Laryngospasm is a serious condition that must be treated immediately. This is due to the important function of the larynx to provide the body with oxygen and its role in the implementation of vital processes. In this regard, emergency care for laryngospasm should include a set of measures aimed at maintaining the body's vital functions.
Laryngospasm is a condition in which, as a result of a sharp narrowing of the larynx, the permeability of inhaled air from the upper respiratory tract to the lower parts of the trachea, bronchi and lungs is impaired. The consequence of this is a lack of oxygen in the lungs and the development of hypoxia. The process is caused by spastic contraction of the muscle fibers of the larynx.
Causes of laryngospasm in children and adults
Most often, this condition develops in children under the age of three. The reasons for increased neuro-reflex excitability are considered the following pathology:
- rickets;
- hydrocephalus;
- spasmophilia.
There are statistics showing that the development of laryngospasm is most typical in children who are bottle-fed. In this regard, it is recommended to provide a child who is prone to laryngeal spasm with donor milk.
In adults, the mechanism of laryngospasm development is somewhat different. The reason for the development of this serious condition is most often a spasm of the muscles of the larynx as a result of its traumatic injury. Typically, this mechanism develops when large pieces of food, bones or dentures enter the airways. This situation often occurs when the digestion process is accompanied by conversation, laughter, and coughing.
As a result, instead of moving through the esophagus, the food lump enters the larynx. Traumatic organ damage is accompanied by reflex muscle spasm. The lumen of the larynx narrows sharply, which leads to the development of symptoms. To determine what the first aid is for laryngospasm, it is necessary to clarify the developing symptoms, to find out what the danger of the condition is. The assortment of games at Pin-up casino is quite large and is constantly being replenished by the efforts of the administration. It is here that every player can find something suitable for themselves: classic and time-tested slots, current novelties from leading providers and games with a live dealer. You can view the full catalog on the Pin Up Casino website https://wvyourway.com: for convenience, games are divided into categories. For example, new items - the administration is constantly striving to please customers with something interesting. You can try out the game you like in the demo.
Signs of laryngospasm
A characteristic feature of this condition is its sudden onset.
The main symptom that characterizes the process of narrowing of the larynx is difficulty breathing, which is manifested by inspiratory dyspnea, that is, a violation of inspiration.
At the same time, shortness of breath during an attack of bronchial asthma is expiratory in nature. Long and difficult exhalation is typical for her. Since the treatment of the disease is due to the presence of certain symptoms, then distinguishing the nature of shortness of breath is an important condition that contributes to the correct conduct of urgent measures.
The narrowed lumen of the larynx contributes to the appearance of another sign - noisy breathing, when shortness of breath is characterized by wheezing, audible at a distance. At the same time, the skin in children becomes pale. For adults in the first minutes, facial flushing is more typical. After a few minutes, it turns pale, just like in children, and then becomes cyanotic.
The patient's appearance is characteristic. He is agitated, panic is present. The typical position is sitting, head thrown back and mouth open. The presence of cold clammy sweat is noted. The participation of auxiliary muscles in the breathing process is characteristic, manifested by the retraction of the supraclavicular regions, intercostal spaces.
Treatment principles
For a few seconds, the child may be unable to breathe. However, excessive accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood, due to insufficient oxygen supply, promotes the activation of the respiratory function. This explains the fact that the spasm goes away on its own, ending with a deep breath and full restoration of breathing.
Treatment in this case is to provide sufficient oxygen in the inhaled air. It is recommended to open the vents, unbutton the collar of the clothes. A prerequisite for the speedy normalization of the situation is the creation of a calm environment.
The emotional background in the development of this state in a child is decisive. Due to imperfect neuro-regulatory mechanisms, laryngospasm in a child can be triggered by stress, fright, screaming. By creating an atmosphere of emotional tension during this period, parents can aggravate the course. It is possible to relieve laryngospasm in most cases by providing calmness and access to oxygen. With laryngospasm in a child caused by emotional arousal, distracting procedures are also shown, such as spraying the face with cold water, pinching the nose.
The use of ammonia should be carried out with caution, since there are cases when inhalation of a drug in high concentration was accompanied by a worsening of symptoms.
Most often, laryngospasm resolves within a few minutes, after which the child calms down and falls asleep. In severe cases, the condition is characterized by a longer course, the symptoms increase, the patient may lose consciousness. He develops convulsions, spontaneous urination and defecation occur. With an insufficient supply of oxygen to the body, an acute violation of respiration and cardiac activity develops.
This condition is extremely dangerous, as long-term oxygen deficiency can lead to the development of irreversible processes in the body. It is difficult to relieve spasm of the larynx muscles at home. Treatment of such patients should be carried out in intensive care units, where artificial ventilation of the lungs can be provided.
Currently, there are the only drugs that can relieve spasm of striated muscles, muscle relaxants. These drugs in the range from a few seconds to a minute can provide the development of the desired effect, relieve spasm. However, their use is possible only under the supervision of a specialist. Before the arrival of an ambulance, in this case, it is necessary to carry out all possible measures to ensure ventilation of the lungs.
Since in adults the condition can be caused by the ingress of a foreign body into the larynx, help with laryngospasm should be aimed primarily at eliminating the cause. You can try to remove the food bolt using abdominal pressure. To do this, one should stand behind the patient, clasping him by the body below the diaphragm and carry out squeezing and pushing actions. In some cases, at home, they try to remove a foreign body with the help of fingers. However, in this case, there is a risk of pushing it deeper, causing a complete blockage of the respiratory gap.
In medical institutions, the manipulation to remove a foreign body is carried out using endoscopic devices using inhalation anesthesia. If it is technically impossible to carry out such an operation through the respiratory tract, the foreign body is removed through the tracheostomy.
Some experts believe that these patients are not transportable, and all resuscitation should be carried out on the spot. Most of their opponents agree that the patient should be transported to a hospital, but always in a sitting position, so that the foreign body does not move deeper. During the movement, the victim must be artificially ventilated.
Conicotomy
In the absence of the possibility of immediate administration of muscle relaxants and transfer of the patient to mechanical ventilation, the only possible way to prevent the death of a patient from suffocation is conicotomy. For the procedure, the patient is placed on a hard surface, the head is thrown back. At the next stage, it is necessary to palpate the conical ligament, which is located between the thyroid and cricoid cartilage.
It is in this place that the dissection occurs, providing oxygen access to the lower parts of the larynx and trachea. If such a dissection is not enough for the introduction of a breathing tube, then the underlying cricoid cartilage, or even the thyroid, is dissected.
When carrying out a conicotomy, it must be borne in mind that dissection of the thyroid cartilage can lead to injury to the vocal cords and loss of voice.
Treatment of protracted laryngospasm, characterized by a complete lack of patency of the larynx, should be carried out in the next 7-9 minutes. Otherwise, irreversible changes will occur in the body.
