To the reference book A change or complete disappearance of the voice is one of the typical symptoms of ENT pathologies.
Author:
- Chuprikov Roman Sergeevich
ENT pathology expert
3.00 (Votes: 2)
The change or complete disappearance of the voice in medical practice is called aphonia (from the Greek “aphonia” - “absence of voice, sound”).
Causes of the condition
A person makes sounds using the air that passes through the vocal cords. These are folds of the mucous membrane and muscles with which you can close them into a gap. The ligaments vibrate, resulting in speech or singing.
When the ligaments become inflamed, they swell, which is why they cannot fully form a gap. As a result, the voice becomes hoarse or disappears completely.
Fatigue and overstrain of the ligaments also leads to voice problems. They turn red, pain occurs, and it becomes difficult to speak. Increased dryness in the throat prevents the cords from vibrating, causing the sound to become hoarse.
If there are tumors on the ligaments, the voice changes. This occurs due to incomplete closure of the folds into the gap, due to which the passage of air causes not a melodic sound, but wheezing.
Who is at risk of aphonia
At times, the voice of people whose work depends on it—singers and teachers—loses. Not so long ago, scientists made an interesting discovery - the teacher’s voice is several decibels louder than that of the average person, which creates additional stress on the ligaments. Smokers are also among the people more susceptible to voice loss, as are lovers of soda, crackers and other substances that can irritate the mucous membrane that covers the throat. Excessive consumption of alcohol, coffee, spicy or just hot foods can also negatively affect the condition of the larynx and lead to aphonia.
Attention!
This article is posted for informational purposes only and under no circumstances constitutes scientific material or medical advice and should not serve as a substitute for an in-person consultation with a professional physician.
For diagnostics, diagnosis and treatment, contact qualified doctors! Number of reads: 9233 Date of publication: November 28, 2017
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Possible diseases
In a healthy person, the ligaments can become tired if you talk too much. In this case, vocal peace will help you recover. But sometimes hoarseness occurs due to various diseases.
Pathologies in which there is hoarseness:
- laryngitis;
- ARVI;
- papillomas on the vocal cords;
- tuberculosis;
- neoplasms in the area of the vocal cords.
To find out what a person is sick with, you need to see a general practitioner for an initial consultation.
Diagnostics
It is not difficult to determine that an adult has a hoarse voice due to a cold or other condition. But it is not always possible to find out the reason for this on your own. The doctor looks at the throat and sees changes in it that an ordinary person would not notice through a mirror. If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, the patient is referred to an otolaryngologist or phoniatrist - a specialist in the voice apparatus.
The examination includes:
- general blood test - reveals the viral or bacterial nature of the disease;
- laryngoscopy - detailed examination of the ligaments using a laryngoscope;
- X-ray of the chest organs - if tuberculosis infection is suspected.
The patient goes to the doctor with the results of diagnostic procedures; you should not try to decipher them yourself. The specialist will select treatment and give recommendations on how to quickly restore your voice.
Read also: Why does a runny nose not go away?
How to treat vocal cords?
Traditionally, inflammation of the pharynx and larynx is treated by an ENT doctor. If dysphonia is associated with an infectious disease, the treatment regimen may include taking antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal drugs, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents, lozenges and lozenges for coughs and sore throats, gargling, inhalations and a course of physiotherapeutic treatment. An ENT doctor will also help if voice loss is associated with burns to the larynx or exposure to harmful substances.
A phoniatrist treats strained ligaments. After the examination, the patient will be prescribed a treatment regimen, which, in addition to traditional treatment methods, includes special exercises so that the problem does not recur in the future.
If dysphonia is a consequence of an allergic reaction of the body to an irritant, treatment should be carried out under the supervision of an allergist. Neurological disorders and the consequences of stress are treated by a neurologist and a psychotherapist. If laryngeal tumors were discovered during the examination, further treatment must be continued with an oncologist.
Thus, treatment tactics will depend solely on the cause of dysphonia or aphonia!
Treatment
In case of hoarseness, vocal rest is required. You can't talk at all, especially in a whisper. Such speech strains the ligaments more than trying to speak loudly.
Recommendations for voice restoration:
- Drink plenty of warm drinks to moisturize the ligaments and remove toxins released by the cold pathogen.
- Herbal infusions - chamomile and thyme help reduce inflammation, and ginger tea relieves hoarseness.
- Humidifying the air prevents the ligaments from drying out, which speeds up the return to normal voice.
If hoarseness appears against the background of an acute respiratory viral infection, you can use drugs for symptomatic treatment. They will help you recover faster and regain the ability to speak normally.
Medicines:
- Antibiotics are necessary for acute laryngitis and high temperature from 38.5°C for longer than 3-5 days, as well as for tuberculosis infection.
