Understanding Stridor: A Crucial Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Understand stridor with our crucial guide for parents and caregivers. Watch our video for essential insights and management tips.
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Topic Breakdown
Stridor is a term that might sound unfamiliar to many, but it's crucial to understand its significance, especially if you're a parent or caregiver. Stridor is the noise produced when air is forced through narrowed upper airways. Importantly, stridor is a symptom and not a diagnosis in itself; it signals that something more serious might be happening with your child, necessitating further investigation to pinpoint the underlying cause.
Causes of stridor can be divided into two main categories: acute and chronic. Acute causes are sudden and often require immediate medical attention. For instance, a child might inhale a foreign object, leading to a blockage. Another acute cause could be epiglottitis, an infection that causes the epiglottis—a small cartilage lid covering the windpipe—to swell and obstruct airflow. Croup is another acute cause, characterized by a barking cough and often accompanied by stridor. Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, can also lead to stridor as the airways swell and narrow.
On the other hand, chronic stridor is typically due to conditions that develop over time. One of the most common chronic causes is laryngomalacia. This condition occurs when a baby's larynx, or voice box, is soft and floppy. When the baby inhales, the part of the larynx above the vocal cords collapses, temporarily blocking the airway and causing the stridulous sound. For those interested in a more comprehensive list of chronic stridor causes, I've included additional resources in the description box below.
Now, let's discuss what actions you should take if you hear stridor. Firstly, your child needs to be seen by a medical professional urgently. In acute cases, immediate steps are necessary to stabilize the child. These might include administering high-flow oxygen and alerting specialized medical teams such as ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialists and anesthesiologists. These professionals may attempt to clear any visible obstructions in the oropharynx or use suction to remove secretions. Medications like adrenaline or steroids might be administered either intravenously or through a nebulizer.
In more severe, life-threatening situations, medical professionals might need to perform an emergency cricothyroidectomy. This procedure involves making an incision in the cricothyroid membrane to create an airway for the child to breathe. Acute cases of stridor should always be managed in a High Dependency Unit (HDU) setting with specialized team involvement.
For chronic cases, the approach is different. Medical professionals often use a fiber-optic nasal endoscope to visualize the upper airway. This minimally invasive test helps identify where the problem lies. Additional imaging studies like CT scans or X-rays might also be requested to get a detailed view of the anatomical structures.
In addition to stridor, there are other signs and symptoms that indicate your child might be struggling to breathe. Watch for gasping or choking, flaring nostrils, and retractions (sinking in of the areas between the ribs). A bluish or pale skin color, extreme drowsiness, or loss of consciousness are also red flags. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical help immediately.
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Thank you for reading, and I hope this information has been helpful. Until next time, take care and stay informed.
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