record the energy of waves emitted by each hydrogen atom in an alternating magnetic field. Since the largest number of hydrogen atoms is found in water and organic chemicals, soft tissues of the body are most clearly visualized on MRI.

The indisputable advantage of MRI over CT is the absolute harmlessness for the patient. That is why this study is indicated even for children and pregnant women. However, like any method, MRI has some limitations. One of the most serious of them is the presence of metal objects in the patient's body ( spokes, crowns, prostheses, etc.). During the study, they are attracted to the electromagnetic circuit with great force, tearing all tissues in the way.

With hoarseness, MRI can be useful not only for detecting space-occupying formations ( tumors, aneurysms, cysts, etc.), but also for diagnosing compressions of nerves and blood vessels. The use of a contrast agent ( gadolinium) greatly enhances image clarity and is highly effective for diagnosing malignant neoplasms.

Scintigraphy
Scintigraphy is an x-ray method in which a special radiopharmaceutical is injected intravenously into a patient, which is captured by a certain type of tissue. Subsequently, the radiation of the radiopharmaceutical is recorded by special sensors. Scintigraphy of healthy parenchymal organs is carried out to determine their functional state. With hoarseness of voice, a radiopharmaceutical is introduced that has tropism ( affinity) to the tissues of some types of malignant tumors that most often develop in this part of the body. If these tumors are present, then the screen of the device will show the accumulation of the drug in its tissue. If the tumor is absent, then the drug will be evenly distributed in the blood, after which it will gradually be released from the body.

In theory, this method is effective and very promising, but in practice it is used abruptly due to some significant drawbacks. The main problem is that the radiopharmaceuticals required for the diagnosis of laryngeal cancer are not available in all medical centers due to the low demand for them. More commonly used radiopharmaceuticals are for the thyroid, parathyroid, liver, spleen, kidney, and adrenal glands. The second disadvantage is the high risk of a false-negative result due to the wrong drug. In other words, the doctor does not know for sure the type of tumor he is looking for and, when choosing a radiopharmaceutical, is guided by statistical data. In this case, the study will be carried out, but the tumor will not absorb the radiopharmaceutical ( due to the fact that he has no affinity for him), which will indicate the absence of a tumor, while in fact it is.

In connection with the above disadvantages, this study should be carried out if the type of malignant tumor is accurately known from the biopsy results. Moreover, the purpose of the study is to search for metastases of the primary tumor.

What to do if the voice is sharply hoarse?

The answer to this question depends on what the patient means by the word "abruptly." In this regard, diseases should be divided into two categories according to the rate of development of hoarseness. The first category includes diseases in which hoarseness develops at once or within a few minutes. The second category includes pathological conditions in which hoarseness develops within a few hours.

Hoarseness develops simultaneously or within a few minutes with:

• angioedema;
• mechanical injury of the larynx;
• burn of the larynx;
• brain stroke.

In the above conditions, it is recommended, without wasting time, to call an ambulance. Each of these diseases carries an immediate threat to life, so any delay is unacceptable, as well as attempts at self-treatment at home.

Puffiness develops within a few hours with:

• acute viral infection;
• functional overload of the vocal cords, etc.

These reasons do not pose an immediate danger to life, but can significantly reduce its quality. In this regard, patients are advised to contact their family doctor as soon as possible on their own. If the family doctor deems it necessary, the patient can additionally consult the necessary specialist ( infectious disease specialist, pulmonologist, oncologist, allergist, etc.).

Which doctor to contact?

If hoarseness of voice develops immediately or within a few minutes and is accompanied by progressive shortness of breath, impaired coordination of speech or vision, you should immediately call an ambulance.

If the hoarseness of the voice is caused by a cold or an overload of the vocal cords, then you should routinely contact your family doctor. In some cases, an additional referral to a pulmonologist, allergist, infectious disease specialist, neurologist, gastrologist, etc. may be required.

Treatment methods at home before visiting a doctor

If hoarseness is caused by a trauma or burn of the larynx, then before the ambulance arrives, it is recommended to take any painkiller from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs available in the home medicine cabinet. This group of drugs includes ibuprofen, dexalgin, ketorolac ( ketans), paracetamol and analgin. Unconventional treatments ( compresses, homemade lotions, elastic bands, etc.) is recommended not to use, so as not to aggravate the patient's condition.

If hoarseness is suspected to be caused by allergic swelling of the vocal cords ( angioedema), then before the ambulance arrives, it is recommended to use any antiallergic substance in a therapeutic dose ( usually 1 tablet, but it is better to check the instructions for the drug). These drugs include suprastin, clemastine, loratadine, ketotifen, zyrtec ( cetirizine) and etc.

If hoarseness is accompanied by clinical signs of cerebral stroke, then no oral drugs ( ingestion), the patient does not need to give. The reason is that in addition to paralysis of the vocal cords, paralysis of the muscles of the pharynx and esophagus may develop. In this condition, the act of swallowing is disturbed, therefore, instead of the stomach, the medicine can enter the respiratory tract, causing irritation and, in the worst case, blockage.

Treating causes of hoarseness

Treatment of hoarseness should be started only after its cause has been accurately established. Only in this case, the treatment will be targeted and give the best result. Each disease is treated individually, in connection with this it is advisable to describe the treatment of each of the causes of hoarseness separately.

• mechanical injury of the larynx;
• acute respiratory infection;
• chemical or thermal burns of the larynx;
• functional overload of the vocal cords;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease;
• compression syndrome;
• compression by pathological formations;
• cancer of the vocal cords;
• allergic edema;
• brain stroke;
• diseases of the central nervous system.

With mechanical trauma to the larynx

If, after a mechanical injury to the larynx, hoarseness of voice suddenly occurred, this means that the airways have suffered, but remained passable. However, it should be remembered that as the edema increases or the hematoma grows, shortness of breath may progress, from which the patient may die. In this regard, it is necessary to ensure the patency of the respiratory tract in a timely manner until the glottis is completely closed.

For this purpose, special ambulance teams have a tracheal intubation kit. If it is not possible to intubate the patient due to the transverse position of the broken cartilage and shortness of breath progresses, then a conicotomy should be performed ( incision of the cricothyroid membrane with the introduction of a hollow conductor for air into it).

Upon arrival at the hospital, it is necessary to determine the severity of the damage to the trachea and decide on the need for reconstructive surgery. If the operation is not provided, then the patient should be treated with medication until the swelling decreases and it becomes possible to breathe on their own.

