Have you ever woken up in the morning and felt your throat hurt? Your voice has changed and it seems hoarse when you speak? Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you can't even speak. Although many people are afraid of this condition, this is a common condition that we medically call 'laryngitis'. So, let's talk about this clearly and simply today.
What is simply laryngitis?
Okay, let's first look at what this is. At the top of our throat, there's a small organ that produces our voice. We call this the larynx . Some people also call it the "voice box." Inside this is where the vocal cords are located.
Laryngitis is when the larynx and vocal cords become swollen for some reason. When this swelling occurs, the vocal cords cannot vibrate freely. This prevents the sound from coming out properly. That's why our voice becomes hoarse, has a raspy sound, or sometimes we lose our voice completely.
What are the symptoms seen in this condition?
Laryngitis usually occurs with other symptoms, such as a cold or flu. The symptoms are very similar in both children and adults.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Hoarseness | The main symptom: the voice breaks, becomes hoarse, or disappears completely. |
| Sore or itchy throat | I feel like I'm being stabbed in the throat, and I feel like I'm going to vomit. |
| Dry cough | A dry, non-productive cough occurs. Sometimes the cough may make a hoarse sound, like a dog barking. |
| Frequent throat clearing | I feel like I have a lump in my throat, so I constantly feel the need to clear my throat. |
| Other features | Slight fever, swollen glands in the neck (elbows), dry throat. |
What are the main causes of laryngitis?
We divide laryngitis into two types depending on the causes.
1. Short-term (Acute) Laryngitis
This is the most common type. It usually resolves within a few days or 2-3 weeks. The main cause of this is a viral infection .
- Common Cold
- Flu
- Bronchitis
This often occurs with a respiratory infection like this.
2. Chronic laryngitis
If this condition lasts for more than 3 weeks, we call it chronic laryngitis. This is caused by something damaging the larynx and vocal cords over a long period of time.
- Smoking : Cigarette or vape use is a major cause.
- Excessive use of the voice: This can occur in teachers, singers, preachers, and those who shout and cheer during sports matches.
- Acid Reflux/ GERD : Although many people don't know it, when gastritis worsens, stomach acid can back up into the throat and damage the vocal cords. This is a very common cause of long-term voice problems.
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- Allergies .
- Asthma inhalers used for diseases such as asthma can cause dry throat.
- Inhaling chemical fumes or dust.
Especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of laryngitis have been reported due to excessive coughing, some steroids used for treatment, and ventilator tubes used in critically ill patients.
When do you need to see a doctor?
Most of the time, laryngitis is not serious and can be treated with home remedies. However, there are some cases where you should definitely seek medical advice. See your doctor right away, especially if you have any of the symptoms below.
| Situations requiring emergency medical treatment | |
|---|---|
| If you are an adult, see a doctor immediately if you have these symptoms: | |
| 1. | If you have difficulty breathing . |
| 2. | If you cough up blood . |
| 3. | High fever that lasts for several days. |
| 4. | If the hoarseness of the voice persists for more than 2-3 weeks . |
| Take your child to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately if they have these symptoms: | |
| 1. | If you make a high-pitched whistling sound (stridor) when breathing. |
| 2. | If you are having difficulty breathing or swallowing . |
| 3. | If the child is salivating abnormally from the mouth. |
| 4. | If a child under 3 months old has a fever over 100°F (37.8°C) or a child older than 3 months has a fever over 102°F (38.9°C). |
Because children's airways are so small, the swelling caused by laryngitis can be dangerously obstructed. So be very aware of the above symptoms.
Treatments and things you can do at home
The best part is, most of the time it doesn't require major treatment. It can be cured with simple things you can do at home.
Treatments you can do at home
- Give your voice a rest: This is the best and most important thing. Don't talk as much as possible. Stop shouting and singing completely.
- Don't mumble: Many people think that mumbling is a good thing when they have lost their voice. But that's wrong. Whispering puts even more pressure on the vocal cords. So, reduce talking altogether.
- Drink plenty of water: Drink fluids like warm water and soup regularly. This can help keep your throat moist. But avoid drinks containing caffeine like coffee and tea, and alcohol. They dehydrate the body.
- Inhale the steam: Pour hot water into a bowl and inhale the steam. Or take a hot bath. Moisture is your vocal cords' best friend.
- Gargle with salt water: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and gargle with it several times a day. This will reduce swelling and pain.
- Stay away from smoke and dust: Don't be around people who smoke. Avoid dry, dusty environments.
- Avoid clearing your throat: This habit only causes further injury to your vocal cords.
Medical treatment
Antibiotics are usually not helpful for laryngitis caused by a viral infection. If your doctor thinks it is caused by a bacterial infection, they may prescribe antibiotics. If you have long-term laryngitis, it is important to identify and treat the underlying cause (e.g., gastritis, smoking).
Take-Home Message
- Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box, the larynx. It is usually not a serious condition.
- The best treatment is to give your voice maximum rest and drink plenty of fluids.
- If hoarseness persists for more than 2 weeks or if there are serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, be sure to see a doctor .
- Avoid mumbling and clearing your throat frequently, as these can make the condition worse.
- Laryngitis can be prevented by avoiding smoking, avoiding excessive shouting, and keeping the body hydrated.
Laryngitis, Laryngitis Sinhala, loss of voice, hoarseness, sore throat, larynx, dry cough
💬 Comments (0)
No comments have been posted yet. Add your comment here for the first time.
Add your comment