Ludwig's angina is a serious and rapidly spreading infection that causes swelling in the neck, which can lead to suffocation of the patient, and surgery in Turkey is the best solution in severe cases.
A glimpse of Ludwig's croup
The neck is an important area for the presence of lymph nodes and spaces for sepsis-prone connective tissue, as it is in close contact with the upper respiratory and digestive systems.
The oral cavity is one of the most common areas of infection harboring as a result of exposure to many factors such as problems of the periapical areas of the teeth and poor oral health. Therefore, it is important to conduct examinations of the entire oral cavity from tooth decay to the floor of the mouth to investigate the presence of edema that may pose a threat to the upper respiratory tract.
Ludwig's angina (or Ludwig's diphtheria) ludwig's angina It is a rare bacterial infection that appears in the form of a severe, life-threatening abscess that affects the mouth and jaw area, as well as the neck. Diphtheria is a serious condition that is more common in men and adults with a variety of age as shown numerous studies.
Ludwig's angina is a type of cellulitis that occurs in the submandibular, sublingual, and under the chin spaces. It is characterized by its rapid spread to tissues, and is manifested by swelling in the submandibular region with a rise in the floor of the mouth and tongue, which may lead to breathing difficulties or even completely obstruction if Leave untreated.
Causes of Ludwig's angina
Poor oral hygiene and bacteria caused by dental infections; Where Ludwig's angina can occur if it is present Caries or dental abscesses (often in the area of molars (second and third molars) or when there is inflammation in the gums or the tissues supporting the teeth.
Streptococcus and staphylococcus are the most common bacteria that cause Ludwig's croup, especially Streptococcus viridans, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus aureus.
What increases the risk of developing Ludwig's angina?
You may be at risk of developing Ludwig's angina or angina if you have any of the following:
- jaw bone fracture
- tongue piercing
- Jaw bone infection
- Oral infections
- Tonsil abscesses
- Salivary gland infections
- thyroid cyst
Signs and symptoms of Ludwig's angina
Often the symptoms of Ludwig's angina mainly include fever, mouth pain, neck swelling and swelling of the tongue, in addition to other symptoms that may appear including chills, neck pain and stiffness, sore throat, pain and difficulty swallowing, drooling, limited opening of the jaw, difficulty speaking, and ear pain.
In severe cases of Ludwig's angina, or when left untreated, symptoms such as:
- chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Confusion and difficulty concentrating
- severe dehydration
How is Ludwig's angina diagnosed in Turkey?
With a physical examination of the neck, jaw, and lymph nodes, and an examination of the inside of the mouth, chest, and lungs, in most cases this physical examination shows sufficient symptoms to diagnose Ludwig's angina.
If the diagnosis is not resolved, a blood and saliva culture may be requested to verify the presence of bacteria. A CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be done using contrast dye. Through these procedures, the mouth, neck and jaw are examined to look for swelling, gas, or Pus (pus) or inflammation.
What are the complications of Ludwig's angina?
With prompt treatment of Ludwig's angina, a good recovery can be expected with few or no effects. If left untreated, there are many serious complications associated with Ludwig's angina that may be life-threatening, such as:
- septic shock
- Lung infection with pus
- choking
- Inflammation or injury to the heart
- A blood clot in the neck
- Carotid artery distention and aneurysm
- chest infection
These complications can lead to early death because the infection spreads quickly and prevents the passage of air for breathing, so prompt treatment of Ludwig's angina is the best course of treatment.
How to treat Ludwig's diphtheria in Turkey
Ludwig's diphtheria must be treated immediately as it is a serious and rapidly spreading infection that may affect the airway, so it is first ensured that the patient can breathe properly.
air duct cleaning
If swelling is interfering with breathing, the first goal of treatment is to clear the airway.
If breathing is partially restricted, a breathing tube may be placed through the mouth or nose. If breathing is severely restricted, the patient may have a tracheotomy and insertion of a breathing tube into it. This procedure is called a tracheostomy.
Excess fluid drainage
Ludwig's angina causes fluid to accumulate in the neck and jaw area, so it is important to drain this fluid through an incision in the area so that the patient can breathe easier.
infection control
You will likely need intravenous antibiotics until your symptoms are gone. Then you'll continue to take oral antibiotics until tests show that the bacteria are gone to ensure your symptoms don't return.
You will also need to get treatment for any additional dental infections.
Additional treatments
The tooth that caused Ludwig's angina may need to be treated, and if you still have swelling, you may need to drain the fluid that caused the area to swell.
Prevention of Ludwig's angina
In most cases, you can help prevent this rare and serious skin infection.
- Try to avoid piercing the tongue or mouth as these holes may allow bacteria to invade the jawbone and soft tissues. gingivitis Or loose teeth make an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible.
- Good oral hygiene should also be one of the first preventative measures. Make sure you brush and floss your teeth every day.
- Make a regular visit to the dentist to check the presence of Tooth decay or cysts or plaque buildup.
With good care and a healthy diet, you can reduce your risk of developing Ludwig's angina.