For acute respiratory infections

Acute respiratory infections are usually of viral origin. With such infections, the person's own immunity is most successfully fighting, therefore, the main goal of treatment in this case is to provide the body with all the conditions to fight the virus.

First of all, rest is needed during the first 3-4 days of infection, both physical and mental. Stress provokes complications. In addition, you should drink more warm liquid ( teas, juices, herbal infusions, etc.). Regarding the advisability of using loading doses of vitamins in the acute phase of infection, there is no consensus, since, on the one hand, vitamins are important for maintaining a weakened body, and on the other hand, they also stimulate the reproduction of the virus. We can definitely say only that vitamins should be used outside the acute period of infection in order to strengthen the immune system.

In addition, it is important to prevent the addition of a secondary bacterial infection, since it is this that leads to the most frequent and severe complications ( sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, otitis media, tonsillitis, bronchitis and pneumonia). To do this, you just need to gargle as often as possible and rinse your nose with antiseptic solutions ( collargol, furatsilin, decoction of chamomile, calendula, etc.). If after the first three days from the onset of the disease, the temperature and other symptoms subsided, then the treatment started should be continued until they disappear completely. If after the first three days no positive dynamics is observed, then most likely a bacterial infection has occurred, which requires the addition of one or more antibiotics to the treatment regimen. Regarding the type of antibiotic, you should consult with your family doctor.

With a chemical or thermal burn of the larynx

Treatment of a burn of the larynx is a difficult task. The primary goal of treatment is to prevent reflex closure of the glottis. For this, the patient is given intravenous prednisolone or dexamethasone. This is followed by the purification of the airways from the substance that caused the burn ( chemical burn) or combustion products ( thermal burn). This procedure should be carried out only in a hospital setting under local anesthesia, by washing the walls of the larynx, trachea and bronchi with saline followed by aspiration ( suction) of the flowing liquid.

Subsequent treatment should be aimed at accelerating healing and combating infection of the wound. If necessary, strong painkillers are prescribed at first, the need for which gradually decreases over time.

After complete healing, cicatricial restructuring of the airways often occurs, accompanied by their curvature and narrowing. Critical narrowings are subject to surgical intervention aimed at restoring optimal patency. In rare cases, they resort to replacing the larynx, trachea or bronchi with an artificial implant.

With functional overload of the vocal cords

The treatment of hoarseness in case of overload of the vocal cords is based mainly on maintaining silence for several days. If, due to certain circumstances, the patient does not have the opportunity to remain silent around the clock, he must speak in a whisper, without involving the vocal cords. Healing is accelerated by warm drinks and anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce swelling of the vocal cords ( ibuprofen, nimesulide, meloxicam, etc.). Healing delay occurs with the use of alcoholic beverages and smoking.

For gastroesophageal reflux disease

Treatment for hoarseness caused by gastroesophageal reflux depends on how severe it is. With low and moderate severity, treatment is medical and consists mainly in the use of drugs that reduce the acidity of gastric juice. These substances include proton pump inhibitors ( pantoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole, etc.), H2-blockers ( famotidine, ranitidine, etc.), as well as antacids ( almagel, phosphalugel, etc.). With severe degrees of gastroesophageal reflux, surgery may be indicated to narrow the esophageal opening of the diaphragm and eliminate esophageal hernia, which is the main cause of gastroesophageal reflux.

With compression syndrome

Treatment of hoarseness in compression syndrome consists mainly in the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( meloxicam, nimesulide, ibuprofen, etc.). These drugs reduce the swelling of the nerves and, as a result, the degree of their compression. At the same time, there is an improvement in the nutrition of the nerve fiber, an improvement in the conduction of nerve impulses along it, which ultimately leads to the restoration of full-fledged innervation and the disappearance of hoarseness. Multivitamin preparations, which include vitamins of group B, also contribute to the restoration of the metabolism of the nerve fiber.

If hoarseness is caused by compression of a blood vessel, then anti-inflammatory drugs are of little use. In this case, the only way to treat the compression syndrome is to remove the compression surgically. To do this, it is necessary to know exactly the place of compression ( after MRI) and the nature of the anatomical structure exerting pressure.

When compressed by pathological formations ( aneurysms, tumors, cysts, varicose veins, etc.)

The treatment of this kind of causes leading to hoarseness is exclusively surgical. If the compression turns out to be a tumor, then before removing it, it is necessary to determine the degree of its malignancy and damage to the regional lymph nodes ( only for malignant tumors). The volume of surgical intervention directly depends on this.

Treatment of varicose veins of the pharynx and larynx depends on the degree of their severity. Minor varicose veins are clipped ( clips or staples are applied). Medium-sized varicose veins are clipped or special rings are superimposed on them. Large varicose veins are operated on.

Aneurysms are considered more dangerous mass formations than all of the above, as they tend to spontaneously rupture at any given time. Their treatment depends on the size and location of the aneurysms and consists of clipping or suturing through open surgery.

For cancer of the vocal cords

Cancer of the vocal cords, like any other malignant tumor, is treated surgically in most cases. After removal of the tumor, depending on its type, a certain course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is prescribed.

It often happens that during the operation one or both vocal folds have to be completely removed. In such cases, unfortunately, it is not necessary to expect restoration of the voice. However, there is a way out of this situation, and it consists in implanting or using a portable electronic voice synthesizer.

With allergic edema of the larynx ( angioedema, angioedema)

Since allergic edema of the larynx ( angioedema) is an emergency condition, then its treatment, first of all, should be aimed at stopping the allergic reaction. For this purpose, hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs administered intravenously are used ( prednisolone and dexamethasone). If the edema progresses even with the above drugs, then the patient should be temporarily intubated ( insert a breathing tube) to maintain airway patency. If the vocal folds have closed and intubation has become impossible, then an operation called a conicotomy should be urgently performed. This operation consists in making a hole in the cricothyroid membrane of the larynx ( below the vocal cords) and the introduction of a tube into the trachea for intubation. Thus, after all steps have been taken to ensure unhindered breathing, additional antiallergic drugs can be prescribed and the edema subsides, after which the endotracheal tube is removed.

If there is a predisposition to Quincke's edema, then great importance should be given to its prevention. The patient must consciously avoid contact with substances that provoke its development. If it was not possible to avoid contact ( for example, if you are allergic to insect venom), then the patient should always carry emergency medicines with them and use them immediately after the bite, without waiting for the onset of swelling.

In diseases of the central nervous system ( stroke, epilepsy, migraine, degenerative diseases)

It should be remembered that hoarseness in diseases of the central nervous system is only a symptom, therefore, its immediate cause should always be treated.

