Tracheal Stenosis- is your windpipe narrowed down?

Trachea means “windpipe” and stenosis refers to narrowing of a particular structure. So, tracheal stenosis is referred to the state where there is narrowing of the windpipe. Let us have a brief understanding as to where the windpipe is actually located in our body. When we take in air, it passes through the throat or pharynx and then the larynx or the voice box and after all this the air comes to the windpipe which is in fact the largest airway and it further subdivides itself into two small airways that branches into the lungs.

Now let us get some knowledge on the symptoms of tracheal stenosis. Difficulty or shortness in breathing, continuous coughing are some of the signals. When somebody breathes and if a noise is clearly heard, there may be some kind of the of obstruction in either the windpipe or in any other part of the throat and so it requires immediate attention. Inflammation in the lungs, a blue stint in the mouth or nose are some of the potential symptoms of tracheal stenosis.

To determine your stage of the disease, an X-ray or MRI scan of the throat and windpipe can be done. With the advancement of medical science, a lot of methods have come in to diagnose your tracheal stenosis. Some of the best methods include Endoscopy, Laryngoscopy, Bronchoscopy etc. Even with the help of a low cost sthetoscope, you can hear your breathe and if some loud noise occurs you can further consult your doctor.

Tracheal symptoms can be of different types and basically are divided into types –those which are congenital and secondly those which are acquired.

The most common cause of tracheal stenosis is intubation or insertion of a tube in a child or adult to help him breathe. This, in many cases, may cause injury to the throat and cause scars which ultimately can cause stenosis. Other causes are not so important as congenital tracheal stenosis is too rare.