Psychosomatic causes of laryngitis in children and adults
Laryngitis is a common disease in childhood, and adults are often sick. Of all the diseases of the throat, laryngitis is the most dangerous, especially for children, because it can be complicated by croup - narrowing of the larynx, as a result of which breathing will be extremely difficult or impossible.
LeThe diagnosis of the disease must be accurate, timely, but if it is supplemented with psychological help, then it will become more effective. In this article we will talk about what psychosomatic causes laryngitis can have.
General information about the disease
Laryngitis is an inflammatory process of the membranes of the larynx, in which the vocal cords are also "drawn". It is believed that laryngitis can develop with a cold or during an infectious disease. Supercooling contributes to the inflammation of the larynx, inhaling through the mouth, excessive laryngeal tension, if you have to shout loudly and a lot.
Laryngitis appears hoarseness, the sick can even completely lose the opportunity to speak. Throat feels dry, tickled. The cough is dry and unproductive, barking in nature. Swallowing becomes difficult and painful.
As part of treatment, the patient is prescribed a silence regimen, he should speak as little as possible. Even a whisper is dangerous, since it loads the vocal chords no less than loud speech.
Oil inhalations are useful, in a diet limit spicy and salty food in order not to irritate the inflamed larynx in addition. With strong laryngitis, antihistamines can be prescribed, which reduce puffiness.
False croup (stenosing laryngotracheitis) occurs only in children, since their larynx is naturally narrower. In the absence of emergency qualified medical care, the child may die from asphyxia.
Psychosomatic causes in adults
Psychosomatics studies the psychology of the disease and can answer the question of what factors of this kind could lead to the development of the disease. Laryngitis is not always caused only by bacteria or viruses. Sometimes there are no apparent reasons for inflammation of the larynx, and the voice disappears, it becomes painful to swallow. In this case, they say about psychogenic laryngitis.
A larynx in psychosomatics is an organ that allows a person to reproduce sounds, to express his thoughts and feelings. All diseases of the larynx are a sign that a person forbids himself to say something or cannot express out of fear. Most often, laryngitis begins in those who do not risk voicing their negative emotions: anger, irritation, resentment. These emotions and the words “piling up”, are deposited in the throat, which in the end leads to inflammation and puffiness.
If a person for a long time forbids himself to say what he feels, at the subconscious level, a real physiological limitation of the ability to speak occurs - the vocal cords swell.
In adults and adolescents, there is one more reason: the feeling of guilt and anger at oneself for not keeping the secret, let out by somebody about something. If this anger is strong enough, the larynx will inflame, the voice will disappear for a while.
Features of child psychogenic laryngitis
In children and adolescents, the disease can begin if the child is not very confident in himself, he is afraid of public speaking, his voice begins to tremble and "get lost" from excitement. It is always more difficult for children to express their feelings and emotions. At an early age there are not enough words for this, in adolescence the fear of not being accepted or misunderstood prevents.
A special risk group consists of children who are accustomed to “swallow” words when speaking, with fuzzy diction. They feel constant insecurity, timidity. It is difficult for them not only to tell the truth directly to anyone, but also to answer themselves some important questions.
There are children who have never suffered from laryngitis, and there are babies who suffer in a chronic form. They several times a year, as scheduled, lose their voice.
The psychosomatic reason here most often lies in the parental prohibition to speak. Pay attention to how often mothers pick up in the transport or in the store of their children. The child wants to share his impressions of what he saw, and his mother persistently persuades him to “keep his mouth shut”, because it is inappropriate, indecent.
Gradually, a block is formed in the psyche of the child, which prevents the expression of their emotions.
Treatment and Prevention
Prevention of diseases of the throat in general and laryngitis, in particular, must be dealt with since childhood. It is the responsibility of the parents. It is important to teach your child to express his emotions as early as possible, to speak sincerely and frankly, without looking back at what others may think about it.
Openness and honesty are traits that have always been valued, honest people deserve respect.
In the treatment of laryngitis, it is important to follow all the recommendations of the doctor. But it is necessary to remember exactly which emotions and the unspoken words “stuck in the throat” shortly before the onset of the disease. After the edema subsides, it is imperative to speak them out and express them. This will help avoid the transition of the disease to the chronic form.
You should talk with the child, try to find out what exactly he is silent about, why he is afraid to talk about his painful out loud. If the reason is that he is simply afraid to tell his parents about his problems, you should think about improving and strengthening family ties, about increasing the level of trust between adults and children.
The joint leisure, the general hobby, the more attentive relation to each other will help.