Stroke of the brain is treated comprehensively. The main groups of drugs in this case are nootropics ( piracetam, cerebrolysin, vinpocetine, etc.) or drugs that have a nootropic effect secondarily, by improving cerebral circulation.

Treatment of migraine is divided into treatment at the time of exacerbation and preventive treatment. At the time of exacerbation, antispasmodic and analgesic drugs are used ( spasmalgon, plenalgin, dexalgin, etc.). The intensity of external stimuli ( sound, light, vibration, etc.) should be kept to a minimum. If the attack is not stopped, then dihydroergotamine, mannitol is used. In special severe cases, accompanied by vomiting, haloperidol or diazepam is used.

Folk remedies for hoarse voice

Since in most cases hoarseness is caused by non-life-threatening causes ( vocal cord overload, acute viral infection), then the methods of traditional medicine are used in these conditions often and effectively.

The most common treatment for hoarseness is gargling with warm decoctions of chamomile, calendula, and St. John's wort. The above decoctions have a moderate local anti-inflammatory effect, and St. John's wort - even a weak antiviral effect. Thus, upon contact with the mucous membrane of the pharynx, these substances reduce its swelling.

The disadvantage of this method is the impossibility of a direct impact on the inflamed mucous membrane of the larynx. In connection with the foregoing, it is possible to deliver the medicinal substance to the respiratory tract through inhalation. To do this, just pour hot broth on the bottom of any teapot and breathe the resulting vapors through the spout of the teapot. However, you should proceed with the procedure very carefully, since the temperature of the broth and the kettle itself can be too high and cause burns to the lips and respiratory tract.

In addition to rinsing and inhalation, you can use lotions and compresses on the neck area based on irritating substances ( radish, red pepper, horseradish, etc.). These methods have both positive and negative sides. The positive effect is a rush of blood to the neck, which often leads to a decrease in inflammatory edema of the pharynx and larynx. The negative effect is a high risk of chemical skin burns. In addition, in the neck area there are reflexogenic zones responsible for the regulation of heart rate. If they are irritated, a sharp decrease in the heart rate is possible, which can lead to loss of consciousness and even death from cardiac arrest.

Thus, the main condition for the treatment of folk remedies is their harmlessness. The human immune system is best able to cope with a viral infection on its own. You can help her only by giving the body rest for the first 3-4 for the disease. If hoarseness of voice has developed against the background of an overload of the vocal apparatus, then the only condition is only silence for 1-2 days. No folk remedies are recommended in this case.

Treating a hoarse voice in a child

The treatment of a hoarse voice in a child is not much different from that in adults. Of course, the range of possible causes of this symptom is narrowed, since children practically do not have strokes and degenerative diseases of the brain, compression syndromes and tumor formations localized in the larynx. The main causes of hoarseness in them are acute respiratory infections and somewhat less often allergic reactions.


The general principles of treatment do not differ from the principles of treatment of hoarseness in adults, however, the characteristics of a growing organism should be taken into account. One of the features is the increased sensitivity of body systems to the effects of adverse factors. In particular, the side effects of medications are much more pronounced in the children's body. For example, such a well-known drug as analgin, which is used to relieve pain and fight fever, with frequent use can provoke the development of malignant processes in the hematopoietic system ( leukemia, lymphoma, etc.). Aminoglycoside antibiotics ( streptomycin, gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, etc.) with prolonged and frequent use has been proven to cause hearing loss and disorders of the vestibular apparatus. Due to the irrational and frequent use of antibiotics of the penicillin group ( ampicillin, amoxicillin, etc.) and cephalosporins ( cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, etc.) often cause allergic reactions.

In addition, the parallel use of a large number of drugs can provoke the development of an allergic reaction, even if each of them individually is three times safe. The most dangerous periods for the occurrence of allergies in a child include the periods in which the so-called crossovers of the leukocyte formula occur in his body. This term refers to the time intervals when the percentage of lymphocytes and neutrophils ( subspecies of leukocytes - white blood cells) equalizes. There are two of these periods and on average they are observed on the 4th - 7th day of life and on the 5th - 7th year of life. If during these periods the child's body will be in intensive contact with substances unknown to him ( exotic foods, food colorings, preservatives, insect poisons, medicines, etc.), then the likelihood of an allergic reaction for the rest of his life increases.

What to do if the throat is hoarse?

If the throat is hoarse, it is recommended to consult a family doctor to determine the cause of the hoarseness. Self-treatment may be ineffective and superficial.

A family doctor is a specialist whose task is to make a primary diagnosis and determine the degree of its severity. According to statistics, a doctor of this specialty independently treats up to 80% of patients who turn to him. The remaining 20% ​​include patients with an unclear diagnosis and patients requiring inpatient treatment due to the high severity of their illnesses. Since hoarseness is one of the standard symptoms of a cold, it is most likely that the family doctor will safely cure the patient and relieve him of this unpleasant symptom.

However, hoarseness can also accompany more serious diseases, such as allergic edema, malignant or benign neck formation, cerebral stroke, etc. With these diseases, hoarseness has special characteristics. For example, with allergic edema, hoarseness may develop within a few minutes and be accompanied by shortness of breath. With volumetric formations of the neck, hoarseness develops gradually over weeks and months and does not go away, as is observed with a cold. Hoarseness of voice in ischemic cerebral stroke occurs at once, often against the background of high blood pressure or dehydration.

Once on examination by a family doctor, the patient may be assigned additional studies designed to clarify the diagnosis. If, after the studies, the cause of hoarseness remains unclear, then the patient is referred for a consultation with specialists of a narrower profile. In any case, the first most rational step to get rid of hoarseness is to contact your family doctor.

What does a hoarse voice and cough indicate?

A hoarse voice and cough in most cases are evidence of a cold.

Hoarseness of voice develops due to swelling of the vocal folds. Sore throat and cough occur due to irritation of the mucous membrane of the larynx. The condition under which hoarseness of voice would be combined with a cough is inflammation of the larynx - laryngitis. In the vast majority of cases, the defeat of this section of the respiratory tract occurs with colds, viral and bacterial diseases, in addition to the larynx, affecting all parts of the pharynx.
Swelling of the mucous membrane leads to its tension and compression of the cough receptors. The spread of edema on the loose tissue of the vocal folds leads to a change in their shape and, as a result, to hoarseness of the voice.

In more rare cases, hoarseness and coughing may occur in the case of the growth of a certain volumetric formation in the laryngeal cavity. At the same time, the mucous membrane is also irritated and an inflammatory process develops, however, this case is characterized by a gradual progression of symptoms and a lack of response to traditional drug treatment with cold preparations.

