Is your voice hoarse? Does your throat hurt? Let's talk about laryngitis!

Sometimes when we wake up in the morning, our voice feels very strange, doesn't it? When we try to speak, our voice becomes low, hoarse, and sometimes we can barely hear it. There may be a slight sore throat and a cough. One of the main reasons for this is the condition we are going to talk about today called laryngitis . There is nothing to worry about, let's talk about this simply.

What is Laryngitis? Let's understand it simply!

In your throat, that is, inside your neck, are two very delicate tissues called the vocal cords . To be precise, they are located in a small box-like organ called the larynx . This is what we also call the "voice box." When we talk, sing, or shout, the sound comes from these two vocal cords touching each other and vibrating.

Now imagine, what happens if these vocal cords become swollen, or `inflamed`? That's when laryngitis occurs. When the vocal cords become swollen, they can't vibrate freely as usual. That's when our voice becomes hoarse, our pitch becomes low, and sometimes we lose our voice altogether.

Are Laryngitis and Pharyngitis the same thing?

These two names may be confusing to some people because they sound a bit similar, but these two conditions are actually different.

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the back wall of the throat, the pharynx . Simply put, this is what we often call a "sore throat." The pharynx starts behind the nose and ends just above the larynx.

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx (voice box) below the larynx. Although both are located in the throat, the areas affected are different. However, sometimes both can occur together.

Who is more likely to develop laryngitis?

Laryngitis can affect anyone of any age, but some people are more likely to develop it. See if you fall into this category:

• People who use their voices excessively: This can easily develop in people who talk and shout constantly, such as teachers, singers, preachers, and people who work in call centers.
• Smokers and those who are frequently exposed to cigarette smoke (`passive smoking`): Cigarette smoke causes great damage to the vocal cords.
• People who drink alcohol excessively.
• People with respiratory infections: For example, those with conditions like bronchitis or sinusitis.
• People with weakened immune systems and those taking inhaled steroids: These people can sometimes develop fungal laryngitis.

How common is Laryngitis?

There are two types of laryngitis: acute laryngitis and chronic laryngitis .

Acute laryngitis is a temporary condition. This is the most common type of laryngitis. It usually resolves once the underlying cause is treated. While some people experience it frequently, most adults experience it only once every few years.

However, if laryngitis lasts longer than three weeks , it is considered chronic laryngitis . Surveys show that about 21% of Americans will develop chronic laryngitis at some point in their lives.

What happens to the body when you develop laryngitis?

Simply put, when you have laryngitis, your vocal cords become swollen, red, and painful. This can cause your voice to change. Sometimes, when you speak, it sounds very low and like a whisper.

What are the causes of laryngitis?

There are several possible causes of laryngitis. These causes may vary depending on whether you have acute laryngitis or chronic laryngitis.

Causes of sudden onset of laryngitis (`Acute Laryngitis`):

• Putting a lot of strain on your voice at once: This can happen if you shout, sing loudly, or talk continuously. Think of it like shouting at a cricket match, or giving a continuous lecture.
• Viral infections: These are most commonly caused by viruses that cause illnesses like colds and flu.
• Bacterial infections: This is a little less common, but it can happen.
• Yeast infections such as Candida: Especially in people with weakened immune systems and those taking inhaled steroids.

Causes of Chronic Laryngitis:

• Prolonged excessive use of the voice: This risk is higher for people like singers and teachers.
• Chronic sinusitis.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD - chronic acid reflux): This is when stomach acid flows back up into the throat. This acidity damages the vocal cords.
• Smoking.
• Excessive drinking.

What are the symptoms of Laryngitis?

Most of the time, laryngitis symptoms are temporary, and go away in less than two weeks. Common warning signs include:

• Hoarseness, or weak voice.
• Losing your voice completely.
• Sore throat.
• A feeling of tickling or rawness in your throat.
• Dry cough.
• Dry throat.

Is Laryngitis contagious?

This is an important question. Laryngitis is only contagious if it is caused by an infection. For example, if you have laryngitis caused by a virus or bacteria, you can spread the infection to others. However, laryngitis caused by overuse of the voice or smoking is not contagious.

How do you know for sure if you have laryngitis?

Often, you'll know it's laryngitis when you experience symptoms like hoarseness, a sore throat, and a dry cough. If the symptoms subside within a week or two, there's probably no need to see a doctor.

However, if necessary, your doctor can confirm this condition. He or she may do the following:

• Throat culture: The doctor will examine your throat and take a sample of the secretions, such as a small cotton bud. This is then placed in a culture medium to see if there is an infection.
• Laryngoscopy: This involves inserting a small camera (endoscope) through the nose or mouth to clearly view the vocal cords. This can help check for swelling or lumps.
• Biopsy: If there is a lump or tumor on the vocal cords, a small piece of tissue is taken and sent to a laboratory to find out exactly what it is.

