What Is Laryngitis?

Laryngitis is inflammation of the voice box (larynx), which usually causes the voice to sound hoarse. It can even make some people lose their voice completely.

When vocal cords work normally, they open and close smoothly and make sound through vibration. But when they are inflamed and swollen, the sounds produced are distorted, causing the voice to sound hoarse or weak.

Laryngitis is categorized based on how long it lasts and what’s causing it.

Acute Laryngitis

This is the most common type of laryngitis and typically lasts for a few days to a week. It often comes with a sore throat, and it’s usually caused by viral infections like the common cold or flu.

Chronic Laryngitis

• Hoarseness or a loss of voice
• Sore throat or scratchy feeling
• Dry throat and difficulty swallowing
• Coughing
• Fatigue or general discomfort

• Low, raspy voice
• Voice that easily breaks or cracks
• A lump-in-the-throat sensation
• Dry throat
• Constant urge to clear the throat
• Heavy mucus
• Pain with swallowing
• Chronic cough or postnasal drip

Laryngitis can be caused by several factors, including infections, irritants, and certain lifestyle habits.

Causes of Acute Laryngitis

Some common causes of acute laryngitis include:

• Viral infections such as the common cold or flu
• Bacterial infections, although those are less common
• Vocal strain from excessive talking, shouting, or singing

Causes of Chronic Laryngitis

Chronic laryngitis is usually caused by exposure to irritants over a period of time, leading to vocal strain, injuries, or growths on the vocal cords, which are called polyps or nodules.

The most common causes of chronic laryngitis include:

• Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
• Acid reflux where stomach acid irritates the throat (also called GERD)
• Allergies or environmental irritants like dust or chemicals
• Consistent overuse of voice (as in teachers or performers)

Less commonly, chronic laryngitis can be caused by bacterial or fungal infections or infections with certain parasites.

To diagnose laryngitis, a healthcare provider typically begins with a physical exam that includes a review of your symptoms. If the symptoms are chronic, a review of medical history and additional tests may be necessary to determine the underlying cause.

Common diagnostic procedures include:

• Laryngoscopy A doctor may use a small camera to view the vocal cords and throat for signs of inflammation.
• Throat Culture If a bacterial infection is suspected, a throat swab may be taken to test for bacterial growth.
• Biopsy If there is a small nodule or lump on the vocal cords, a small piece of tissue may be taken and sent to the lab for analysis.

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Treatment for laryngitis typically focuses on alleviating symptoms and addressing any underlying causes. Most cases of acute laryngitis that are caused by a cold or other minor infection probably don’t need treatment. Laryngitis caused by something else may need treatment, depending on the underlying cause.

Medication Options

Pain Relievers Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve throat pain.

Corticosteroids In cases of severe inflammation, a doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to reduce swelling. They’re usually only prescribed when there is an urgent need to treat.

Antibiotics Most cases of laryngitis are caused by a virus, and so antibiotics aren’t effective. But if a bacterial infection is the cause, antibiotics may be necessary.

Surgery

Surgery is not typically required for laryngitis unless there is an underlying structural issue, such as vocal cord nodules, cysts, polyps or tumors, causing prolonged symptoms.

This type of surgery can be performed with tiny surgical instruments, called microsurgery, or vocal cord laser surgery.

Voice Therapy

Home Remedies

Steps you can take on your own to ease the sore throat that comes with acute laryngitis include:

• Use a humidifier
• Use a portable nebulizer (available over the counter) with saline solution
• Gargle with salt water

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• Suck on hard candies, ice chips, or ice pops
• Drink warm fluids, like tea or soup

While some cases of laryngitis are unavoidable, there are several ways to reduce your risk:

• Avoid smoking. Don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently to prevent infections.
• Don’t clear your throat. Clearing your throat makes the vocal cords vibrate abnormally, which can cause swelling and make the throat more irritated.
• Limit vocal strain. If you use your voice a lot, give your vocal cords regular breaks. Don’t whisper, as that can further strain the voice box.

A few lifestyle adjustments such as the following can help you manage laryngitis or prevent future flare-ups:

• Avoid acidic foods. Spicy, acidic, and fatty foods can trigger reflux and worsen laryngitis. If laryngitis is reflux-related, your doctor may recommend medicines for acid reflux.
• Avoid eating big meals. For laryngitis caused by acid reflux, it may help to eat several small meals instead of one or two big meals. Don’t lie down for at least three hours after eating, especially if it’s a big meal.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to keep the throat moist.

The duration of laryngitis depends on the type and cause. In most cases, acute laryngitis will last a week or two.

In children, two complications of laryngitis may occur:

• Croup This narrows the airway passages, causes difficulty breathing, and leads to a “barking” cough.
• Epiglottitis The epiglottis is the flap of cartilage at the back of the tongue which closes off the windpipe when swallowing. When it becomes inflamed, it can swell and make breathing difficult.

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• Trouble breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Fever that won’t go away
• Sore throat has gotten worse over a period of weeks

Hoarseness that hasn't resolved after four weeks should be evaluated with a laryngoscopy by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor.

For children, seek immediate care if they:

• Make noisy, high-pitched breathing sounds when inhaling
• Drool more than usual
• Have trouble swallowing or breathing
• Have a fever

Laryngitis is a common condition, with acute cases affecting millions of people each year, especially during the cold and flu season. Most people will have laryngitis once every few years.

Laryngitis may be related to or occur alongside other conditions, including.

• Laryngitis is a condition caused by inflammation of the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness and potential loss of voice.
• Most cases are temporary and are caused by a viral infection like a cold or the flu.
• Chronic laryngitis is laryngitis that lasts longer than three weeks and often has an underlying cause such as smoking or overusing the voice.
• If symptoms last longer than three weeks or worsen, consult a healthcare provider to rule out underlying conditions.