Additional studies are being performed to exclude the most dangerous causes of hoarseness and sore throat. These include chest x-ray, which is used to exclude bronchitis, pneumonia, an increase in the size of the thoracic lymph nodes, etc. Bronchoscopy is used to examine the laryngeal cavity. To diagnose neck masses outside the larynx, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging with intravenous contrast is used.

You can get rid of hoarseness and cough only by influencing the cause that caused them. If the cause is viral laryngotracheitis, treatment should be symptomatic. When the temperature rises above 38 degrees, antipyretics should be taken ( paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), when coughing, mucolytic agents are recommended ( bromhexine, ambroxol, pertussin, etc.) and antitussives ( codeine). When nasal congestion is recommended to use vasoconstrictor drops ( xylometazoline, oxymetazoline, naphthyzine, etc.). If the cause of hoarseness and cough is bacterial laryngotracheitis, then an antibiotic should be added to the above medicines. The decision on the need to use an antibiotic and its choice should be carried out only with the participation of a doctor.

If it turns out that the cause of hoarseness is another pathology, then its treatment should be carried out under the supervision of an appropriate specialist.

How to treat hoarseness in a newborn baby and in a baby?

If hoarseness occurs in a newborn or infant, then initially they do not spend time determining its cause, but immediately begin treatment, since in 99% of cases it is caused by inflammation of the vocal cords.

In the vast majority of cases, treatment includes a broad-spectrum antibiotic, prescribed after a mandatory anti-allergic skin test. When prescribing an antibiotic, doctors have two goals - to prevent the addition of a bacterial infection or to begin its early treatment if it has already joined. Such precautions are taken due to the fact that in a child's body, severe complications of any catarrhal disease can develop within a few hours. This is due to an underdeveloped immune system. In addition, there are children with certain malformations suggesting an innate predisposition to complications ( narrowing or complete blockage of the Eustachian tubes, hypotrophy of the tonsils, etc.). Treatment of colds in them should always include antibiotic therapy.

In the course of treatment, you should carefully monitor the child's condition and the dynamics of the disease. If clinical improvement does not occur within the first three days, then the treatment regimen should be reviewed and possibly the antibiotic used added or replaced. In addition to the antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs are used in the form of drops, syrups and suspensions. Antitussives and mucolytics should be used with caution because, under certain circumstances, they can cause accumulation of mucus in the airways and aggravate the course of the disease.

If hoarseness does not go away for a long time after the cure of a cold or appears immediately after birth, then the vocal cords should be additionally examined by an ENT doctor for anomalies in their development and the possibility of subsequent reconstructive surgery.

Why is there a hoarse voice in the morning?

The main cause of hoarseness in the morning, immediately after waking up, is gastroesophageal reflux disease. In more rare cases, a hoarse morning voice may be due to overload of the vocal apparatus the night before or with a cold.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or simply gastroesophageal reflux is a pathological condition in which gastric juice enters the esophageal cavity due to a violation of the mechanisms designed to prevent this reflux.
There are several such mechanisms, but the most significant of them are only two. The first is Gubarev's fold, located in the area where the esophagus enters the stomach and works on the principle of a valve that allows food to pass in only one direction. The second is the lower esophageal sphincter, which is directly regulated by the autonomic nervous system and normally opens only after food passes through the upper esophageal sphincter.

As the body ages, these mechanisms gradually wear out. Gubarev's fold becomes less flexible, and the lower esophageal sphincter, forced to cope with increased stress, soon weakens. In addition, there is an expansion of the lower esophagus, called the esophagus ( hiatal) hernia. In the area of ​​this expansion, the lower esophageal sphincter becomes unable to close completely.

The result of the above structural changes is a periodic, and subsequently a constant reflux of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus. During sleep, the human body is in a horizontal position, while acidic gastric juice easily flows into the upper esophagus and pharynx. Through the opening into the larynx, gastric juice in small quantities enters the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and directly to the vocal folds. Since the main component of gastric juice is hydrochloric acid ( pH approx. 2 - 3), then inflammation develops on the mucous membrane of the vocal folds, which is unsuitable for such an environment, as in a chemical burn. This inflammation does not manifest itself as painful, since it proceeds gradually, due to the fact that the acidity of gastric juice decreases significantly as it moves along the esophagus. However, constant and prolonged irritation of the mucous membrane of the larynx leads to chronic laryngitis, the characteristic symptom of which is precisely hoarseness in the morning.

There are several ways to deal with this symptom. The simplest way is prevention, aimed at preventing violations of natural mechanisms that prevent the reverse reflux of stomach contents. To do this, a significant increase in pressure in the stomach should be avoided by following a few simple rules.

First of all, you should eat at approximately the same time every day. The result of this will be an increase in the secretion of gastric juice only before meals, and not throughout the day.

Secondly, you should not overeat, as this increases pressure on the Gubarev's fold and lower esophageal sphincter, and also leads to the formation of an esophageal hernia. Eating should be done without slouching, as this also increases pressure in the stomach cavity and creates an additional angle at the transition of the esophagus to the stomach, preventing the normal transit of food through it.

Thirdly, immediately after eating, you should never take a horizontal position. Instead, it is better to take a walk lasting 15 to 20 minutes. After a walk, it is allowed to lie on the left side, since it is in this position that stagnation of food in the horseshoe of the duodenum is prevented and the evacuation of food from the stomach improves. In addition, bowel movements should be done daily to prevent constipation.

Drug treatment of gastroesophageal reflux involves reducing the acidity of gastric juice. For this purpose, drugs from the group of proton pump inhibitors are most often used ( pantoprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole, omeprazole, etc.) and H2-blockers ( famotidine, ranitidine, etc.). Heartburn can be treated with antacids ( almagel, phosphalugel, rennie, etc.), but the duration of their effect is short compared to the above groups of drugs. When H. Pylori is detected ( helicobacter pylori) drugs should be added to the treatment regimen to destroy this microorganism ( antibiotics), provoking an increase in acidity and the development of erosions and ulcers. The effectiveness of drug treatment is high, but it should be used only for periods of exacerbations. Long-term use of the above medications is highly likely to lead to the development of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, atrophy of the gastric mucosa, damage to the liver or kidneys, etc.

The radical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux and associated hoarseness is surgical reconstruction of the lower esophagus. However, this method is suitable only for severe esophageal hernias and does not always guarantee a cure, since it does not always achieve complete restoration of the contractile function of the lower esophageal sphincter. In addition, this operation is quite technically complicated and can lead to the development of complications. Among the early complications of surgical intervention is wound suppuration, the development of peritonitis or mediastinitis with an extremely severe course and a high risk of death. Late complications include scarring and stenosis ( constriction) the esophagus with a violation of the transit of food through it.

