Laryngitis in pregnancy

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx always appears at the wrong time, especially during pregnancy. Is laryngitis dangerous during pregnancy and how to treat it correctly so as not to harm yourself and the future baby?

The disease process in the larynx can be caused by a viral infection, hypothermia, mechanical or negative environmental factors. A woman should not self-medicate during pregnancy. It is better to consult a specialist who will determine the cause of the disease, conduct the necessary diagnostics and prescribe gentle therapy.

[ 1 ]

Causes of laryngitis during pregnancy

Laryngitis during pregnancy often occurs as a result of a cold, hypothermia, or inhaling cold air through the mouth. Increased strain on the vocal cords or inhaling excessive amounts of dust also contribute to the development of inflammation of the larynx.

The greatest danger is posed by possible complications from viral forms of the disease. The infection can spread to nearby organs, penetrate the placenta, and have a negative effect on the fetus. The consequences of viruses are difficult to predict - congenital malformations at the beginning of pregnancy, premature birth, and even the death of the baby in the womb.

Whatever the causes of laryngitis during pregnancy, when the first symptoms of the disease are detected, it is necessary to seek medical help. Laryngitis, as well as tracheitis, are common problems during pregnancy, which without proper treatment entail serious consequences in the form of pneumonia, a complex form of flu.

[ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Symptoms of laryngitis during pregnancy

Laryngitis during pregnancy can be acute or chronic. The latter form is the result of an acute and advanced process, when the mucous membrane of the larynx was not given timely therapeutic treatment.

The main symptoms of laryngitis during pregnancy:

• dryness and sore throat;
• dry, barking cough;
• hoarseness or complete loss of voice;
• discomfort when swallowing.

The painful condition is reinforced by general weakness, runny nose, and fever. Dry cough gradually develops into wet cough and a small amount of discharge appears.

Acute laryngitis during pregnancy

Clinical manifestations of acute laryngitis:

• dryness, burning, scratching, sore throat;
• dry cough, transforming into a wet cough (with weak sputum production);
• rough, hoarse voice or loss of voice;
• difficulty breathing due to narrowing of the glottis due to spasm or swelling;
• pain when swallowing.

Diffuse acute laryngitis during pregnancy is characterized by a sharp reddening of the mucous membrane of the larynx, swelling of the folds of the vestibule. Inflamed, dilated vessels can bleed, leading to the formation of purple dots on the mucous membrane.

An isolated form of acute inflammatory process is described by sharp reddening and infiltration of the mucous membrane in the supraglottic area.

Acute laryngitis can involve the tracheal mucosa, causing a severe cough with copious sputum production (laryngotracheitis).

The acute process is characterized by attacks of headache and a slight increase in body temperature.

Chronic laryngitis during pregnancy

Chronic inflammatory disease of the larynx develops against the background of:

• frequent and untreated acute processes;
• the presence of chronic lesions in the upper and lower respiratory tract;
• history of inflammatory diseases of the larynx;
• professional irritants (dust, vocal load, dry air, etc.);
• temperature changes;
• inhalation of tobacco smoke.

The development of a chronic process is greatly influenced by the microflora of the mucous membrane of the larynx. Chronic laryngitis during pregnancy can manifest itself for the first time under the influence of metabolic, endocrine changes in the female body.

The chronic course of the disease is divided into catarrhal, hypertrophic, and atrophic forms. The symptoms of the disease are the same as those of acute laryngitis.

The catarrhal process is characterized by local circulatory disorders, thickening of the vocal cords, and changes in the laryngeal tissues. The hypertrophic form of laryngitis is characterized by the appearance of nodules, viscous mucus, and dysfunction of the glands of the laryngeal mucosa. The atrophic type of the disease leads to significant thinning of the mucous membrane, and viscous mucus forms dry crusts that cause severe discomfort.

Laryngitis during lactation

Breastfeeding is the best nutrition, strengthening the body and the baby's defenses. If such a nuisance as laryngitis during lactation occurs, you should not stop feeding.

The complexity of treatment lies in the impossibility of taking most of the medications that enter the baby's body during feeding. Therefore, you should resort to traditional medicine recipes. A nursing mother is shown frequent non-hot drinks. Warm milk with honey (1 tbsp) and butter (1 tsp) will help cope with the symptoms of laryngitis and increase lactation. It is possible to relieve discomfort from the mucous membrane, as well as normalize the baby's intestines with fennel infusion. Take 1 tbsp of fennel herb per glass of boiling water, leave it for 15 minutes. Take half a glass twice a day.

