If you have trouble getting your voice to respond normally or you experience throat discomfort when you try to speak, laugh, or sing, you may have laryngitis. This common voice problem often comes and goes as an accompaniment to an acute health problem, or it can turn into a chronic condition.
Although most cases of laryngitis don't represent a serious health concern, you should understand this condition's causes and effects as well as available treatments and strategies for avoiding future attacks. Start by exploring the answers to these frequently asked laryngitis questions.
What Does Laryngitis Involve?
Laryngitis involves irritation and inflammation of the larynx, also known as the voice box. The larynx sits just under the throat, at the entrance to your trachea (the airway to your lungs). A pair of thin tissues called vocal cords vibrate within the larynx to make sounds. In laryngitis, some irritating trigger causes the vocal cords to swell up.
Why Do People Get Laryngitis?
A variety of issues can cause acute or chronic laryngitis. The most common trigger usually involves the same viral infections that also cause bronchitis, colds, and the flu. Fungal and sinus infections can also produce laryngitis as one of their symptoms.
Exposure to irritating chemicals or other substances might trigger laryngitis. Examples include tobacco smoke, vape fumes, airborne pollutants or allergens, and inhaled asthma drugs. Untreated acid reflux may expose the larynx to irritating stomach acids. A direct injury to the throat can damage or inflame the larynx.
What Symptoms Does Laryngitis Produce?
Like other kinds of throat inflammation, laryngitis can give you a sore throat. However, the swelling of the vocal cords also changes your vocal quality. Sufferers typically have a hoarse, weak-sounding voice that makes verbal communication difficult. Some laryngitis sufferers even experience a temporary inability to make any vocal sounds.
When Should You Get Your Laryngitis Evaluated?
Most acute cases of laryngitis resolve themselves within a couple of weeks' time, depending on how long it takes the underlying disease or injury to heal. Laryngitis caused by external irritants may come and go with exposure, or it may linger as a chronic condition if you can't escape the irritant in question.
If your laryngitis lasts longer than two weeks, you should schedule an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor. Other signs that you need medical attention include a constant fever, worsening throat pain, a bloody cough, and breathing problems.
How Do Throat Doctors Treat Laryngitis?
Throat doctors administer diagnostic evaluations to confirm a case of laryngitis (or identify any other issue that might cause your symptoms). Your throat doctor may use an elongated instrument called an endoscope to look at your larynx. The doctor may also take a culture from your throat and examine it to identify specific disease germs.
Treatment for laryngitis depends on the underlying cause. Your throat doctor probably won't prescribe antibiotics, since bacteria don't usually cause laryngitis. However, you may receive steroid drugs to reduce tissue swelling. If you have acid reflux disease or allergies, you may need separate treatment to address those issues.
How Can You Reduce Your Risk for Laryngitis?
Preventative care may go a long way toward minimizing your future battles with laryngitis. Avoid smoking, try to steer clear of airborne allergens (including secondhand smoke), and wash your hands regularly to help prevent throat infections. Drink water instead of throat-drying caffeinated beverages whenever possible.
If you've gotten into the conscious or unconscious habit of clearing your throat frequently, try to break that habit. Constant throat clearing can irritate the larynx and promote swelling of the vocal cords.
If you find yourself troubled with any kind of persistent throat issues, including laryngitis, Wilmington Ear Nose & Throat MD can treat your condition and help you get your voice back into good working order. Contact any of our
locations
for an appointment.