What to do if the voice is hoarse, the throat is red, runny nose ( snot) and temperature?

The above complaints are typical for the acute phase of a cold. Most colds are initially viral etiology, but subsequently there is a layering of a bacterial infection. If the disease by all indications proceeds as a viral infection, then it should be treated only symptomatically. If there are signs of a bacterial infection, then in addition to symptomatic drugs, antibiotics may be needed. For a more accurate diagnosis, it is recommended to consult a family doctor.

Symptomatic treatment of a cold involves the use of the following groups of drugs:

• antipyretic;
• local antiseptics and analgesic medicinal substances;
• vasoconstrictor drugs;
• vitamin supplements, etc.

Antipyretic drugs
It should always be remembered that an increase in body temperature is a natural reaction of the body, indicating that its immune system successfully destroys pathogenic bacteria. When fighting viruses, body temperature rises to a lesser extent. This reaction is aimed at creating conditions in which the pathogenic microorganism would multiply much more slowly, and, accordingly, would be destroyed faster. In connection with the foregoing, the temperature should be lowered only when its value exceeds 38 degrees. Above this mark, there is a disruption in the functioning of the enzyme systems of the body, which, ultimately, adversely affects the functioning of the immune system.

Among the antipyretic drugs include paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. With their low efficiency, a lytic mixture of analgin with dimedrol, administered intramuscularly, is used. Regarding doses, you should consult your doctor.

Local antiseptics and painkillers
This group of drugs is extremely widespread. Mostly they are lozenges for sucking. They use amylmetacresol, benzalkonium chloride, medicinal herb concentrates, etc. as antiseptic substances. Travisil, strepsils, septolete, etc. are among the most well-known drugs in this group.

Peppermint extract, eucalyptus extract, and pharmacological agents such as benzocaine are often used as an analgesic component.

Vasoconstrictor drugs
Vasoconstrictive medicinal substances are used mainly in the form of nasal drops. Their main component are representatives of alpha-agonists ( xylometazoline, naphthyzine, oxymetazoline, etc.).

Vitamin supplements
Regarding the benefits of these drugs in the acute period of infection, there is no consensus. On the one hand, vitamins strengthen the immune system, and on the other hand, they accelerate the reproduction of the virus that provoked the development of the infection itself. Thus, in the acute period of infection, vitamins can even harm. However, they are definitely useful during the recovery period. There is a huge variety of vitamin supplements on the market today. When choosing some of them, it is necessary to check that the concentration of vitamins in them corresponds to the daily requirement of the body.

In some cases, symptomatic treatment is not enough and a bacterial infection joins the viral infection. In this case, antibiotics should be added to the treatment regimen. In most cases, the decision to prescribe antibiotics for an acute viral infection is based on the clinical picture and the general health of the patient. There is no clear boundary, so this decision is subjective and carries some risk. Usually, if the dynamics of the disease does not change to positive during the first three days, then this is an indication for the appointment of antibiotics. However, in some cases, antibiotics are prescribed from the first day of the disease. In particular, this approach is practiced if the patient is physically weakened, if the onset of the disease is extremely acute ( with a body temperature over 40 degrees), if the patient lives with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, etc.

Taking an antibiotic unnecessarily is dangerous because microbes can develop resistance to it ( sustainability) and henceforth it will not be effective when it is vital. The choice of antibiotic should be made in consultation with the family doctor. If this drug is administered intravenously or intramuscularly, then immediately before administration, a skin allergy test should be performed, and only if it turns out to be negative, then it is allowed to continue the administration of the drug.

If there is no positive dynamics on the third day of antibiotic treatment, then it is assumed that the selected drug is ineffective and needs to be replaced with a stronger one or with a combination of several drugs.

Why is the voice hoarse without signs of a cold?

Non-cold causes of hoarseness include vocal overexertion, gastroesophageal reflux, allergic laryngeal edema, and laryngeal tumors. Much less often, hoarseness can be caused by non-tumor volumetric formations and some diseases of the nervous system ( stroke, degenerative diseases, compression syndromes). Mechanical trauma and burns of the larynx can also lead to hoarseness, but in these cases the question of the cause of hoarseness does not arise.

Voice overvoltage
Overexertion of the vocal apparatus is one of the most common causes of hoarseness. Overexertion usually occurs when a person talks loudly or screams for a long time. At the same time, the vocal cords fluctuate in the maximum range for them, which is why their microtraumatization gradually occurs. Also, this process is facilitated by the rapid drying of the mucous membrane of the vocal folds during a cry and the relative insufficiency of the excretory function of the mucous glands of the larynx that develops against this background. After some time, an inflammatory process develops in the area of ​​microtrauma, accompanied by edema. Edema vocal folds lose their usual shape and, as a result, the ability to reproduce sounds through vibration. The voice resulting from an attempt to speak is called a hoarse voice. The treatment for this condition is to let the vocal cords lie dormant for a while, so that their swelling subsides. To do this, it is enough just not to talk or talk only in a whisper for 1-2 days.

Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease causes hoarseness of voice through regular exposure to hydrochloric acid from gastric juice on the mucous membrane of the larynx. As a result of this, a chronic inflammatory process occurs, due to which swelling of the vocal folds periodically develops.

Treatment of this pathology consists in reducing the acidity of gastric juice, preventive measures aimed at reducing pressure in the stomach cavity, as well as eliminating a microorganism called H. Pylori ( helicobacter pylori), causing the development of ulcers and an increase in the acidity of gastric juice.

Allergic edema of the larynx
Allergic edema of the larynx ( angioedema, angioedema) is a life-threatening condition requiring emergency medical attention. It develops like any other systemic allergic reaction after the body's immune system comes into contact with an allergen - a substance to which the immune system reacts excessively. The consequence of such contact is the circulation in the blood of complexes of allergens with antibodies, which, settling in the tissues, cause a generalized aseptic inflammatory process. Since this process is more likely to manifest itself in areas rich in loose connective tissue, the lips, eye orbits, earlobes, scrotum, labia, etc., always swell first. Subsequently, the edema spreads to other tissues and parts of the body.