- Anti-inflammatory sprays - Hexoral, Cameton and others reduce the severity of inflammation.
- Lozenges for resorption - Falimint, Strepsils and the like have an enveloping effect on the ligaments, relieving pain.
If you follow all the recommendations and follow the prescribed treatment, your voice can be restored in 3-4 days. Other remedies - cognac, raw eggs or hot beer - give a quick but temporary effect. It will last for an hour or two, after which the cords will feel even worse, and the voice may disappear completely.
Dear patients! Remember that only a qualified doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, determine the causes and nature of the disease, and prescribe effective treatment. You can make an appointment with our specialists or call a doctor at home by calling 8-(4822)-33-00-33
Be healthy and happy!
A hoarse voice is one of the signs of laryngitis in a child
14.09.2021
Laryngitis in a child is a common viral infection that tends to recur. This mainly applies to young children,
because a child's larynx is more susceptible to infection and swells more easily than an adult's larynx due to its location and anatomical
buildings. This is usually a minor illness, but in some cases severe acute laryngitis may develop, which may
be life-threatening. Learn about the symptoms of laryngitis in children and how it is treated.
Laryngitis in a child - causes
The disease is caused by viruses, most often: parainfluenza virus, influenza A or B virus, adenovirus, RS virus, metapneumovirus.
There are also cases of bacterial infections, for example, during complications after an untreated cold. As a consequence, there is
damage to the mucous membrane, swelling around the larynx and narrowing of the airway. The disease usually develops in the 1st and 4th quarters
year is a period of increased viral activity, worsening weather conditions and intense heating of apartments. Warm and dry air
promotes the development of infections.
Laryngitis is usually mild and associated with high fever, infection and breathing problems, but is not life-threatening.
The most common type is subglottic laryngitis. It should not be confused with acute diphtheria laryngitis caused by the diphtheria bacillus.
However, life-threatening conditions may include: acute laryngitis and epiglottitis, which are manifested by a large tumor that interferes with breathing.
Why is this happening? Sensitive larynx in a child
Laryngitis and severe complications occur in young children because their airways are slightly different from those of adults.
The submucosa of the larynx in children is looser and contains many blood and lymphatic vessels , which makes it more prone to edema ;
the socket of the larynx is located much higher, the larynx is smaller, the epiglottis is flaccid, and the immune system is not yet formed. All this is done by the larynx in children
vulnerable to infections.
Laryngitis in a child - symptoms
Subglottic laryngitis in children occurs between 5 and 6 months of age, with the greatest incidence in the second year of life. Boys are more likely to get it
type of infection than girls, and affects about 6-8% of children under 5 years of age each year.
Symptoms of laryngitis in children appear suddenly and are preceded by several days of respiratory infections. Most often occurs at night or in the morning, and
symptoms may vary in severity, from mild inflammation, including an intermittent barking cough and hoarseness, to severe inflammation,
requiring emergency assistance.
Symptoms:
• The so-called stridor is a high-pitched sound when breathing due to a narrowing of the airway. • Characteristic barking cough. • Hoarseness. • Rude voice, even silence. • Mild to moderate shortness of breath. • Possible slight fever.
Acute symptoms of subglottic laryngitis:
• Severe shortness of breath, accompanied by increased work of the pectoral muscles. • Blue skin color. • Anxiety. • Impaired consciousness. • Breathing problems.
Narrowing of the airway in the subglottic region can quickly increase and cause severe shortness of breath, so should not be underestimated
infection, but appropriate treatment must be provided as soon as possible. The disease varies in intensity, and the symptoms of laryngitis
in children, initially harmless, can quickly worsen and cause respiratory failure.
Laryngitis in a child - treatment at home
Although the symptoms of laryngitis in children can be worrying, most cases are mild and can be treated well with
using home remedies. What will be effective for childhood laryngitis? Care should be taken to create an atmosphere of calm, because nervousness and
tension will increase the child's fear, which - based on the vicious circle effect - will increase shortness of breath and respiratory failure. To prevent
increased shortness of breath, it is useful to inhale cold, moist air, which reduces swelling of the larynx. It is recommended to open the window wide or remove
take the child to the terrace/balcony and let him breathe in the fresh, cool air. You should remember to dress your baby correctly so as not to catch a cold.
Another way to treat mild laryngitis in a child is to inhale saline and drink drinks. After the attack
shortness of breath stops, you should contact your pediatrician for effective treatment for laryngitis. The doctor knows best what to use to treat the larynx
child and what treatment will be most effective in each case. He will likely prescribe corticosteroids or other medications
to reduce swelling of the larynx.
Published in Pediatrics Premium Clinic
