Swollen Epiglottis

Epiglottis is a flap of elastic cartilage tissue that is covered with a mucous membrane and is found attached to the base of the tongue. When it swells or gets inflamed, it causes a lot of discomfort to the bearer. Swollen epiglottis can occur in both kids and adults. The condition is marked by some uncomfortable signs. Some of the symptoms of swollen epiglottis in children as well as in adults are abnormal breathing sounds (called stridor), fever, chills, shaking, drooling, discoloration of the skin (mostly cyanosis), difficulty in breathing, swallowing and hoarseness of voice. Any one can develop swollen epiglottis. Hence, a deep knowledge of such a condition is always necessary.

Why Epiglottis Get Swollen

The most common cause of swollen epiglottis is the inflammation of it along with the surrounding tissue. The condition of inflamed epiglottis is medically termed as epiglottis. The major factor that leads to inflamed epiglottis is infection caused by a wide variety of micro-organisms. They include bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, fungus like Candida albicans and viruses like Varicella zoster and Haemophilus influenza. Physical trauma can be another factor that can cause swollen epiglottis. Physical injury may include a direct blow to the throat, scald burns to your neck or face and burns caused by drinking very hot fluids. Swollen epiglottis causes may also include swallowing a chemical and a foreign object which burns the throat. Smoking drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine may result in swollen epiglottis in adults.

How is Swollen Epiglottis Diagnosed

The treatment of swollen epiglottis completely depends upon diagnosis and cure of underlying factors. Diagnosis begins with a physical examination of the patient. The doctor takes a close look at the condition of the epiglottis, to find if it is red or swollen. He may take a small amount of cells from the epiglottis. He will put the sample cells on a piece of cotton wool or swab. The doctor sends this sample to a pathology lab for correct determination of the infection causing microbe. He may also ask the patient to undergo a blood test to detect if there is an increase in the number of any microbe or immune cells. If the doctor fails to get sufficient information to determine the cause of swollen epiglottis, he may take help of advanced techniques like x-ray and nasopharyngoscopy. Both X-ray and nasopharyngoscopy are used to find the enlargement and redness of the epiglottis.

How is Swollen Epiglottis Treated

In mild to moderate cases of swollen epiglottis, the doctor will most likely give the patient a prescription of medicines that curb the growth of the causative microbe. Such medicines include antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal drugs. If the symptoms have taken a serious turn and have involved complications like blockage of the airways, urgent medical attention may be required. The doctor will give the patient oxygen in order to improve his breathing and blood circulation. He may put the patient on a machine called ventilator to improve breathing. If the swollen epiglottis has blocked the windpipe, the doctor may perform tracheostomy. It involves making a small cut in the windpipe so that a tube can be inserted into the airways to feed oxygen to the lungs. Tracheostomy may or may not need a ventilator to help the patient breathe through the pipe. Sometimes, the doctor gives the patient bronchodilators through a nebuliser. Bronchodilators are drugs that reduce any swelling or sticky mucus blocking the windpipe. This helps oxygen to reach the lungs.

In addition to medical treatment, patients of swollen epiglottis may ease their condition to some extent with a few home remedies. The sufferer should have a cup of tea added with a few teaspoons of honey once a day to alleviate the discomfort. He or she should also increase the daily intake amount of vitamin C to boost immunity. A strong immune system will fight infection causing microbes and allow the patient to recuperate faster.