Since some of the vocal folds also consist of loose connective tissue, the likelihood of their swelling during an allergic reaction is high. Since such edema often develops within minutes and leads to collapse of the vocal folds, accompanied by a sharp occlusion of the airways, they should be eliminated at the first sign of their appearance. To do this, you should immediately call an ambulance, and before it arrives, take any antiallergic agent available in the home medicine cabinet ( suprastin, clemastine, diphenhydramine, loratadine, etc.) at one standard dose appropriate for the age of the patient.

Tumors of the larynx
Tumors of the larynx are a rather rare phenomenon, but it is recorded periodically. Unfortunately, most neoplasms of this localization are malignant. As a rule, tumors grow from the mucous membrane of the larynx from the transition zone of the columnar epithelium to the squamous stratified epithelium lining the surface of the vocal folds.

There are two types of tumor growth - endophytic ( into the vocal folds) and exophytic ( beyond the contours of the vocal folds). Both in the first and in the second type of growth, there is a change in the physical properties or habitual contours of the vocal folds, due to which the process of voice formation is disrupted and a hoarse voice occurs.

Treatment of neoplasms of the larynx depends on their histological type and, ultimately, on the degree of cellular atypia. Benign tumors are excised surgically to the borders of healthy tissue. Malignant tumors are also treated surgically, however, the scope of the operation is usually larger, since it involves the excision of part of the healthy tissue around the tumor, as well as regional lymph nodes ( in some cases). Surgical treatment is almost always combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Non-tumor volumetric formations of the larynx
Non-tumor formations of the larynx include cysts, aneurysms, and varicose veins. Their occurrence in the general population is extremely low, however, they can cause hoarseness when located near the vocal folds or arytenoid cartilages.

An aneurysm is a sac-like bulge in the wall of an artery. This protrusion most often does not manifest itself in any way while it grows, but it is fraught with great danger. First of all, the thin wall of this aneurysm can burst with a slight mechanical impact ( external pressure, increased blood pressure, etc.). In addition, thrombotic masses often accumulate in the wall of the aneurysm, which, when detached, cause thromboembolism of random organs and parts of the body. The location of an aneurysm in the larynx is one of the rare cases when it can be accidentally diagnosed, looking for the cause of hoarseness.

Varicose veins also have a vascular origin, however, in this case - venous. They are the result of a structural change in the vein wall, due to high pressure in its lumen. Typically, such changes are characteristic of the veins of the esophagus in liver cirrhosis, but in rare cases they can also affect the veins of the pharynx and even the larynx. When a varicose vein reaches a size of approximately 5 mm and is located near the vocal folds, it begins to show the first signs of compression, manifested in the form of a hoarse voice.

The treatment of all of the above non-tumor masses is exclusively surgical. In recent decades, minimally invasive ( less traumatic) methods for eliminating these pathological formations.

Diseases of the nervous system
Diseases of the nervous system that can lead to hoarseness include cerebral stroke, some degenerative diseases, and compression syndromes.

With a stroke of the brain, acute oxygen starvation occurs in a certain area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe brain due to blockage by a blood clot or rupture of the blood vessel that feeds it. In this case, the affected area of ​​the brain ceases to function and eventually dies if the blood supply is not restored. In the case when the part of the brain responsible for the innervation of the vocal cords is clogged, hoarseness occurs. The treatment of cerebral stroke is a long and laborious process, largely depending on the age of the patient. The younger the patient, the more likely it is to completely restore the lost voice.

Degenerative diseases of the central nervous system are still among the most unpredictable. Their development is associated with the development of autoimmune inflammation of Schwann cells, which form a myelin sheath around the main processes of neurons. Thanks to this shell, nerve impulses are transmitted ten times faster than in nerve fibers devoid of it. With multiple sclerosis, foci of demyelination occur in various areas of the brain, due to which certain of its functions alternately fall out. Treatment consists primarily of inhibition of autoimmune inflammation through the use of hormonal drugs ( prednisolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone).

With compression syndromes, mechanical compression of certain nerves occurs, as a result of which the conduction of impulses along them is disturbed and a deficiency of innervation develops in certain parts of the body. Compression can be exerted by some anatomical formations ( spasmodic muscles, processes of the vertebrae), as well as from pathological formations ( tumors, cysts, aneurysms, etc.) If the nerves that innervate the structures of the vocal apparatus are compressed, then hoarseness of the voice occurs. Treatment consists of removing the cause of the compression, which is often achieved surgically. If elimination is not feasible for one reason or another, then compression of the nerve fibers can be reduced using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( meloxicam, nimesulide) and antispasmodics ( mebeverine, papaverine).

How to treat a hoarse voice during pregnancy?

The treatment of a hoarse voice during pregnancy is not much different from the methods used by all other people, however, it has some features that must be followed. Basically, these features consist in the use of the minimum number of drugs as possible and the exclusion of x-ray methods of investigation.

To date, many medications have been tested for use by pregnant women. According to the degree of harm brought to the fetus, these drugs are divided into 5 groups ( FDA classification). The first group includes relatively safe drugs. To the second - drugs in which the risk of a negative effect on the fetus exists, but it is unlikely. The third group includes drugs in which the risk of harm to the fetus is quite high, but it does not exceed the potential benefit of treating them. The fourth group includes drugs in which the risk of potential harm is close to the potential benefit. And finally, the fifth group includes drugs with proven teratogenicity ( ability to cause congenital malformations), the reception of which is absolutely contraindicated for pregnant women.

It is not possible to list all existing drugs and indicate their category according to the FDA, firstly, because of their huge number, and, secondly, because drug data is constantly updated and what is relevant today may contradict what will be known Tomorrow. In connection with the above, before taking any drug, it is recommended that a pregnant woman find information about it in a pharmacological reference book that has a good reputation ( for example, radar). Particular attention should be paid to such sections as "use during pregnancy" and "use during lactation". The drug should not be used if it is teratogenic and embryotoxic.

It is important that a pregnant woman does not take any medication without a doctor's approval. On the other hand, in some cases, the use of drugs from the second and third FDA groups may be necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman and a child. Usually we are talking about some antibiotics and antiretroviral drugs. The decision to use such drugs is made by a panel of doctors and the patient herself, taking into account and carefully weighing all the risks and benefits of treatment.

The main emphasis in the treatment of hoarseness in pregnant women should be placed on strengthening the body, observing sleep and rest, as well as vitamin therapy. Gargling with antiseptic solutions and inhalations act locally and do not pose a danger to the fetus, so they can be used indefinitely. If hoarseness is caused by a more serious diagnosis and requires the use of any medication, then their appointment should be made by the attending physician.

