Laryngitis - Causes, Treatment and Prevention

What is Laryngitis?

Laryngitis is a temporary inflammation of the larynx. A person with Laryngitis may experience sore throat and difficulty speaking and swallowing, as well as feeling like their voice is hoarse or raspy.

What Causes Laryngitis?

The most common cause of laryngitis is vocal strain, such as from excessive use of the voice during periods of stress (especially if extreme emotions such as joy).

Other possible causes include trauma to the larynx, such as from a physical assault; viral or bacterial infections; allergies; use of medicines that irritate the vocal cords; and chemical injury from inhaling irritating substances.

Is Laryngitis Serious?

Laryngitis is a minor condition that usually heals itself within a few days. However, if laryngitis becomes severe it can impair speech, resulting in hoarseness of the voice.

Persistent inflammation of the vocal cords due to laryngeal spasm or narrowing can make breathing difficult or even cause respiratory failure.

The risk of respiratory obstruction increases with age and with the number of prior respiratory conditions. People with COPD are at higher risk of developing laryngoedema of the vocal cords (LYCD) and progressing to severe disease.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause or underlying problem that is causing it. Minor inflammation of the vocal cords may be treated by resting the voice and using over-the-counter remedies containing anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

If the laryngitis is caused by a viral infection, antibiotics are not effective in treating it. Laryngitis caused by smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke should be treated by stopping smoking completely. If laryngitis has resulted from repeated shouting or singing, avoiding excessive use of voice may help in recovery.

Prevention

With a few exceptions, there is no specific treatment for laryngitis. Individuals who perform a lot of singing or speaking should pay attention to their voice and take precautions against getting laryngitis. Exercise can also help prevent laryngitis.

Students who have to repeat notes or lines over and over again should take breaks in between performances, and refrain from practicing on the same day that they perform.

Frequently Asked Questions On Laryngitis

Here is a list of frequently asked questions that we receive via email and social media.

How Can I Treat Laryngitis?

The most common cause of laryngitis is vocal strain, such as from excessive use of the voice during periods of stress (especially if extreme emotions such as joy).

Other possible causes include trauma to the larynx, such as from a physical assault; viral or bacterial infections; allergies; use of medicines that irritate the vocal cords; and chemical injury from inhaling irritating substances. To recover from Laryngitis as quickly as possible, take a break from speaking as much as you can.

If you can't take a break, drink plenty of fluids and try to consume throat lozenges and gargle to relieve pain and irritation. Over-the-counter remedies may be used to ease pain and reduce inflammation in the vocal cords. It's also recommended that you drink warm liquids, such as tea or broth unless you have a fever or sore throat from a bacterial infection.

What Causes Laryngitis?

The most common cause of laryngitis is vocal strain, such as from excessive use of the voice during periods of stress (especially if extreme emotions such as joy).

Other possible causes include trauma to the larynx, such as from a physical assault; viral or bacterial infections; allergies; use of medicines that irritate the vocal cords; and chemical injury from inhaling irritating substances.

To recover from Laryngitis as quickly as possible, take a break from speaking as much as you can. If you can't take a break, drink plenty of fluids and try to consume throat lozenges and gargle to relieve pain and irritation.

Over-the-counter remedies may be used to ease pain and reduce inflammation in the vocal cords. It's also recommended that you drink warm liquids, such as hot tea or broth unless you have a fever or sore throat from a bacterial infection.