If you’ve noticed that lately, your voice sounds weak or raspy when talking at work or ordering lunch from Tamp & Grind, it may be due to laryngitis.
What Is Laryngitis?
Laryngitis is an inflammation of your larynx that affects your vocal cords and causes changes to your voice.
The condition is usually temporary, lasting between three to seven days. However, if your symptoms last over three weeks, it’s considered chronic laryngitis.
Laryngitis Symptoms
In addition to a weakened voice, common laryngitis symptoms include:
- Hoarseness
- Total loss of voice
- Sore throat
- Pain when talking or swallowing
- Dry cough
What Causes Laryngitis?
Various illnesses and other factors can cause laryngitis. The most common causes of acute laryngitis include:
- Viral infections like the cold or flu
- Vocal strain caused by yelling or overusing your voice
- Bacterial or fungal infections (less common)
If, instead, you have chronic laryngitis, it may be caused by one of the following:
- Smoking
- Acid reflux (GERD)
- Exposure to certain chemicals or allergens that cause irritation
- Chronic sinusitis
- Regularly overusing your voice
- Excessive alcohol use
Could it Be Another Illness?
Other conditions can cause laryngitis, some of which can be serious medical issues. It’s important to visit a medical provider if you’ve had symptoms for over a few days that don’t seem to be improving. Other potential causes include:
- Benign vocal lesions
- Vocal cord paralysis
- Laryngeal cancer
At your ENT visit, they will likely ask about your symptoms, listen to your voice and examine your vocal cords. Depending on your symptoms, additional testing may be required.
Laryngitis Treatment Options
Often, acute laryngitis will resolve on its own after a few days of giving your voice a rest. You can use cough drops or a humidifier to help with discomfort. It’s also important to stay hydrated while recovering from laryngitis, so drink plenty of water and warm tea.
Additional treatments may depend on the severity of your symptoms as well as the cause and can include:
- Antibiotics
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
- Vocal therapy with a speech pathologist to teach you ways to put less strain on your voice
- Treating acid reflux with medication and dietary changes
For more information about managing and preventing laryngitis, contact Red River ENT Associates today.
