07-03-2017
Shortness of breath is a condition of airway constriction that can be a life-threatening condition if a situation of complete airway obstruction develops. Dyspnoea can have various causes, one of which may be a foreign body lodged in the airways. The shortness of breath may be constant or chronic, or it may occur after intense physical exertion. If you are unable to determine the cause yourself and your symptoms are getting worse, it is necessary to call for medical help.
Breathlessness, a feeling of shortness of breath, a problem with breathing are the feelings of a person who encounters the condition of laryngeal dyspnoea. From an objective point of view, the observer may notice deepened and accelerated breathing, associated with the increased effort that accompanies respiratory activity. Furthermore, an additional symptom, may be the characteristic laryngeal wheezing. We may encounter laryngeal dyspnoea after physical activity, which is referred to as exertional dyspnoea, but there are also individuals suffering from resting dyspnoea, independent of the activity undertaken and occurring continuously.
Laryngeal dyspnoea itself, is a condition in which there is narrowing of the airway at the level of the larynx, causing breathing difficulties along with a characteristic wheezing sound. It is very important that the symptoms that occur are closely observed, as in some cases, they can occur suddenly and escalate at a high rate, which can directly lead to suffocation.
What is the cause?
Laryngeal dyspnoea can have its origin in various types of tumours, for example tumours present on the vocal folds, or neuroblastomas or fibromas located in these areas. In other contexts, it may be the result of trauma, thermal and chemical burns, medical errors (for example during intubation or various types of surgery), mucous membrane flooding, allergies or irritations.
Help
If you are experiencing symptoms of this type, it is your responsibility to call for medical help as quickly as possible. Acute laryngeal dyspnoea, is a condition that is directly life-threatening, as well as being an absolute indication for hospitalisation. It is necessary to restore airway patency as quickly as possible, and then to determine the cause of the condition so that curative measures can be taken. Sometimes the airway is restored by removing the foreign body that has entered it, which is a common situation, particularly in children. In such cases, our treatment should be aimed at removing the obstruction that is lodged in the airway. However, if it is not possible to manage the problem ourselves, medical help should be sought immediately. [1]
