Inflammation of the vocal cords is a pathological change in the structure of the mucous membrane of the larynx, which can lead to dysphonia (hoarseness and nasal voice) or aphonia (loss of sonority of the voice).
Untimely elimination of catarrhal processes can cause narrowing of the lumen of the airways and hypoxia, which is fraught with death. Primary foci of inflammation are often localized on the walls of the larynx, but if untreated, inflammation spreads to the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, trachea and vocal cords. Pathological changes lead to hypertrophy of the affected tissues and excessive mucus formation in the airways. It is possible to restore the vocal cords with the help of antiseptic, decongestant, antimicrobial or antiviral drugs.
Loss of voice - what is it?
The vocal folds are tissue seals protruding from the mucous membrane of the larynx. Symmetrically located ligaments contain the vocal muscle, which regulates the degree of fold tension and, accordingly, the intensity of the resulting sound. Destructive changes in the state of the laryngeal mucosa lead to a decrease in the elasticity of the folds, which contributes to the occurrence of qualitative disturbances in the voice.
Inflammation and swelling of the vocal cords interferes with the normal functioning of the vocal apparatus, as a result of which dysphonia or aphonia develops. When the sound signal passes through the vocal folds, the sound is not amplified, which is due to the insignificant amplitude of their oscillation. Delayed treatment of the vocal cords leads to deep damage to the mucous membranes of the lower respiratory tract, which is fraught with the development of bronchitis, pneumonia and other ENT diseases.
Causes of dysphonia
What to do if vocal cords hurt? First you need to find out the true cause of the pathology. Septic or aseptic inflammation can provoke changes in tissue structure. The most common factors leading to the development of dysphonia include:
- hypothermia;
- inhalation of dry air;
- chronic sore throat;
- allergic reactions;
- overexertion of the voice;
- smoking;
- inhalation of corrosive chemicals;
- infectious diseases.
Hoarseness and nasalness of the voice are typical manifestations of laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and tracheitis.
Intensive professional loads of singers, lecturers, teachers, lawyers and public figures lead to overstrain of the ligaments of the throat. Dampness, dry air, hypothermia and stress contribute to the development of pathologies of the vocal apparatus. If the ligaments are very sore, first of all, you need to accurately determine the cause of the problem. Exclusively symptomatic treatment of ENT diseases does not give the desired therapeutic results, which should be taken into account when choosing the direction of therapy.
Clinical picture
Local and general symptoms of inflammation of the ligaments of the throat can differ significantly depending on the cause that triggered the development of the pathology. In this case, the following signs can signal the occurrence of catarrhal processes in the mucous membranes:
- perspiration and dryness in the throat;
- dry and moist cough;
- hoarseness and nasal voice;
- discomfort when swallowing;
- white bloom on the back of the pharynx;
- general symptoms of intoxication (temperature, weakness).
The appearance of a whitish plaque on the walls of the oropharynx in young children may indicate the development of diphtheria.
As a result of bacterial inflammation, the vocal folds will recover longer than with the development of a viral infection.
With microbial damage to tissues, small nodules often form on the ligaments, which reduce the elasticity of the tissues and prevent the resonance of sounds.
General rules of therapy
How to restore throat vocal cords and quickly heal them? The effectiveness of drug and physiotherapy treatment largely depends on compliance with the general rules of therapy. Large loads on the ligaments of the throat prevent tissue regeneration and restoration of their performance. To speed up your recovery, you need to:
- to provide rest to the vocal folds - conversations in a whisper prevent excessive stretching of the affected tissues, which contributes to their epithelization;
- drink more fluid - drinking plenty of fluids speeds up the process of removing toxic substances from the body, which leads to an increase in local immunity;
- humidify the air - inhalation of moist air allows you to eliminate the dryness of the mucous membrane and accelerate the regression of catarrhal processes in the mucous membrane;
- perform inhalations - inhalation with solutions of anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action prevents the development of pathological processes and the synthesis of inflammatory mediators
- gargle - irrigation of the oropharynx with decoctions of medicinal herbs accelerates the regeneration of the ciliated epithelium and, accordingly, the vocal cords.
