What is acute epiglottitis? How powerful is it?

Acute epiglottitis is one of the acute severe diseases in otolaryngology, which may endanger life. Acute epiglottitis progresses rapidly, and most patients can be cured by timely treatment.

A small number of patients can suffocate quickly because of the dangerous condition, and the mortality rate is high. Once you have the disease, you should pay attention to it, and there is no need to panic.

Where is the epiglottis?

In clinical work, one of the more common questions patients ask is "where is the epiglottis?"

Epiglottis is an important barrier in the throat. When we open our mouth and look in the mirror, we can't see the epiglottis, which can only be seen through the laryngoscope.

The epiglottis plays a very important role, usually the epiglottis is open, air can freely enter the airway, when we eat and swallow, the epiglottis like a lid on the trachea, do not let food into the trachea.

How does epiglottitis happen?

The etiology of epiglottitis is divided into several categories, the first type is the most common infection, most of which is caused by bacterial infection, and some patients are caused by viral and fungal infection; The second type is caused by allergic diseases (allergies); The third type is the epiglottis caused by the infection of the trachea tissue around the epiglottis, such as tonsillitis; The fourth is caused by burns, wounds, chemically irritating gases and liquids.

Got epiglottitis will have what performance?

In most patients, the first occurrence is obvious pharyngeal pain when swallowing, and there is a sense of swallowing obstruction. The onset and development of the disease is rapid, sometimes after sleep and wake up, and then there will be difficulty swallowing, speaking as if the mouth is full of things, and breathing difficulties in severe cases.

Acute epiglottitis usually appeared within 24 hours of onset, accompanied by inspiratory laryngeal ringing; In severe cases, dyspnea appears early, progresses rapidly, and can cause suffocation within a few hours, while systemic reactions such as fever, chills, and fatigue occur. The whole body symptom of the weak is obvious, and the whole body symptom of the strong is not obvious.

What should I do if I have the above symptoms?

Acute and severe throat pain or any indication of breathing difficulties should go to the hospital immediately.

Patients with acute onset need to stay in hospital for observation, closely observe respiratory changes, and use glucocorticoids. Hormone has the effect of treating and preventing edema of epiglottis and arytenepiglottic plicae, as well as non-specific anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-shock and so on.

Some patients may have concerns about using hormones. If there is no absolute contraindication, preserving life is the first priority.

Some patients with special diseases can also use it under the condition of close monitoring of various physical indicators.

Early onset, hormones and antibiotics can be used in combination. At the same time of drug treatment, we should also be prepared to establish artificial airway, including oral or nasal tracheal intubation, emergency cricothyroid incision, tracheotomy, etc.

How should epiglottitis be prevented?

Epiglottitis is mostly caused by infection, so prevention is key. First of all, usually should strengthen exercise, enhance body resistance; Secondly, the acute inflammation of the adjacent organs of the epiglottis should be treated in time to prevent the spread of infection. In addition, we should maintain oral hygiene, quit smoking and drinking, and eat less spicy and stimulating food; Diabetics should pay attention to blood sugar control.