What is laryngitis and how to treat it
Miscellaneous / / February 26, 2022
The case when a hoarse voice is a symptom.
What is laryngitis
Laryngitis is inflammationLaryngitis. Symptoms and Causes / Mayo Clinic mucous membranes of the larynx.
The larynx is the part of the respiratory system that connects the pharynx to the trachea. The vocal cords are located here: two folds, consisting of muscle tissue covered by a mucous membrane.
When we talk, the vocal cords open and close. Their movements and vibrations produce sounds. With laryngitis, it is these areas of tissue that are the first to suffer.
What are the symptoms of laryngitis
Laryngitis is usually arisesLaryngitis/NHS suddenly. During the first three days, the following symptoms appear:
- voice becomes hoarse;
- you cannot control it: it sounds too quiet, and sometimes disappears altogether;
- in the throat it tickles and sore, so that you constantly want to clear your throat;
- appeared annoying dry cough;
- sore throat.
Inflammation of the larynx often occurs with SARS or influenza, so other “cold” symptoms may appear: fever, runny nose, weakness.
Where does laryngitis come from?
The most common causeLaryngitis/NHS laryngitis - viral infections. But before inflammation of the vocal cords, you can shout: for example, if you vehemently sang along with your favorite band at a concert or were too actively ill at a football stadium.
Such causes usually cause acute laryngitis. However, inflammation may beLaryngitis. Symptoms and Causes / Mayo Clinic and chronic - in this case, it is delayed for more than 3 weeks.
The causes of chronic laryngitis are more serious:
- Irritants: smoke, chemical fumes, allergens.
- Acid reflux (also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD). In simple words: you have heartburn too often, and it irritates the larynx.
- Chronic sinusitis.
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- The constant tension of the voice. This happens with singers or professional cheerleaders.
- Smoking.
- Bacterial and fungal infections.
- Infestation with some parasites.
- Physiological distortion of the vocal cords.
- Paralysis of the vocal cords. It occurs due to damage to the vocal nerve as a result of surgery, trauma to the chest or neck, nervous disorders or oncological processes.
- Cancer.
What to do with laryngitis
Acute laryngitis is harmless and most often passesLaryngitis/NHS by itself in 1-2 weeks. To speed up your recovery:
- Talk less: you need to reduce the load on the vocal cords.
- Do not speak in a whisper - it loads the cords even more than ordinary speech.
- Drink more warm liquids: tea, compotes, fruit drinks. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Keep an eye on the humidity in the room where you spend most of the day. If she insufficient, buy a humidifier, or at least put a bowl of water on the windowsill.
- Gargle with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt per glass of liquid). This recommendation is not suitable for children.
- Suck on hard candies or chew gum. This will helpLaryngitis. Diagnosis and treatment / Mayo Clinic moisten the throat.
- Take an over-the-counter paracetamol or ibuprofen pain reliever if the pain is severe.
When to see a doctor
If the symptoms of laryngitis do not decrease within 2 weeks, the inflammation is likely to develop into a chronic form. In this case, you need to consult with a therapist or otolaryngologist.
The doctor will ask you about your well-being, lifestyle, take a look at your medical history, examine your vocal cords using a tiny mirror and a light. Maybe, needLaryngitis. Diagnosis and treatment / Mayo Clinic fiber optic laryngoscopy: the doctor will insert a thin flexible tube (endoscope) with a mini camera and through your nose or mouth to the back of your throat to see how your vocal cords move when you speak.
All this will help to establish the causes of inflammation. Then the doctor will recommend how to quickly get rid of laryngitis. For example, prescribe heartburn medications, antibiotics, or antifungal medications. In some cases, vocal cord surgery may be required.
When to call an ambulance
Immediately dialLaryngitis. Symptoms and Causes / Mayo Clinic 103, if the following symptoms appeared against the background of laryngitis:
- breathing problems;
- coughing up blood;
- prolonged fever (temperature above 38 ºС), which fail to knock down common antipyretics.
With laryngitis in a child, dangerous symptoms that require an urgent call to an ambulance are:
- noisy, whistling sounds that accompany each breath;
- unusually profuse salivation;
- problems with swallowing;
- breathing difficulties;
- fever (temperature above 38 ºС).
Such signs may indicate croup (sharp swelling of the larynx and trachea) or epiglottitis (the so-called inflammation of the epiglottis). Both of these conditions can cause the airways to become blocked.
How to prevent laryngitis
Experts of the American research center Mayo Clinic listLaryngitis. Symptoms and Causes / Mayo Clinic the most effective ways to reduce the risk of inflammation of the vocal cords.
- Give up smoking. And from passive too. Tobacco smoke can irritate the vocal cords and make them more vulnerable to infections.
- Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake. It is believed that these drinks reduce the amount of moisture in the body, and because of this, the vocal cords become less elastic and more easily injured.
- Drink more fluids. Drinks thin the mucus in the throat and help clear the throat.
- Do not clear your throat with force. When you cough with tension, the load on the vocal cords increases dramatically.
- Avoid spicy foods or don't eat them too often. Such products may cause heartburn.
- Make sure your diet contains more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. They contain vitamins A, E, C, which are important for maintaining the health of the larynx.
- Do everything you can to reduce your risk of SARS. Wash your hands often, try to maintain social distancing in public places and avoid contact with people who have signs of a cold.
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Author and editor of articles on health, psychology, sexology. I have been working in medical journalism for over 15 years. I rely on the principles of dokmed, love and know how to search and analyze relevant research in world scientific journals. I try to write simply and clearly about the most complex diseases. I believe that understanding the mechanism of the development of the disease means taking the first step towards recovery.