Laryngitis: Causes, symptoms and treatment methods

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Laryngeal spasm is a rare but frightening condition because when it occurs, the vocal cords suddenly constrict or close when inhaling, blocking the flow of air into the lungs. People with this condition often have difficulty getting a good night's sleep and sometimes cannot speak or breathe for a few seconds. Laryngeal spasms usually go away within minutes.

1. What is laryngospasm?

Laryngeal spasms usually last 60 seconds, not long enough to pose any danger. In other rare cases, such as a reaction to anesthesia, laryngospasm usually lasts longer and requires urgent medical attention.
These spasms can happen when people are eating, but unlike choking, nothing is stuck in the throat.
Because laryngospasm is often the result of a medical problem, symptoms can vary from person to person. For example, people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may experience heartburn or reflux symptoms just before, during, or after a contraction in the vocal cords.

Sometimes a more serious condition can resemble a laryngeal disease. People who have trouble breathing related to a new medication or food should not assume the problem is laryngospasm. In these cases, tightness in the throat can signal an allergic reaction.

2. Causes of laryngospasm

Laryngospasm can be related to a number of different health conditions, such as asthma, allergies, stimulant use, exercise, stress, anxiety, acid reflux or reflux gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Frequent acid reflux, stomach acid or bile into the esophagus, under normal physiological conditions, when each of us eats and drinks, swallows food or water into the stomach, at this time the lower esophageal sphincter opens out, to allow food and liquid to pass down to the stomach, which then automatically closes, is what causes GERD. With reflux, acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus and causes irritation.
Regular exposure to stomach acid can damage and inflame the delicate lining of the esophagus. This can lead to temporary constriction of the vocal cords, sealing off the airways and preventing air and oxygen from entering the lungs.
When stomach acid reaches the larynx, the condition is called laryngeal reflux or LPR. The tissues of the larynx are even more fragile and vulnerable than those of the esophagus. Coughs caused by colds can push more acid into the larynx, so an upper respiratory infection can increase the likelihood of laryngospasm.
Laryngeal spasm can also be a complication of surgery. The technique of anesthesia during surgery can cause vocal cord irritation, especially in children. Laryngeal spasms caused by anesthesia can be life-threatening.

3. Symptoms of laryngospasm

When laryngospasm occurs, people often have a feeling of suffocation and are unable to breathe or speak. Sometimes, this can happen in the middle of the night. The person may suddenly wake up with a feeling of suffocation. This condition is known as sleep-related laryngospasm. Laryngeal spasms are also commonly associated with GERD. In some cases, it is possible to lose consciousness during laryngospasm.
As the airway slowly opens, the patient will make a high-pitched breathing sound. The entire laryngospasm only lasts a minute or two before breathing returns to normal. However, laryngospasm often causes a person to feel extremely frightened. In addition to experiencing laryngospasms, people with this condition will often develop symptoms of GERD, including:
Chest pain

Cough Difficulty Swallowing Heartburn Hoarseness Nausea Sore throat Experts say that in infants with GERD, laryngospasm may be associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

4. Treatment of laryngospasm

If GERD is the cause of laryngospasm, treating GERD can help control laryngospasm. Doctors often prescribe proton pump inhibitors such as Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), Esomeprazole (Nexium), and Lansoprazole (Prevacid). These medications help reduce the production of stomach acid, so that liquid from the stomach that flows back up into the esophagus is less likely to erode. In addition, your doctor may also prescribe you to take prokinetic drugs. This medicine helps your stomach empty faster, so less acid is available.
Patients who do not respond to treatments may require surgery. One of those options is surgery to treat GERD. This procedure wraps the upper part of the stomach (bottom) around the esophagus to prevent acid from backing up. Alternatively, a ring of titanium beads may be placed around the outside of the lower esophagus. It strengthens the link between the esophagus and stomach while still allowing food and liquid to pass through.
You can also relieve GERD and LPR, and prevent laryngospasm, by following these measures:
Avoid common heartburn triggers, such as fruit and fruit juices, and caffeine. , foods high in fat and mint. Eat small meals and stop eating two to three hours before bedtime If you smoke, quit. Also, limit alcohol use. Elevate the head of the bed a few inches Avoid allergens Using breathing techniques including slow breathing and staying calm can also help.

In children, laryngospasm can also be a complication of the surgical technique of anesthesia. Treatment usually involves moving the head and neck to open the airway. It also involves using a machine (continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP) to deliver air directly into the airway. Some children need a breathing tube.
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Reference source: webmd.com