Do I Have Laryngitis?

Laryngitis is caused by a viral infection, and it refers to an inflammation of the voice box (often known as the larynx) due to an infection, irritation, or overuse. 

Laryngitis causes the swelling of the vocal cords and might eventually lead to voice loss if left untreated. Laryngitis is short-lived most times and long-lived only in rare cases. It relieves you of all its symptoms within 1 or 2 weeks of infection.

The larynx is made up of the vocal cords. The vocal cords comprise two flaps of mucous membranes enclosing the muscle and cartilage. Under normal circumstances, the vocal cords produce sounds through smooth movement and characteristic vibration. 

However, when laryngitis sets in, your vocal cords become inflamed. Due to this, your vocal cords swell up and distort the sounds coming out of them. Repeated sound distortions make your voice sound faint and hoarse.

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Signs of Laryngitis

Laryngitis symptoms usually go away within a few weeks. But if the symptoms refuse to leave, it might indicate an underlying severe illness. 

Symptoms of laryngitis can cause extreme discomfort and make life seem unbearable to the one who experiences it. That feeling you have when you want to talk, but the sounds aren't audible!

The following are some signs and symptoms of laryngitis:

• Sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Loss of voice or faint voice
• Tickling sensation
• Dry cough
• Dry and fairly painful throat

Common Causes of Laryngitis

There are two common forms of laryngitis (acute and chronic). Each has its peculiar causes. Besides, the crux of all forms of laryngitis is that they make you experience the same symptoms.

Here are the two forms of laryngitis and their common causes.

Causes of Acute Laryngitis:

• Vocal strain due to voice overuse
• Viral infections
• Bacterial infections (in rare cases)

Note that: Acute laryngitis is always short-lived and gets better with time.

Causes of Chronic Laryngitis:

• Smoking
• Voice overuse
• Severe sinusitis
• Inhaled irritants like allergens or fumes from chemicals
• Acid reflux, also known as GERD - Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease
• Parasitic infections
• Bacteria or fungal infections
• Cancer
• Note: Chronic laryngitis takes a longer time to heal up. It might take at least three weeks and can cause outgrowths (nodules and polyps) on the vocal cords.

Treating Laryngitis

Laryngitis can be easily treated using home remedies and observing some tips. But chronic laryngitis might require expert medical attention.

To hasten the recovery from laryngitis, here are a few tips that can help:

1. Drink a lot of water.
2. Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake.
3. Avoid imposing too much stress on your voice. For instance, screaming, excessive singing, etc.
4. Desist from smoking.
5. Reduce the consumption of spicy foods. Spicy foods can trigger stomach acid to clog up in your throat, leading to a sore throat.
6. Eat foods rich in healthy nutrients such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other vitamin-rich foods. They keep your throat in a healthy condition.
7. Avoid infections that can affect your upper respiratory tract.