Pricey Medical doctors: I’ve a slight allergy to wasp stings. The morning after a sting left me with a swollen decrease lip, and I woke with a dry cough. Then my throat closed, and I couldn’t breathe. It lasted for 45 seconds and was terrifying. My sister, an RN, suspects it’s laryngospasm. Are you able to clarify? What do I do if it occurs once more? I’ve an EpiPen, however I’ve by no means used one earlier than.
Pricey Reader: To know laryngospasm, we must always begin with the larynx. Often known as the voice field, it’s situated on the entrance of the neck, above the windpipe, or trachea. It’s made up of cartilage and ligaments and accommodates the 2 bands of easy muscle tissue that make up the vocal cords, together with a flap of cartilage generally known as the epiglottis. The larynx performs a number of vital features. These embrace creating the vocal sounds we use for speech, directing inhaled air into the trachea and to lungs, directing meals into the esophagus and to the abdomen, and stopping air and meals from coming into the improper pathways. The cough reflex, which protects the airways, can be centered within the larynx.
Laryngospasm refers back to the sudden and uncontrolled tightening of the muscle groups that encompass the vocal cords. It’s the physique’s try to guard the airways from a perceived risk. When laryngospasm happens, airflow to the lungs is both partially or utterly blocked. The person is unable to breathe or to talk. Though it’s momentary, it’s certainly a daunting expertise. As occurred in your case, the spasm sometimes passes inside a second or so, and the muscle groups are launched.
The precise reason for laryngospasm will not be absolutely understood, however episodes are often related to an current situation. The commonest hyperlink is to power acid reflux disorder, by which the cruel acids from the abdomen again up into the esophagus and irritate the vocal cords. It has additionally been linked to a historical past of bronchial asthma or power obstructive pulmonary illness, stress and nervousness, and it will probably happen in response to anesthesia throughout surgical procedure.
Primarily based on the collection of occasions that you’ve described, together with growing a severely swollen lip after being stung, we suspect your bout of laryngospasm was a part of an allergic response to that sting. Though you characterised your allergy to wasp stings as “slight,” a severely swollen lip is definitely a sturdy response. Utilizing the EpiPen that you’ve been prescribed to handle your allergy may help, each with the facial swelling and the next laryngospasm. Because it sounds as if it’s possible you’ll be uncertain of when utilizing the EpiPen is acceptable, we advocate that you simply make an appointment with the well being care supplier who prescribed it to you. You may focus on the episode of laryngospasm and evaluate the steps you want to take to handle your wasp and bee sting allergy. It’s potential for subsequent stings to elicit a stronger response, and also you wish to be ready to make selections and take motion. In the case of laryngospasm, the excellent news is that it’s uncommon. It’s fairly potential it’s possible you’ll by no means have one once more.
Eve Glazier, M.D., MBA, is an internist and affiliate professor of medication at UCLA Well being. Elizabeth Ko, M.D., is an internist and assistant professor of medication at UCLA Well being. Ship your inquiries to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Medical doctors, c/o UCLA Well being Sciences Media Relations, 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA, 90024. Owing to the quantity of mail, private replies can’t be offered.