Laryngitis during lactation can be cured without damaging the taste of mother's milk with herbal teas made from raspberry leaves, blackberries, strawberries, chamomile flowers, string, licorice, and lemon. Antimicrobial decoctions are drunk once or twice a day.

Laryngitis in a nursing mother

Together with breast milk, the baby receives medications taken by the mother. The adverse effects of medications on the child are determined by the degree of toxicity, dosage, impact on the developing organs of the baby, individual sensitivity of the child, the possibility of developing allergic reactions.

The list of medications permitted during breastfeeding is quite narrow. Nursing mothers may take medications only with the permission of a doctor. The treatment regimen allows for alternating feedings and taking medications. Moreover, it is necessary to exclude the time of maximum drug concentration in the blood, which will correspond to its highest content in breast milk, for feeding. The existing side effects of the drug may also manifest in the baby.

Of course, it is better to fight laryngitis in a nursing mother with more gentle methods. A good effect is given by gargling with a decoction of sage, drinking plenty of warm herbal teas with honey and lemon. An excellent result in the treatment of a sore throat is shown by a sage decoction in milk. A glass of milk and 1 tablespoon of dry raw material are brought to a boil, simmered for ten minutes on low heat, filtered and brought to a boil again.

Consequences of laryngitis during pregnancy

Infections along with useful substances freely penetrate through the placenta to the developing baby. Therefore, the viral form of laryngitis is the most dangerous, capable of leading to infection of the fetus and even miscarriage.

The cause of the disease is most often the flu virus, transmitted by airborne droplets in crowded places. The expectant mother can also become infected from carriers of whooping cough, scarlet fever and measles.

The consequences of laryngitis during pregnancy depend on the severity of the disease, the immunity of the pregnant woman, as well as the timeliness and effectiveness of the prescribed treatment. Laryngitis in early pregnancy can cause congenital malformations, and in the later stages - premature labor and increased labor bleeding.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Diagnosis of laryngitis during pregnancy

The clinical picture of laryngitis during pregnancy makes it possible to differentiate the disease by symptoms. If necessary, the doctor uses an instrumental method of examination - laryngoscopy, which allows using special mirrors to assess the condition of the mucous membrane and vocal cords.

Diagnosis of laryngitis during pregnancy can be aimed at detecting infection. This becomes possible thanks to serological, bacteriological studies. In addition to the analysis of sputum or mucus from the larynx, the bactericidal form of laryngitis is determined by laboratory testing of blood, in which the ESR content will be increased.

[ 7 ]

Treatment of laryngitis in pregnant women

Laryngitis during pregnancy is often treated at home, but you should still visit a doctor to avoid complications, maintain your own health and the health of your baby. Some cases of the disease require inpatient therapy, which is due to monitoring the course of pregnancy and normal development of the fetus.

Treatment of laryngitis in pregnant women is gentle with an increase in the volume of warm drinks (rosehip decoction, linden tea, raspberries, lemon, honey, juices). Daily cleaning and airing of the room helps to alleviate the condition. It is important for a pregnant woman with laryngitis to maintain a voice regime - talk less, do not raise your voice or remain silent. Bed rest and proper nutrition are of great importance.

An increase in temperature is considered a protective function of the body, and taking antipyretics is recommended only when the thermometer shows very high readings.

Inhalations with chamomile, pine buds, calendula, and eucalyptus will help get rid of a painful cough. A decoction of marshmallow root has anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory, and immunocorrective properties.

Medicines for expectoration (licorice root, sinupret, etc.), as well as popular sprays, are selected individually by the attending physician. When choosing a cough remedy, it should be taken into account that codeine, ethylmorphine are prohibited during pregnancy.

It is not advisable to use viburnum and raspberries in late pregnancy due to the possibility of stimulating contractile activity of the uterus and changing blood clotting.

Prevention of laryngitis during pregnancy

Strong immunity is the best prevention of laryngitis during pregnancy. A balanced diet with sufficient vitamins, exercise and proper rest help to increase the body's defenses.

The expectant mother should carefully monitor her health, dress according to weather conditions, avoid places with a lot of people. She should take daily walks and breathe clean air. Potential dangers include: dusty rooms, inhaling cold air through the mouth, and overstraining the ligaments.

If you are unable to avoid laryngitis during pregnancy, you should immediately go to the hospital and follow all doctor’s instructions.