Stridor is a high- or low-pitched rough or hoarse voice that occurs with each inhalation or exhalation. Additional breath sounds occur due to narrowing or obstruction of part of the upper respiratory tract.
Stridor is also known as snoring or snoring. Infants and children are more prone to stridor, because the airways are narrower and softer than adults. However, apart from that, there are many things that can cause stridor, either suddenly (acute) or over a long period of time (chronic).
Various Possible Causes of Stridor
The upper respiratory tract includes the pharynx, larynx (voice box), epiglottis (valve at the base of the tongue), and windpipe. Disturbance in either channel can cause stridor.
Some conditions that allow the emergence of stridor include:
- Choking
- An allergic reaction that causes swelling in the throat or upper airway (anaphylaxis).
- Respiratory tract irritation caused by inhaling burnt fumes or chemicals.
- Inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchitis).
- Inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis).
- Injuries to the respiratory tract, such as fractures in the neck.
- Surgery in the neck area.
- Hemangioma below the vocal cords.
- Tumors in the respiratory tract.
- Obstructive sleep apnea.
- Viral infections, such as croup cough, are common in infants aged 6 months - 2 years.
- Upper respiratory tract deformities, such as laryngomalacia
- Laryngeal cancer, which can be triggered by smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
A number of symptoms that accompany stridor, such as cough, fever, and allergic reactions, as well as a medical history, can help doctors identify the cause of stridor. Thus, the doctor can determine the appropriate treatment to treat stridor, according to the cause.
How to Overcome the Stridor Condition
Monitoring for other symptoms that occur with stridor is important. For example, fever or pain can be a sign of infection and inflammation, then itching, sneezing, and shortness of breath can be signs of allergies. While frequent choking while eating, a possible sign of laryngomalacia.
Stridor without additional symptoms and stridor accompanied by a feeling of lump, pain in the throat, or difficulty breathing, can be signs of a foreign body obstruction.
It is necessary to see a doctor to determine the cause of stridor. The doctor will take a history of complaints and symptoms, perform a physical examination, and may also suggest supporting respiratory tract examinations in the form of X-rays or CT scans. If needed, the doctor will give oxygen to the patient, while waiting for the results of the examination.
After knowing the cause of the stridor, the doctor may recommend further measures, such as:
- Remove blockage of foreign objects.
- Give medication to relieve swelling of the airways.
- Refer for further examination or treatment to an ENT specialist.
Stridor should immediately be examined by a doctor, do not let it happen to drag on. Immediately seek medical attention to a clinic or hospital, if stridor appears suddenly, accompanied by a blue face, or loss of consciousness.
