The larynx is called the voice box as it is located at the front of the neck and carries the vocal cords, responsible for sound production and swallowing, but there are many conditions that may affect the larynx ranging from laryngitis and vocal cord nodules to laryngeal cancer.
Laryngeal diseases can occur for a number of reasons that cause injury to the larynx, and damage may range from slight weakness of the vocal cords to fractures of the cartilage structures of the larynx or trachea.
These fractures may lead to air leakage into the neck and chest, which leads to a great danger to the respiratory system. In general, laryngeal diseases are more common in adults than in children.
Types of laryngeal diseases
Laryngeal diseases include the following
Throat Cancer
Throat cancer is a common cancer of the head and neck. It is more common in men than in women and affects people over the age of 60. Many factors may increase the risk of developing it.
Laryngitis
Mostly, laryngitis occurs due to a viral infection in the upper airways, excessive use of the voice, or other reasons. Laryngitis is divided into:
Laryngitis is short-lived, with symptoms lasting less than 3 weeks.
Chronic laryngitis and symptoms lasting longer than 3 weeks.
Croup affects children and is caused when a viral infection leads to inflammation and swelling of the larynx.
3. Laryngocele
The laryngocele may open from the inside, causing hoarseness and obstruction of the airway, or it may open from the outside, causing a visible mass in the neck.
This condition mostly affects musicians who play wind instruments.
4. Spasmodic dysphonia
Spasmodic dysarthria is an involuntary tightening of the muscles in the larynx that control the vocal cords, resulting in an abnormal sound. In this case, people may not be able to speak, or the voice may sound tense or trembling.
It is more common in women, especially in the age of 30-50 years, and there are two types of it, namely:
Adductor spasmodic dysarthria: The spasm of the laryngeal muscles and the vocal cords is brought closer together.
Abductive spasmodic dysphonia: causes the vocal cords to open too far, making the voice weak.
5. Contact ulcers of the vocal cords
They are raw sores on the mucous membrane that covers the cartilage to which the vocal cords are attached, and it occurs due to abuse of the voice with strong speech, and contact ulcers in the vocal cords may develop into granulomas.
6. Vocal cord paralysis
Vocal cord paralysis is the inability to move the muscles that control the vocal cords, and it may result from brain disorders, strokes, or nerve damage.
7. Other diseases
Include
Vocal cord polyps: These are due to an acute injury and usually occur in one vocal cord.
Benign tumors: It can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux, or chronic inhalation of irritants.
Vocal cord nodules: caused by chronic misuse of the voice and may affect both adults and children.
Granulomas: A collection of immune cells caused by inflammation, common among adults.
Papillomas: Non-cancerous growths caused by a virus that may develop at any time to cause hoarseness and airway obstruction.
Symptoms of throat diseases
Learn more about the symptoms below
1. Symptoms of laryngeal diseases: general
Among the most prominent symptoms of laryngeal diseases are the following
Hoarseness.
difficulty speaking
Soreness in the throat.
neck pain
Bruises in the neck.
Neck swelling.
shortness of breath.
Dysphagia.
Squeaky breathing.
Hemoptysis.
Swelling under the skin.
Deformation of the skeleton of the larynx.
2. Symptoms of laryngeal cancer
like
Weight loss.
Throat pains.
earache
The sound of hot potatoes.
Difficulty swallowing.
difficulty breathing.
A lump in the neck caused by the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes.
3. Symptoms of laryngitis
as follows
Abnormal change in voice.
Hoarseness.
Decreased voice.
loss of voice
Tickling in the throat.
chills.
malaise.
Difficulty swallowing.
sore throat.
4. Symptoms of croup
like
A cough that sounds like a seal.
mild fever
Noisy breathing, worse at night.
Difficulty breathing due to swelling.
Mouth or fingers change color to blue.
5. Symptoms of vocal cord paralysis
They include
Not being able to speak.
Not being able to breathe.
difficulty swallowing
Inhalation of food and liquids into the trachea.
It should be noted that if the vocal cord and urethra are paralyzed, the voice may be hoarse, while if both cords are affected, the strength of the voice may decrease.