Regarding diagnostic measures, it should be added that any X-ray methods of examination are contraindicated for pregnant women due to the teratogenic effect of ionizing radiation. These studies include plain radiography and fluoroscopy, fluorography, linear tomography, computed tomography and scintigraphy. These methods can be successfully replaced by ultrasound ( ultrasound) and magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI).

Instruction

Drink a cup of hot tea with a lemon wedge and a teaspoon of honey. This simple and affordable remedy will soften the throat and eliminate hoarseness. Instead of tea, you can decoction of wild rose or medicinal herbs, such as chamomile. Add viburnum juice to it. Alternate these and other warm drinks every hour. This will help a hoarse throat in a day or two even without additional measures.

Boil potatoes (you can directly in the peel), mash it. Lean over the puree pot and breathe in the fumes. To prevent the potato steam from dissipating, cover your head with a towel or handkerchief. Carry out the procedure three times a day, and in a day or two the hoarseness will pass.

Gargle with an aqueous solution of Rotokan. Mix a teaspoon in a glass of warm water. Carry out the procedure every hour. Refrain from eating for 10-15 minutes after rinsing.

Slowly dissolve a teaspoon of honey in your mouth. Try not to have him as long as possible. Contained in honey and trace elements are beneficial to the sore throat, so that the voice returns in a matter of hours. Carry out the procedure every half hour to an hour.

Peel the ginger root and grate it on a fine grater. Add 100 g of honey to it. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the gas and sweat the ginger honey over low heat for 10 minutes. Every two hours, eat a teaspoon of cooked and drink a cup of hot tea. Pretty soon you will feel an improvement.

Gargle daily with various infusions of flowers and herbs. Infusions of peppermint, chamomile, sage herb, calendula officinalis, etc. have an excellent effect.

Powder dry sage herb officinalis. For one teaspoon of herbs, use 200 ml of boiling water. Steep in a container with a lid for 45 minutes. Strain. The infusion should be inside at least three times a day.

Take a warm infusion of alder leaves. To cook, carefully chop the alder leaves. Fill with boiling water. For one tablespoon of leaves, one glass of boiling water is needed. Insist for 60 minutes. Strain with several layers of cheesecloth. The infusion should be consumed three times a day before meals, one-third of a glass. After two weeks, namely so much the course, you will feel much better.

After frequent colds, such as tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract, the voice often disappears. When the voice is restored, hoarseness remains, which I really want to get rid of completely.

You will need

• - concentrated eucalyptus or lavender oil;
• - Cahors and honey;
• - cabbage juice;
• - milk, egg, honey and butter.

Instruction

In order for the voice to become as beautiful and velvety as before, a complex is needed. As a rule, the voice can be lost very quickly, and the recovery process requires great patience and strength. The main effective method of treating hoarseness is breathing exercises according to Strelnikova A.N. A complete set of exercises every day. These exercises strengthen the vocal cords, so the voice is restored. That is why singers use it with pleasure.

Inhalations with the addition of a few drops of concentrated eucalyptus or lavender oil will have a positive effect on the vocal cords.

A milk cocktail with the addition of a chicken egg and a little bit of honey and butter when warm very well and quickly restores the vocal cords.

So that your voice remains strong and soft at the same time, so that it has a velvety and sonorous timbre, so that your voice delivers positive emotions, take care and cherish it. Make it a habit to do Strelnikova's breathing exercises every day for 10-15 minutes. Pamper your vocal cords with honey. Then your voice will be beautiful, and will communicate with you.

Sources:

• hoarseness of voice than to treat

Pour 2 tablespoons of white raisins into a glass of cold water. Bring to a boil and continue to cook for about five minutes. Cool the broth and mix with a tablespoon of freshly squeezed onion juice. Take 2 tablespoons orally 3-4 times a day.

Instruction

Steep a teaspoon of anise in a glass of boiling water. Leave to infuse for 20 minutes and then strain. Drink a tablespoon 4 times a day half an hour before meals for a week.

Pour half a cup of anise seeds in a cup of boiling water. Put on fire and boil for 15 minutes. Then cool and strain through cheesecloth. Add a quarter cup of honey to the broth and let it boil again. Add a tablespoon of cognac. Take a tablespoon every 30 minutes.

Cut the horseradish root as finely as possible. Pour a third cup of boiling water, cover and leave for 20 minutes. Add a tablespoon of sugar, stir. Drink in small sips of a teaspoon several times a day.

Boil 2 liters of water. Pour 500 g of bran into boiling water, add a little sugar. Or boil dried apple leaves with boiling water. Use a hot decoction instead of any other throughout the day.

Drink freshly squeezed white cabbage juice for 3-4 days half an hour before meals. Start with half a glass of juice, then gradually increase the dose of the drink to a glass.

Chop the onion and mix with a tablespoon of sugar. Pour the onion with a glass of water and cook over low heat until the onion is completely softened and the mass becomes thick and homogeneous. Take a teaspoon of the remedy for one day.

Grate a large ginger root. Add half a cup of honey and pour the mixture into an enamel saucepan. Bring the mass to a boil and cool. Add this ginger honey to hot herbal tea or tea.

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Sources:

• http://www.webzdrav.ru/bolezni-gorla/okhriplost
• hoarseness treatment

Hoarseness is not only the result of overstrain of the vocal cords after screaming, singing or talking in raised tones, but can also be a symptom of colds (laryngitis, tonsillitis or acute respiratory infections). Alcohol can also cause hoarseness in the voice due to swelling of the vocal cords. So how do you cure hoarseness and get your voice back?

You will need

• - Anise seeds, linden honey;
• - egg yolks, sugar, butter;
• - bran, sugar;
• - salt, soda, iodine;
• - eucalyptus broom, essential oils.

Instruction

If you work as a teacher or sing, then there is a possibility due to voice strain. In order to restore your voice, use the following method: pour one glass of water into a saucepan and add half a glass of anise seeds, boil for 15 minutes. In a slightly cooled broth, add 1/4 cup of linden honey and bring to a boil again. Remove from heat and add a tablespoon of cognac. Take one tablespoon of this remedy every thirty minutes. When you run out, you can cook a new one. Such a folk remedy can return your voice in one day.

For the treatment of hoarseness, take two raw egg yolks and grind white with sugar, add one teaspoon of butter and mix thoroughly. Take this sweet mass one teaspoon between meals.

For a few days, give up talking, if necessary, talk in a whisper. Give your voice time to recover. Heavy smoking can lead to. If this is your case, give up this habit or smoke less.

note

For the duration of treatment, give up caffeine, alcohol, which dry out the ligaments. Instead, drink as much clean water as possible.

