Know the Causes of Stridor and How to Overcome It

A stridor is a rough or hoarse voice with a high or low pitch, which appears every breath or exhalation. This additional breath sounds due to narrowing or obstruction of some of the upper respiratory tract. Stridor is also known as snoring or snoring sound. Infants and children are more prone to stridor, because the respiratory tract is narrower and softer than adults. However, besides that, there are still many things that can cause stridor, either suddenly (acute) or in the long term (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. Disturbances in the wrong 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 (anaphylactic).
• Respiratory tract irritation that results from inhalation of burnt smoke or chemicals.
• Inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchitis).
• Inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis).
• Injury to the respiratory tract, such as a broken bone in the neck.
• Neck surgery.
• Hemangioma under 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 laryngomalasia
• Laryngeal cancer, which can be triggered by smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

A number of symptoms that accompany the stridor, such as coughing, fever, and allergic reactions, as well as a history of the illness, can help the doctor know the cause of the stridor. Thus, the doctor can determine the right treatment for stridor, according to the cause.

How to Overcome Stridor Conditions

Supervision of other symptoms that appear 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 a sign of allergies. While often choking when eating, possible signs of laryngomalasia. Stridor without additional symptoms and stridor accompanied by a lump, pain in the throat, or difficulty breathing, can be a sign of foreign body obstruction. It is necessary to check with a doctor to determine the cause of the stridor. The doctor will trace the history of complaints and symptoms, carry out physical examinations, and may also suggest a supporting examination of the respiratory tract 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 can recommend further actions, such as:

• Removing foreign body obstruction.
• Provides medication to relieve airway swelling.
• Refer for further examination or treatment to an ENT specialist.

Stridor should be checked by a doctor immediately, don't let it drag on. Seek immediate medical attention at a clinic or hospital, if a stridor appears suddenly, accompanied by a blue-faced face, or a decrease in consciousness.