What is laryngitis?
Laryngitis occurs when the larynx, or voice box, becomes inflamed or irritated. It causes voice changes, coughing, and sometimes difficulty breathing (also called dyspnea).
Before taking a look at the most popular Treatment for Laryngitis, here is a bit of information about the disease for better understanding.
In most cases, the condition is short-lived and resolves on its own within a few days. Proper care at home can speed up recovery. In rare cases, laryngitis is caused by a serious throat infection and should be treated by a doctor.
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx, often due to a viral infection. However, laryngitis can also be caused by allergies, smoking, and vocal strains such as excessive shouting or singing. Regardless of the cause, the main symptom of laryngitis is hoarseness or loss of voice.
This condition is very common, particularly in winter and autumn, and most often benign. It affects both children and adults, but is more common in kids.
Laryngitis can be present in acute or chronic form.
- Acute laryngitis lasts only for a few days, up to a week. It is generally an accompanying illness to a respiratory infection, such as bronchitis.
- Chronic laryngitis lasts from several weeks to a few months. It may be due to a chronic or complicated respiratory infection or to an irritative or allergic cause (prolonged exposure to allergens such as pollen, tobacco or gastroesophageal reflux).
Causes
Acute laryngitis is frequently of viral origin. However, it can also be of bacterial or mycotic origin (due to a fungus). It is a very contagious disease, which is transmitted by contact or saliva.
Chronic laryngitis is favored by external factors, such as smoking, alcohol, allergies, excessive solicitation of the voice (shouting or singing) and gastroesophageal reflux.
Symptoms
- Hoarseness and loss of voice;
- Barking cough;
- Dry cough;
- Sore throat;
- Painful swallowing;
- Fever;
- Difficulty breathing.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of laryngitis is based on observing the patient’s symptoms during a consultation. The doctor performs an examination of the throat called indirect laryngoscopy (visualization of the larynx using a mirror and lighting) or fibroscopy.
