What is Laryngitis?
This is when the larynx or voice box becomes inflamed because of overuse or irritation.
Exclusive in the larynx or voice box are located the vocal cords – 2 mucous membrane folds that covers muscle as well as cartilage. Usually the vocal cords close and open very smoothly creating sounds thru the vibration and movement. But when an individual has laryngitis, the vocal cords come to be irritated or inflamed. This inflammation or swelling causes sounds to be distorted when created by the air that passes over them. This causes the voice to sound hoarse. There are some severe laryngitis cases where the voice may come to be virtually inaudible.
This laryngitis can be either acute or short-lived or chronic meaning long-lasting. Most laryngitis cases are caused by a viral infection that is temporary or strain vocally and are not very severe. Any stubborn hoarseness can be a sign of a medical problem that is more serious.
Laryngitis Symptoms
In many cases of laryngitis symptoms and signs last usually less than 14 days and are only triggered by something slight for example the common cold. More infrequently, laryngitis symptoms and signs are triggered by some problem that is more severe or lasting longer. Laryngitis symptoms and signs consist of:
- Weak or loss of voice
- Hoarseness
- Rawness in throat or tickling sensation
- Dry cough
- Dry throat
- Sore throat
Normally acute laryngitis cases can be managed at home with steps of self-care for example drinking lots of fluids or resting the voice.
An individual needs to see a doctor if:
- Hoarseness continues for more than 14 days
Seek medical attention quickly for a child:
- Drools more than usually
- Makes high-pitched noisy breathing sounds especially when inhaling
- Has problems swallowing
- Has difficulty with breathing
- Has fever greater than 103 F
These above symptoms can be an indication of the croup – which is larynx inflammation as well as the airway right beneath it. Croup can normally be managed at home but symptoms that are severe have need of medical care.
Laryngitis Causes
Laryngitis – Acute
The majority of laryngitis cases is only temporary and gets better when the underlying illness improves. The bases of laryngitis that is acute consist of:
- Vocal straining caused by screaming or abusing the voice
- Viral infections for instance those that cause colds
- Bacterial infections for instance diphtheria – but this is extremely rare
- Viruses for instance mumps or measles
Laryngitis – Chronic
Cases of laryngitis that last more than 3 weeks are referred to as chronic laryngitis. This kind of laryngitis is normally instigated by irritations over time. Laryngitis that is chronic may be caused by vocal cord injuries or strain as well as vocal cord growths referred to as nodules or polyps. These injuries are normally caused by:
- Irritants inhaled for instance chemical allergens, fumes or smoke
- Sinusitis that is chronic
- Acid reflux, known as GERD or “gastroesophageal reflux disease”
- Alcohol use that is excessive
- Smoking
- Habitual vocal overuse – such as cheerleaders or singers
Causes that are less common for chronic laryngitis consist of:
- Fungal as well as bacterial infections
- Infections from various parasites
Other cause of hoarseness that is chronic includes:
- Vocal cords that are paralyzed, because of stroke, injury, tumor of the lung or further health problems
- Vocal cords bowing in older age
- Cancer
The risk issues for laryngitis consist of:
- Respiratory infection for instance bronchitis, a cold or sinusitis
- Overuse of the voice by, speaking too much, too loudly, singing or shouting
- Exposure to substances that are irritating for instance excessive alcohol, cigarette smoke, stomach acid, or workplace chemicals
Laryngitis Treatment
Laryngitis that is acute and triggered by a virus normally becomes better on its own in 7 days or so. Measures for self-care may also help to improve symptoms.
Treatments for chronic laryngitis are targeted at the causal conditions for instance smoking, excessive alcohol or heartburn.
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Medications normally used in certain cases consist of:
Antibiotics
In nearly all cases of laryngitis, antibiotics will not be of any help due to the cause being viral. But in the case of a bacterial infection – which is very rare for laryngitis – the primary care physician may advise an antibiotic.
Corticosteroids
Often, corticosteroids may aid in reducing any inflammation of vocal cords. But, this treatment is used when there is a very urgent need to treat the laryngitis – for instance, when an individual needs the voice to give a speech or presentation or to sing, or in cases where a toddler has laryngitis linked with croup.
Laryngitis Home Remedies
There are several methods for self-care as well as home treatments that can relieve the problems of laryngitis as well as reduce the strain on the voice:
Breathing of moist air
By using a humidifier in order to preserve the moister in the air thru out the home or office. Inhaling the steam from a hot shower or a container of water that is hot can also help.
Rest the voice as much as conceivable
Avoid singing or talking too long or too loudly. If you are going to speak in front of a very large group use a microphone to save the strain on your voice.
Drink lots of fluids
In order to stop dehydration – as well as avoid caffeine and alcohol
Keep the throat moist
Do this by sucking on a lozenge, chewing gum or gargling with salt water.
Avoid using decongestants
These drugs dry the throat out.
Avoid whispering
This places more straining of the voice than speech that is normal
Laryngitis Cure
Laryngitis is normally fairly easy to cure but it depends on the cause of the inflammation of the larynx. If it is due to a viral infection, taking the measures that a person would usually take for a cold will eventually help the larynx to get better.
If the laryngitis is caused by a bacterial infection, then antibiotics as well as resting the voice will have you better in no time at all.
If the laryngitis is caused by straining the voice, resting it will usually make the condition better.
There are some conditions where nodules or polyps develop on the larynx and the hoarseness of the voice is a chronic problem. As well as treating the underlying condition, in some cases it will be necessary to get some physical therapy for the voice in order for the voice to return to normal. With chronic problems with the voice, an individual develops habits in breathing as well as speaking that need to be corrected so that the original problem does not return.
Laryngitis Pictures