Medical treatment of ENT diseases should be agreed with a specialist after the patient undergoes differential diagnosis. Catarrhal inflammation of the ligaments of the throat can be associated with the development of many ENT diseases, the therapy of which has significant differences.
Medical help
Instrumental examination of the oropharynx (laryngoscopy) allows you to find out exactly where the inflammation occurred and what factors could contribute to this.
Visual examination and study of the test results helps the specialist to determine the optimal course of therapy.
How are throat ligaments treated? After an accurate diagnosis, the doctor chooses one or more areas of therapy:
- steam inhalation;
- throat irrigation;
- ultraviolet irradiation;
- oral medication;
- electrophoresis with novocaine;
- surgery.
If the pathology is associated with inflammatory processes directly in the ligaments, it is best to seek the help of a narrow-profile specialist - a phoniatrist. He will prescribe adequate treatment for ENT disease with the use of drugs of symptomatic and etiotropic action.
Pharmacotherapy drugs
Medical treatment of the vocal cords is one of the key components of the complex therapy of otolaryngological diseases. Among the effective means of pharmacotherapy are drugs with pronounced antiphlogistic, analgesic, antimicrobial, wound healing, analgesic and decongestant properties.
How to quickly restore the performance of the throat ligaments? The conservative treatment regimen for laryngitis, laryngotracheitis and pharyngitis includes the following drugs:
- local antibiotics ("Dequalinium", "Timol") - destroy pathogenic bacteria directly in the foci of inflammation, which accelerates the resorption of infiltrates in the mucous membrane of the oropharynx;
- corticosteroids ("Flunisolid", "Budesonide") - eliminate catarrhal processes, relieve pain and relieve swelling from the ligaments;
- immunomodulators ("Timogen", "Tsitovir-3") - stimulate the activity of immune cells, which affects the rate of phagocytosis and the destruction of pathogenic flora in the foci of inflammation;
- systemic antibiotics ("Streptomycin", "Augmentin") - destroy the cellular structures of pathogens, which helps to reduce the number of microbes in the mucous membrane of the oropharynx;
- resorption tablets ("Hexaliz", "Septolete") - disinfect mucous membranes and moisturize the throat, thereby accelerating the regression of catarrhal processes;
- throat irrigation aerosols ("Tantum Verde", "Cameton") - destroy pathogenic flora and form a protective membrane on the surface of the mucous membrane, which prevents deep penetration of bacteria into the walls of the pharynx.
In case of severe sore throat, it is advisable not to talk for at least 2 days to prevent sprains.
Alternative therapy
How to restore vocal folds without the use of medications? It should be noted right away that alternative methods of therapy can be used only as an adjunct to the conservative treatment of ENT pathologies. It is impossible to completely eliminate septic inflammation of the ciliated epithelium through decoctions of medicinal herbs and products with anti-inflammatory properties.
Self-treatment of purulent inflammation without taking antibiotics can result in serious complications. In particular, severe intoxication of the body can cause allergic reactions and edema of the vocal cords, which is fraught with not only dysphonia, but also suffocation. To relieve symptoms of the disease, you can use:
- onion peel decoction: pour 2 tbsp. l. husks 1 liter of boiling water; after 2 hours, strain the broth and use for rinsing at least 3-4 times a day;
- butter and egg yolk mixture: mix 30 g melted butter with 1 egg yolk; take the remedy for 1 tbsp. 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day;
- hot beer: heat light unfiltered beer to 38-39 degrees; drink 100 ml of the drink three times a day.
If your throat continues to hurt for a long time, seek the help of a specialist.
Restoration of the vocal cords is a long and laborious process that requires strict adherence to medical recommendations. It is possible to accelerate the regeneration of the affected tissues only in the case of complex therapy, characterized by the use of not only tablets, but also rinses with inhalation.