How is laryngitis treated?

Laryngitis usually clears up on its own within a week or two. The best way to get better quickly is to rest your voice and drink plenty of fluids. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to help you get better quickly.

What are the medications for laryngitis?

The type of medication needed depends on the symptoms of laryngitis. Your doctor may recommend the following medications:

• Antibiotics: These are given if the cause of laryngitis is a bacterial infection. Antibiotics are not effective for viral infections.
• Antifungals: These are given if laryngitis is caused by a fungal infection such as Candida.
• Corticosteroids: These medications reduce swelling and inflammation. They are not given to everyone, but in some special cases, your doctor may prescribe them.
• Pain relievers: If you have a sore throat, you can take painkillers like acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen. However, do not give aspirin to young children.

How to manage symptoms of laryngitis at home?

There are several things you can do to manage laryngitis symptoms until you recover:

• Give your voice as much rest as possible. Reduce talking and shouting as much as possible.
• Don't let your body become dehydrated and drink plenty of water. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day.
• Breathe in steam (use a humidifier): This can help reduce throat dryness. Alternatively, you can breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water.
• Don't mumble! Many people think that whispering softly when their throat is sore is a good idea, but in reality, it puts more pressure on the vocal cords.
• Do not take decongestants: These can dry out your throat even more.

Can laryngitis be prevented?

Although you can't always prevent laryngitis, there are things you can do to reduce your risk:

• Avoid smoking. Quit smoking completely. Avoid being around other people who smoke (`secondhand smoke`).
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Include whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables in your diet. These help keep the mucous membranes in your throat healthy.
• Do not clear your throat. Clearing your throat causes your vocal cords to vibrate unnaturally. This can increase swelling and make your throat even more constricted.
• Reduce spicy and oily foods. These foods can cause stomach acid to come up into the throat (GERD).
• Limit caffeine and alcohol. These drinks dehydrate the body, which can make laryngitis symptoms worse.
• Drink plenty of water. When you maintain a good level of water in your body, the mucus in your throat becomes thinner and easier to remove.
• Wash your hands often. Wash your hands often to protect yourself from germs and stay away from people with respiratory infections.

How long does laryngitis last?

Acute laryngitis usually resolves within a week or two . However, if symptoms persist for more than three weeks , it may be chronic laryngitis. If this happens, be sure to see a doctor.

When can I go back to work or school?

This is something you need to decide based on your situation. If you have a job that requires a lot of talking, it's a good idea to take a few days off and rest. Also, if you have laryngitis due to a contagious infection, it's wise to stay away from work/school to avoid spreading it to others. If you're not sure, ask your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

In most cases, laryngitis can be managed by resting your voice and drinking plenty of fluids. However, if your laryngitis symptoms last longer than two weeks , you should definitely see a doctor for advice.

Also, seek medical advice immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms along with laryngitis:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Fever that doesn't go down.
• The pain is increasing day by day.
• Coughing up blood.

Important: If young children have difficulty breathing along with laryngitis, it could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as croup. So if young children have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

What should I ask my doctor?

If you have any questions or concerns about your condition, discuss them with your doctor. You can ask questions like these:

• Do I have acute laryngitis or chronic laryngitis?
• Is this contagious?
• Do I need to take medicine?

Is Laryngitis a symptom of COVID-19?

Although it is not a common symptom, it can occur. Because the coronavirus (COVID-19) affects our upper respiratory tract, the larynx (voice box) can become swollen and inflamed.

Why should you avoid whining when you have laryngitis?

It's normal to feel like grumbling when you have laryngitis. But, what it really does is put more pressure on your vocal cords. When you grumble, your vocal cords are pressed together more tightly than when you speak normally. So, give your voice a rest, and don't grumble.

Can laryngitis turn into bronchitis or pneumonia?

This usually doesn't happen. However, if you already have bronchitis or pneumonia, the infection can spread to the larynx and cause laryngitis.

Summary and Take-Home Message

Okay, we've talked a lot about laryngitis. Remember, most of the time, laryngitis is nothing to worry about, and it will go away on its own in a week or two.

• Give your voice a rest, drink plenty of water. This is the most important thing.
• Avoid smoking completely.
• Stay away from things that are harmful to the throat (poor food, excessive alcohol, etc.)
• If symptoms persist for more than two weeks, or if you have difficulty breathing, a high fever, severe pain, or coughing up blood , you should definitely see a doctor.

Take care of your throat and voice! Because a healthy voice is a great asset.

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