Laryngitis
What is Laryngitis ?
Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box (larynx) from overuse, irritation, or infection. Inside the larynx are your vocal cords — two folds of mucous membrane covering muscle and cartilage. Normally, your vocal cords open and close smoothly, forming sounds through their movement and vibration.
But with laryngitis, your vocal cords become inflamed or irritated. This makes the vocal cords swell, which distorts the sounds produced by air passing over them. As a result, your voice sounds hoarse. In some cases of laryngitis, your voice can become almost undetectable. Laryngitis may be short-lived (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). Most cases of laryngitis are triggered by a temporary viral infection and aren’t serious. Persistent hoarseness can sometimes signal a more serious underlying medical condition.
Symptoms
- Hoarseness
- Weak voice or voice loss
- Tickling sensation and rawness in your throat
- Sore throat
- Dry throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Losing your voice
- Dry cough
- Constant throat clearing
- Fever
- Difficulty swallowing
- Malaise
Cause
Most cases of laryngitis are temporary and improve after the underlying cause improves. Causes of acute laryngitis include viral infections similar to those that cause a cold. Vocal strain, caused by yelling or overusing your voice. Bacterial infections although they are less common. Laryngitis that lasts longer than three weeks is known as chronic laryngitis. This type of laryngitis is generally caused by exposure to irritants over time. Chronic laryngitis can cause vocal cord strain and injuries or growths on the vocal cords (polyps or nodules). Chronic laryngitis can be caused by inhaled irritants, such as chemical fumes, allergens, or smoke. Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Chronic sinusitis. Excessive alcohol use. Habitual overuse of your voice (such as in singers or cheerleaders). Smoking. Less common causes of chronic laryngitis include bacterial or fungal infections. Infections with certain parasites. Other causes of chronic hoarseness include cancer. Vocal cord paralysis can result from nerve injury due to surgery, injury to the chest or neck, cancer, nerve disorders, or other health conditions. Bowing of the vocal cords.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for laryngitis include having a respiratory infection, such as a cold, bronchitis, or sinusitis. Exposure to irritating substances, such as cigarette smoke, excessive alcohol intake, stomach acid, or workplace chemicals. Overusing your voice by speaking too much, speaking too loudly, shouting, or singing.
When to see a Doctor
You can manage most acute cases of laryngitis with self-care steps, such as resting your voice and drinking plenty of fluids. Strenuous use of your voice during an episode of acute laryngitis can damage your vocal cords. Make an appointment with a doctor if your laryngitis symptoms last more than two weeks.