Vocal cords is an important vocal organ. This is the main element of the middle part of the pharynx. They are located on both sides of the larynx, stretched from front to back. These are elastic formations consisting of connective muscle tissue. There is a glottis between the vocal cords. As air leaves the lungs, pressure is created to bring the ligaments closer together. There is tension and trembling, a sound (voice) appears.
One of the secondary, but also important functions of the vocal cords is the protection of the bronchi and lungs from foreign bodies. Acute inflammation of the larynx involves the vocal cords in the process, which is complicated by an increase in their size, a decrease in the glottis. Often such a pathological condition is associated with viral diseases, allergies, excessive voice tension.
Often the disease develops as a result of inhalation of irritating substances. Always the sudden appearance of hoarseness should be suspicious, especially when it comes to children. Permanent swelling of the mucous membrane in the area of the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness and a change in the timbre of the voice, requires an immediate appeal to an otolaryngologist.
In the acute period of swelling of the ligaments, treatment should be carried out in a hospital. Only a specialist can correctly find out the cause of the disease and prescribe medications that eliminate the swelling of the vocal cords. Swelling of the ligaments always occurs when certain diseases of the throat occur. In order for the functions of the vocal cords to be preserved, their sufficient tension is necessary, otherwise it is difficult for a person to pronounce a sound.
As a result of swelling of the ligaments, the lungs cease to receive air, and the patient may suffocate. Regular overexertion or inhalation of an irritating factor (smoke, dust) leads to a chronic disease of the larynx and often ends in swelling of the mucous membrane. After that, it changes, the timbre of the voice becomes hoarse. Edema can lead to cancer. This is another reason for the need to contact a specialist.
People whose activities are associated with intensive use of the vocal cords should undertake methods for the prevention of throat diseases. Laryngeal edema is often a manifestation of many pathological processes, but, as a rule, it necessarily involves the vocal cords in this process. The larynx most often swells in young men under the age of 35, edema can be found in children and in the elderly.
Swelling of the larynx is inflammatory and non-inflammatory in nature. One of the most common causes is trauma to the larynx, which can be caused during any operations, such as cauterization (galvanocaustic), in children during bronchoscopy, or damage to the larynx by hot food or caustic solutions.
Inflammatory edema of the larynx, and, consequently, of the vocal cords occurs as a result of transferred processes of a purulent nature at the root of the tongue and in another area of the oral cavity. Sometimes edema is obtained with measles, scarlet fever, influenza, typhoid, tuberculosis, syphilis and other infectious diseases.
Non-inflammatory edema of the larynx follows diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, liver, and occurs when the blood circulation of the veins and lymphatic vessels of the neck is disturbed. In the area of edema, the tissue becomes thickened.
A serous effusion appears between the fibers of the connective tissue. When an infection joins the inflammatory process, infiltration can be detected in the submucosal layer. Running edema causes pain when swallowing, a feeling of pressure, the presence of a foreign body, a voice disorder. It is difficult to establish the cause of edema and to foresee the further development of the inflammatory process.
With edema of the true vocal cords, serous effusion, in addition to the subepithelial layer, also involves the intermuscular connective tissue layers in the pathological process. If bilateral changes are observed, narrowing of the glottic lumen can be expected. The course of the disease cannot be predicted, therefore, a timely visit to the doctor will allow you to quickly eliminate the edema, you cannot wait for a critical condition. Treatment of ligament edema can be very diverse, recommendations should be followed exactly.
In some cases, the help of a surgeon may be needed. Usually, an operation is needed for severe symptoms of suffocation or when it is necessary to open an abscess formed on the larynx. Therapy for the treatment of edema of the vocal cords is determined depending on the identified causes that provoked this problem. If the edema is caused by cardiovascular diseases, heart medications are prescribed. In case of edema due to kidney disease, additional diuretics and anti-inflammatory drugs should be used.