Sources:

• causes of hoarse voice in children

During a cold, when the inflammatory process captures voice ligaments, hoarseness may appear. In children in this case, laryngitis often begins. You can restore your voice and remove swelling from the ligaments at the help of available means and preparations.

The human voice is a sound wave that occurs during the passage of air through the vocal cords located in the larynx and vibrating. If the cords thicken, become uneven, or the air wave encounters unexpected obstacles in its path, the voice becomes hoarse and low, or disappears altogether. Thus, hoarseness of voice is a sign of various pathologies in the larynx and respiratory tract.

Causes of voice change in an adult

Hoarseness in adults most often occurs with inflammatory processes in the larynx caused by viral infections, such as tonsillitis, laryngitis or laryngotracheitis. Due to swelling, the ligaments tightly close, and the color of speech changes in the negative direction. It is important to prevent the transition of the disease to the chronic stage, otherwise hoarseness may remain for life.

Allergic conditions also lead to weakening or loss of voice. Against the background of an allergy, swelling of the larynx (angioneurotic edema) can occur, which is very dangerous. It threatens with difficulty in breathing up to the onset of suffocation. At the same time, blanching and cyanosis of the skin of the face and fingers are observed, and the person's condition gradually turns into a faint.

In addition, acute or chronic burns of the larynx become a common cause of hoarseness. Among them:

• chemical burns with acetic acid;
• burns with ethyl alcohol;
• irritation of the mucous membrane of the larynx with nicotine, carbon dioxide and tar formed during smoking (there is a so-called "smoky" voice);
• reflux esophagitis - throwing hydrochloric acid and pepsin from the stomach into the esophagus and larynx.

The vocal cords can also simply become overstressed, and a hoarse voice is often seen in people in certain professions: teachers, singers, lecturers, and actors. Separate causes of hoarseness are vascular pathologies (aneurysm of the aortic arch, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke) and tumors of the larynx. The latter, as they grow, compress the nerves and blood vessels, disrupting the structure and mobility of the ligaments.

Causes of hoarseness in a child

A similar ailment in children occurs for the same reasons as in adults. However, there are certain features, including:

• congenital cysts or papillomatosis of the larynx;
• loss of voice due to frequent screaming or crying;
• functional dysphonia (problems with the reproduction of various sounds due to a small age);
• hormonal imbalance and lengthening of the ligaments, characteristic of male adolescents aged 12-15 years (voice mutation).

In addition to the situations considered, which are planned and non-dangerous, there are also urgent cases when a child needs urgent medical care:

• foreign bodies in the larynx (small toys, husks from seeds, nuts, etc.);
• stenosis of the larynx (acute narrowing of the lumen with allergic edema);
• infectious stenosing laryngotracheitis (severe inflammation of the respiratory tract and larynx in acute viral infections - influenza and parainfluenza, chicken pox).

It is important to remember that the airways and larynx of a child are smaller than those of an adult, so even a short-term disregard for voice problems can lead to severe breathing disorders. An asthma attack has its own characteristics and often develops at night. In addition to hoarseness or loss of voice, he is accompanied by a hoarse "barking" cough, noisy and wheezing breathing, shortness of breath, blanching and cyanosis of the skin of the face and extremities.

Diagnosis for hoarseness

If you have problems with your voice or throat, you should contact an otolaryngologist (ENT) or a phoniatrist. The first one helps with diseases of the larynx, and the second deals with the vocal cords and speech disorders. In case of stenosis, allergic edema of the larynx and other urgent conditions of an infectious or allergic nature, one cannot do without calling an ambulance and further assistance from anesthesiologists-resuscitators.

The main method for diagnosing the larynx in case of loss or hoarseness of voice is laryngoscopy, that is, the use of a special device - a laryngoscope, which is a tube equipped with a video camera. The procedure of laryngoscopy (immersion of the laryngoscope into the larynx) allows not only to detect the presence of infectious diseases, but also foreign objects, as well as a growing tumor.

Together with a routine examination of the larynx, tissues can be taken for a special histological examination - a biopsy. This research technique allows to identify with maximum accuracy the presence of a cancerous tumor in a patient. The following imaging methods can also be used, which allow you to get a complete picture of the state of the larynx and vocal cords, thoroughly examine the airways, and assess the size of the lymph nodes:

• ultrasound examination (ultrasound);
• computed tomography (CT);
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
• positron emission tomography (PET).

Treating hoarseness and loss of voice

With infectious lesions of the larynx and respiratory tract, etiotropic therapy is required. Treatment of viral infections is carried out with antiviral drugs, and bacterial infections with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Antihistamines are used to reduce swelling of the larynx. Additionally, the larynx is irrigated with a 5% solution of ascorbic acid.

Equally effective for children and adults, drugs that help restore voice are local antiseptics:

• based on iodine: (Lugol, Iodinol);
• chlorine-containing: (Korsotil, Miramistin, Eludril);
• vegetable origin (Chlorphilipt, Salvin);
• tablets in the form of lozenges (Laripront, Septolete, Falimint, Agisept);
• inhalers: (Ingalipt, cameton).

Finally, there are folk remedies for hoarseness that can be used as adjunctive therapy. These include:

• solution based on half a glass of mineral water mixed with the same amount of warm milk (taken twice a day);
• eggnog (2 raw yolks, pounded with a teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of butter - taken twice a day).
• inhalations (2-3 times a day) based on tincture of pharmacy chamomile (10 g) and lavender (5 g), mixed in a glass of boiling water and aged for several hours in a steam bath.

Voice Loss Prevention

If hoarseness or loss of voice is not associated with diseases of a congenital, allergic or oncological nature, it is quite possible to avoid these problems. First of all, you should learn to control the volume of speech and try not to increase it if necessary. For example, in professions that involve frequent use of the voice, it is necessary to periodically interrupt for small pauses, during which they remain silent and, if possible, drink warm drinks.

Every morning it is advisable to start with a glass of warm water with a few drops of fresh lemon juice. Such a drink lubricates and warms the larynx, soothes the esophagus and stomach. During the day, it is necessary to drink more fluids, preventing the larynx from drying out, which often becomes one of the causes of inflammation of the larynx and further loss of voice.

Too hot or cold food and drinks have a negative effect on the condition of the entire respiratory system, so they are best avoided. In addition, it is necessary to prevent hypothermia of the neck, chest and back, warming well in the winter. It is also important to ensure that children during this period do not go out into the open air without a scarf and a hat. Drafts should be avoided in rooms. Finally, do not forget about taking vitamins and minerals that increase immunity during the period of activation of viruses and bacteria.