What is Laryngitis?

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx. The voice box (larynx) -located at the very top of the upper respiratory tract (also some times referred to as the airway, trachea, or windpipe) -contains our vocal cords.

When the vocal cords become inflamed (due to over-use, trauma, or exposure to allergens and/or environmental pollutants) or infected (because of a bacterial or a viral infection), they get swollen-up causing hoarseness, and loss of voice.

If the swelling of the vocal chords causes obstruction of the airway, patients may experience significant breathing difficulties.

Laryngitis Early Signs and Symptoms:

Laryngitis symptoms may include: Aphonia, Dysphagia, Dyspnea, Fever, Hoarseness, Laryngeal edema, Malaise, Scratchiness in the throat, Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, Respiratory distress, and Throat pain.

Laryngitis Treatment, Cures and Remedies for Laryngitis:

An otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat -i.e. an ent doctor) may order a set of throat and upper respiratory tract/airway tests if the patient suffers from chronic or persistent hoarseness.

There is no cure/treatment for viral laryngitis. Only symptomatic relief (steam inhalation, etc) treatment/therapies are available to those suffering from viral/acute laryngitis. Often Laryngitis is associated with chronic or acute bronchitis. Antibiotic treatment (including broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs such ampicillin or tetracycline) therapy for the underlying chronic bacterial bronchitis usualy helps relieve laryngitis as well. Other treatment options include use of cough drops, throat lozenges, avoidng cigarette smoke, air-humidifiers, gargle with warm water, and Aspirin, Ibuprofen or Tylenol for containing fever, and pain relief. Please note that aspirin should not be given to children under 19 years of age to prevent Reyes Syndrome.

Laryngitis Prognosis:

Full recovery is the norm in cases involving uncomplicated laryngitis. In some rare cases involving excessive swelling, severe respiratory distress complication may occur, requiring immediate medical intervention.

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Laryngitis Treatment News and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Laryngitis Treatment related Articles.

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